Common Medical Abbreviations

• AAAROM = active assistive range of motion
• AAC = augmentative and alternative communication
• ABG = arterial blood gas
• ac = before meals
• A/C = assist control
• ADA Diet = American Diabetes Association Diet
• ADL = Activities of Daily Living
• A.Fib. = atrial fibrillation
• AKA = above-knee amputation
• ALS = amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
• AMA = Against Medical Advice
• A&O = alert and oriented
• A/P = Anterior and Posterior
• AROM = Active Range of Motion
• ASAP = As Soon As Possible
• ASD = Autism Spectrum Disorder
• ASL = American Sign Language
• b.i.d = twice a day
• BKA = Below Knee Amputation
• B/L = bilateral
• B.L.BS = Bilateral Breath Sounds
• BMR = Basal Metabolic Rate
• BP = Blood Pressure
• BR = Bed Rest
• bs = bowel sounds
• bx = biopsy
• C = celsius
• C1, C2, etc. = first cervical vertebrae
• CA = Cardiac Arrest
• CA, ca = cancer, carcinoma
• CABG = Coronary Artery Bypass Graft
• CAD = Coronary Artery Disease
• cal = calorie
• cath = catheter
• CBC = Complete Blood Count
• cc = cubic centimeter
• CC = Chief Complaint
• CHF = Congestive Heart Failure
• CCU = Coronary Care Unit
• CHI = Close Head Injury