Reader Digest Version Global

Confusing Medical Acronyms, Decoded

When dealing with doctors, don't be embarrassed to ask about abbreviations, especially if they involve a medication or procedure; they could have double meanings.

By Joe Kita from Reader's Digest Magazine | May 2012
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G.A.

General Anesthesia?

or

Ginger Ale?

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G.C.

Gastric Cancer?

or

Good Condition?

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H.D.

Heart Disease

or

Herniated Disk

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H.T.

Hammertoe?

or

Head Trauma?

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A.B.C.

Advanced Breast Cancer?

or

Applesauce/Bananas/Cereal diet?

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B.P.

Bedpan?

or

Bypass?

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C.R.

Cardiac Rehabilitation?

or

Colon Resection?

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C.S.T.

Cardiac Stress Test?

or

Convulsive Shock Therapy?

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I.M.

Ice Massage?

or

Infectious Mononucleosis?

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L.B.

Left Breast?

or

Left Buttock?

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L.L.D.

Late-Life Depression?

or

Leg-Length Differential?

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M.S.

Milk Shake?

or

Morphine Sulfate?

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R&R

Rest and Recuperation?

or

Remove and Replace?

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