Abbreviation Meanings
ABG
Arterial blood gas
Thorac/o-, Thoracico-
Chest
Ex. Thoracic Surgeon
-Itis
Inflammation
Ex. Gingivitis
Liver
Hepat
Ex. Hepatitis
Bilaterally
On both sides
AKA
Above knee amputation
Ex. PT has bilateral AKAs
Peri-
Around
Ex. Pericardium
-Ectomy
Removal of
Ex. Appendectomy
Bone
Osteo
Ex. Osteomyelitis
Septicemia
Infection in the blood
GCS
Glasgow Coma Scale
Brady-
Slow
Ex. Bradycardia
-Pnea
Breathing
Ex. Dyspnea
Tongue
Lingua or Glosso
Ex. Sublingual/glossopharyngeal nerve
Dermatitis
Inflammation of the skin
NPO
Nothing by mouth
Tachy-
Fast
Ex. Tachypnea
-Uria
In the urine
Ex. Hematuria
Lungs
Pulmon/o
Ex. Pulmonary Artery/ Pulmonologist
Pericarditis
Inflammation of the saclike membrane around the heart (pericardium)
I&O
Intake and output
Contra-
Against
Ex. Contraindicate
-Emia
Blood condition
Ex. Anemia
White
Leuko
Ex. Leukocyte
Leukopenia
The body doesn't have enough disease-fighting leukocytes in the blood (low white blood cell count)