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, Aminat Abolade, Venkata Nagaraj Mummadisetty, Leana Louw and Lucinda hampton
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
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
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 (physio)
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
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
F[edit | edit source]
ABBREVIATION | DEFINITION |
FBS – fasting blood sugar
FH – family history
FES -Functional electrical stimulation
FET -Forced expiratory technique (physio)
FEV -Forced expiratory volume (physio)
FEV1 -Forced expiratory volume in one second
FFA -Free fatty acids
FHR -Foetal heart rate
FHS- Foetal heart sounds
FIM -Functional independence measure
Flex. -Flexion
FRC- Functional residual capacity
FSH -Follicle stimulating hormone
FTD -Full term delivery
F/U- Follow up
FVC -Forced vital capacity
FWB -Full weight bearing
Fx -Fracture
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
H[edit | edit source]
ABBREVIATION | DEFINITION |
Hb -Haemoglobin
HAD -Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale
HBB- Hand behind back
HBH -Hand behind head
HBV- Hepatitis B Virus
H&C -Huff and cough
HCV -Hepatitis C virus
HCVD -Hypertensive cardiovascular disease
HDL -High density lipoprotein
HEP -Home exercise program (physio)
Hep A, B, C -Hepatitis A, B, C etc..
HGH -Human growth hormone
HI -Head injury
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
I[edit | edit source]
ABBREVIATION | DEFINITION |
IC— Informed consent
ICA -Internal carotid artery
ICD -ntercostal drain
ICP -Intracranial pressure
ICS -Intercostal space
ICU- Intensive Care Unit
IE -Inspiratory:expiratory (ratio)
IFT -Interferential therapy
Ig -Immunoglobulin
IHD -Ischaemic heart disease
IMT -Isometric muscle testing
IMV -Intermittent mandatory ventilation
Inf. -Inferior
Insp. -Inspiratory
Int. -Internal
Inv. -Inversion
IOP -Intraocular pressure
IPPB -Intermittent positive pressure breathing
IPPR -Intermittent positive pressure respiration
IPPV -Intermittent positive pressure ventilation
IQ -Intelligence quotient
IR -Internal rotation
IRDS -Infant respiratory distress syndrome
IRQ -Inner range quadriceps
IRV -Inspiratory reserve volume
ISC -Intermittent self catheterisation
IST -Infraspinatus tendon
ISWT -Incremental Shuttle Walk Test
I/T -Intermittent
I/T C Tx -Intermittent cervical traction
I/T L Tx -Intermittent lumbar traction
IUCD -Intrauterine contraceptive device
IUD -Intrauterine death
IUFD -Intrauterine foetal death
IUGR -Intrauterine growth retardation
IVC -Inferior vena cava
IVD -Intervertebral disc
IVSD -Interventricular septal defect
IFC – interferential current
J[edit | edit source]
ABBREVIATION | DEFINITION |
JCA -Juvenile chronic arthritis
JDM -Juvenile diabetes mellitus
JRA -Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
Jt. -Joint
JVP -Jugular venous pressure
K[edit | edit source]
ABBREVIATION | DEFINITION |
KJ | knee jerk |
K wire | Kirschner wire |
KAFO | knee ankle foot orthosis |
L[edit | edit source]
L 1-5 -Lumbar vertebrae 1-5
LA -Local anaesthetic
Lat – lateral
LBE -Lateral basal expansion
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
LRTI -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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
quad. -Quadraplegia
quads. -Quadriceps
R[edit | edit source]
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]
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]
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
TFA -Transfemoral amputation
TFL -Tensor fasciae latae
TFT -Thyroid function tests
T/F -Transfer (physio)
TG -Triglycerides
THA -Total hip arthroplasty
THR -Total hip replacement
TIA -Transient ischaemic attack
TJ -Triceps jerks
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
Tx -Traction
U[edit | edit source]
UL -Upper limb
ULTT -Upper limb tension test
ULTT1-3 -Upper limb tension test 1-3
UMN -Upper motor neuron
UMNL – upper motor neuron lesion
U/O -Urine output
UPDRS -Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale
URT -Upper respiratory tract
URTI -Upper respiratory tract infection
US;U/S -Ultrasound
UVR -Ultraviolet radiation
V[edit | edit source]
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
Viz -namely
VS -Vital signs
VSD -Ventricular septal defect
W[edit | edit source]
WB -Weight bearing
W/C -Wheelchair
W/cm² -Watts per centimetre squared (physio)
Wee-FIM -Paediatric functional independence measure (physio)
WNL -Within normal limits
w/o -Without
4WF -Four-wheeled frame (physio)
2WF -Two-wheeled frame
Wt -Weight
wk. – week
WNL – within normal limits
X[edit | edit source]
Y[edit | edit source]
y/o -Years old
yr/s -Year/Years
Z[edit | edit source]
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.