What are common lab abbreviations?

One common example of an abbreviation commonly used by doctors and nurses is the ABG, or arterial blood gas test, which is used to determine if a patient has a lung disease, according to MedlinePlus. Another common laboratory test is for ALP, or alkaline phosphatase, which is used to identify bone or liver disease.

An abbreviation that a doctor may write on a prescription is BID, indicating that a medication should be taken twice per day. A BUN, or blood urea nitrogen test, is conducted to help diagnose problems related to kidney disease.

Laboratory test results from the doctor are often associated with a number that indicates what level of a given molecule or substance has been found in a patient's body and whether or not this falls into a normal, healthy range for the individual receiving the test, according to WebMD. These results are sometimes provided as either a positive or a negative to indicate the presence or absence of something that is directly related to a particular disease or pathology. Laboratory tests are usually conducted using samples of blood, urine, saliva or mucus.