Loads of very important acronyms and abbreviations

SI

International System of Units

SAT

saturation

IUPAC

International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry

IUDs

intrauterine (contraceptive) devices

coil

intrauterine device = IUD

UTIs

urinary tract infections

HDL

high-density lipoprotein (the "good" cholesterol)

LDL

low-density lipoprotein (the "bad" cholesterol)

LRTI

lower respiratory tract infection

often used as a synonym for pneumonia, can also be applied to other types of infection including lung abscess and acute bronchitis

lower respiratory tract infection

URTI

upper respiratory tract infection

illnesses caused by an acute infection which involves the upper respiratory tract including the nose, sinuses, pharynx or larynx

upper respiratory tract infection

CRP

c-reactive protein

an annular (ring-shaped), pentameric protein found in blood plasma, whose levels rise in response to inflammation

C-reactive protein

GP

general practitioner (family doctor)

RMSF

Rocky Mountain spotted fever

MI

myocardial infarction

TB

tuberculosis

SHOB / SOB

shortness of breath; short of breath

FDA

Food and Drug Administration

BM

bowel motions / bowel movements

MRI

magnetic resonance imaging

magnetic resonance

magnetic resonance imaging = MRI

NDC

National Drug Code

a unique product identifier used in the United States for drugs intended for human use

national drug code

DAW

dispense as written

ODT

orally disintegrating tablet

PCR

polymerase chain reaction

PNS

peripheral nervous system

the part of the nervous system that consists of the nerves and ganglia outside of the brain and spinal cord

peripheral nervous system

IVF

in vitro fertilization

a process by which an egg is fertilised by sperm outside the body

in vitro fertilization = IVF

MRSA

methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

a bacterium responsible for several difficult-to-treat infections in humans

methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus = MRSA

COPD

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

BMI

body mass index

USP

U.S. Pharmacopeia

ATP

adenosine triphosphate

ENT

ear, nose and throat (otolaryngology)

a surgical subspecialty within medicine that deals with conditions of the ear, nose, and throat (ENT) and related structures of the head and neck

otolaryngology = OT = otorhinolaryngology

FBC

full blood count

a blood panel requested by a doctor or other medical professional that gives information about the cells in a patient's blood

complete blood count = full blood count = full blood exam = blood panel

MAOI

monoamine oxidase inhibitor (antidepressant drug)

chemicals that inhibit the activity of the monoamine oxidase enzyme family

monoamine oxidase inhibitor = MAOI

NF

National Formulary

WNL

within normal limits

VD

venereal disease

an infection that is commonly spread by sex, especially vaginal intercourse, anal sex and oral sex

venereal disease = VD

MND

motor neurone disease

NHS

National Health Service

a specific disease that causes the death of neurons which control voluntary muscles

motor neurone disease = MND

OM

otitis media

p.o.

by mouth; orally (Latin)

p.c.

after meals / food (Latin)

GUS

genito-urinary system

UGS

urogenital system

HPV

human papilloma virus

IBS

irritable bowel syndrome

ID

infectious disease

ESR

erythrocyte sedimentation rate

DDA

Dangerous Drugs Act

a.c.

before meals / food (Latin)

ECP

emergency contraceptive pill

D&V

diarrhoea and vomiting

DD

dangerous drug(s)

CSF

cerebrospinal fluid

a clear, colorless body fluid found in the brain and spine

cerebrospinal fluid

Rx

"take" (in prescriptions); "treatment" (in case notes) (Latin)

mcg

microgram

dl

decilitre

mmol/l

millimols per litre

TABs

tablets

MEDs

medications; medicines

BBB

blood-brain barrier

DIG

digitalis

ELISA

enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

AF

acid-fast

C

centigrade

(...)ness a physical property of certain bacteria (and, less commonly, protozoa), specifically their resistance to decolorization by acids during laboratory staining procedures

acid-fast

a metric scale and unit of measurement for temperature

centigrade

EIB

exercise-induced bronchospasm

DC

discontinue (a drug)

NKDA

no known drug allergies

SAD

seasonal affective disorder

a mood disorder subset in which people who have normal mental health throughout most of the year exhibit depressive symptoms at the same time each year, most commonly in the winter

seasonal affective disorder

UNG

ointment

CD

controlled drug (= narcotic drug); curative dose; Crohn's disease

substances which are recognized as drugs, and which corresponds to international treaty commitments in the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs 1961

controlled drug

a dose that is sufficient to restore normal health

curative dose

BBVs

blood-borne viruses

ASA

acetylosalicylic acid

IVI

intravenous infusion

IND

investigational new drug

SX

symptoms; syndrome

TCA

tricyclic antidepressant

UA

urinalysis

a diagnostic physical, chemical, and microscopic examination of a urine sample (specimen)

urinalysis

TSS

toxic shock syndrome

AS

alimentary system (=GIS)

HSV

herpes simplex virus

HBV

hepatitis B virus

ICU

intensive care unit (in a hospital)

a hospital unit in which is concentrated special equipment and specially trained personnel for the care of seriously ill patients requiring immediate and continuous attention

intensive care unit

D

dose; dosage

pulv.

powder (pulvule)

lb

pound (not currency!)

RF

renal failure; respiratory failure

CRI

chronic renal insufficiency

SARS

severe acute respiratory syndrome

an infectious respiratory illness caused by a coronavirus and characterized by fever, dry cough, and breathing difficulties, often accompanied by headache and body aches

severe acute respiratory syndrome

AID

acute infectious disease

Tx

treatment

U&E

urea and electrolytes