Essential Medical Abbreviations and Clinical Terminology

Common Medical Abbreviations

• CAD: Coronary Artery Disease
• CCF: Congestive Cardiac Failure
• CH.CF: Chronic Cardiac Failure
• CNS: Central Nervous System
• C/O: Complains Of
• CREPS: Crepitations (UK) (Rales)
• CT: Cerebral Tumor or Coronary Thrombosis
• CV: Cardiovascular
• CVS: Cardiovascular System or Cerebrovascular System
• D: Divorced
• ECG/EKG (US): Electrocardiogram
• F: Female
• FUO: Fever of Unknown Origin
• GA: General Anaesthetic
• GC: General Condition
• GIS: Gastrointestinal System
• GP: General Practitioner
• GUS: Genitourinary System
• GYN: Gynaecology
• HBP: High Blood Pressure
• HR: Heart Rate
• HS: Heart Sounds
• ID: Infectious Disease
• MSSU: Mid-stream Specimen of Urine
• NAD: No Abnormality Detected
• NOCTE: At Night
• NS: Nervous System
• O/E: On Examination
• OED: Oedema
• P.M: Afternoon
• T: Temperature
• TB: Tuberculosis
• UGS: Urogenital System
• VD: Venereal Disease
• W: Widow/Widower
• #: Fracture
• RS: Respiratory System
• Rx: Treatment
• M: Male
• Mane: In the Morning
• ABDO: Abdomen
• A.C: Before Meal
• AJ: Ankle Jerk
• AM: Morning
• AP: Antero-posterior
• AS: Alimentary System
• A&W: Alive and Well
• BB: Bed Bath or Blanket Bath
• BD: Twice a Day
• BI: Bone Injury
• BID: Twice a Day
• BM: Bowel Movement
• BP: Blood Pressure
• BS: Breath Sounds or Bowel Sounds
• ENT: Ear, Nose, and Throat
• RCA: Right Coronary Artery
• AB: Apex Beat

Clinical Definitions and Terminology

Angina Pectoris: This is the term used to describe discomfort due to transient myocardial ischemia and constitutes a clinical syndrome rather than a disease.

Paraesthesia: Pathologically, an abnormal or inappropriate sensation in an organ, part, or area of the skin, such as burning, prickling, or tingling.

Productive Cough: An illness characterized by frequent coughing.

Anaesthesia: A general dullness or lack of feeling.

Retrosternal Chest Pain: Presents with shortness of breath, dizziness, and severe weakness.

Limbs: A structure or part resembling an arm or leg.

Bowel: The intestine; a tube-like structure that extends from the stomach to the anus.

Oedema: The presence of an excessive amount of fluid in or around cells, tissues, or serous cavities of the body.

Dyspnea: Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea is respiratory distress that awakens patients from sleep, related to posture.

Rush: A powerful wave of contractile activity that travels very long distances down the small intestine, caused by intense irritation or unusual distention.

Malaise: A vague feeling of bodily discomfort, as at the beginning of an illness.

Drowsiness: A decreased level of consciousness characterized by sleepiness and difficulty in remaining alert but easy arousal by stimuli.

Patient Assessment Interview Questions

• Do you suffer from double vision?
• Any shortness of breath?
• Does light bother you?
• Are your stools black?
• Do you have a cold?
• Have you had any pain in your chest?
• Do you ever get wheezy?
• Any problem with your waterworks?
• Have you had any shortness of breath?