Abbreviations in physiotherapy: Difference between revisions

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(updated common abbreviations, removed infrequent/ambiguous abbreviations, edited intro, replaced wikipedia reference, updated dead link to source from reference list)
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'''Top Contributors''' - {{Special:Contributors/{{FULLPAGENAME}}}}    
'''Top Contributors''' - {{Special:Contributors/{{FULLPAGENAME}}}}    
</div>  
</div>  
= Description   =
= Introduction   =


Abbreviations assist healthcare professionals to streamline documentation and make more effective use of their time. These abbreviations should be recognised and agreed upon in order to ensure clear communication and prevent avoidable errors in patient care. Below is a list of commonly used abbreviations that are relevant to clinical physiotherapy practice.<br>
Abbreviations assist healthcare professionals to streamline documentation and make more effective use of their time. These abbreviations should be recognised and agreed upon in order to ensure clear communication and prevent avoidable errors in patient care.
== Abbreviations<ref>Wikipedia. List of medical abbreviations. Available from:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_medical_abbreviations (accessed 03/03/2019).</ref><ref>Health Service Executive .NHO Abbreviations booklet.Available from: http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/Publications/services/Hospitals/NHO_Abbreviations_Booklet.pdf (accessed 3 March 2019)</ref><ref>Bottomley JM. Quick reference dictionary for physical therapy. Slack Incorporated; 2000.</ref> :  ==
 
Approved abbreviations may vary widely by facility, area of practice, and geographical location. Below is a list of commonly used abbreviations that are relevant to physiotherapy practice.<br>
== Abbreviations<ref>Castin, Meredith. The most common physical therapy abbreviations. Available from:https://www.webpt.com/blog/post/the-most-common-physical-therapy-abbreviations/ (accessed 04/29/2020).</ref><ref>Health Service Executive.https://www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/qid/quality-and-patient-safety-documents/abbreviations.pdf. NHO Abbreviations booklet.Available from:  (accessed 29 April 2020)</ref><ref>Bottomley JM. Quick reference dictionary for physical therapy. Slack Incorporated; 2000.</ref>:  ==


=== Units:  ===
=== Units:  ===
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| No abbreviations on an incident report  
| No abbreviations on an incident report  
|  
|  
|}
|}  
 
<br>
 
=== #:  ===
 
{| class="wikitable sortable" width="200" border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1"
|-
| 5Ds
|
# Dizziness,
# diplopia,
# drop attacks,
# dysorthria,
# dysphagia
|-
| 9HPT
| Nine Hole&nbsp;
|}
 
<br>


=== A  ===
=== A  ===
Line 227: Line 209:
|ALS  
|ALS  
|amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
|amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
|-
|AMS
|altered mental status
|-
|-
|AMA
|AMA
Line 239: Line 224:
|A/P
|A/P
|anterior-posterior
|anterior-posterior
|-
|AAV
|AIDS-associated virus
|-
|-
|Ab  
|Ab  
Line 255: Line 237:
|Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
|Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
|-
|-
|AF
|AF, Afib
|Atrial fibrillation
|Atrial fibrillation
|-
|AR
|acute rehabilitation
|-
|-
|AROM
|AROM
Line 292: Line 277:
|c (with a line over it)
|c (with a line over it)
|with
|with
|-
|C0/C1
|Atlanto-axial joint
|-
|-
|C1-7
|C1-7
Line 307: Line 295:
|CBC
|CBC
|Complete blood count
|Complete blood count
|-
|CC
|chief complaint, current complaint
|-
|-
|CCA
|CCA
Line 335: Line 326:
|Carbon dioxide
|Carbon dioxide
|-
|-
|C0/C1
|COTA
|Atlanto-axial joint
|Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
|-
|-
|CN
|CN
Line 364: Line 355:
|CT
|CT
|Computerised tomography
|Computerised tomography
|-
|CTO
|cervicothoracic orthosis
|-
|-
|CTS
|CTS
Line 387: Line 381:
|D/C
|D/C
|Discharge  
|Discharge  
|-
|DBP
|diastolic blood pressure
|-
|-
|DDx
|DDx
Line 424: Line 421:
|-
|-
|ECG
|ECG
|Electrocardiogram
|electrocardiogram
|-
|-
|ED
|ED
Line 445: Line 442:
|-
|-
|Ext
|Ext
|Extension
|extension
|-
|Ev
|eversion
|}
|}


Line 452: Line 452:
|'''ABBREVIATION'''
|'''ABBREVIATION'''
|'''DEFINITION'''
|'''DEFINITION'''
|-
|FBS
|fasting blood sugar
|-
|-
|Fx  
|Fx  
|Fracture
|Fracture
|-
|FFH
|fall from height
|-
|-
|FVC  
|FVC  
Line 467: Line 467:
|F/U
|F/U
|Follow up
|Follow up
|-
|FTD
|Full term delivery
|-
|-
|FSH
|FSH
Line 515: Line 512:
|GCS
|GCS
|Glasgow coma scale
|Glasgow coma scale
|-
|GBS
|Guilllain-Barré Syndrome
|-
|-
|GDM
|GDM
Line 527: Line 527:
|GH
|GH
|Growth hormone
|Growth hormone
|-
|GHJ
|glenohumeral joint
|-
|-
|GMFCS
|GMFCS
Line 560: Line 563:
|HO
|HO
|heterotrophic ossification
|heterotrophic ossification
|-
|HOB
|head of bed
|-
|-
|HR  
|HR  
Line 596: Line 602:
|HCV  
|HCV  
|Hepatitis C virus
|Hepatitis C virus
|-
|HKFO
|hip-knee-ankle-foot arthosis
|-
|-
|H&amp;C  
|H&amp;C  
Line 620: Line 629:
|'''ABBREVIATION'''
|'''ABBREVIATION'''
|'''DEFINITION'''
|'''DEFINITION'''
|-
|I
|Independence
|-
|-
|Ig  
|Ig  
Line 642: Line 654:
|Internal carotid artery
|Internal carotid artery
|-
|-
|IFT
|I&D
|Interferential therapy
|incision and drainage
|-
|-
|IFC
|IFC
Line 653: Line 665:
|IMV  
|IMV  
|Intermittent mandatory ventilation
|Intermittent mandatory ventilation
|-
|IMT
|Isometric muscle testing
|-
|IHD
|Ischaemic heart disease
|-
|-
|Inv.  
|Inv.  
Line 683: Line 689:
|IVD  
|IVD  
|Intervertebral disc
|Intervertebral disc
|-
|IP
|inpatient
|-
|-
|IR
|IR
Line 689: Line 698:
|IRDS     
|IRDS     
|Infant respiratory distress syndrome
|Infant respiratory distress syndrome
|-
|IRF
|inpatient rehabilitation facility
|-
|-
|IRV  
|IRV  
Line 698: Line 710:
|ISWT  
|ISWT  
|Incremental Shuttle Walk Test  
|Incremental Shuttle Walk Test  
|-
|ITB
|Iliotibial band
|-
|-
|I/T  
|I/T  
Line 708: Line 723:
|'''DEFINITION'''
|'''DEFINITION'''
|-
|-
|JCA -Juvenile chronic arthritis
|JCA  
|JCA -Juvenile chronic arthritis
|Juvenile chronic arthritis
|-
|-
|JDM -Juvenile diabetes mellitus
|JDM
|JDM -Juvenile diabetes mellitus
|Juvenile diabetes mellitus
|-
|-
|JRA  
|JRA  
Line 745: Line 760:
|LBP  
|LBP  
|Low back pain&nbsp;
|Low back pain&nbsp;
|-
|LBQC
|large-based quad cane
|-
|-
|LBW
|LBW
Line 757: Line 775:
|LDL
|LDL
|Low-Density-Lipoprotein type
|Low-Density-Lipoprotein type
|-
|LE
|lower extremity
|-
|-
|LFT
|LFT
Line 775: Line 796:
|LP
|LP
|Lumbar puncture
|Lumbar puncture
|-
|LRTI
|Lower respiratory tract infection
|-
|-
|LTx
|LTx
Line 787: Line 805:
|LOS
|LOS
|length of stay
|length of stay
|-
|LSO
|lumbrosacral orthosis
|-
|-
|LTG
|LTG
Line 819: Line 840:
|MI  
|MI  
  |myocardial infarction
  |myocardial infarction
|-
|MinA
|minimal assistance
|-
|-
|Meds  
|Meds  
Line 828: Line 852:
|Mhz  
|Mhz  
|Megahertz
|Megahertz
|-
|MFR
|myofascial release
|-
|-
|MMSE  
|MMSE  
Line 834: Line 861:
|MMT  
|MMT  
|Manual muscle testing&nbsp;
|Manual muscle testing&nbsp;
|-
|ModA
|moderate assistance
|-
|ModI
|modified independence
|-  
|-  
|MRI  
|MRI  
|Magnetic resonance imaging
|Magnetic resonance imaging
|-
|MTP, MTrP
|myofascial trigger point
|-  
|-  
|MTP  
|MTP  
Line 854: Line 890:
| medial collateral ligament  
| medial collateral ligament  
|}
|}
-<br><br><br><br><br>  
<br><br><br><br>  
== N  ==
== N  ==
{| class="wikitable sortable" width="200" border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1"
{| class="wikitable sortable" width="200" border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1"
Line 895: Line 931:
|NPO
|NPO
|nothing by mouth
|nothing by mouth
|-
|NT
|not tested
|-
|NMES
|neuromuscular electrical stimulation
|-  
|-  
|NWB  
|NWB  
Line 903: Line 945:
|-
|-
|NDT  
|NDT  
|neurodevelopmental treatment
|neurodevelopmental technique
|}
|}
-<br><br><br><br><br>  
-<br><br><br><br><br>  
Line 911: Line 953:
|'''DEFINITION'''
|'''DEFINITION'''
|-
|-
|O2 -
|O2  
|Oxygen
|Oxygen
|-
|-
|O: -
|OPD  
|Objective
|-
|OPD -
|Outpatients Department
|Outpatients Department
|-  
|-  
|Ortho. -
|Ortho.  
|Orthopaedics
|Orthopaedics
|-  
|-  
|OA –
|OA
| osteoarthritis
| osteoarthritis
|-
|OB –
|obstetrics
|-  
|-  
|ORIF –
|ORIF  
|open reduction, internal fixation
|open reduction, internal fixation
|-
|OOB
|out of bed
|-
|OT
|Occupational Therapy
|}
|}
<br>  
<br>  
Line 939: Line 981:
|'''DEFINITION'''
|'''DEFINITION'''
|-
|-
|P –
|p (with a line over it)
|after
|-
|P
| poor (used in muscle testing)
| poor (used in muscle testing)
|-
|P: -
|plan
|-
|-
|Paed
|Paed
  |Paediatrics
  |Paediatrics
|-
|-
|palp. -
|P/A
|Palpitations
|-
|PA –
| posterior/anterior
| posterior/anterior
|-
|-
|para –
|para  
|paraplegia
|paraplegia
|-
|-
|PCL –
|PCL  
|posterior cruciate ligament
|posterior cruciate ligament
|-
|-
|PEEP –
|PEEP
|positive end expiratory pressure
|positive end expiratory pressure
|-
|-
|PF –
|PF
| plantar flexion
| plantar flexion
|-
|-
|PNF –
|PMHx
|past medical history
|-
|PNF  
|proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation  
|proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation  
|-
|-
|PNI –
|PNI
|peripheral nerve injury  
|peripheral nerve injury  
|-
|-
|POMR –
|POC
|plan of care
|-
|POMR
| problem-oriented medical record
| problem-oriented medical record
|-
|-
|post. –
|post.  
|posterior  
|posterior  
|-
|-
|post-op –
|post-op
  |after surgery  
  |after surgery  
|-
|-
|PRE –
|PRE  
|progressive resistive exercise  
|progressive resistive exercise  
|-
|-
|pre-op –
|pre-op
  |before operation
  |before operation
|-
|-
|PROM –
|PROM  
|passive range of motion  
|passive range of motion  
|-
|-
|PROME –
|PSIS
| passive range of motion exercise
|-
|PSIS –
  |posterior superior iliac spine
  |posterior superior iliac spine
|-
|-
|PTB –
|PTB
  |patellar tendon bearing  
  |patellar tendon bearing  
|-
|-
|PVD –
|pt
|patient
|-
|PT
|physiotherapy/ physical therapy, physiotherapist/
physical therapist
|-
|PTA
|physical therapist  assistant
|-
|PVC
|premature ventricular contractions
|-
|PVD  
|peripheral vascular disease  
|peripheral vascular disease  
|-
|-
|PWB –
|PWB
  |partial weight bearing
  |partial weight bearing
|-
|-
|PDMS -
|PD
|Parkinson's Disease
|-
|PDMS  
|Peabody Developmental Motor Scale&nbsp;
|Peabody Developmental Motor Scale&nbsp;
|-
|-
Line 1,011: Line 1,069:
|pulmonary embolism
|pulmonary embolism
|-
|-
|PEDI -
|PEDI  
|Paediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory&nbsp;
|Paediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory&nbsp;
|-
|-
|PEEP -
|PEEP
|Positive end expiratory pressure&nbsp;
|Positive end expiratory pressure&nbsp;
|-
|-
|PEFR -
|PEFR
|Peak expiratory flow rate  
|Peak expiratory flow rate  
|-
|-
|PENS -
|PENS
|Percutaneous electrical nerve stimulator
|Percutaneous electrical nerve stimulator
|-
|-
|PFR -
|PFR
|Peak flow rate
|Peak flow rate
|-
|-
|PFT -
|PFT
|Pulmonary function test
|Pulmonary function test
|-
|-
|PFx -
|PICA  
|Pelvic floor exercises&nbsp;
|-
|PGH -
|Pituitary growth hormone
|-
|PICA -
|Posterior inferior cerebral artery
|Posterior inferior cerebral artery
|-
|-
Line 1,070: Line 1,122:
|RDS -
|RDS -
|Respiratory distress syndrome
|Respiratory distress syndrome
|-
|REIL
|Repeated extension in lying&nbsp;
|-
|REIS -
|Repeated extension in sitting&nbsp
|-
|RFIL -
|Repeated flexion in lying
|-
|RFIS -
|Repeated flexion in standing
|-
|REM -
|Rapid eye movement
|-
|rep. -
|Repeated&nbsp;
|-
|Resp. -
|Respiratory
|-
|ret.
|Retraction
|-
|-
|Rh -ve -
|Rh -ve -
Line 1,103: Line 1,131:
|RHD -
|RHD -
|Rheumatic heart disease
|Rheumatic heart disease
|-
|RHF -
|Right heart failure
|-
|RIP -
|Raised intracranial pressure
|-
|RJ -
|Radial jerk
|-
|R-J -
|Robert Jones (bandage)
|-
|-
|R/O -
|R/O -
|Removal of
|rule out
|-
|-
|rot. -
|RR
|Rotation
|Respiratory rate
|-
|-
|RR -
|RPE
|Respiratory rate
|Rating of percieved exertion
|-
|-
|RTI -
|RTI  
|Respiratory tract infection
|Respiratory tract infection
|-
|RVF -
|Right ventricular failure
|-
|RVH -
|Right ventricular hypertrophy
|}
|}
-<br><br><br><br><br> <br>
 
== S  ==
== S  ==
{| class="wikitable sortable" width="200" border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1"
{| class="wikitable sortable" width="200" border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1"
Line 1,140: Line 1,150:
|'''DEFINITION'''
|'''DEFINITION'''
|-
|-
| SA Node
|S
| Sinoatrial Node
|supervision
|-  
|-  
|S1-5  
|S1-5  
|Sacral vertebrae (1-5)
|Sacral vertebrae (1-5)
|-
|-
|SaO2 -
|SpO2
|Oxygen saturation<br>
|Oxygen saturation<br>
|-
|-
|SAFG -
|SAH  
|Short arm fibreglass (cast)<br>
|-
|SAPOP -
|Short arm plaster of paris<br>
|-
|SAH -
|Subarachnoid haemorrhage<br>
|Subarachnoid haemorrhage<br>
|-
|-
|SDH -
|SBP
|Subdural haemorrhage/haematoma<br>
|systolic blood pressure
|-
|-
|S/E -
|SBA
|Subjective examination <br>
|stand by assistance
|-
|-
|SFL/R -
|SBQC
|Side flexion left/right <br>
|small-based quad cane
|-
|-
|SGIS -
|SDH
|Side glide in standing&nbsp;<br>
|Subdural haemorrhage/haematoma<br>
|-
|Sh. -
|Shoulder <br>
|-
|-
|SIJ -
|SIJ  
|Sacro-iliac joint<br>
|Sacroiliac joint<br>
|-
|-
|SL -
|S/L
|Side lying <br>
|Side lying <br>
|-
|-
|SLAP -
|SLAP
|Superior labrum anterior-posterior lesion<br>
|Superior labrum anterior-posterior lesion<br>
|-
|-
|SLE -
|SLE  
|Systemic lupus erythematosus<br>
|Systemic lupus erythematosus<br>
|-
|-
|SLFG -
|SLR  
|Short leg fibreglass (cast) <br>
|-
|SLPOP -
|Short leg plaster of Paris&nbsp;<br>
|-
|SLR -
|Straight leg raising&nbsp;<br>
|Straight leg raising&nbsp;<br>
|-
|-
|SLS -
|SLS  
|Single leg stand<br>
|Single leg stance<br>
|-
|SMI -
|Sustained maximal inspiration<br>
|-
|Sn -
|Suction<br>
|-
|Spiro. -
|Spirometry<br>
|-
|SPS -
|Single point stick&nbsp;<br>
|-
|Sput. -
|Sputum<br>
|-
|SQ -
|Static quadriceps<br>
|-
|s-s -
|Side to side <br>
|-
|SST -
|Supraspinatus tendon<br>
|-
|STM -
|Short term memory<br>
|-
|STML -
|Short term memory loss<br>
|-
|-
|STR -
|s/p
|Soft tissue release<br>
|status-post
|-
|-
|Strep. -
|SPC
|Streptococcus<br>
|Single point cane&nbsp;<br>
|-
|-
|subcut. -
|STM
|Subcutaneous<br>
|Soft tissue mobilization<br>
|-
|-
|subj. -
|STS
|Subjective
|sit to stand
|-
|-
|Subscap. -
|SVC  
|Subscapularis (tendon) <br>
|-
|Sup. -
|Supination<br>
|-
|Sub US -
|Subaquatic ultrasound<br>
|-
|SVC -
|Superior vena cava<br |- |>
|Superior vena cava<br |- |>
|<br>
|-
|-
|sx
|sx
|surgery
|surgery
|
|-
|-
|SACH –
|SACH  
|solid ankle cushion heel<br>
|solid ankle cushion heel<br>
|-
|-
|SCI –
|SCI
| spinal cord injury<br>
| spinal cord injury<br>
|-
|-
|SC jt. –
|SCJ
|sternoclavicular joint<br>
|sternoclavicular joint<br>
|-
|-
|SED –
|SNF
|suberythemal dose<br>
|skilled nursing facility
|-
|-
|SOAP  
|SOAP  
Line 1,272: Line 1,226:
|-
|-
|SOB
|SOB
| – shortness of breath<br>
| shortness of breath<br>
|-
|-
|STG –
|STG  
|short term goal<br>
|short-term goal<br>
|-
|-
|sup. –
|sup.
  |superior<br><br>  
  |superior<br><br>  
|}
|}
Line 1,287: Line 1,241:
|'''DEFINITION'''
|'''DEFINITION'''
|-
|-
|Temp
|TENS  
|Temperature
|-
|TENS -
|Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
|Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
|-
|TEV
|Talipes equinovarus&nbsp
|-
|-
|TFA  
|TFA  
|Transfemoral amputation&nbsp
|Transfemoral amputation
|-
|-
|TFL  
|TFL  
|Tensor fasciae latae
|Tensor fasciae latae
|-
|-
|TFT
|Tx  
|Thyroid function tests
|-
|T/F
|Transfer
|-
|TG
|Triglycerides
|-
|Tx -
|Traction
|Traction
|-
|-
Line 1,322: Line 1,261:
|TIA  
|TIA  
|Transient ischaemic attack
|Transient ischaemic attack
|-
|TJ
|- Triceps jerks
|-
|-
|TKA
|TKA
Line 1,331: Line 1,267:
|TKR
|TKR
|Total knee replacement
|Total knee replacement
|-
|TLSO
|thoracolumbrosacral orthosis
|-
|-
|TLR  
|TLR  
Line 1,341: Line 1,280:
|tonic neck reflex<br>
|tonic neck reflex<br>
|-
|-
|TMT -
|TA, TrA  
|Tarsometatarsal <br>
|-
|TOP -
|Termination of pregnancy<br>
|-
|TORCH(complex) -
|Toxoplasmosis, rubella, cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex
|-
|TPP -
|Time, place and person
|-
|TPR -
|Temperature, pulse and respiration<br>
|-
|TrA -
|Transversus abdominis&nbsp;
|Transversus abdominis&nbsp;
|-
|tract. -
|Traction<br>
|-
|traps. -
|Trapezius
|-
|-
|TRH  
|TRH  
Line 1,370: Line 1,288:
|TSH  
|TSH  
|Thyroid stimulating hormone<br>
|Thyroid stimulating hormone<br>
|-
|TotalA
|total assistance
|-
|-
|TTA  
|TTA  
|Transtibial amputation<br>
|Transtibial amputation<br>
|-
|TTP
|tenderness to palpation
|-
|TUG
|Timed up and go
|-
|-
|TV  
|TV  
|Tidal volume <br>
|Tidal volume <br>
|-
|TBW
|Tension band wiring
|-
|-
|TBI
|TBI
|Traumatic brain injury
|Traumatic brain injury
|-
|TA
|Tendoachilles
|-
|-
|TB
|TB
|Tuberculosis
|Tuberculosis
|-
|-
|T1-12 -
|T1-12  
|Thoracic vertebrae (1-12)
|Thoracic vertebrae (1-12)
|}  
|}  
Line 1,398: Line 1,319:
|'''ABBREVIATION'''
|'''ABBREVIATION'''
|'''DEFINITION'''
|'''DEFINITION'''
|-
|UE
|upper extremity
|-
|-
|UVR  
|UVR  
|Ultraviolet radiation
|Ultraviolet radiation
|-
|-
|US U/S
|US, U/S
|Ultra sound
|Ultra sound
|-
|URTI
|Upper respiratory tract infection
|-
|URT
|Upper respiratory tract
|-
|UPDRS
|Unified Parkinson's Rating Scale
|-
|-
|U/O  
|U/O  
|Urine output
|Urine output
|-
|UMNL
|upper motor neuron lesion
|-
|-
|UMN  
|UMN  
|Upper motor neuron
|Upper motor neuron
|-
|UL
|Upper limb
|-
|-
|ULTT   
|ULTT   
|Upper limb tension test  
|Upper limb tension test  
|-
|-
|ULTT1-3
|UTI
|Upper limb tension test 1-3
|urinary tract infection
|}
|}
<br><br>
<br><br>
Line 1,454: Line 1,363:
|VF  
|VF  
|Ventricular fibrillation
|Ventricular fibrillation
|-
|<br>VFT
|<br>Ventilatory function test
|-
|VHD
|Valvular heart disease
|-
|vibs/vibes.
|Vibrations
|-
|Vit.
|Vitamin
|-
|VSD
|Ventricular septal defect
|-
|-
|VS
|VS
Line 1,483: Line 1,377:
|WB
|WB
|Weight bearing
|Weight bearing
|-
|WBAT
|weight bearing as tolerated
|-
|-
|W/C  
|W/C  
|Wheelchair
|Wheelchair
|-
|W/cm²
|Watts per centimetre squared
|-
|-
|wk
|wk
Line 1,504: Line 1,398:
|Wee-FIM
|Wee-FIM
|Paediatric functional independence measure
|Paediatric functional independence measure
|-
|WFL
|Within functional limits
|-
|-
|WNL
|WNL
Line 1,521: Line 1,418:
|y/o
|y/o
|Years old
|Years old
|-
|yr/s
|Year/Years
|}
|}


=== Z  ===
=== Z  ===
{| class="wikitable sortable" width="200" border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1"
|'''ABBREVIATION'''
|'''DEFINITION'''
|-
| ZF
| Zimmer Frame
|}


== References  ==
== References  ==

Revision as of 18:55, 29 April 2020

Original Editor - Ruairi O'Donohoe

Top Contributors - Garima Gedamkar, Ruairi O'Donohoe, Rewan Elsayed Elkanafany, Karen Wilson, Kim Jackson, Lauren Heydenrych, Scott Buxton, Ewa Jaraczewska, Venkata Nagaraj Mummadisetty, Leana Louw, Lucinda hampton and Aminat Abolade  

Introduction[edit | edit source]

Abbreviations assist healthcare professionals to streamline documentation and make more effective use of their time. These abbreviations should be recognised and agreed upon in order to ensure clear communication and prevent avoidable errors in patient care.

Approved abbreviations may vary widely by facility, area of practice, and geographical location. Below is a list of commonly used abbreviations that are relevant to physiotherapy practice.

Abbreviations[1][2][3]:[edit | edit source]

Units:[edit | edit source]

Centimeter  cm
Gram  g 
Kilocalorie  kcal
Kilogram  Kg
Litre  L
Milligram  mg
Millilitre  ml
Millimetre  mm
Millimole  Mmol


Frequency and time:[edit | edit source]

b.d./b.i.d. Twice daily
Mane In the morning
Nocte At night
p.r.n. When required
q.d.s./q.i.d. Four times daily
STAT Immediately
Tarde In the evening
t.d.s./t.i.d. Three times daily
h Hour
Mins. Minute
s second


Routes of Administration:[edit | edit source]

IV Intravenously
IM Intramuscularly
NG Nasogastric
PEG Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrotomy
PO Per Oral (oral by mouth)
PV Per vaginal
SC Subcutaneously
PR Per Rectum
SL Sublingually


Never abbreviate:[edit | edit source]

Patient's resuscitation status
Drug names
Right OR Left Except when used as part of an approved abbreviation
+++, >, < Avoided unless used as part of an official grading system
+ve, -ve Can use Pos. and Neg. instead

Patient/Service users name


No abbreviations on a consent form
No abbreviations on an incident report

A[edit | edit source]

ABBREVIATION DEFINITION
AAA Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
AAROM active assist range of motion
ABD abduction
ABG

Arterial blood gas

ACDF anterior cervical discectomy and fusion
ACL anterior cruciate ligament
ACTH adrenocorticotropic hormone
ACJ acromioclavicular joint
ACS Acute coronary syndrome
AD assistive device
ADD adduction
ADL activities of daily living
AFO ankle foot orthosis
AIDS acquired immune deficiency syndrome
ASIS Anterior superior iliac spine
AKA above knee amputation
ALS amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
AMS altered mental status
AMA against medical advice
Amb ambulation
Ant anterior
A/P anterior-posterior
Ab Antibody
ACE Angiotensin converting enzyme
ADH Anti-diuretic hormone
ADHD Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
AF, Afib Atrial fibrillation
AR acute rehabilitation
AROM active range of motion

B[edit | edit source]

ABBREVIATION DEFINITION
B bilateral
BEA below elbow amputation
BKA below knee amputation
BOS base of support
BP blood pressure
bpm beats per minute

C[edit | edit source]

ABBREVIATION DEFINITION
c (with a line over it) with
C0/C1 Atlanto-axial joint
C1-7 Cervical vertebrae 1-7
CABG Coronary artery bypass graft
CAD Coronary artery disease
Cal Calorie
CBC Complete blood count
CC chief complaint, current complaint
CCA Common carotid artery
CCU Coronary care unit
CES Cauda equina syndrome
CFS Chronic fatigue syndrome
CGA contact guard assist
CHF Congestive heart failure
c/o Complains of
CO Cardiac output
CO2 Carbon dioxide
COTA Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
CN cranial nerve
COPD Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
CPAP Continuous positive airway pressure
CPM continuous passive motion machine
CPR Cardio-pulmonary resuscitation
creps Crepitations
CRF Chronic renal failure
CSF Cerebrospinal fluid
CT Computerised tomography
CTO cervicothoracic orthosis
CTS Carpal tunnel syndrome
CTx cervical traction
CVA Cerebrovascular accident
CVP Central venous pressure

D[edit | edit source]

ABBREVIATION DEFINITION
DASH Disability of arm, shoulder, hand
D/C Discharge
DBP diastolic blood pressure
DDx Differential diagnosis
DDD Degenerative disc disorder
Dec Decreased
DF Dorsiflexion
DHS Dynamic hip screw
DI Diabetes Insipidus
DJD Degenerative joint disease
DM Diabetes mellitus
DOB Date of birth
DOE Dyspnoea on exertion

E[edit | edit source]

ABBREVIATION DEFINITION
ECG electrocardiogram
ED emergency department
EEG electroencephalogram, electroencephalograph
EMG electromyogram, electromyography
EOB edge of bed
ER external rotation
EVD extraventricular drain
Ext extension
Ev eversion

F[edit | edit source]

ABBREVIATION DEFINITION
Fx Fracture
FFH fall from height
FVC Forced vital capacity
FWB Full weight bearing
F/U Follow up
FSH Follicle stimulating hormone
FRC Functional residual capacity
Flex Flexion
FIM Functional independence measure
FHS Foetal heart sounds
FHR Foetal heart rate
FEV Forced expiratory volume
FEV1 Forced expiratory volume in one second
FET Forced expiratory technique
FES Functional electrical stimulation
FAS fetal alcohol syndrome
FWW front-wheeled walker

G[edit | edit source]

ABBREVIATION DEFINITION
GCS Glasgow coma scale
GBS Guilllain-Barré Syndrome
GDM Gestational diabetes mellitus
GFR Glomerular filtration rate
GFSH Growth factor stimulating hormone
GH Growth hormone
GHJ glenohumeral joint
GMFCS Gross Motor Function Classification Scale
GRH Growth releasing hormone
GTT Glucose tolerance test
GSW gunshot wound

H[edit | edit source]

ABBREVIATION DEFINITION
Hb Haemoglobin
HIV Human immunodeficiency virus
HIVD Herniated intervertebral disc
H/O History of
HO heterotrophic ossification
HOB head of bed
HR Heart rate
HRT Hormone replacement therapy
HS Heart sounds
H Sit. High sitting
Ht Height
HTN Hypertension
Hx History
HGH Human growth hormone
Hep A, B, C Hepatitis A, B, C
HEP Home exercise program
HDL High density lipoprotein
HCV Hepatitis C virus
HKFO hip-knee-ankle-foot arthosis
H&C Huff and cough
HH home health
HI Head injury
HBV Hepatitis B Virus
HBH hand behind head
HBB Hand behind back

I[edit | edit source]

ABBREVIATION DEFINITION
I Independence
Ig Immunoglobulin
I:E Inspiratory:expiratory (ratio)
ICU Intensive Care Unit
ICS Intercostal space
ICP Intracranial pressure
ICD Intercostal drain
ICA  Internal carotid artery
I&D incision and drainage
IFC Interferential current
Inf. Inferior 
IMV Intermittent mandatory ventilation
Inv. Inversion
IPPV Intermittent positive pressure ventilation
IPPR Intermittent positive pressure respiration
IVC Inferior vena cava
IPPB Intermittent positive pressure breathing 
IFC interferential current
IVSD Interventricular septal defect
IVD Intervertebral disc
IP inpatient
IR internal rotation
IRDS Infant respiratory distress syndrome
IRF inpatient rehabilitation facility
IRV Inspiratory reserve volume
ISC Intermittent self catheterisation
ISWT Incremental Shuttle Walk Test
ITB Iliotibial band
I/T Intermittent 

J[edit | edit source]

ABBREVIATION DEFINITION
JCA Juvenile chronic arthritis
JDM Juvenile diabetes mellitus
JRA Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
jt joint
JVP jagular venous pressure


K[edit | edit source]

ABBREVIATION DEFINITION
KAFO knee ankle foot orthosis


L[edit | edit source]

ABBREVIATION DEFINITION
L 1-5 Lumbar vertebrae 1-5
LBP Low back pain 
LBQC large-based quad cane
LBW Low birth weight
LCL Lateral collateral ligament 
LCM Left costal margin
LDL Low-Density-Lipoprotein type
LE lower extremity
LFT Liver function test
LHF Left heart failure
Ligs. Ligaments
LOC Loss of consciousness
LOW Loss of weight
LP Lumbar puncture
LTx lumbar traction
LMN lower motor neuron
LOS length of stay
LSO lumbrosacral orthosis
LTG long-term goal






M[edit | edit source]

ABBREVIATION DEFINITION
MAP mean arterial pressure
MAS Motor assessment scale
MaxA Maximum assistance
MCA Middle cerebral artery
MCP Metacarpophalangeal
MD Muscular dystrophy
MI myocardial infarction
MinA minimal assistance
Meds Medications
M/L Medial-lateral
Mhz Megahertz
MFR myofascial release
MMSE Mini mental state examination
MMT Manual muscle testing 
ModA moderate assistance
ModI modified independence
MRI Magnetic resonance imaging
MTP, MTrP myofascial trigger point
MTP Metatarsophalangeal
MVA Motor vehicle accident
MVD Mitral valve disease
MS multiple sclerosis
MCL medial collateral ligament





N[edit | edit source]

ABBREVIATION DEFINITION
NBM Nil by Mouth
NAD No abnormality detected
NCV Nerve conduction study
Neb. Nebuliser/nebulised
NIBP Non-invasive blood pressure
NICU Neonatal intensive care unit
NIDDM Not insulin dependent diabetes mellitus
NIHSS National Institute of Health Stroke Scale 
NIMV Non invasive mask ventilation
NIPV Non invasive pressure ventilation
NP Non productive
NPO nothing by mouth
NT not tested
NMES neuromuscular electrical stimulation
NWB Non weight bearing
NSMDA Neurosensory Motor Developmental Assessment
NDT neurodevelopmental technique

-




O[edit | edit source]

ABBREVIATION DEFINITION
O2 Oxygen
OPD Outpatients Department
Ortho. Orthopaedics
OA osteoarthritis
ORIF open reduction, internal fixation
OOB out of bed
OT Occupational Therapy


P[edit | edit source]

ABBREVIATION DEFINITION
p (with a line over it) after
P poor (used in muscle testing)
Paed Paediatrics
P/A posterior/anterior
para paraplegia
PCL posterior cruciate ligament
PEEP positive end expiratory pressure
PF plantar flexion
PMHx past medical history
PNF proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation
PNI peripheral nerve injury
POC plan of care
POMR problem-oriented medical record
post. posterior
post-op after surgery
PRE progressive resistive exercise
pre-op before operation
PROM passive range of motion
PSIS posterior superior iliac spine
PTB patellar tendon bearing
pt patient
PT physiotherapy/ physical therapy, physiotherapist/

physical therapist

PTA physical therapist assistant
PVC premature ventricular contractions
PVD peripheral vascular disease
PWB partial weight bearing
PD Parkinson's Disease
PDMS Peabody Developmental Motor Scale 
PE pulmonary embolism
PEDI Paediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory 
PEEP Positive end expiratory pressure 
PEFR Peak expiratory flow rate
PENS Percutaneous electrical nerve stimulator
PFR Peak flow rate
PFT Pulmonary function test
PICA Posterior inferior cerebral artery
PIP Proximal interphalangeal

Q[edit | edit source]

ABBREVIATION DEFINITION
quad. Quadraplegia
quads. Quadriceps

R[edit | edit source]

ABBREVIATION DEFINITION
ROM  Range Of Movement
RA Rheumatoid arthritis
Rehab – rehabilitation
RDS - Respiratory distress syndrome
Rh -ve - Rhesus factor negative
Rh +ve - Rhesus factor positive
RHD - Rheumatic heart disease
R/O - rule out
RR Respiratory rate
RPE Rating of percieved exertion
RTI Respiratory tract infection

S[edit | edit source]

ABBREVIATION DEFINITION
S supervision
S1-5 Sacral vertebrae (1-5)
SpO2 Oxygen saturation
SAH Subarachnoid haemorrhage
SBP systolic blood pressure
SBA stand by assistance
SBQC small-based quad cane
SDH Subdural haemorrhage/haematoma
SIJ Sacroiliac joint
S/L Side lying
SLAP Superior labrum anterior-posterior lesion
SLE Systemic lupus erythematosus
SLR Straight leg raising 
SLS Single leg stance
s/p status-post
SPC Single point cane 
STM Soft tissue mobilization
STS sit to stand
SVC Superior vena cava
sx surgery
SACH solid ankle cushion heel
SCI spinal cord injury
SCJ sternoclavicular joint
SNF skilled nursing facility
SOAP – subjective, objective, assessment, plan
SOB shortness of breath
STG short-term goal
sup. superior

T[edit | edit source]

ABBREVIATION DEFINITION
TENS Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
TFA Transfemoral amputation
TFL Tensor fasciae latae
Tx Traction
THA Total hip arthroplasty
THR Total hip replacement
TIA Transient ischaemic attack
TKA Total knee arthroplasty
TKR Total knee replacement
TLSO thoracolumbrosacral orthosis
TLR Tonic labyrinthine reflex
TMJ temporomandibular joint
TNR tonic neck reflex
TA, TrA Transversus abdominis 
TRH Thyrotropin-releasing hormone
TSH Thyroid stimulating hormone
TotalA total assistance
TTA Transtibial amputation
TTP tenderness to palpation
TUG Timed up and go
TV Tidal volume
TBI Traumatic brain injury
TB Tuberculosis
T1-12 Thoracic vertebrae (1-12)

 U[edit | edit source]

ABBREVIATION DEFINITION
UE upper extremity
UVR Ultraviolet radiation
US, U/S Ultra sound
U/O Urine output
UMN Upper motor neuron
ULTT Upper limb tension test
UTI urinary tract infection



V[edit | edit source]

ABBREVIATION DEFINITION
VAS Visual Analogue Scale
VBI Vertebrobasilar insufficiency
VC Vital capacity
VEP Visual evoked potential
VF Ventricular fibrillation
VS Vital signs


W[edit | edit source]

ABBREVIATION DEFINITION
WB Weight bearing
WBAT weight bearing as tolerated
W/C Wheelchair
wk week
Wt Weight
2WF Two-wheeled frame
4WF Four-wheeled frame
Wee-FIM Paediatric functional independence measure
WFL Within functional limits
WNL Within normal limits
w/o Without

X[edit | edit source]

Y[edit | edit source]

ABBREVIATION DEFINITION
y/o Years old

Z[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]


  1. ↑ Castin, Meredith. The most common physical therapy abbreviations. Available from:https://www.webpt.com/blog/post/the-most-common-physical-therapy-abbreviations/ (accessed 04/29/2020).
  2. ↑ Health Service Executive.https://www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/qid/quality-and-patient-safety-documents/abbreviations.pdf. NHO Abbreviations booklet.Available from: (accessed 29 April 2020)
  3. ↑ Bottomley JM. Quick reference dictionary for physical therapy. Slack Incorporated; 2000.
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