Medical Assistant Exam: Commonly Used Medical Abbreviations

ABBREVIATION - DEFINITION

ABG - arterial blood gas
HTN - hypertension
a.c. - before meals
Hx - history
AD - right ear
ID - intradermal
a.m.a. - against medical advice
IM - intramuscular
AP - anteroposterior
IV - intravenous
AS - left ear
IVP - intravenous pyelogram
b.i.d. - twice a day
NKA - no known allergies
BP - blood pressure
NSAID - nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug
bpm - beats per minute
OD - right eye
BUN - blood urea nitrogen
OS - left eye
Bx - biopsy
OTC - over the counter
CBC - complete blood count
PE - physical exam
CC - chief complaint
PERRLA - pupils equal, round, reactive to light and accommodation
cc - cubic centimeter
PI - present illness
cm - centimeter
po - orally
CNS - central nervous system
qid - four times a day
D/C - discharge
QNS - quantity not sufficient
DNI - do not intubate
R/O - rule out
DNR - do not resuscitate
ROM - range of motion
Dx - diagnosis
SOB - shortness of breath
GI - gastrointestinal
TIA - transient ischemic attack
GTT - glucose tolerance test
TPN - total parenteral nutrition
HCT - hematocrit
TPR - temperature, pulse, respiration
HGB - hemoglobin
UA - urinalysis
HPI - history of present illness
WNL - within normal limits