DPT

Abbreviation with 2 meanings

DPT
Stands forDoctor of Physical Therapy
Meanings2
CategoriesEducation & Academia, Medical

DPT has two meanings. It stands for Doctor of Physical Therapy (degree) or Demerol-Phenergan-Thorazine (drug).

Meanings of DPT at a glance

#DPT stands forContext
1Doctor of Physical TherapyEducation & Academia › Degree
2Demerol-Phenergan-ThorazineMedical › Drug

1. Doctor of Physical Therapy

Education & Academia · Degree Abbreviations · also used in medicine

Entry-level professional degree for physical therapists in the US, usually three years after a bachelor's degree, combining coursework in anatomy, kinesiology and neuroscience with full-time clinical rotations. Graduates must pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) to be licensed.

Example: Requirements include a DPT from a CAPTE-accredited program and eligibility for state licensure.

Written D.P.T. Since the end of 2015 the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) has accredited only doctoral programs, replacing the earlier master's degree. Practicing therapists with older degrees could earn a transitional DPT. Many graduates add an optional residency and board certification in areas such as orthopedics or sports.

2. Demerol-Phenergan-Thorazine

Medical · Drug Abbreviations

Older intramuscular sedation "cocktail" of meperidine, promethazine and chlorpromazine once given to children before procedures. Earlier editions of ISMP's error-prone list included DPT because it has been confused with the diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus vaccine.

Example: Chart from 1992 notes "DPT 1 mL IM" given before the CT for sedation.

The combination fell out of favor because of prolonged sedation, respiratory depression and a high failure rate, and pediatric sedation guidance discourages it. Meperidine (Demerol) itself is now rarely used because its metabolite normeperidine can cause seizures. The vaccine abbreviation has since changed to DTaP.

More degree abbreviations

  • DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • DO – Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
  • DPhil – Doctor of Philosophy
  • DPM – Doctor of Podiatric Medicine
  • DrPH – Doctor of Public Health
  • DSc – Doctor of Science
  • DSW – Doctor of Social Work
  • DVM – Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

See all 139 degree abbreviations →

More drug abbreviations

  • DMSO – Dimethyl sulfoxide
  • DMT – N,N-Dimethyltryptamine
  • doxy-PEP – Doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis
  • DPH – Diphenhydramine
  • DRV – Darunavir
  • DSS – Dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate (docusate sodium)
  • DTG – Dolutegravir
  • DXM – Dextromethorphan

See all 170 drug abbreviations →

Edited by the AbbreviationList.com team. Spotted an error or a missing meaning? Contact us.

This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.