Chapter 1 Flashcards
abate
To lessen, ease, decrease, or cease. Used to note the lessening of pain or the decrease in severity of symptoms.
abnormal (AB)
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 (ac)
Sudden, sharp, severe; used to describe a disease that has a sudden onset, severe symptoms, and a short course
adhesion
Literally means a process of being stuck together. An abdominal a___ usually involves the intestines and is caused by inflammation or trauma. This type of ___ may cause an intestinal obstruction and require surgery.
afferent
Carrying impulses toward a center
ambulatory (Amb)
Condition of being able to walk, not confined to bed
antidote
Substance given to counteract poisons and their effects
antipyretic
Pertaining to an agent that is used to lower an elevated body temperature (fever)
antiseptic
Pertaining to an agent that works against sepsis (putrefaction); a technique or product used to prevent or limit infections
antitussive
Pertaining to an agent that works against coughing
apathy
Condition in which one lacks feelings and emotions and is indifferent
asepsis
Without decay; sterile, free from all living microorganisms
autoclave
An apparatus that sterilizes instruments and items using steam under pressure (15 pounds of pressure per square inch) to reach a heat of 250 F to 254 F for a specified time, such as 30 minutes for single wrapped items
autonomy
Condition of being self-governed; to function independently
axillary (ax)
Pertaining to the armpit
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
cachexia
Condition of ill health, malnutrition, and wasting. It may occur in chronic diseases such as cancer and pulmonary tuberculosis
centigrade (C)
Literally means having 100 steps or degrees; unit of temperature measurement with a boiling point at 100 degrees and a freezing point at 0 degrees. Each degree of temperature change is 0.01 (1/100) of the scale.
centimeter (cm)
Unit of measurement in the metric system; one hundredth of a meter
centrifuge
Device used in a laboratory to separate solids from liquids
chemotherapy
The use of chemical agents in the treatment of disease, specifically drugs used in cancer therapy
chronic
Pertaining to time; denotes a disease with little change or of slow progression; the opposite of acute
diagnosis (Dx)
Determination of the cause and nature of a disease
diaphoresis
To carry through sweat glands; profuse sweating
disease
Literally means lack of ease; 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, infectious, or the failure of normal activity to maintain and sustain health
disinfectant
Chemical substance that can be applied to objects to destroy pathogenic microorganisms, such as bacteria
efferent
Carrying impulses away from a center
empathy
The ability to sens intellectually and emotionally the feelings of another person
epidemic
Pertaining to among the people; the rapid, widespread occurrence of an infectious disease that can be spread by any pathological organism transmitted by and to humans, birds, insects, etc.
etiology
Study of the cause(s) of disease
excision
Process of cutting out, surgical removal
febrile
Pertaining to fever, a sustained body temperature above 98.6 F
gram (g)
Unit of weight in the metric system; a cubic centimeter or a milliliter of water is equal to the weight of a ___
heterogeneous
Literally means pertaining to a different formation; composed of unlike substances; the opposite of homogeneous
illness
State of being sick
incision
Process of cutting into
kilogram (kg)
Unit of weight in the metric system; 1000 g; a kilogram is equal to 2.2 lb
liter (L)
Unit of volume in the metric system; 1000 mL; a ___ is equal to 33.8 fl oz or 1.0567 qt
macroscopic
Pertaining to objects large enough to be examined by the naked eye
malaise
A general feelings of discomfort, uneasiness; often felt by a patient who has a chronic illness
malformation
Literally means a process of being badly shaped, deformed; a structural defect that fails to form normal shape and therefore can affect the function
malignant
Literally means formation of a bad kind; growing worse, harmful, cancerous
maximal
Pertaining to the greatest possible quantity, number, or degree
microgram (mcg)
Unit of weight in the metric system; 0.001 mg
microorganism
Small living organisms that are not visible to the naked eye
microscope
Scientific instrument designed to view small objects
milligram (mg)
Unit of weight in the metric system; 0.001 g
milliliter (mL)
Unit of volume in the metric system; 0.001 L
minimal
Pertaining to the lease possible quantity, number, or degree
multiform
Occurring in or having many shapes; an object that has more than one defined shape
necrosis
Abnormal condition of tissue death
neopathy
New disease
oncology
Literally means the study of tumors; the study of the etiology, the characteristics, treatments, etc., of cancer
pallor
Paleness, a lack of color
palmar
Pertaining to the palm of the hand
paracentesis
Surgical puncture of a body cavity for fluid removal
prognosis
Literally means a state of foreknowledge; prediction of the course of a disease and the recovery rate of the affected person
prophylactic
Pertaining to 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
rapport
Relationship of understanding between two individuals, especially between the patient and the physician
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
topography
Description of a body part in relation to the anatomic region in which it is located
triage
A system of prioritizing and classifying patient injuries to determine priority of need and treatment
ab-
away from
norm (r)
rule
