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<span>Appendix B: Some Common Abbreviations</span>
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<h1>Appendix B: Some Common Abbreviations</h1>
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<p>This is a list of some common abbreviations and acronyms. </p>
<table class="table-box" summary="This table lists abbreviation, the full name and more information (column headers) and then lists the abbreviations, full name, and definitions of medical terms (rows)">
<tr>
<th class="column10" scope="col"> Abbreviation</th>
<th class="column30" scope="col"> Stands for</th>
<th scope="col"> More information</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ABG</td>
<td>Arterial blood gases</td>
<td>You may have an ABG test to detect lung diseases.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ACE</td>
<td>Angiotensin converting enzyme</td>
<td>Drugs called ACE inhibitors are used to treat high blood pressure, heart failure, diabetes and kidney diseases.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ACL</td>
<td>Anterior cruciate ligament</td>
<td>Commonly injured part of the knee</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ADHD</td>
<td>Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder</td>
<td>A behavior disorder</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AFIB</td>
<td>Atrial fibrillation</td>
<td>A disturbance of the rhythm of the heart</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AIDS</td>
<td>Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome</td>
<td>Infection caused by human immunodeficiency virus</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ALP</td>
<td>Alkaline phosphatase</td>
<td>You may have a blood test for ALP to detect liver or bone disease.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ALS</td>
<td>Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. </td>
<td>Also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ALT</td>
<td>Alanine aminotransferase</td>
<td>You may have a blood test for ALT to detect liver disease.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AMD</td>
<td>Age-related macular degeneration</td>
<td>An eye problem</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AMI</td>
<td>Acute myocardial infarction</td>
<td>Heart attack</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AODM</td>
<td>Adult onset diabetes mellitus</td>
<td>Type 2 diabetes</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AST</td>
<td>Aspartate aminotransferase</td>
<td>You may have a blood test for AST to detect liver disease.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AVM</td>
<td>Arteriovenous malformation</td>
<td>A defect in the circulatory system.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>BID</td>
<td>Twice a day</td>
<td>Your doctor may write this on your prescription.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>BMI</td>
<td>Body mass index</td>
<td>A measure of how much you should weigh based on your height</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>BP</td>
<td>Blood pressure</td>
<td>The force of your blood pushing against the walls of your arteries</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>BPH</td>
<td>Benign prostatic hypertrophy</td>
<td>Enlargement of the prostate gland</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>BRCA</td>
<td>Breast Cancer Gene </td>
<td>People with the gene may be at increased risk for breast or ovarian cancer.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>BUN</td>
<td>Blood urea nitrogen</td>
<td>You may have a blood test for BUN to detect kidney disease problems.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CA</td>
<td>Cancer OR Calcium</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CA-125</td>
<td>Cancer antigen 125</td>
<td>You may have a blood test for CA-125 A to measure cancer activity.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CABG</td>
<td>Coronary artery bypass graft</td>
<td>A type of heart surgery</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CAD</td>
<td>Coronary artery disease</td>
<td>A common type of heart disease</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CAT</td>
<td>Computerized axial tomography</td>
<td>A type of x-ray</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CBC</td>
<td>Complete blood count</td>
<td>A blood test that measures many properties of the cells in your blood</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CHD</td>
<td>Congenital heart disease</td>
<td>Heart disease you were born with</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CHF</td>
<td>Congestive heart failure</td>
<td>Also called heart failure. A condition in which the heart can&rsquo;t pump enough blood throughout the body.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CMV</td>
<td>Cytomegalovirus</td>
<td>A common virus</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CNS</td>
<td>Central nervous system</td>
<td>The brain and spinal cord</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>COPD</td>
<td>Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease</td>
<td>A lung disease that makes it hard to breathe</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CPK</td>
<td>Creatine phosphokinase</td>
<td>You may have a blood test for CPK to see if you&rsquo;ve had a heart attack.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CPR</td>
<td>Cardiopulmonary resuscitation</td>
<td>An emergency procedure whose heart has stopper or is no longer breathing</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CRF</td>
<td>Chronic renal failure</td>
<td>Failure of the kidneys</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CRP</td>
<td>C-reactive protein</td>
<td>You may have a blood test for CRP to see if you have&nbsp; &nbsp;inflammation or heart problems.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CSF</td>
<td>Cerebrospinal fluid</td>
<td>A fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CVA</td>
<td>Cerebrovascular accident</td>
<td>A stroke or &quot;brain attack&quot;</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CXR</td>
<td>Chest x-ray</td>
<td>A diagnostic test that uses radiation to make images of your lungs</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>D&amp;C</td>
<td>Dilatation and curettage</td>
<td>A surgical procedure on the uterus (womb)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DJD</td>
<td>Degenerative joint disease</td>
<td>Another name for arthritis</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DM</td>
<td>Diabetes mellitus</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DTP</td>
<td>Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis</td>
<td>A vaccine for three diseases</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DVT</td>
<td>Deep-vein thrombosis</td>
<td>A blood clot</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>DX</td>
<td>Diagnosis</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ECG, EKG</td>
<td>Electrocardiogram</td>
<td>A test that measures electrical impulses of the heart</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ECHO</td>
<td>Echocardiogram</td>
<td>A test that uses sound waves to look at the heart</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>EEG</td>
<td>Electroencephalogram</td>
<td>A test that measures electrical impulses of the brain</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>EMG</td>
<td>Electromyography</td>
<td>A test that measures electrical impulses of muscles</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ENT</td>
<td>Ear, nose and throat</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ERCP</td>
<td>Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography</td>
<td>A way to diagnose problems in the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts and pancreas</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ESR</td>
<td>Erythrocyte sedimentation rate</td>
<td>A blood test for inflammation</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ESRD</td>
<td>End-stage renal (kidney) disease</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>FSH</td>
<td>Follicle stimulating hormone</td>
<td>If you are a woman, you may have a blood test for FSH to evaluate fertility.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>GERD</td>
<td>Gastroesophageal reflux disease</td>
<td>A problem that happens when stomach contents leak back into your gullet</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>GI</td>
<td>Gastrointestinal</td>
<td>Another term for your digestive system</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>GFR</td>
<td>Glomerular filtration rate</td>
<td>A test of kidney damage</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>GU</td>
<td>Genitourinary</td>
<td>The urinary and sex organs</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>HAV</td>
<td>Hepatitis A virus</td>
<td>A virus that causes one type of liver disease</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>HBV</td>
<td>Hepatitis B virus</td>
<td>A virus that causes one type of liver disease</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>HCT</td>
<td>Hematocrit </td>
<td>A blood test measurement</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>HCV</td>
<td>Hepatitis C virus</td>
<td>A virus that causes one type of liver disease</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>HDL</td>
<td>High density lipoprotein</td>
<td>A type of cholesterol, also known as &quot;good&quot; cholesterol</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>HGB</td>
<td>Hemoglobin </td>
<td>A blood test measurement</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>HIV</td>
<td>Human immunodeficiency virus</td>
<td>The virus that causes AIDS</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>HPV</td>
<td>Human papilloma virus</td>
<td>A virus that causes cervical cancer</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>HRT</td>
<td>Hormone replacement therapy</td>
<td>Treatment with hormones to replace natural hormones when the body does not make enough.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>HTN</td>
<td>Hypertension</td>
<td>High blood pressure</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>IBD</td>
<td>Inflammatory bowel disease</td>
<td>A name for two digestive disorders-- ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>IBS</td>
<td>Irritable bowel syndrome</td>
<td>A problem with the large intestine</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ICD</td>
<td>Implantable cardioverter defibrillator</td>
<td>A device that monitors heart rhythm problems</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ICU</td>
<td>Intensive care unit</td>
<td>Special hospital unit</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>IDDM</td>
<td>Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus</td>
<td>Type 1 diabetes</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>IM</td>
<td>Intramuscular</td>
<td>A type of injection</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>IUD</td>
<td>Intrauterine device</td>
<td>A type of birth control for women</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>IV</td>
<td>Intravenous</td>
<td>A type of injection</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>IVP</td>
<td>Intravenous pyelogram</td>
<td>An x-ray test of the &nbsp;urinary system </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LDL</td>
<td>Low density lipoprotein</td>
<td>A type of cholesterol, also known as &quot;bad&quot; cholesterol</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LFT</td>
<td>Liver function tests</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MI</td>
<td>Myocardial infarction</td>
<td>Heart attack</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MMR</td>
<td>Measles, mumps, and rubella</td>
<td>A vaccine for three diseases</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MRI</td>
<td>Magnetic resonance imaging</td>
<td>A&nbsp; type of imaging test</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MRSA</td>
<td>Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus</td>
<td>A type of infection</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MS</td>
<td>Multiple sclerosis</td>
<td>A disease of the nervous system</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>NG</td>
<td>Nasogastric</td>
<td>You may need an NG tube to empty the contents of your stomach.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>NIDDM</td>
<td>Non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus</td>
<td>Type 2 diabetes</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>NKDA</td>
<td>No known drug allergies</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>NSAID</td>
<td>Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug</td>
<td>Drugs like ibuprofen</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>OCD</td>
<td>Obsessive-compulsive disorder</td>
<td>A type of anxiety disorder</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PAD</td>
<td>Peripheral arterial disease</td>
<td>Diseases of the arteries outside the heart</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PAP</td>
<td>Papanicolau </td>
<td>You may need a PAP test to detect cervical cancer.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PAT</td>
<td>Paroxysmal atrial tachycardia</td>
<td>A disturbance of the rhythm of the heart</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PET</td>
<td>Positron emission tomography</td>
<td>A type of x-ray test</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PFT</td>
<td>Pulmonary function test</td>
<td>You may need PFTs to find out how your lungs are working.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PID</td>
<td>Pelvic inflammatory disease</td>
<td>Infection and inflammation of the female reproductive organs</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PMS</td>
<td>Premenstrual syndrome</td>
<td>A group of symptoms that may happen before a woman&rsquo;s period</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PPD</td>
<td>Purified protein derivative</td>
<td>You may have a PPD skin test for tuberculosis.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PRN</td>
<td>As needed</td>
<td>Your doctor may write this on your prescription.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PSA</td>
<td>Prostate specific antigen</td>
<td>You may have a blood test for PSA to detect prostate disease.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PT</td>
<td>Prothrombin time</td>
<td>A measure of blood clotting</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PTH</td>
<td>Parathyroid hormone</td>
<td>You may have a blood test for PTH to detect &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;parathyroid disease.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PTSD</td>
<td>Post-traumatic stress syndrome</td>
<td>An illness caused by traumatic events</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PTT</td>
<td>Partial thromboplastin time</td>
<td>A measure of blood clotting</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PUD</td>
<td>Peptic ulcer disease</td>
<td>A disease of the stomach</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PVC</td>
<td>Premature ventricular contraction</td>
<td>A disturbance of the rhythm of the heart</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>QID</td>
<td>Four times a day </td>
<td>Your doctor may write this on your prescription.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RA</td>
<td>Rheumatoid arthritis</td>
<td>A type of joint disease</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RBC</td>
<td>Red blood cell</td>
<td>A type of blood cell</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RSV</td>
<td>Respiratory syncytial virus</td>
<td>A virus that causes infections in children</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Rx</td>
<td>Prescription</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SAD</td>
<td>Seasonal affective disorder</td>
<td>Depression during seasons with little light</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SIDS</td>
<td>Sudden infant death syndrome</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SLE</td>
<td>Systemic lupus erythematosus</td>
<td>Lupus for short</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SOB</td>
<td>Shortness of Breath</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>STD</td>
<td>Sexually transmitted disease</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T3</td>
<td>Triiodothyronine</td>
<td>You may have a blood test for T3 to detect thyroid disease.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T4</td>
<td>Thyroxine</td>
<td>You may have a blood test for T4 to detect thyroid disease.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TB</td>
<td>Tuberculosis</td>
<td>An infection of the lungs</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TAH</td>
<td>Total abdominal hysterectomy</td>
<td>Surgery to remove a woman's uterus (womb)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TIA</td>
<td>Transient ischemic attack</td>
<td>A &nbsp;small stroke</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TIBC</td>
<td>Total iron binding capacity</td>
<td>A test that measures the amount of iron in your blood</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TID</td>
<td>Three times a day </td>
<td>Your doctor may write this on your prescription.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TMJ</td>
<td>Temporomandibular joint</td>
<td>The joint that connects your jaw to the side of your head</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TORCH</td>
<td>Stands for a group of infections that may cause birth defects</td>
<td>&nbsp;A newborn will have this test to check for infections. Sometimes the mother also needs the test.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TSH</td>
<td>Thyroid stimulating hormone</td>
<td>You may have a blood test for TSH to detect thyroid disease.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TURP</td>
<td>Transurethral resection of prostate gland</td>
<td>An operation to remove parts of the prostate gland</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>URI</td>
<td>Upper respiratory infection</td>
<td>Another name for the common cold</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>UTI</td>
<td>Urinary tract infection</td>
<td>Infection of the bladder and kidneys</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>XRT</td>
<td>Radiotherapy</td>
<td>Therapy that uses radiation, usually for cancer</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WBC</td>
<td>White blood cell</td>
<td>A type of blood cell</td>
</tr>
</table>
</article>
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