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, Lucinda hampton, Aminat Abolade, Venkata Nagaraj Mummadisetty and Leana Louw
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 | – | 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<br |
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 |
Temp | Temperature |
TENS - | Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation |
TEV | Talipes equinovarus  |
TFA | Transfemoral amputation  |
TFL | Tensor fasciae latae |
TFT | Thyroid function tests |
T/F | Transfer |
TG | Triglycerides |
Tx - | Traction |
THA | Total hip arthroplasty |
THR | Total hip replacement |
TIA | Transient ischaemic attack |
TJ | |
TKA | Total knee arthroplasty |
TKR | Total knee replacement |
TLR | Tonic labyrinthine reflex |
TMJ | temporomandibular joint |
TNR | tonic neck reflex |
TMT - | Tarsometatarsal |
TOP - | Termination of pregnancy |
TORCH(complex) - | Toxoplasmosis, rubella, cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex |
TPP - | Time, place and person |
TPR - | Temperature, pulse and respiration |
TrA - | Transversus abdominis |
tract. - | Traction |
traps. - | Trapezius |
TRH | Thyrotropin-releasing hormone |
TSH | Thyroid stimulating hormone |
TTA | Transtibial amputation |
TV | Tidal volume |
TBW | Tension band wiring |
TBI | Traumatic brain injury |
TA | Tendoachilles |
TB | Tuberculosis |
T1-12 - | Thoracic vertebrae (1-12) |
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.