These are just some of the many abbreviations that medical transcriptionists must use in their daily work. A reference book of abbreviations is considered a “must have” book for MTs. Most professional MTs wouldn't think of working without their Stedman's Book of Abbreviations, Acronyms, & Symbols and you can read about it here.
| N/A | not applicable |
| NAD | no abnormality detected |
| NAP | neutrophil alkaline phosphatase |
| NBM | nil by mouth |
| NGT | nasogastric tube |
| NMR | nuclear magnetic resonance |
| nocte | at night |
| NOF | neck of femur |
| npo | nil per os (nil by mouth) |
| NSAID | non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs |
| NYD | not yet diagnosed |
| O/D | overdose |
| O/E | on examination |
| OA | osteoarthritis |
| OD or o.d. | once daily |
| OGTT | oral glucose tolerance test |
| P/C | presenting complaint |
| PA | pulmonary artery |
| PABA | para-aminobenzoic acid |
| PAS | p-aminosalicylic acid |
| PBC | primary biliary cirrhosis |
| PCP | pneumocystis carinii pneumonia |
| PCV | packed cell volume |
| PDA | patent ductus arteriosus |
| PE | pulmonary embolism |
| PEFR | peek expiratory flow rate |
| PID | pelvic inflammatory disease |
| PIP | proximal interphalangeal |
| PM | post-mortem |
| PMH | past medical history |
| PND | paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea |
| per os | PO , by mouth) |
| PPD | purified protein derivative |
| PPP | peripheral pulses palpable |
| PPS | plasma protein solution |
| PR | per rectum |
| PRN, p.r.n., or prn | pro re nata ("as needed," in Latin) |
| PRV | polycythaemia rubra vera |
| PT | patient or prothrombin time |
| PTH | parathyroid hormone |
| PTT | partial thromboplastin time |
| PTTK | partial thromboplastin time with kaolin |
| PUO | pyrexia of unknown origin |
| PUVA | psoralen ultraviolet A |
| PV | per vaginam |
| PVD | peripheral vascular disease |
- Medical Abbreviations: 28,000 Conveniences at the Expense of Communication and Safety (Medical Abbreviations)
- Stedman's Pocket Medical Abbreviations
- Medical Acronyms, Eponyms & Abbreviations
- Units, Symbols and Abbreviations
- Dictionary of Medical Acronyms & Abbreviations (5th Edition)
- Medical Transcriptionist's Desk Reference
Medword's Medical Feeds
Norton Safe Site