[A-a]O2 - alveolar-arterial oxygen tension gradient
AAT - alpha1-antitrypsin
ABG - arterial blood gas
ACIP - Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices
ACLS - Advanced Cardiac Life Support
AECOPD - acute exacerbation chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
AHCPR - Agency for Health Care Policy and Research
ASDA - American Sleep Disorder Association
ATS - American Thoracic Society
BUN - blood urea nitrogen
CBC - cellular blood count
CDC - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
cm - centimeter
CO2 - carbon dioxide
COLD - chronic obstructive lung disease
COPD - chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
CPAP - continuous positive airway pressure
CPR - cardiopulmonary resuscitation
CVA - cerebrovascular accident
CXR - chest x-ray
DHHS - Department of Health and Human Services
ED - Emergency Department
EDS - excessive daytime sleepiness
EKG - electrocardiogram
FEF - forced expiratory flow rate
ERS - European Respiratory Society
FEV1 - forced expiratory volume in one second
FiO2 - fraction of inspired oxygen
FVC - forced vital capacity
GI - gastrointestinal
HCO2 - bicarbonate
HCP - health care provider
HDIS - high dose inhaled steroids
IAC - inhaled anticholinergic agents
ICSD - International Classification of Sleep Disorders
ICU - intensive care unit
IPPB - intermittent positive pressure breathing
IV - intravenous
JCAHO - Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations
JTFPP - Joint Task Force on Practice Parameters
kg - kilogram
L - liter
LAIBA - long-acting inhaled beta2-agonist
LTOT - long-term oxygen therapy
MAP - Medical Advisory Panel
MDI - metered dose inhaler
mg - milligram
ml - milliliter
mmHG - millimeters of mercury
MRC - Medical Research Council
MVV - maximum voluntary ventilation
NAEPP - National Asthma Education and Prevention Program
NEB - hand-held nebulizer
NMB - neuromuscular blockade
NOTT - nocturnal oxygen therapy trials
NREM - non-rapid eye movement
O2 - oxygen
PaO2 - arterial oxygen pressure (tension)
PaCO2 - partial pressure (tension) of carbon dioxide, artery
PEEP - positive end-expiratory pressure
PEF - peak expiratory flow
PEFR - peak expiratory flow rate
PFT - pulmonary function test
pH - hydrogen ion concentration
PIP - peak inspiratory pressure
PM - afternoon
PO2 - partial pressure (tension) of oxygen, artery
PRN - as occasion requires
qid - four times daily
RCP - respiratory care practitioner
RCS - respiratory care services
SAIBA - short-acting inhaled beta2-agonist
SaO2 - arterial oxygen percent saturation
SME - self management education
SOB - short of breath
sq - subcutaneous
SRT - oral sustained release theophylline
SVN - small-volume nebulizer
VA - Veterans Administration
VHA - Veterans Health Administration
VC - vital capacity
VERA - Veterans Equitable Resource Allocation
WBC - white blood cell
: - ratio