Medical Assistant Terms and Abbreviations

Use this glossary of common medical assistant terms and abbreviations to help you better understand medical records and terminology.

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Introduction to medical assistant terms and abbreviations

Medical assistants are vital members of the healthcare team. They perform many duties to keep the office running smoothly and provide quality patient care. In order to do their jobs effectively, they must be able to understand and use a variety of medical terms and abbreviations.

This guide is designed to help you understand some of the most common medical assistant terms and abbreviations. It is by no means exhaustive, but it will give you a good foundation on which to build your knowledge.

ACL: Anterior cruciate ligament
ADD: Attention deficit disorder
ADHD: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
BMI: Body mass index
BP: Blood pressure
CBC: Complete blood count
CHF: Congestive heart failure
COPD: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
CT scan: Computed tomography scan
DNR: Do not resuscitate
EA: Each additional (referring to an insurance claim)

The importance of medical assistant terms and abbreviations

In the medical field, precision is key. From writing prescriptions to documenting patient records, every detail matters. This is why medical assistants must be well-versed in the many different medical terms and abbreviations they will encounter in their work.

While some of these terms may seem straightforward, others can be more difficult to decipher. This guide will provide you with a comprehensive list of medical assistant terms and abbreviations, as well as their meanings. Use this resource to brush up on your medical knowledge and become more familiar with the language of healthcare.

A&E – Accident & Emergency

BMI – Body Mass Index

BP – Blood Pressure

MRI – Magnetic Resonance Imaging

The most common medical assistant terms and abbreviations

As a medical assistant, you’ll need to know a lot of Medical Terminology Here are some of the most common terms and abbreviations you’re likely to come across in your career.

A&P: Anatomy and Physiology – the study of the structure and function of the human body.

ACL: Anterior cruciate ligament – one of four major ligaments in the knee joint.

BP: Blood pressure – the force of blood against vessel walls.

BMI: Body mass index – a measure of body fat based on height and weight.

CAT scan: Computerized axial tomography scan – a diagnostic imaging procedure that uses x-rays to produce cross-sectional images of the body.

CBC: Complete blood count – a test that measures red and white blood cells, as well as hemoglobin and platelets.

CHF: Congestive heart failure – a condition in which the heart can’t pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs.

COPD: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – a group of lung diseases that block airflow and make it difficult to breathe.
CT scan: Computed tomography scan – a diagnostic imaging procedure that uses x-rays to produce cross-sectional images of the body.

The different types of medical assistant terms and abbreviations

There are many different types of medical assistant terms and abbreviations. Here is a list of some of the most common ones:

AAMA – American Association of Medical Assistants

ABMA – American Board of Medical Assistants

AMT – American Medical Technologists

ANMCAB – American National Medical Certification Association for British Columbia

BBP – Body fluid and blood precautions

CAAHEP – Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
CMAS – Certified Medical Assistant Specialist
CMA (AAMA) – Certified Medical Assistant through the American Association of Medical Assistants
CPC – Physician Assistant – Certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants

CPR– Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
EKG or ECG– Electrocardiogram

HHA – Home health aide

HIPAA – health insurance Portability and Accountability Act

ICD-9-CM– International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification (diagnoses codes)

LPN or LVN– Licensed practical nurse or licensed vocational nurse

MA or Med Asst.– Medical assistant

Maternity Care Assistant (MCA)– A medical assistant who has completed a specialized course in maternity care.

NAMSAP – North American Society for the Advancement of Physicians Assistance

NCMA – National Center for Montessori in the Public Arena

NHA – National Healthcare Association

NNAAP – National Nurse Aide Assessment Program

NP-C or ANP-BC – Nurse Practitioner-Certified or Adult Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified

PANCE/PANRE – Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination/Physician Assistant Recertifying Examination

PCA – Personal care aide

Phlebotomy technician (CPT)– A medical assistant who has completed a course in phlebotomy.

RMA – Registered medical assistant

RN or BSN– Registered nurse with a bachelor’s degree in nursing

The history of medical assistant terms and abbreviations

The medical assistant profession has a long and varied history. While the title “medical assistant” is a relatively new one, the duties of medical assistants have been performed by people with a variety of different titles throughout the years. The word “assistant” first came into use in the medical field in the early 1800s, when physicians began to employ people to help them with their work. These assistants were usually young men who had some medical training, but they were not yet licensed to practice medicine on their own.

Over time, the title “medical assistant” became more common, and by the mid-1900s, it was used to refer to both men and women who performed similar duties in doctors’ offices and clinics. In recent years, the medical assistant profession has undergone a major expansion in both its duties and its educational requirements. Today, medical assistants are vital members of the healthcare team who perform a wide variety of tasks, from patient care to administrative duties.

There are many different medical assistant terms and abbreviations that you will need to know in order to be successful in your career. Here are some of the most important ones:

-AAMA: American Association of Medical Assistants
-AMT: American Medical Technologists
-ANMA: American National Medical Association
-CAAHEP: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
-CCMA: Certified Clinical Medical Assistant
-CMA (AAMA): Certified Medical Assistant
-CMAA: Certified Medical Administrative Assistant
-CMT: Certified Medical Technician
-CPT: Current Procedural Terminology
-EOE: Equal Employment Opportunity
-EHR: Electronic Health Record
-FTE: Full Time Equivalent
-HIPAA: health insurance Portability and Accountability Act
-ICD: International Classification of Diseases
-MAERB:

The future of medical assistant terms and abbreviations

As the medical field grows and evolves, so does the language. New medical terms and abbreviations are created all the time to keep up with the latest discoveries and technologies. Here are a few of the most recent additions to the medical vocabulary:

DNAR – Do Not Attempt Resuscitation
DTC – Direct-to-consumer
ED – Emergency Department
EHR – Electronic Health Record
EMT – Emergency Medical Technician
ESRD – End-stage renal disease
GERD – Gastroesophageal reflux disease
HIPAA – health insurance Portability and Accountability Act
ICU – Intensive care unit
IM – intramuscular

How to use medical assistant terms and abbreviations

As a medical assistant, you will need to know how to use medical terms and abbreviations in order to effectively communicate with co-workers, patients, and insurance companies. Here are a few tips:

1. Use medical terms when talking to co-workers. This will help ensure that everyone is on the same page and understand what you are saying.

2. Use abbreviations when taking medical histories or pathologies from patients. This will help save time and ensure accuracy.

3. When billing insurance companies, always use the full medical term rather than the abbreviation. This will help avoid confusion and delays in payments.

4. Keep a list of medical terms and abbreviations handy so that you can reference it when needed. This will help keep you organized and efficient in your work.

The benefits of medical assistant terms and abbreviations

Medical assistants are healthcare professionals who work in physicians’ offices, hospitals and other medical facilities. They perform a variety of administrative and clinical tasks, such as taking medical histories and documenting patients’ vital signs.

Although medical assistants are not required to be certified, many choose to become certified through organizations such as the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). The AAMA offers a certification exam that tests medical assistants on their knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, among other subjects.

By becoming familiar with medical assistant terms and abbreviations, you can improve your chances of passing the AAMA certification exam. In addition, knowing these terms will make you a more confident and competent medical assistant.

Here are some common medical assistant terms and abbreviations:

Acute – An adjective used to describe a condition that is severe but short-lived. For example, acute pain is severe but will go away with time.

Admit – To allow a patient to enter a hospital or other healthcare facility for treatment.

Chronic – An adjective used to describe a condition that is long-lasting or recurring. For example, chronic pain is pain that lasts for weeks, months or even years.

The drawbacks of medical assistant terms and abbreviations

There are drawbacks to the use of medical assistant terms and abbreviations. First, they can be difficult to remember. Second, they can be confusing for patients who are not familiar with them. Finally, they can be potential sources of error if they are misinterpreted.

Conclusion

We hope you have found this guide to medical assistant terms and abbreviations helpful. While it is not exhaustive, it should give you a good foundation in understanding some of the most common terms and abbreviations you will encounter in your career.