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 | – | 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
S[edit | edit source]
T[edit | edit source]-;-;
U[edit | edit source]
V[edit | edit source]
W[edit | edit source]
X[edit | edit source]Y[edit | edit source]
Z[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
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