Abbreviations in physiotherapy
Original Editor - Ruairi O'Donohoe
Top Contributors - Garima Gedamkar, Ruairi O'Donohoe, Rewan Elsayed Elkanafany, Karen Wilson, Kim Jackson, Ewa Jaraczewska, Lauren Heydenrych, Scott Buxton, Leana Louw, Lucinda hampton, Aminat Abolade and Venkata Nagaraj Mummadisetty
Description[edit | edit source]
Abbreviations assist healthcare professionals to make effective use of their time. These abbreviations should be recognised and agreed upon in order to ensure best 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 |
x/12 | x Months |
x/52 | x weeks |
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 |
#:[edit | edit source]
5Ds |
|
9HPT | Nine Hole |
A[edit | edit source]
ABBREVIATION | DEFINITION |
A&A | Aids and Appliances |
AAA | Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm |
ABD | abduction |
ABG |
Arterial blood gas |
ACL | anterior cruciate ligament |
ACTH | adrenocorticotropic hormone |
ACS | Acute coronary syndrome |
ADD | adduction |
ADAPT | additive activities profile test |
ADL | activities of daily living |
ADS | alternative delivery system |
AFO | ankle foot orthosis |
AIDS | acquired immune deficiency syndrome |
ASIS | Anterior superior iliac spine |
AJ | ankle jerk |
AK | above knee |
ALS | amyotrophic lateral sclerosis |
ANS | autonomic nervous system |
AMA | against medical advice |
Ant | anterior |
AP | anterior-posterior |
AAV | AIDS-associated virus |
AAL | Anterior axillary line |
Ab | Antibody |
AB | Apex beat |
ACE | Angiotensin converting enzyme |
ADH | Anti-diuretic hormone |
ADHD | Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder |
AF | Atrial fibrillation |
AFB | Acid fast bacilli |
ANOVA | analysis of variance |
ANCOVA | analysis of covariance |
B[edit | edit source]
ABBREVIATION | DEFINITION |
BE | below elbow |
BK | below knee |
BOS | base of support |
BP | blood pressure |
bpm | beats per minute |
C[edit | edit source]
ABBREVIATION | DEFINITION |
C1-7 | Cervical vertebrae 1-7 |
CABG | Coronary artery bypass graft |
CAD | Coronary artery disease |
Cal | Calorie |
CBC | Complete blood count |
CCA | Common carotid artery |
CCU | Coronary care unit |
CES | Cauda equina syndrome |
CFS | Chronic fatigue syndrome |
CHB | Complete heart block |
CHD | Congenital heart disease |
Chol | Cholesterol |
CHF | Congestive heart failure |
CMV | Cytomegalo virus |
c/o | Complains of |
CO | Cardiac output |
CO2 | Carbon dioxide |
COAD | Chronic ostructive airways disease |
COB | Chronic obstructive bronchitis |
C0/C1 | Atlanto-axial joint |
COPD | Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease |
CPAP | Continuous positive airway pressure |
CPB/CPBP | Cardiopulmonary bypass |
CPD | Cephalopelvic disproportion |
CPM | continuous passive motion machine |
CPR | Cardio-pulmonary resuscitation |
creps | Crepitations |
CREST(syndrome) | abbreviation for calcinosis, Raynaud's phenomenon, esophageal dysfunction, sclerodactyly, and telangiectasis |
CRF | Chronic renal failure |
CRHD | Chronic rheumatic heart disease |
CSF | Cerebrospinal fluid |
CT | Computerised tomography |
CTS | Carpal tunnel syndrome |
CVP | Central venous pressure |
CVS | Cardiovascular system |
CNS | central nervous system |
D[edit | edit source]
ABBREVIATION | DEFINITION |
DASH | Disability of arm, shoulder, hand |
D/C | Discharge |
DDx | Differential diagnosis |
DD | Dangerous drugs |
DDD | Degenerative disc disorder |
Dec | Decreased |
DF | Dorsiflexion |
DHS | Dynamic hip screw |
DI | Diabetes Insipidus |
DIU | Death in-utero |
DJD | Degenerative joint disease |
DM | Diabetes mellitus |
DOB | Date of birth |
DOE | Dyspnoea on exertion |
D&C | dilation and curettage |
E[edit | edit source]
ABBREVIATION | DEFINITION |
ECG | Electrocardiogram |
EEG | electroencephalogram, electroencephalograph |
EMG | electromyogram, electromyography |
Ex's | exercises |
EOR | End of range |
Exp | Expiratory |
Ext | Extension |
ECU | environmental control unit |
F[edit | edit source]
ABBREVIATION | DEFINITION |
FBS | fasting blood sugar |
FH | family history |
Fx | Fracture |
FVC | Forced vital capacity |
FWB | Full weight bearing |
F/U | Follow up |
FTD | Full term delivery |
FSH | Follicle stimulating hormone |
FRC | Functional residual capacity |
Flex | Flexion |
FIM | Functional independence measure |
FHS | Foetal heart sounds |
FHR | Foetal heart rate |
FFA | Free fatty acids |
FEV | Forced expiratory volume |
FEV1 | Forced expiratory volume in one second |
FET | Forced expiratory technique |
FES | Functional electrical stimulation |
FAS | fetal alcohol syndrome |
G[edit | edit source]
ABBREVIATION | DEFINITION |
GA | General anaesthetic |
GCS | Glasgow coma scale |
GDM | Gestational diabetes mellitus |
GFR | Glomerular filtration rate |
GFSH | Growth factor stimulating hormone |
GH | Growth hormone |
GIT | Gastrointestinal tract |
GMFCS | Gross Motor Function Classification Scale |
GRF | Ground reaction force |
GRH | Growth releasing hormone |
GTT | Glucose tolerance test |
GSW | gunshot wound |
GSR | galvanic skin response |
H[edit | edit source]
ABBREVIATION | DEFINITION |
Hb | Haemoglobin |
HAD | Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale |
HIV | Human immunodeficiency virus |
HIVD | Herniated intervertebral disc |
HMD | Hyaline membrane disease |
H/O, HO | History of |
HR | Heart rate |
HPV | Human papilloma virus |
HRT | Hormone replacement therapy |
HS | Heart sounds |
H Sit. | High sitting |
HSV | Herpes simplex virus |
Ht | Height |
HTLV | Human T-cell lymphotropic virus |
HTN | Hypertension |
Hx | History |
HGH | Human growth hormone |
Hep A, B, C | Hepatitis A, B, C etc |
HEP | Home exercise program |
HDL | High density lipoprotein |
HCVD | Hypertensive cardiovascular disease |
HCV | Hepatitis C virus |
H&C | HHuff and cough |
HI | Head injury |
HBV | Hepatitis B Virus |
HBH | hand behind head |
HBB | Hand behind back |
I[edit | edit source]
ABBREVIATION | DEFINITION |
Ig | Immunoglobulin |
IE | Inspiratory:expiratory (ratio) |
ICU | Intensive Care Unit |
ICS | Intercostal space |
ICP | Intracranial pressure |
ICD | Intercostal drain |
ICA | Internal carotid artery |
IC | Informed consent |
IFT | Interferential therapy |
Inf. | Inferior |
IOP | Intraocular pressure |
Int. | Internal |
Insp. | Inspiratory |
IMV | Intermittent mandatory ventilation |
IMT | Isometric muscle testing |
IHD | Ischaemic heart disease |
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 |
IUGR | Intrauterine growth retardation |
IR | internal rotation |
IRDS | Infant respiratory distress syndrome |
IRQ | Inner range quadriceps |
IUFD | Intrauterine foetal death |
IRV | Inspiratory reserve volume |
ISC | Intermittent self catheterisation |
IST | Infraspinatus tendon |
ISWT | Incremental Shuttle Walk Test |
IUD | Intrauterine death |
IUCD | Intrauterine contraceptive device |
I/T | Intermittent |
I/T C Tx | Intermittent cervical traction |
I/T L Tx | Intermittent lumbar traction |
J[edit | edit source]
ABBREVIATION | DEFINITION |
JCA -Juvenile chronic arthritis | JCA -Juvenile chronic arthritis |
JDM -Juvenile diabetes mellitus | JDM -Juvenile diabetes mellitus |
JRA | Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis |
jt | joint |
JVP | jagular venous pressure |
K[edit | edit source]
ABBREVIATION | DEFINITION |
KJ | knee jerk |
K wire | Kirschner wire |
KAFO | knee ankle foot orthosis |
L[edit | edit source]
ABBREVIATION | DEFINITION |
L 1-5 | Lumbar vertebrae 1-5 |
lat | lateral |
LBE | Lateral basal expansion |
LA | Local anaesthic |
LBP | Low back pain |
LBW | Low birth weight |
LCA | Left coronary artery |
LCCS | Low cervical caesarean section |
LCL | Lateral collateral ligament |
LCM | Left costal margin |
LCx | Left circumflex |
LDDD | Lumbar degenerative disc disorder |
LDL | Low-Density-Lipoprotein type |
LFA | Left femoral artery |
LFTs | Liver function tests |
LGA | Large for gestational age |
LH | Luteinising hormone |
LHF | Left heart failure |
LICS | Left intercostal space |
LIF | Left iliac fossa |
Ligs. | Ligaments |
LOC | Loss of consciousness |
LOW | Loss of weight |
LP | Lumbar puncture |
IRTI | Lower respiratory tract infection |
LS | Lumbosacral |
LTHR | Left total hip replacement |
LMN | lower motor neuron |
LMNL | lower motor neuron lesion |
LOS | length of stay |
LTG | long term goal |
-
M[edit | edit source]
ABBREVIATION | DEFINITION |
MAP – mean arterial pressure
MED – minimal erythemal dose
MAS -Motor assessment scale
Max. -Maximum
MCA -Middle cerebral artery
MCP -Metacarpophalangeal
MD -Muscular dystrophy
MI – myocardial infarction
MDI -Metered dose inhaler
Meds -Medications
Med. -Medial
MGTT -Modified glucose tolerance test
MHI -Manual hyperinflation
Mhz -Megahertz
MMSE -Mini mental state examination
MMT -Manual muscle testing
MND -Motor neurone disease
MRI -Magnetic resonance imaging
MRP -Motor relearning programme
MTP -Metatarsophalangea
MVA -Motor vehicle accident
MVD -Mitral valve disease
movt. -Movement
Mx -Management
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
9-HPT -Nine-Hole Peg Test
NIPV -Non invasive pressure ventilation
NOF -Neck of femur
NOH -Neck of humerus
NP -Non productive
NWB -Non weight bearing
NSMDA -Neurosensory Motor Developmental Assessment
NDT – neurodevelopmental treatment
O[edit | edit source]
ABBREVIATION | DEFINITION |
O2 -Oxygen
O: -Objective
OPD -Outpatients Department
Ortho. -Orthopaedics
ORQ -Outer range quadriceps
OA – osteoarthritis
OB – obstetrics
ORIF – open reduction, internal fixation
P[edit | edit source]
ABBREVIATION | DEFINITION |
P – poor (used in muscle testing)
P: - plan
Paed -Paediatrics
palp. -Palpitations
PA – posterior/anterior
para – paraplegia
PCL – posterior cruciate ligament
PE – pulmonary embolus
PEEP – positive end expiratory pressure
PF – plantar flexion
PNF – proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation
PNI – peripheral nerve injury
POMR – problem-oriented medical record
post. – posterior
post-op – after surgery
PRE – progressive resistive exercise
pre-op – before operation
PROM – passive range of motion
PROME – passive range of motion exercise
PSIS – posterior superior iliac spine
PTB – patellar tendon bearing
PVD – peripheral vascular disease
PWB – partial weight bearing
PDA -Patent ductus arteriosus
PDMS -Peabody Developmental Motor Scale
PDx -Provisional diagnosis
PE -Physical examination
PEDI -Paediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory
PEEP -Positive end expiratory pressure
PEFR -Peak expiratory flow rate
PENS -Percutaneous electrical nerve stimulator
PF -Patellofemoral
PFR -Peak flow rate
PFT -Pulmonary function test
PFx -Pelvic floor exercises
PGH -Pituitary growth hormone
PICA -Posterior inferior cerebral artery
PIP -Proximal interphalangeal
PIVD -Prolapsed intervertebral disc
PKB -Prone knee bend
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
REIL -Repeated extension in lying
REIS -Repeated extension in sitting
RFIL -Repeated flexion in lying
RFIS -Repeated flexion in standing
REM -Rapid eye movement
rep. -Repeated
Resp. -Respiratory
ret. -Retraction
Rh -ve -Rhesus factor negative
Rh +ve -Rhesus factor positive
RHD -Rheumatic heart disease
RHF -Right heart failure
RIP -Raised intracranial pressure
RJ -Radial jerk
R-J -Robert Jones (bandage)
R/O -Removal of
rot. -Rotation
RR -Respiratory rate
RTI -Respiratory tract infection
RVF -Right ventricular failure
RVH -Right ventricular hypertrophy
S[edit | edit source]
ABBREVIATION | DEFINITION |
SA Node | Sinoatrial Node |
S1-5 -Sacral vertebrae (1-5)
SaO2 -Oxygen saturation
SAFG -Short arm fibreglass (cast)
SAPOP -Short arm plaster of paris
SAH -Subarachnoid haemorrhage
SDH -Subdural haemorrhage/haematoma
S/E -Subjective examination
SFL/R -Side flexion left/right
SGIS -Side glide in standing
Sh. -Shoulder
SIJ -Sacro-iliac joint
SL -Side lying
SLAP -Superior labrum anterior-posterior lesion
SLE -Systemic lupus erythematosus
SLFG -Short leg fibreglass (cast)
SLPOP -Short leg plaster of Paris
SLR -Straight leg raising
SLS -Single leg stand
SMI -Sustained maximal inspiration
Sn -Suction
Spiro. -Spirometry
SPS -Single point stick
Sput. -Sputum
SQ -Static quadriceps
s-s -Side to side
SST -Supraspinatus tendon
STM -Short term memory
STML -Short term memory loss
STR -Soft tissue release
Strep. -Streptococcus
subcut. -Subcutaneous
subj. -Subjective
Subscap. -Subscapularis (tendon)
Sup. -Supination
Sub US -Subaquatic ultrasound
SVC -Superior vena cava
Sx -Surgery
SACH – solid ankle cushion heel
SCI – spinal cord injury
SC jt. – sternoclavicular joint
SED – suberythemal dose
SOAP – subjective, objective, assessment, plan
SOB – shortness of breath
STG – short term goal
sup. – superior
T[edit | edit source]
ABBREVIATION | DEFINITION |
T1-12 -Thoracic vertebrae (1-12) TB -Tuberculosis TA -Tendoachilles TBI -Traumatic brain injury TBW -Tension band wiring Temp. -Temperature TENS -Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation TEV -Talipes equinovarus |
|
U[edit | edit source]
ABBREVIATION | DEFINITION |
UVR | Ultraviolet radiation |
US U/S | Ultra sound |
URTI | Upper respiratory tract infection |
URT | Upper respiratory tract |
UPDRS | Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale |
U/O | Urine output |
UMNL | upper motor neuron lesion |
UMN | Upper motor neuron |
UL | Upper limb |
ULTT | Upper limb tension test |
ULTT1-3 | Upper limb tension test 1-3 |
V[edit | edit source]
ABBREVIATION | DEFINITION |
VAS | Visual Analogue Scale |
VBI | Vertebrobasilar insufficiency |
VC | Vital capacity |
VEP | Visual evoked potential |
VF | Ventricular fibrillation |
VFT |
Ventilatory function test |
VHD | Valvular heart disease |
vibs/vibes. | Vibrations |
Vit. | Vitamin |
VSD | Ventricular septal defect |
VS | Vital signs |
W[edit | edit source]
ABBREVIATION | DEFINITION |
WB | Weight bearing |
W/C | Wheelchair |
W/cm² | Watts per centimetre squared |
wk | week |
Wt | Weight |
2WF | Two-wheeled frame |
4WF | Four-wheeled frame |
Wee-FIM | Paediatric functional independence measure |
WNL | Within normal limits |
w/o | Without |
X[edit | edit source]
Y[edit | edit source]
ABBREVIATION | DEFINITION |
y/o | Years old |
yr/s | Year/Years |
Z[edit | edit source]
ABBREVIATION | DEFINITION |
ZF | Zimmer Frame |
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_medical_abbreviations
- ↑ http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/Publications/services/Hospitals/NHO_Abbreviations_Booklet.pdf
- ↑ Bottomley JM. Quick reference dictionary for physical therapy. Slack Incorporated; 2000.