Abbreviations & Meanings

ABBREVIATION                             MEANING

AAA                                                        abdominal aortic aneurysm
A&P                                                        auscultation & percussion
Ab                                                          Abortion
ABG                                                        arterial blood gases
ABP                                                        arterial blood pressure
A/c                                                         alternating current
AC                                                          Acromioclavicular
ADA                                                        American Diabetic Association
ACL                                                        anterior cruciate ligament
ADL                                                        activities of daily living
AF                                                          acid fast
AFB                                                        acid fast bacillus
A/G                                                        albumin-globulin ratio
AgNo3                                                    silver nitrate
AHA                                                       American Heart Association
AHD                                                       autoimmune hemolytic disease
AI                                                          aortic insufficiency
AK                                                         above ankle
AKA                                                     also known as above knee amputation*
Alk                                                            Alkaline
AMA                       *against medical advice or American Medical Association
AMI                                                            acute myocardial infarction
Amp                                                     Amperage   Amplitude   ampule*
AP                                                  Anteroposterior   * Aortopulmonary
A&P                                                        auscultation and percussion
A2                                                            aortic second sound
ARDS                                                        adult respiratory distress syndrome
AS                                                            aortic stenosis* Arteriosclerosis
AS (cont’d)                                         auris sinistra (left ear)
ASA                                                            acetylsalicylic (aspirin)
ASAP                                                           as soon as possible
ASD                                                            atrial septal defect
ASHD                           arteriosclerotic heart disease / atrial septal heart defect
AV                                                         arteriovenous        atrioventricular
AWOL                                                            absent without leave