What it means
In names and credentials, BA means a Bachelor of Arts degree. In clinical writing the same letters are used for several different terms, including the basilar artery at the base of the brain, biliary atresia in infants and bone age on x-rays. Because of this, the meaning must come from the setting.
For the nurse
When BA appears in a chart and the meaning is not clear, ask or look for the full term; write the full term yourself.