Ch 1 - Intro to Med Term Flashcards
abnormal
pertaining to away from the norm or rule; a condition that is considered to be not normal
abscess
localized collection of pus, which may occur in any part of the body
acute
sudden, sharp, severe; used to describe that has a sudden onset, severe symptoms, and a short course
adhesion
may form after abdominal surgery in which the outside of the intestines could adhere to other parts of the intestines
ambulatory
condition of being able to walk, not confined to bed
antidote
substance given to counteract poisons and their effects
antipyretic
a drug that would reduce fever; physicians may order Tylenol, ibuprofen, and aspirin
antiseptic
an agent that works against sepsis; a technique or product used to prevent or limit infections
antitussive
an agent that works against coughing
asepsis
sterile; without decay; free from all living microorganisms
biopsy (Bx)
surgical removal of a small piece of tissue for microscopic examination; used to determine a diagnosis of cancer or other disease processes in the body
obtained by a physician who could be a general surgeon, urologist, dermatologist, gynecologist, etc.; the specimen (part removed) that was obtained is sent to a Pathology for interpretation/diagnosis by the pathologist
cachexia
condition of ill health, malnutrition, and wasting; seen with patients dying of AIDS or cancer or even debilitating diseases such as COPD
Chemotherapy
the use of chemical agents in the treatment of disease; usually refers to treatment of cancer with chemicals and drugs
chronic
pertaining to time; denotes a disease with little change or of slow progression; the opposite of acute
diagnosis (Dx)
the process of identifying a disease or disorder, which is generally determined through the use of scientific and skillful methods of knowledge
several types of information are used, including signs and symptoms
diaphoresis
profuse sweating from areas of body that usually doesn’t sweat; seen in “heart attack” and various types of shock
to carry through sweat glands
disease
a pathological condition of the body that presents with a series of symptoms, signs, and laboratory findings peculiar to it and sets it apart from normal or other abnormal body states; a disruption of normal functioning of the body by a process that can be congenital or infections, or the failure of normal activity to maintain and sustain health
etiology
the study of the cause(s) of disease; one of the topics covered for each disease/condition discussed in a Pathophysiology course
excision
process of cutting out; surgical removal
febrile
pertaining to fever, a sustained body temperature (T) above 98.6*F
illness
state of being sick
incision
process of cutting into
malaise
a general feeling of discomfort, uneasiness; often felt by a patient who has a chronic disease
malignant
growing, worse, harmful, cancerous; pertaining to the spreading process of cancer
necrosis
abnormal condition of tissue death
oncology
the study of the etiology, the characteristics, treatments, etc., of cancer
pallor
lack of color, pale; seen in several medical conditions
paracentesis
surgical puncture of a body cavity for fluid removal
long needle (attached to large syringe) is inserted into a cavity (usually abdomen). Fluid is aspirated (pulled out) from the cavity
prognosis
prediction of the course of a disease and the recovery rate of the affected person
prophylactic
preventing or protecting against disease or pregnancy
pyrogenic
pertaining to the production of heat; a fever
radiology
study of x-rays and other imaging modalities that use x-rays
syndrome
a group of signs and symptoms occurring together that characterize a specific disease or pathological condition
thermometer
an instrument used to measure degree of heat, especially the temperature of a person
triage
a system of prioritizing and classifying patient injuries to determine priority of need and treatment
term to describe a process commonly used in the ER & at disaster scenes to establish priority for the treatment of patients
