Lymphatic System - Abbreviation

HD—hodgkin disease

PI—protease inhibitor

ELISA—enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

KS—kaposi sarcoma

PCP—pneumocystis pneumonia

HIV—human immunodeficiency virus

AIDS—acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

NHL—non-hodgkin lymphoma

IgG—immunoglobulins

HSV—herpes simplex virus

Urinary System - Abbreviation

ADH—antidiuretic hormone-vasopressin

ARF—acute renal failure

BILI—bilirubin

BUN—blood urea nitrogen

CAPD—continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis

Cath—catheter, catheterization

CCPD—continuous cycling peritoneal dialysis

CKD—chronic kidney disease-serum creatinine and BUN levels rise

Cl—chloride-electrolyte excreted by the kidney

CRCL—creatinine clearance; also known as CrCl or CLcr

CRF—chronic renal failure-progressive loss of kidney function

C&S—culture and sensitivity testing-determine antibiotic effectiveness against bacteria grown from a patient's urine specimen

Cysto—cystoscopic examination

ESRD—end-stage renal disease

ESWL—extrcorporeal shock wave lithotripsy

GFR—glomerular filtration rate

HCO3---bicarbonate- an electrolyte conserved by the kidney

HD—hemodialysis

IC—interstitial cystitis-chronic inflammation of the bladder wall

K+--potassium-an electrolyte

KUB—kidney, ureter, and bladder

Na+--sodium-an electrolyte

PD—peritoneal dialysis

pH—potential hydrogen; scale to indicate degree of acidity or alkalinity

PKD—polycystic kidney disease

PKU—phenylketonuria

PUL—percutaneous ultrasonic lithotripsy

RP—retrograde pyelogram

spgr—specific gravity

UA—urinalysis

UTI—urinary tract infection

VCUG—voiding cystourethrogram

Female Reproductive System - Abbreviation

AB—abortion

AFP—alpha-fetoprotein

ASCUS—atypical squamous cells of unknown significance

AUB—abnormal uterine bleeding

BRCA1&2—breast cancer 1 and 2

BSE—breast self-examination

CA—125 protein marker test for ovarian cancer

C-section—cesearian section

CIN—cervical intraepithelial neoplasia

CIS—carcinoma in situ

CS—cesarean section

CVS—chorionic villus sampling

Cx—cervix

D&C—dilation & curettage

DCIS—Ductal Carcinoma in Situ

DES—diethylstilbestrol

DUB—dysfunctional uterine bleeding

ECC—endocervical curettage

EDC--estimated date of confinement

EMB—endometrial biopsy

FHR—fetal heart rate

FSH—follicle-stimulating hormone

Ggravida--(pregnant)

GnRH—gonadotropin-releasing hormone

GYN—gynecology

HCG—human chorionic gonadotropin

HDN—hemolytic disease of newborn

HPV—human papillomavirus

HRT—hormone replacement therapy

HSG—hysterosalpingography

IUD—intrauterine device

IVF—in vitro fertilization

LAVH—laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy

LEEP—loop electrocautery excision procedure

LH—luteinizing hormone

LMP—last menstrual period

LSH—laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy

Multip—Multipara

OB—obstetrics

OCPs—oral contraceptive pills

Para—2-0-1-2 a womens reproductive history; 2 full term pregnancy, 0 preterm, 1 abortion, 2 living children.

Pap—test papanicolaou smear

Path—pathology

PID—pelvic inflammatory disease

PMS—premenstrual syndrome

Primip—Primipara

RDS—respiratory distress syndrome of the newborn

SLN—biopsy sentinel lymph node biopsy

TAH-BSO—total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy

TRAM—flap trans-rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap, used for breast reconstruction

UAE—uterine artery embolization

VH—vaginal hysterectomy

Musculoskeletal System - Abbreviation

AE—above elbow

AK—above knee

BDT—bone density testing

BE—below elbow

BK—below knee

BMD—bone mineral density

C1,C2, etc—first cervical vertebrae, second cervical vertebrae, etc

Ca—calcium

CTS—carpal tunnel syndrome

DJD--degenerative joint disease

DTR—deep tendon reflex

DXA—dual energy absorptiometry

EMG—electromyogram

FX—fracture

HNP—herniated nucleus polposus

IM—intramuscular

JRA—juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

L1,L2,etc—first lumbar vertebrae, second lumbar vertebrae etc

LLE—left lower extremity

LUE—left upper extremity

MD—muscular dystrophy

NSAID—non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug

OA—osteoarthritis

ORIF—open reduction internal fixation

Orth—orthopedics

RA—rheumatoid arthritis

RLE—right lower extremity

RUE--right upper extremity

T1,T2, etc—first thoracic vertebrae, second thoracic vertebrae etc

THA—total hip arthroplasty

THR—total hip replacement

TKA—total knee arthroplasty

TKR—total knee replacement

Cardio Vascular System - Abbreviation

AAA—abdominal aortic aneurysm

ACE inhibitor—angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor

ACLS—advanced cardiac life support; CPR plus drugs and defibrillation

ACS—acute coronary syndrome

ADP—adenosine diphosphate; ADP blockers are used to prevent cardiovascular-related death, heart attack, and strokes and after all stent procedure

AED—automatic external defibrillator

AF, a-fib—atrial fibrillation

AICD—automatic implantable cardioverter- defibrillator

AMI—acute myocardial infarction

ARVD—arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia

AS—aortic stenosis

ASD—atrial septal defect

AV, A-V—atrioventricular

AVR—aortic valve replacement

BBB—bundle branch block

BNP—brain natriuretic peptide; elevated in congestive heart failure

BP—blood pressure

CABG—coronary artery bypass grafting

CAD—coronary artery disease

CCU—coronary care unit

Cath—catheterization

CHF--congestive heart failure

CK—creatine kinase; released into the bloodstream after injury to the heart or skeletal muscles

CoA—coarctation of the aorta

CPR—cardiopulmonar  resuscitation

CRT—cardia  resynchronization therapy; biventricular pacing

CTNI or CTNT—cardiac troponin-I and cardiac troponin-T; troponin is a protein released into the bloodstream after myocardial injury

CV—cardiovascular

DES—drug-eluting stent

DSA—digital subtraction angiography

DVT—deep vein thrombosis

ECMO—extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

ECG or EKG—electrocardiography

ECHO—echocardiography

EF—ejection fraction; measure of the amount of blood that pumps out of the heart with each beat

EPS—electrophysiology study; electrode catheters are inserted into veins and threaded into the heart and electrical conduction is measured

ETT—exercise tolerance test

ETT-MIBI—exercise tolerance test combined with a radioactive tracer scan

HDL—high-density lipoprotein; high blood levels are associated with lower incidence of coronary artery disease

HTN—hypertension (high blood pressure)

IABP—intra-aortic balloon pump; used to support patients in cardiogenic shock

ICD—implantablecardioverter-defibrillator

LAD—left anterior descending (coronary artery)

LDL—low-density lipoprotein

LMWP—low-molecular weight heparin

LV—left ventricle

LVAD—left ventricular assist device

LVH—left ventricular hypertrophy

MI—myocardial infarction

MR—mitral regurgitation

MUGA—multiple-gated acquisition scan; a radioactive test of heart function

MVP—mitral valve prolapse

NSR—normal sinus rhythm

NSTEMI—non-ST elevation myocardial infarction

PAC—premature atrial contraction

PAD—peripheral arterial disease

PCI—percutaneous coronary intervention

PDA—patentductus arteriosus; posterior descending artery

PVC—premature ventricular contraction

SA; S-A node—sinoatrial node

SCD—sudden cardiac death

SOB—shortness of breath

SPECT—single photon emission computed tomography; used for myocardial imaging with sestamibi scans

SSCP—substernal chest pain

STEMI—ST elevation myocardial infarction

SVT—supraventricular tachycardia; rapid heartbeats arising from the atria and causing palpitations, SOB, and dizziness

Tc—technetium

TEE—transesophageal echocardiography

TGA—transposition of the great arteries

tPA—tissue-type plasminogen activator; a drug used to prevent thrombosis

UA—unstable angina; chest pain at rest or of increasing frequency

VF—ventricular fibrillation

VSD—ventricular septal defect

VT—ventricular tachycardia

WPW—Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome; an abnormal ECG pattern often associated with paroxysmal tachycardia

Respiratory System - Abbreviation

ABGs—arterial blood gases

AFB—acid-fast bacillus; the type of organism that causes tuberculosis

ARDS—acute (formerly adult) respiratory distress syndrome; a group of signs and symptoms including tachypnea, dyspnea, tachycardia, hypoxemia, and cyanosis associated with acute respiratory failure

BAL—bronchioalveolar lavage

Bronch—bronchoscopy

CF—cystic fibrosis

CO2—carbon dioxide

COPD—chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; airway obstruction associated with emphysema and chronic bronchitis

CPAP—continuous positive airway pressure

CPR—cardiopulmonary resuscitation; three basic steps (ABC); Airway, Breathing, Circulation

C&S—culture and sensitivity testing (of sputum)

CTPA—computed tomography pulmonary angiography

CXR—chest x-ray [film]

DLCO—diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide

DOE—dyspnea on exertion

DPT—diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus; toxoids for vaccination of infants, to provide immunity to these diseases

FEV1—forced expiratory volume in 1 second

FVC—forced vital capacity; amount of gas that can be forcibly and rapidly exhaled after a full inspiration

HCO3—bicarbonate; measured in blood to determine acidity or alkalinity

ICU—intensive care unit

LLL—left lower lobe (of lung)

LUL—left upper lobe (of lung)

MDI—metered-dose inhaler - used to deliver aerosolized medications to patients

NSCLC—non-small cell lung cancer

O2—oxygen

OSA—obstructive sleep apnea

PaCO2—carbon dioxide partial pressure; measure of the amount of carbon dioxide in arterial blood

PaO2—oxygen partial pressure; a measure of the amount of oxygen in arterial blood

PCP—Pneumocystis pneumonia; a type of pneumonia seen in patients with AIDs or other immunosuppression

PE—pulmonary embolism

PEP—positive expiratory pressure; mechanical ventilator strategy in which patient takes a deep breath and then exhales through a device that resists air flow (helps refill under ventilated areas of the lung)

PEEP—positive end-expiratory pressure; common mechanical ventilator setting in which airway pressure is maintained above atmospheric pressure

PFTs—pulmonary function tests

PND—paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea

PPD—purified protein derivative; substance used in a tuberculosis test

RDS—respiratory distress syndrome; in the newborn infant, condition marked by dyspnea and cyanosis and related to absence of surfactant, a substance that permits normal expansion of lungs; also called hyalin membrane disease

RLL—right lower lobe (of lung)

RSV—respiratory syncytial virus - common cause of bronchiolitis, bronchopneumonia, and the common cold, especially in children (in tissue culture, forms syncytia or giant cells, so that cytoplasm flows together)

RUL—right upper lobe (of lung)

RV—residual volume; amount of air remaining in lungs at the end of maximal experimentation

SCLC—small cell lung cancer

SOB—shortness of breath

TB—tuberculosis

TLC—total lung capacity; volume of gas in the lungs at the end of maximal inspiration; equals VC + RV

URI—upper respiratory infection

VT—tidal volume; amount of air inhaled and exhaled during a normal ventilation

VATS—video-assisted thoracic surgery (thoracoscopy)

VC--vital capacity; equals inspiratory reserve volume plus expiratory reserve volume plus tidal volume

V/Q scan—ventilation-perfusion scan - radioactive test of lung ventilation and blood perfusion throughout the lung capillaries (lung scan)