ABBREVATIONS

Abbreviation	Meaning / Intended Meaning	Category
1/2NS	one-half normal saline (0.45%)	drug or class name
5-ASA	5-aminosalicylic acid	drug or class name
a	before	time
A.M.	morning	time
aa	of each	measurement
AAA	abdominal aortic aneurysm (called a "triple-A")	medical condition
AAA	apply to affected area	route of administration
ac	before meals	time
achs	before meals and at bedtime	time
AD	right ear	route of administration
ad lib	freely; as much as desired	time
ad sat.	to saturation	other
ad.	to; up to	measurement
ALT	alanine aminotransferase	lab
alt.	alternate	time
alt. h.	every other hour	time
am, A.M.	in the morning; before noon	time
amp	ampule	dosage form
amt.	amount	measurement
ant.	anterior	other
ante	before	time

ap	before dinner	time
APAP	acetaminophen	drug or class name
aPTT	activated partial                                thromboplastin	lab
AQ, aq	water	other
a.s., AS	left ear	route of administration
ASA	aspirin	drug or class name
AST	aspartate aminotransferase	lab
ATC	around the clock	time
AU	each ear; both ears	route of administration
AZT	zidovudine	drug or class name
Ba	barium	drug or class name
BCP	birth control pills	drug or class name
Bi	bismuth	drug or class name
bid, BID	twice a day	time
BM	bowel movement	other
BMI	body mass index	vitals
bol	bolus	measurement
BP	blood pressure	vitals
BPH	benign prostatic hypertrophy	medical condition
BS	blood sugar	lab
BSA	body surface area	vitals

BT	bedtime	time
c	with	other
C.C.	chief complaint	other
c/o	complaints of	other
C&S	culture and sensitivity	lab
CABG	coronary artery bypass graft	other
CaCO3	calcium carbonate	drug or class name
CAD	coronary artery disease	medical condition
CAP	cancer of the prostate	medical condition
cap.	capsule	dosage form
CBC	complete blood count	lab
cc	cubic centimeter	measurement
CD	controlled delivery	drug release technology
CF	cystic fibrosis	medical condition
cm	centimeter	measurement
CNS	central nervous system	other
conc	concentrated	other
CPZ	Compazine	drug or class name
CR	controlled-release	drug release technology
cr, crm	cream	dosage form
CV	cardiovascular	other

CXR	Chest Xray	lab
D/C, dc, disc.	discontinue OR discharge	other
D5/0.9 NaCl	5% dextrose and normal saline solution (0.9% NaCl)	drug or class name
D5 1/2/NS	5% dextrose and half normal saline solution (0.45% NaCl)	drug or class name
D5NS	dextrose 5% in normal saline (0.9%)	drug or class name
D5W	5% dextrose in water	drug or class name
DAW	dispense as written	other
DBP	diastolic blood pressure	lab
dil.	diluted	other
disp	dispense	other
div	divide	other
DKA	diabetic ketoacidosis	medical condition
dL	deciliter	measurement
DM	diabetes mellitus	medical condition
DO	Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine	medical specialty
DOB	date of birth	other
DPT	diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus	drug or class name
DR	delayed-release	drug release technology
DVT	deep vein thrombosis	medical condition

DW	dextrose in water, diabetes mellitus or distilled water	other
EC	enteric-coated	drug release technology
EENT	Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat	Medical Specialty
elix.	elixir	dosage form
emuls.	emulsion	dosage form
ER	extended-release	drug release technology
ER	emergency room	other
ETOH	ethyl alcohol	drug or class name
F	Fahrenheit	lab
f or F	female	other
FBS	fasting blood sugar	lab
FDA	Food and Drug Administration	other
Fe	Iron	drug or class name or lab
FFP	fresh frozen plasma	drug or class name
fl or fld	fluid	measurement
ft	foot	measurement
G, or g, or gm	gram	measurement
garg	gargle	route of administration
GERD	gastroesophageal reflux disease	medical condition