AAA

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Abd

abdomen

ABG

Arterial Blood Gases

ACLS

Advance Cardiac Life Support

The ACLS course is designed to teach the knowledge and skills necessary to assess and manage the first 10 minutes of an adult cardiac arrest.

To successfully complete the course, the student must learn to manage:

A respiratory emergency

Four types of cardiac arrest

Simple Ventricular fibrillation/Ventricular tachycardia (VF/VT)

Complex VF/VT

Pulseless Electrical Activity (PEA)

Asystole

Four types of pre-arrest emergencies

Bradycardia

Stable tachycardia

Unstable tachycardia

Acute coronary syndromes

Stroke

AFB

Acid Fast Bacilli

Rod-shaped bacteria that can be seen and counted under the microscope on a specially stained sample on a glass slide, called an AFB smear. Most common acid-fast bacilli are members of the genus Mycobacterium.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the most prevalent species of mycobacteria and the most infectious. Most samples that are submitted for AFB smears and cultures are collected because the doctor suspects that the patient has TB.

alb

albumin

Serum albumin is the most abundant blood plasma protein and is produced in the liver and forms a large proportion of all plasma protein

alk

alkaline

Alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme test

ALS

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

(Lou Gehrig's Disease)

(is a nervous system disease that attacks nerve cells called

neurons in your brain and spinal cord)

ALT

Liver Enzyme Test

Alanine Amino Transferase

It is commonly measured clinically as a part of a diagnostic liver function test, to determine liver health.

ANA

Anti Nuclear Antibody

Antinuclear antibodies are substances

produced by the immune system that attack the body's own tissues.

ARDS

Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome

severe lung disease characterized by inflammation of the lung parenchyma leading to impaired gas exchange with concomitant systemic release of inflammatory mediators causing inflammation, hypoxemia and frequently resulting in multiple organ failure. This condition is often fatal, usually requiring mechanical ventilation and admission to an intensive care unit. A less severe form is called acute lung injury (ALI).

AST

 Liver Enzyme Test

Aspartate Amino Transferase

measures the amount of the enzyme ALT in serum (the liquid part of the blood).

• Celiac disease
• Cirrhosis
• Hepatitis (viral, autoimmune)
• Hereditary hemochromatosis
• Liver ischemia (blood flow deficiency to the liver)
• Liver tumor
• Use of drugs that are poisonous to the liver

Ba Enema or B.E.

Barium Enema

procedure used to examine and diagnose problems with the human colon (large intestine). X-ray pictures are taken while barium sulfate fills the colon via the rectum

Ba Swallow

Barium Swallow

BCG

Bacillus Calmette Guerin

(vaccine for TB)

BCLS

Basic Cardiac Life Support

BPH

Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy

increase in size of the prostate

BUN

Blood Urea Nitrogen

CA 

Cancer Carcinoma

CBC

Complete Blood Count

CBC is used as a broad screening test to check for such disorders as anemia, infection, and many other diseases.

If patient is having symptoms such as fatigue or weakness or has an infection, inflammation, bruising, or bleeding, then the doctor may order a CBC to help diagnose the cause.

CBC c diff

Complete Blood count

with Differential

[image]

CAD

Coronary Artery Disease

CAT or CT

Computed Axial Tomography

special type of x-ray that produces pictures of a "slice" through the body. Unlike a regular x-ray, which gives only a "camera's eye" view, a CAT scan shows the various layers of tissue in any segment of the body.

CEA

Carcinoembryonic Antigen

serum from individuals with colorectal carcinoma,gastric carcinoma, pancreatic carcinoma, lung carcinoma and breast carcinoma, as well as individuals with medullary thyroid carcinoma, had higher levels of CEA than healthy individuals.

CEA measurement is mainly used as a tumor marker to identify recurrences after surgical resection. Elevated CEA levels should return to normal after surgical resection, as elevation of CEA during follow up is an indicator of recurrence of tumour.

CEA levels may also be raised in some non-neoplastic conditions like ulcerative colitis, pancreatitis and cirrhosis.

Chol

Cholesterol

• Arteriosclerosis of the extremities
• Familial dysbetalipoproteinemia
• Familial hypercholesterolemia
• Hypothyroidism; primary
• Hypothyroidism; secondary
• Type 1 or type 2 diabetes
• Primary biliary cirrhosis

Coag time

Coagulation Time

(clotting time)

CPK

Creatinine Phosphokinase

The creatinine blood test is used along with a BUN (blood urea nitrogen) test to assess kidney function. Both are frequently ordered as part of a basic or comprehensive metabolic panel (BMP or CMP), groups of tests that are performed to evaluate the function of the body’s major organs.

creat

creatinine

The creatinine blood test is used along with a BUN (blood urea nitrogen) test to assess kidney function. Both are frequently ordered as part of a basic or comprehensive metabolic panel (BMP or CMP), groups of tests that are performed to evaluate the function of the body’s major organs.

CXR

Chest X-Ray

Cysto

Cystoscopy

Cystoscopy is a procedure to see the inside of the bladder and urethra

Diff

Differential Count

DKA

Diabetic Keto Acidosis

Develops when you have too little insulin in your body. Without enough insulin, sugar (glucose) can't enter your cells for energy. Your blood sugar level rises, and your body begins to break down fat for energy. This produces toxic acids known as ketones. Left untreated, diabetic ketoacidosis may cause you to lose consciousness. Eventually, untreated diabetic ketoacidosis can be fatal.

DM

Diabetes Mellitus

DT's

Delirium Tremens

(alcohol withdrawal)

DVT

Deep Vein Thrombosis

medical conditions can lead to DVT, such as compression of the veins, physical trauma, cancer, infections, certain inflammatory diseases and specific conditions such as stroke, heart failure or nephrotic syndrome

EBV

Epstein Barr Virus

also called Human herpesvirus 4 (HHV-4), is a virus of the herpes family (which includes Herpes simplex virus) and is one of the most common viruses in humans. Most people become infected with EBV, which is often asymptomatic, but infection commonly causes infectious mononucleosis (also known as glandular fever).

ELISA

Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbant Assay

(detects AIDS)

EMG

Electromyography or

Electromyogram

measures mucles and nerve weakness

EMS

Emergency Medical Services

ESR

Erthrocyte Sedimentation Rate

(measures how much

inflammation is in the body)

ESRD

End Stage Renal Disease

(Diabetes & High BP most common cause)

exp lap

exploratory laparotomy

fib

fibrinogen

Factor I

(protein produced by liver to help clot)

G.B. Series

Gall Bladder Series

(six pills 1 at a time creates contrast in the

x-ray to see gallstones and tumors)

GI Series

Gastrointestinal Series

also upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract radiography, is a radiologicupper gastrointestinal tract. It consists of a series of X-ray images of the esophagus, stomachduodenum. The most common use for this medical testing is to look for signs of ulcers, acid reflux disease, uncontrollable vomiting, or unexplained blood in the stools (hematochezia or positive fecal occult blood) examination of the

GTT

Glucose Tolerance Test

(how the body metabolizes glucose)

G.C.

Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is a STD Gonorrhea is caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, a bacterium that can grow and multiply easily in the warm, moist areas of the reproductive tract, including the cervix (opening to the womb), uterus (womb), and fallopian tubes (egg canals) in women, and in the urethra (urine canal) in women and men. The bacterium can also grow in the mouth, throat, eyes, and anus

HAV

Hepatitis A Virus

(inflammation of liver)

 contracted by feces

HBV

Hepatitis B Virus

(contracted by sex)

HBAg

Hepatitis B Antigen

HIV

Human Immunodeficiency Virus

condition gradually destroys the immune system, which makes it harder for the body to fight off infections

HSV

Herpes Simplex Virus

human nervous system, accounting for their durability in the human body. HSV-1 is commonly associated with herpes outbreaks of the face known as cold sores or fever blisters, whereas HSV-2 is more often associated with genital herpes.

I 131

Radioactive Iodine

(Hyperthyroid cause by Grave's Disease)

(Autoimmune disorder)

IDDM

Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus

Ig

Immunoglobulin

(blood protein/antibody)

IgA

Immunoglobulin A

(protects entrances to body from bacteria entering)

IPPB

Intermittent Positive Pressure Breathing

IVP

Intravenous Pyelogram

(An intravenous pyelogram (IVP) is an x-ray examination of the kidneys, ureters and urinary bladder that uses iodinated contrast material injected into veins)

detects problems within the urinary tract resulting from:

kidney stones

enlarged prostate

tumors in the kidney, ureters or urinary bladder.

JVD

Jugular Vein Distention

Causes:

Cardiac tamponade

Chronic constrictive pericarditis

Endomyocardial fibrosis - jugular vein distention

Heart failure

Hypervolemia

Superior vena cava obstruction

KS

Kaposi's Sarcoma

Assoc. with AIDS

Kaposi's sarcoma is a cancer that causes patches of abnormal tissue to grow under the skin, in the lining of the mouth, nose, and throat or in other organs. The patches are usually red or purple and are made of cancer cells and blood cells. The red and purples patches often cause no symptoms, though they may be painful. If the cancer spreads to the digestive tract or lungs, bleeding can result. Lung tumors can make breathing hard.

KUB

X-ray of

Kidney, Ureter, Bladder

s typically used to investigate gastrointestinal conditions such as a bowel obstruction and gallstones, and can detect the presence of kidney stones. The KUB is often used to diagnose constipation

lap

laparotomy

(type of surgery that involves an incision into the abdomen, usually a vertical incision from upper to lower abdomen - biopsy is taken)

LDH

Lactic Dehydrogenase

(isoenzymes is a test to check how much LDH is in the blood)

L.E.

SLE

Lupus Erythematosus

Systemic Lupus Erythematous

is a connective tissue disease & chronic inflammatory disease that occurs when the body's immune system attacks its own tissues and organs. Inflammation caused by lupus can affect many different body systems, including joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, heart, and lungs

LP

Lumbar Puncture

MRI

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

MRI provides much greater contrast between the different soft tissues of the body than computed tomography (CT) does, making it especially useful in neurological (brain), musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and oncological (cancer) imaging. Unlike CT, it uses no ionizing radiation,

MS

Multiple Sclerosis

caused by damage to the myelin sheath, the protective covering that surrounds nerve cells. When this nerve covering is damaged, nerve impulses are slowed down or stopped.

MS is a progressive disease, meaning the nerve damage (neurodegeneration) gets worse over time.

The nerve damage is caused by inflammation. Inflammation occurs when the body's own immune cells attack the nervous system. Repeated episodes of inflammation can occur along any area of the brain and spinal cord

MS04

Morphine Sulfate

Morphine sulfate is a narcotic analgesic. It is available in oral preparations and as rectal suppositories. It may also be given as subcutaneous injections (SQ), intramuscular injections (IM), or intravenous injections (IV). MS Contin, Oramorph SR, and Avinza are pills that supply a controlled release of morphine.

Morphine is an opioid. It acts upon specific receptors in the brain and spinal cord to decrease the feeling of pain and to reduce the emotional response to pain.

MVA

Motor Vehicle Accident

NIDDM

Non Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus

ORIF

Open Reduction Internal Fixation

(repairing function/bone from injury)

O2 sat

Oxygen Saturation

measures the percentage of hemoglobin binding sites in the bloodstream occupied by oxygen. At low partial pressures of oxygen, most hemoglobin is deoxygenated. At around 90% (the value varies according to the clinical context) oxygen saturation increases according to an oxygen-hemoglobin dissociation curve and approaches 100% at partial oxygen pressures of >10 kPa. A pulse oximeter relies on the light absorption characteristics of saturated hemoglobin to give an indication of oxygen saturation. An Sa_O2 (arterial oxygen saturation) value below 90% causes hypoxemia (which can also be caused by anemia). Hypoxemia due to low Sa_O2 is indicated by cyanosis

PAC

Premature Atrial Contraction

PACU

Post Anethesia Care Unit

P.A.R.

Post Anesthesia Recovery