Professional
Technical
In the Industry Vocabulary Test
Contraindication
A condition or factor that makes a particular treatment or procedure inadvisable or potentially harmful.
Full Definition
In physical therapy documentation, contraindications are medical conditions, symptoms, or circumstances that make specific interventions unsafe or inappropriate. Therapists must clearly document both absolute contraindications (never perform) and relative contraindications (use caution). This term appears frequently in evaluation reports, treatment plans, and incident documentation. Editorial precision is crucial as the presence of contraindications directly affects treatment decisions and liability.
Usage
Usage note: Must be distinguished from 'precaution' - contraindications are stronger warnings than precautions.
In Context
- "Deep heat modalities are contraindicated over areas of decreased sensation." — Treatment protocol
- "No contraindications noted for therapeutic exercise program." — Initial evaluation
Also known as
precaution
restriction
Contrasted with
indication
Don't confuse with
precaution
indication