PTA Common Abbreviations

ā

before

A-line

arterial line

AAA

abdominal aortic aneurysm

A:

assessment

(A)

assist

AAE

active assist exercise

ABG

arterial blood gas

A&D

admission and discharge

AAROM

active assistive range of motion

ABC

airway, breathing, circulation

Abd

abduction

ac

before meals

ACJ

acromioclavicular joint

ACL

anterior cruciate joint

AD

right ear, assistive device, Alzheimer’s Disease

ADL

activities of daily living

adm

admission, admitted

AE(A)

above elbow (amputation)

AFO

ankle foot orthosis

ag

antigravity

AIDS

acquired immune deficiency syndrome

AIIS

anterior inferior iliac spine

AK

above knee

AKA

above knee amputation

ALS

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

a.m.

morning

AMA

against medical advice

Amb

ambulation

Amp

amputation

ANS

autonomic nervous system

Ant

anterior

AP

anterior/posterior

Appt

appointment

ARDS

acute respiratory distress syndrome

ARE

active resistive exercise

ARF

acute renal failure

AROM

active range of motion

AS

left ear

ASA

aspirin

ASAP

as soon as possible

as tol

as tolerated

assist

assistance, assistive

ASIS

anterior superior iliac spine

B

bilateral

B/A

backache

BE

back elbow

BEA

below elbow amputee

BID

bid twice a day

BKA

below knee amputee

BIW

twice a week

BK

below knee

BKA

below knee amputation

BM

bowel movement

BMI

body mass index

BOS

base of support

BP

blood pressure

BPM

beats per minute

BR

bedrest

BRP

bathroom privileges

B/S

bedside

BUN

blood urea nitrogen

bx

biopsy

c^

with

c/o

complains of

CA

cancer

CABG “cabbage”

coronary artery bypass graft

CAD

coronary artery disease

cc

chief complaint

CCU

coronary care unit

CF

cystic fibrosis

CGA

contact guard assist

CHD

coronary heart disease, congenital heart disease

CHF

congestive heart failure

CHI

closed head injury

CKC

closed kinetic chain

CP

cold pack, cerebral palsy

CPM

continuous passive motion

CTx

cervical traction

CMC

carpometacarpal (joint)

CNA

certified nursing aide

CNS

central nervous system

CO2

carbon dioxide

COG

center of gravity

COPD

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

COTA

certified occupational therapist assisant

CP

cerebral palsy

CPAP

continuous positive airway pressure

CPM

continuous passive motion

CPR

cardiopulmonary resuscitation

CPT

current procedural terminology (codes)

CRF

chronic renal failure

CRPS

complex regional pain syndrome

CSF

cerebrospinal fluid

CTS

carpal tunnel syndrome

CVA

cerebral vascular accident

CW

crunch walking

Cx

cancel, cancellation

d/c

discontinue or discharge

DC

Doctor of Chiropractic

DDD

degenerative disc disease