Health Abbreviations & Acronyms

Acronyms abound in our health world. Here you'll find many common health acronyms and what they abbreviate. Use the search box for quick health abbreviation lookup!

• A
• B
• C
• D
• E
• F
• G
• H
• I
• J
• K
• L
• M
• N
• O
• P
• Q
• R
• S
• T
• U
• V
• W
• X
• Y
• Z

• A-V - arteriovenous
• A/W - alive and well
• ABD - Abdomen
• ac - before meals
• ACLS - advanced cardiac life support
• AD - Alzheimer's Disease
• ADA - American Dental Association;American Dietetic Association;American with Disabilities Act
• ADH - antidiuretic hormone
• ADL - activities of daily living
• AF - Atrial Fibrillation;afebrile
• AFB - acid fast bacilli
• AFI - Amniotic fluid index
• AFP - alpha-fetoprotein
• AGA - appropriate for gestational age
• AHF - antihemophilic factor
• AHG - antihemophilic globulin
• AIDS - acquired immune deficiency syndrome
• ALL - acute lymphocytic leukemia
• AMA - against medical advice;American Medical Association
• Amb - ambulate
• AML - acute myelogenous leukemia
• Amp - ampule
• ANA - antinuclear antibody;American Nurses Association
• AODM - adult onset diabetes mellitus
• APAP - acetaminophen
• APN - advanced practice nurse
• ARC - aids related complex
• ARDS - adult respiratory distress syndrome;acute respiratory distress syndrome
• ARF - acute renal failure
• AS - aortic stenosis
• ASA - aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid)
• ASAP - as soon as possible
• ASCVD - atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease
• ASD - atrial septal defect
• ATNR - asymmetric tonic neck reflex
• AU - both ears
• AVB - atrio-ventricular block
• Ax - axillary