Abbreviation

Meaning

Abbreviation

Meaning

AAMC

Association of American Medical

CPK-MB

creatine phosphokinase, MB fraction

Colleges

Cr

creatinine

ABG

arterial blood gas

CRP

C-reactive protein

ACE

angiotensin-converting enzyme

CS

Clinical Skills [exam]

ADH

antidiuretic hormone

CSA

Clinical Skills Assessment

ADHD

attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder

CSEC

Clinical Skills Evaluation

ADLs

activities of daily living

Collaboration [testing center]

AFB

acid-fast bacillus

CSF

cerebrospinal fluid

AIDS

acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

CT

computed tomography

ALT

alanine aminotransferase

CTA

computed tomography angiogram

ANA

antinuclear antibody

CV

cardiovascular

ANCA

antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody

CVA

costovertebral angle

AP

anteroposterior

CXR

chest x-ray

AST

aspartate aminotransferase

D&C

dilatation and curettage

AXR

abdominal x-ray

DDAVP

1-deamino (8-D-arginine) vasopressin

BNP

B-type natriuretic peptide

DEXA

dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry

BP

blood pressure

DFA

direct fluorescent antibody [test]

BPH

benign prostatic hypertrophy

DHEAS

dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate

BPPV

benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

DI

diabetes insipidus

BS

bowel sounds

DIC

disseminated intravascular coagulation

BUN

blood urea nitrogen

DM

diabetes mellitus

CBC

complete blood count

DNA

deoxyribonucleic acid

CC

chief complaint

DSD

dementia syndrome of depression

CCP

cyclic citrullinated peptide

dsDNA

double-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid

CD

cluster of differentiation

DSM

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual [of

CEA

carcinoembryonic antigen

Mental Disorders]

CHF

congestive heart failure

DTR

deep tendon reflex

CIS

Communication/Interpersonal Skills

DVT

deep venous thrombosis

[CS score]

EBNA

Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen

CK

Clinical Knowledge [exam]

EBV

Epstein-Barr virus

CMV

cytomegalovirus

ECFMG

Educational Commission for Foreign

CNS

central nervous system

Medical Graduates

c/o

complains of

ECG

electrocardiogram

COPD

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

ED

emergency department, erectile

CPK

creatine phosphokinase

dysfunction

Abbreviation

Meaning

Abbreviation

Meaning

EEG

electroencephalogram

LDH

lactate dehydrogenase

ELISA

enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

LH

luteinizing hormone

EMG

electromyogram

LLQ

left lower quadrant

ENT

ear, nose, and throat

LMP

last menstrual period

EOMI

extraocular movements intact

LOC

loss of consciousness

ERCP

endoscopic retrograde

LP

lumbar puncture

cholangiopancreatography

LUQ

left upper quadrant

ESR

erythrocyte sedimentation rate

LVH

left ventricular hypertrophy

ET

essential tremor

MCP

metacarpophalangeal [joint]

EtOH

ethyl alcohol

MDD

major depressive disorder

FAST

focused assessment with sonography for

MDI

metered-dose inhaler

trauma [scan]

MDMA

methylenedioxymethamphetamine

FH

family history

(“Ecstasy”)

FSH

follicle-stimulating hormone

MI

myocardial infarction

FSMB

Federation of State Medical Boards

MRA

magnetic resonance angiography

FT3

free triiodothyronine

MRCP

magnetic resonance

ft₄

free thyroxine

cholangiopancreatography

G6PD

glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase

MRI

magnetic resonance imaging

GERD

gastroesophageal reflux disease

MTP

metatarsophalangeal [joint]

GH

growth hormone

MVA

motor vehicle accident

GI

gastrointestinal

MVS

mitral valve stenosis

HbA,

hemoglobin A_,c

NBME

National Board of Medical Examiners

HBsAg

hepatitis B surface antigen

NC/AT

normocephalic/atraumatic

HBV

hepatitis B virus

NKDA

no known drug allergies

hCG

human chorionic gonadotropin

NRMP

National Residency Matching Program

HCTZ

hydrochlorothiazide

NSAID

nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug

HEENT

head, eyes, ears, nose, and throat

N/V

nausea or vomiting

5-HIAA

5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid

OASIS

Online Applicant Status and

HIDA

hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid [scan]

Information System

HIV

human immunodeficiency virus

OCP

oral contraceptive pill

HPI

history of present illness

OSA

obstructive sleep apnea

HPV

human papillomavirus

OTC

over the counter

HR

heart rate

PA

posteroanterior

HRT

hormone replacement therapy

PCOS

polycystic ovary syndrome

HSV

herpes simplex virus

PCP

phencyclidine (“angel dust”)

IADLs

instrumental activities of daily living

PCR

polymerase chain reaction

ICE

Integrated Clinical Encounter [CS

PD

Parkinson’s disease

score]

PERRLA

pupils equal, round, and reactive to

Ig

immunoglobulin

light and accommodation

IMED

International Medical Education

PFT

pulmonary function test

Directory

PID

pelvic inflammatory disease

IMG

international medical graduate

PMH

past medical history

IV

intravenous

PMI

point of maximal impulse

IVP

intravenous pyelography

PN

patient note

IWA

Interactive Web Application

PPD

pack per day; purified protein

JVD

jugular venous distention

derivative [tuberculin skin test]

KOH

potassium hydroxide

prn

pro re nata [as needed]

KUB

kidney, ureter, bladder [imaging]

PSA

prostate-specific antigen

LAD

lymphadenopathy

PSH

past surgical history

Abbreviation

Meaning

Abbreviation

Meaning

PT

prothrombin time

TCA

tricyclic antidepressant

PTSD

posttraumatic stress disorder

TEE

transesophageal echocardiography

PTT

partial thromboplastin time

TIA

transient ischemic attack

RA

rheumatoid arthritis

TIBC

total iron-binding capacity

RBC

red blood cell

TM

tympanic membrane

RF

rheumatoid factor

TMJ

temporomandibular joint

RLQ

right lower quadrant

TOEFL

Test of English as a Foreign Language

ROS

review of systems

TSE

test of spoken English

RPR

rapid plasma reagin

TSH

thyroid-stimulating hormone

RR

respiratory rate

TTE

transthoracic echocardiography

RRR

regular rate and rhythm

UA

urinalysis

RUQ

right upper quadrant

URI

upper respiratory infection

SEP

Spoken English Proficiency [CS score]

U/S

ultrasound

SH

social history

USMLE

United States Medical Licensing

SIADH

syndrome of inappropriate [secretion

Examination

of] antidiuretic hormone

UTD

up to date [vaccinations]

SLE

systemic lupus erythematosus

UTI

urinary tract infection

SOB

shortness of breath

VCA

viral capsid antigen

SP

standardized patient

VDRL

Venereal Disease Research Laboratory

SPECT

single-photon emission computed

V/Q

ventilation-perfusion [scan]

tomography

VS

vital signs

STD

sexually transmitted disease

WBC

white blood cell

^T3

triiodothyronine

WNL

within normal limits

^T4

thyroxine

XR

x-ray

TB

tuberculosis

yo

year old