Glossary and Abbreviations
Gastrointestinal, Transplant, and Related Medical Terms
Please Click on Each Letter to View the Terms for More Information
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Medical Abbreviations
Here is a list of some medical abbreviations you might encounter throughout your transplant journey or time in the medical community. It is a useful reference.
ADA: Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 or American Diabetes Association
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AIDS: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
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bid: Two times per day
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BM: bowel movement
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BP: blood pressure
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BUN: blood urea nitrogen
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CBC: complete blood count
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CMS: Centers for Medicate and Medicaid Services
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COBRA: Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985
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CPR: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
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Cr: Creatinine
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CT: Computed tomography (CAT scan)
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DC, D/C: Discharge, discontinue
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ECG, EKG: Electrocardiogram
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ED: Emergency Department
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EEG: Electroencephalogram
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ENT: Ears, nose, throat
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ER: Emergency Room
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ESRD: End-stage renal disease
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GFR: Glomerular filtration rate
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Hct: Hematocrit
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Hgb: Hemoglobin
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HIPAA: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
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HIV: human immunodeficiency virus
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HLA: human leukocyte antigens
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HMO: health maintenance organization
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HPN: Home parenteral nutrition
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ICU: Intensive Care Unit
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IM: intramuscular (injection)
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IV: intravenous
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kg: kilogram (1 kg = 2.2 lbs)
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L: liter
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lb: pound
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mcg: microgram
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MD: medical doctor
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Mg: magnesium
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mg: milligram
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MI: myocardial infarction (heart attack)
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min: minute
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MRI: magnetic resonance imaging
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Na: sodium
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NG: nasogastric
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NOTA: National Organ Transplant Act
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NPO: nothing by mouth (no food or fluids)
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NSAID: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug
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O2: oxygen
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OPO: organ procurement organization
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OPTN: Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network
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OR: Operating Room
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OTC: over the counter (medications)
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oz: ounce
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PCA: patient controlled analgesia
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PharmD: doctor of pharmacy
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PN: Parenteral nutrition
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po: orally, by mouth
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PPO: preferred provider organization
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PRA: panel reactive antibody
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prn: as needed
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PT: physical therapy
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q: every
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qd: every day
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qid: four times per day
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qod: every other day
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RBC: red blood cell
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RN: registered nurse
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ROM: range of motion (as in exercise)
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Rx: prescription
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SC, sc: subcutaneous (injection)
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soln: solution
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SSA: Social Security Administration
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SSDI: Social Security Disability Insurance
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SSI: Social Security Income
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tid: three times per day
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TPN: Total parenteral nutrition
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UNOS: United Network for Organ Sharing
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URI: upper respiratory infection
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VS: vital signs (temperature, blood pressure, pulse, respiration)
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WBC: white blood cell
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wk: week
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wt: weight
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yr: year