Common Abbreviations

ABCD2 score – calculator for the risk of stroke in the days following a Transient Ischaemic Attack

A/W – alive and well

AAA – abdominal aortic aneurysm

ABG – arterial blood gas

ABPM – ambulatory blood pressure measurement

ADEM – acute disseminated encephalomyelitis

AF – atrial fibrillation

AFB/TB – acid-fast bacilli/tuberculosis

AHP – Allied Health Professionals

AKI – acute kidney injury

ARB – angiotensin receptor blocker

ASD – atrial septal defect

ATM – ataxia telangiectasia mutated gene

AVRT – atrioventricular reciprocating tachycardia

BBB – bundle branch block

BNP – brain natriuretic peptide

CAD – coronary artery disease

CAT – computed axial tomography

CBD – cortico-basal degeneration

CDT – Clostridium difficile toxin

CLD – chronic liver disease

CN – cranial nerve

CSF – cerebrospinal fluid

CT CAP – computed tomography scan of the chest, abdomen and pelvis (CAP)

CT KUB – computed tomography scan of the kidneys, ureters and bladder (KUB)

CXR – chest x-ray

DLCO – diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide

DM – Diabetes mellitus

DVT – deep vein thrombosis

EF – ejection fraction

ETOH – ethanol (alcohol)

FEV1– forced expiratory volume in one second

FVC – forced vital capacity

GCS – Glasgow Coma Scale

HONK – hyperglycaemic hyperosmolar non-ketotic state

HRCT – high resolution computed tomography scan

HRT – hormone replacement therapy

HTN – hypertension

Hx – history

ICD – implantable cardiac defibrillator

ICP – intracranial pressure

IDA – iron deficiency anaemia

IHD – ischaemic heart disease

IVDU – intravenous drug user

Ix – investigations

JVP – jugular venous pressure

L/N – lymph node

LGI MDM – lower gastro-intestinal team multi-disciplinary meeting

LLQ – left lower quadrant

LMN – lower motor neurone

LP – lumbar puncture

LUQ – left upper quadrant

MC&S – microscopy, culture and sensitivity

MMSE – mini mental state examination

MRA – magnetic resonance angiography

MRV – magnetic resonance venography

NAD – nothing abnormal detected

NCS – nerve conduction studies

NF1 – neurofibromatosis type 1

O/E – on examination

OCP – oral contraceptive pill

PDA – patent ductus arteriosus

PE – pulmonary embolism

PID – pelvic inflammatory disease/prolapsed intervertebral disc 

PPI – proton pump inhibitor

PPM – permanent pacemaker

PSP – progressive supranuclear palsy

PVD – peripheral vascular disease

RAS – renal artery stenosis

RLQ – right lower quadrant

RR – respiratory rate

RUQ – right upper quadrant

SIRS – systemic inflammatory response syndrome

SOB – shortness of breath

SOL – space occupying lesion

SVT – supraventricular tachycardia

TIA – transient ischaemic attack

TFTs – thyroid function tests

TOR1A – torsin family 1 member A gene

TTG – tissue transglutaminase

UMN – upper motor neurone

URTI – upper respiratory tract infection

VSD/ASD – ventricular/atrial septal defect

VSD – ventricular septal defect