As a phlebotomist, it’s crucial to have a solid understanding of the various abbreviations you’ll encounter in your daily practice. These abbreviations are used to represent medical terms, laboratory tests, procedures, and other important elements related to phlebotomy. Familiarizing yourself with these abbreviations will not only enhance your communication with healthcare professionals but also contribute to efficient and accurate documentation. Whether you’re a seasoned phlebotomist looking for a refresher or a student entering the field, this guide will serve as a valuable resource to decode and comprehend the abbreviations commonly used in the field of phlebotomy.
| Abbreviation | Definition |
|---|---|
| ABG | Arterial Blood Gas |
| ABO | Blood Type System (A, B, AB, O) |
| ACD | Acid-Citrate-Dextrose |
| AED | Automated External Defibrillator |
| AIDS | Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome |
| APTT | Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time |
| ASAP | As Soon As Possible |
| A-V Fistula | Arteriovenous Fistula |
| A-V Shunt | Arteriovenous Shunt |
| AVF | Arteriovenous Fistula |
| AVS | Arteriovenous Shunt |
| BBP | Bloodborne Pathogens |
| BC or B/C | Blood Culture |
| BIL | Bilirubin |
| BT | Bleeding Time |
| BUN | Blood Urea Nitrogen |
| Ca | Calcium |
| CBC | Complete Blood Count |
| CHOL | Cholesterol |
| CK | Creatine Kinase |
| Diff | Differential Count |
| DNAR | Do Not Attempt Resuscitation |
| DNR | Do Not Resuscitate |
| ECG (EKG) | Electrocardiogram |
| EDTA | Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid |
| ESR | Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate |
| EST | Esterase |
| ETOH | Ethanol (Alcohol) |
| FDP | Fibrin Degradation Products |
| Fe | Iron |
| FUO | Fever of Unknown Origin |
| GTT | Glucose Tolerance Test |
| Hct | Hematocrit |
| HDL | High-Density Lipoprotein |
| Hgb | Hemoglobin |
| HIV | Human Immunodeficiency Virus |
| LDL | Low-Density Lipoprotein |
| LH | Luteinizing Hormone |
| Lytes | Electrolytes |
| Mg++ | Magnesium |
| NPO | Nothing by Mouth |
| PICC | Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter |
| PKU | Phenylketonuria |
| Plt (PLT) | Platelet Count |
| POCT | Point-of-Care Testing |
| PP | Postprandial |
| PSA | Prostate-Specific Antigen |
| PST | Plasma Separator Tube |
| PT | Prothrombin Time |
| QNS | Quantity Not Sufficient |
| RBC | Red Blood Cell |
| SST | Serum Separator Tube |
| TDM | Therapeutic Drug Monitoring |
| TRIG | Triglycerides |
| TSH | Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone |
| WBC | White Blood Cell |
| XDP | Crossmatch Delayed or In Progress |
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