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Abbreviations

The abbreviations that follow have been approved for use on the Physical Therapist and Physical Therapist Assistant examinations. Approved abbreviations may be used in place of the term or phrase they represent.

 

ACE inhibitor

angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor

ADH

antidiuretic hormone

ASIA Impairment Scale

American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale

BMI

body mass index

Bpm

beats per minute

C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, C7, C8

cervical spinal column levels/nerve root positions

Cm

centimeter

CN

cranial nerve

CVA

cerebrovascular accident

Df

degrees of freedom (statistical concept)

DIP joint

distal interphalangeal joint

dL

deciliter

FEV1

forced expiratory volume in 1 second

Ft

foot

G

gram

HCO3-

bicarbonate

In

inch

Kg

kilogram

L

liter

L1, L2, L3, L4, L5

lumbar spinal column levels/nerve root positions

Lb

pound

M

meter

mA-min

milliampere-minute

MCP joint

metacarpophalangeal joint

METs

metabolic equivalents

mEq/L

milliequivalents per liter

mg/dL

milligrams/deciliter

MHz

megahertz

Min

minute

mL

milliliter

Mm

millimeter

mm Hg

millimeters of mercury

mmol/L

millimoles/liter

MTP

metatarsophalangeal

Oz

ounce

p value

probability value

PaCO2

partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide

PaO2

partial pressure of arterial oxygen

PIP joint

proximal interphalangeal joint

PNF

proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation

Pps

pulses per second

Q angle

quadriceps angle


R

correlation coefficient (statistical concept)

Rep

repetition

ROM

range of motion

S1, S2, S3, S4

first heart sound, second heart sound, third heart sound, fourth heart sound

S1, S2, S3, S4, S5

sacral spinal column levels/nerve root positions

SACH foot

solid ankle cushion heel foot

SaO2

oxygen saturation

Sec

second

SOAP note

subjective, objective, assessment, and plan note

T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6, T7, T8, T9, T10,
T11, T12

thoracic spinal column levels/nerve root positions

THR

total hip replacement

VO2 assessment

volume of oxygen assessment

W

watt

Medication Terminology Used in the NPTE

Medications referenced in both the Physical Therapist and Physical Therapist Assistant examinations follow nomenclature used in the United States. When appropriate, both generic and trade names will be given.