Abbreviations & Symbols

¯ . . . . . . . . . . . . . .before
A . . . . . . . . . . . . .assistance
AAA . . . . . . . . . . .abdominal aortic aneurysm
AAROM . . . . . . . .active, assistive range of motion
Abd . . . . . . . . . . .abduction
ABG . . . . . . . . . . .arterial blood gases
ACL . . . . . . . . . . .anterior cruciate ligament
A.C. . . . . . . . . . . .before meals
Add . . . . . . . . . . .adduction
ADLs . . . . . . . . . .activities of daily living
ad lib . . . . . . . . . .as desired
AE . . . . . . . . . . . .above elbow
AFib . . . . . . . . . . .atrial fibrillation
AFO . . . . . . . . . . .ankle foot orthosis
AK . . . . . . . . . . . .above knee
AMA . . . . . . . . . .against medical advice
amb . . . . . . . . . .ambulation
ANS . . . . . . . . . . .autonomic nervous system
AP . . . . . . . . . . . .anterior-posterior
APL . . . . . . . . . . .abductor pollicis longus
ARD . . . . . . . . . . .adult respiratory distress
AROM . . . . . . . . .active range of motion
ASA . . . . . . . . . .aspirin
ASCVD . . . . . . . .arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease
ASIS . . . . . . . . . .anterior superior iliac spine
ATFL . . . . . . . . . .anterior talofibular ligament
A-V . . . . . . . . . . .arterio-venous
B . . . . . . . . . . . . .bilateral
BBB . . . . . . . . . . .bundle branch block
B&B . . . . . . . . . .bowel & bladder
BE . . . . . . . . . . . .below elbow
BID . . . . . . . . . . .twice daily
BK . . . . . . . . . . . .below knee
BMI . . . . . . . . . . .body mass index
BMR . . . . . . . . . .basal metabolic ratenterior superior iliac spine
ATFL . . . . . . . . . .anterior talofibular ligament
A-V . . . . . . . . . . .arterio-venous
B . . . . . . . . . . . . .bilateral
BBB . . . . . . . . . . .bundle branch block
B&B . . . . . . . . . .bowel & bladder
BE . . . . . . . . . . . .below elbow
BID . . . . . . . . . . .twice daily
BK . . . . . . . . . . . .below knee
BMI . . . . . . . . . . .body mass index
BMR . . . . . . . . . .basal metabolic rate
BM . . . . . . . . . . . .bowel movement
BOS . . . . . . . . . . .base of support
BP . . . . . . . . . . . .blood pressure
BRP . . . . . . . . . . .bathroom privileges
BS . . . . . . . . . . . .breath sounds
BUN . . . . . . . . . .blood urea nitrogen
Bx . . . . . . . . . . . .biopsy
c¯ . . . . . . . . . . . . . .with
Ca++ . . . . . . . . . .calcium
CA . . . . . . . . . . . .cancer
CABG . . . . . . . . .coronary artery bypass graft
CAD . . . . . . . . . . .coronary artery disease
CBC . . . . . . . . . . .complete blood count
CC . . . . . . . . . . . .chief complaint
CCE . . . . . . . . . . .clubbing, claudication, edema
CHF . . . . . . . . . . .congestive heart failure
CHI . . . . . . . . . . .closed head injury
CKC . . . . . . . . . . .closed kinetic chain
CN . . . . . . . . . . . .cranial nerve
CNS . . . . . . . . . . .central nervous system
c/o . . . . . . . . . . . .complaints of
CO . . . . . . . . . . . .cardiac output
COPD . . . . . . . . .chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
CP . . . . . . . . . . . .cerebral palsy
CP . . . . . . . . . . . .chest pain
CPK . . . . . . . . . . .creatine phosphokinase
CPM . . . . . . . . . .continuous passive motion
CPP . . . . . . . . . . .closed packed position
CPR . . . . . . . . . . .cardiopulmonary resuscitation
CSF . . . . . . . . . . .cerebral spinal fluid
CT . . . . . . . . . . . .computed tomography
CTS . . . . . . . . . . .carpal tunnel syndrome
Ctx . . . . . . . . . . . .cervical traction
CVA . . . . . . . . . . .cerebral vascular accident
CXR . . . . . . . . . .chest x-ray
D/C . . . . . . . . . . .discharge
DDD . . . . . . . . . . .degenerative disc disease
DDX . . . . . . . . . . .differential diagnosis
DF . . . . . . . . . . . .dorsiflexion
DIP . . . . . . . . . . . .distal interphalangeal
DJD . . . . . . . . . . .degenerative joint disease
DM . . . . . . . . . . .diabetes mellitus
DNR . . . . . . . . . . .do not resuscitate
DOB . . . . . . . . . . .date of birth
DOE . . . . . . . . . . .dyspnea on exertion
DPT . . . . . . . . . . .diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus
DSD . . . . . . . . . . .dry sterile dressing
DTR . . . . . . . . . . .deep tendon reflexes
DVT . . . . . . . . . . .deep vein thrombosis
Dx . . . . . . . . . . . .diagnosis
EAA . . . . . . . . . . .essential amino acids
BL . . . . . . . . . . . .estimated blood loss
EEG . . . . . . . . . . .electroencephalogram
ECK, EKG . . . . . .electrocardiogram
EMG . . . . . . . . . .electromyogram
ENT . . . . . . . . . . .ear, nose, throat
EOMI . . . . . . . . . .extra-ocular motion intact
EPB . . . . . . . . . . .extensor pollicis brevis
ER . . . . . . . . . . . .external rotation
ESR . . . . . . . . . . .erythrocyte sedimentation rate
ETOH . . . . . . . . . .ethyl alcohol
ev . . . . . . . . . . . .eversion
Ex . . . . . . . . . . . .exercise
Ext . . . . . . . . . . . .extension
F . . . . . . . . . . . . .frequency
FAQ . . . . . . . . . . .full arc quads
FB . . . . . . . . . . . .feedback
f/b . . . . . . . . . . . .followed by
FCU . . . . . . . . . . .flexor carpi ulnaris
FDP . . . . . . . . . . .flexor digitorum profundus
FEV . . . . . . . . . . .forced expiratory volume
flex . . . . . . . . . . .flexion
FOOSH . . . . . . . .fall on outstretched hand
FPL . . . . . . . . . . .flexor pollicis longus
FRC . . . . . . . . . . .functional residual capacity
FUO . . . . . . . . . . .fever of unknown origin
FVC . . . . . . . . . . .forced vital capacity
FWB . . . . . . . . . .full weight bearing
Fx . . . . . . . . . . . .fracture
f/u . . . . . . . . . . . .follow-up
GB . . . . . . . . . . . .gallbladder
GI . . . . . . . . . . . . .gastrointestinal

Grav. 1 . . . . . . . .number of pregnancies (para = births)
GSW . . . . . . . . . .gunshot wound
GTO . . . . . . . . . . .Golgi tendon organ
GTT . . . . . . . . . . .glucose tolerance test
GU . . . . . . . . . . . .genitourinary
GXT . . . . . . . . . . .graded exercise tolerance
H&H . . . . . . . . . .hematocrit & hemoglobin
HA . . . . . . . . . . . .headache
Hct . . . . . . . . . . . .hematocrit
HDL . . . . . . . . . . .high density lipoprotein
HEENT . . . . . . . .head, ears, eyes, nose, throat
Hgb . . . . . . . . . . .hemoglobin
HIV . . . . . . . . . . .human immunodeficiency virus
HNP . . . . . . . . . . .herniated nucleus pulposus
H/O . . . . . . . . . . .history of
HOB . . . . . . . . . . .head of bed
HP . . . . . . . . . . . .hot pack
HPI . . . . . . . . . . . .history of present illness
HR . . . . . . . . . . . .heart rate
HTN . . . . . . . . . . .hypertension
Hx . . . . . . . . . . . .history
I . . . . . . . . . . . . . .independent
I + D . . . . . . . . . . .incision & drainage
I + O . . . . . . . . . .input & output
ICS . . . . . . . . . .intercostal space
ICU . . . . . . . . . . .intensive care unit
IDDM . . . . . . . . . .insulin dependent diabetes mellitus
I/E ratio . . . . . . . .inspiratory/expiratory ratio
IM . . . . . . . . . . . .intramuscular
inv . . . . . . . . . . . .inversion
IP . . . . . . . . . . . . .interphalangeal joint
IPPB . . . . . . . . . . .intermittent positive pressure breathing
IR . . . . . . . . . . . . .internal rotation
IRDM . . . . . . . . . .insulin resistant diabetes mellitus
ITB . . . . . . . . . . . .iliotibial band
IV . . . . . . . . . . . . .intravenous
JODM . . . . . . . . .juvenile onset diabetes mellitus
JRA . . . . . . . . . . .juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
JVD . . . . . . . . . . .jugular vein distension
KAFO . . . . . . . . . .knee ankle foot orthosis
KUB . . . . . . . . . . .kidney, ureter, bladder
L . . . . . . . . . . . . .left
LBP . . . . . . . . . . .low back pain
LBQC . . . . . . . . . .large-base quad cane
LCL . . . . . . . . . . .lateral collateral ligament
LDH . . . . . . . . . . .serum lactic dehydrogenase
LE . . . . . . . . . . . .lower extremity
LKS . . . . . . . . . . .liver, kidney, spleen
LLB . . . . . . . . . . .long leg brace
LLC . . . . . . . . . . .long leg cast
LLQ . . . . . . . . . . .left lower quadrant
LMN . . . . . . . . . .lower motor neuron
LMP . . . . . . . . . . .last menstrual period
LOC . . . . . . . . . . .loss of consciousness
LOS . . . . . . . . . . .length of stay
LP . . . . . . . . . . . .lumbar puncture
LTG . . . . . . . . . . .long-term goal
LUQ . . . . . . . . . . .left upper quadrant
MAFO . . . . . . . . .molded ankle foot orthosis
MAL . . . . . . . . . .midaxillary line
max . . . . . . . . . . .maximum
MCL . . . . . . . . . . .midclavicular line
MCL . . . . . . . . . . .medial collateral ligament
MCP . . . . . . . . . .metacarpal phalangeal
MH . . . . . . . . . . .moist heat
min . . . . . . . . . . .minimum
MI . . . . . . . . . . . .myocardial infarction
mm . . . . . . . . . . .muscle
MMR . . . . . . . . . .measles, mumps, rubella
MMT . . . . . . . . . .manual muscle test
mod . . . . . . . . . . .moderate
MOI . . . . . . . . . . .mechanism of injury
MRI . . . . . . . . . . .magnetic resonance imaging
MRSA . . . . . . . . .methicillin-resistant Staph. aureus
MS . . . . . . . . . . . .multiple sclerosis
MTrP . . . . . . . . . .myofascial trigger point
MTP . . . . . . . . . . .metatarsal phalangeal
MVA . . . . . . . . . .motor vehicle accident
MWD . . . . . . . . . .microwave diathermy
n/a . . . . . . . . . . . .not applicable
N + V . . . . . . . . . .nausea and vomiting
NAD . . . . . . . . . .no acute distress
NCV . . . . . . . . . . .nerve conduction velocity
ng . . . . . . . . . . . .nasogastric
NIDDM . . . . . . . .noninsulin dependent diabetes mellitus
NKA . . . . . . . . . . .no known allergies
NKDA . . . . . . . . .no known drug allergies
nn . . . . . . . . . . . .nerve
NPO . . . . . . . . . . .nothing by mouth
NSA . . . . . . . . . . .no significant abnormality
NSAID . . . . . . . . .nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug
NSR . . . . . . . . . . .normal sinus rhythm
NWB . . . . . . . . . .non-weight bearing
02 . . . . . . . . . . . . .oxygen
OA . . . . . . . . . . . .osteoarthritis
OB . . . . . . . . . . . .obstetrics
OKC . . . . . . . . . . .open kinetic chain
OOB . . . . . . . . . .out of bed
OPP . . . . . . . . . . .open packed position
ORIF . . . . . . . . . .open reduction, internal fixation
OT . . . . . . . . . . . .occupational therapy
P + A . . . . . . . . . .percussion and auscultation
P + PD . . . . . . . . .percussion + postural drainage
p . . . . . . . . . . . . .after
PA . . . . . . . . . . . .posterior-anterior
PAC . . . . . . . . . . .premature atrial contraction
PAO2 . . . . . . . . . .alveolar oxygen
PaO2 . . . . . . . . . .peripheral arterial oxygen content
PAP . . . . . . . . . . .pulmonary artery pressure
PCL . . . . . . . . . . .posterior cruciate ligament
PD . . . . . . . . . . . .postural drainage
PDR . . . . . . . . . . .Physicians’ Desk Reference
PE . . . . . . . . . . . .pulmonary embolus
PEEP . . . . . . . . . .positive end expiratory pressure
PERLA . . . . . . . . .pupils equal reactive to light accommodation

PF . . . . . . . . . . . .plantar flexion
PFT . . . . . . . . . . .pulmonary function tests
PID . . . . . . . . . . . .pelvic inflammatory disease
PIP . . . . . . . . . . . .proximal interphalangeal
PMH . . . . . . . . . .past medical history
PNF . . . . . . . . . . .proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation
P.O. . . . . . . . . . . .by mouth
POD . . . . . . . . . . .post-op day
PR . . . . . . . . . . . .pulse rate
PRE . . . . . . . . . . .progressive resistive exercises
prn . . . . . . . . . . . .as necessary
PROM . . . . . . . . .passive range of motion
PSIS . . . . . . . . . .posterior superior iliac spine
pt . . . . . . . . . . . . .patient
PTB . . . . . . . . . . .patellar tendon bearing
PTFL . . . . . . . . . .posterior talofibular ligament
PVC . . . . . . . . . . .premature ventricular contraction
PVD . . . . . . . . . . .peripheral vascular disease
PWB . . . . . . . . . .partial weight bearing
Px . . . . . . . . . . . .problem
q2° . . . . . . . . . . . .every two hours
R . . . . . . . . . . . . .right
RA . . . . . . . . . . . .rheumatoid arthritis
RBC . . . . . . . . . . .red blood count/cells
RCL . . . . . . . . . . .radial collateral ligament
RHD . . . . . . . . . . .rheumatic heart disease
RLQ . . . . . . . . . . .right lower quadrant
r/o . . . . . . . . . . . .rule out
ROM . . . . . . . . . .range of motion
ROS . . . . . . . . . . .review of systems
RPE . . . . . . . . . . .rate of perceived exertion
RR . . . . . . . . . . . .respiratory rate
RUQ . . . . . . . . . .right upper quadrant
RV . . . . . . . . . . . .residual volume
Rx . . . . . . . . . . . .treatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .without s¯
S . . . . . . . . . . . . .supervision
S1 . . . . . . . . . . . .first heart sound
S2 . . . . . . . . . . . .second heart sound
SAQ . . . . . . . . . . .short arc quad
SBQC . . . . . . . . .small base quad cane
SC . . . . . . . . . . . .straight cane
SC . . . . . . . . . . . .sternoclavicular
SCI . . . . . . . . . . . .spinal cord injury
SCM . . . . . . . . . .sternocleidomastoid
SGOT . . . . . . . . .serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase
SI . . . . . . . . . . . . .sacroiliac
SLB . . . . . . . . . . .short leg brace
SLP . . . . . . . . . . .speech & language pathology
SLR . . . . . . . . . . .straight leg raises
SOAP . . . . . . . . .subjective, objective, assessment, plan
SOB . . . . . . . . . . .short of breath
s/p . . . . . . . . . . . .status post
SPC . . . . . . . . . . .single-point cane
STG . . . . . . . . . . .short-term goal
SV . . . . . . . . . . . .stroke volume
SWD . . . . . . . . . .short wave diathermy
Sx . . . . . . . . . . . .symptoms
S & S . . . . . . . . . .signs and symptoms
TB . . . . . . . . . . . .tuberculosis
TBI . . . . . . . . . . . .traumatic brain injury
TENS . . . . . . . . .transcutaneous electrical neuromuscular stimulation
TE . . . . . . . . . . . .therapeutic exercise
TFCC . . . . . . . . . .triangular fibrocartilage complex
TFL . . . . . . . . . . .tensor fascia latae
TFM . . . . . . . . . . .transverse friction massage
THL . . . . . . . . . . .transverse humeral ligament
THR . . . . . . . . . . .total hip replacement
tid . . . . . . . . . . . .three times daily
TKE . . . . . . . . . . .terminal knee extension
TKR . . . . . . . . . . .total knee replacement
TLC . . . . . . . . . . .total lung capacity
TMJ . . . . . . . . . . .temporomandibular joint
TOS . . . . . . . . . . .thoracic outlet syndrome
TPR . . . . . . . . . . .temperature, pulse, respiration
TPR . . . . . . . . . . .total peripheral resistance
TTP . . . . . . . . . . .tender to palpation
TTWB . . . . . . . . .toe touch weight bearing
TURP . . . . . . . . . .transurethral resection of prostate
TV . . . . . . . . . . . .tidal volume
TVH . . . . . . . . . . .total vaginal hysterectomy
Tx . . . . . . . . . . . .treatment or traction
UCHD . . . . . . . . .usual childhood disease
UCL . . . . . . . . . . .ulnar collateral ligament
UE . . . . . . . . . . . .upper extremity
ULNT . . . . . . . . . .upper limb neurodynamic test(s)
UMN . . . . . . . . . .upper motor neuron
URI . . . . . . . . . . .upper respiratory infection
US . . . . . . . . . . . .ultrasound
UTI . . . . . . . . . . .urinary tract infection
UV . . . . . . . . . . . .ultraviolet
VC . . . . . . . . . . . .vital capacity
VMO . . . . . . . . . .vastus medialis obliquus
V/O . . . . . . . . . . .verbal order
VPC . . . . . . . . . . .ventricular precontraction
VS . . . . . . . . . . . .vital signs
VTO . . . . . . . . . . .verbal telephone order
WBAT . . . . . . . . .weight bearing as tolerated
WBC . . . . . . . . . .white blood count/cells
WBTT . . . . . . . . .weight bearing to tolerance
WBQC . . . . . . . . .wide-base quad cane
WC . . . . . . . . . . .wheelchair
WFL . . . . . . . . . . .within functional limits
WNL . . . . . . . . . .within normal limits
WP . . . . . . . . . . . .whirlpool
XCT . . . . . . . . . . .chemotherapy
XRT . . . . . . . . . . .radiation therapy
yo . . . . . . . . . . . .years old
1° . . . . . . . . . . . . .primary
2° . . . . . . . . . . . . .secondary
< . . . . . . . . . . . . .less than
> . . . . . . . . . . . . .greater than
 ↑ . . . . . . . . . . . . .increase
↓ . . . . . . . . . . . . .decrease
|| . . . . . . . . . . . . . .parallel