Chapter 1: Vocab Flashcards
Abate
To lessen, ease, decrease, or cease. Used to note the lessening of pain or the decrease in severity of symptoms
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 a disease that has a sudden onset, severe symptoms, and a short course
Adhesion
Literally means “a process of being stuck together”.
Afferent
Carrying impulses toward a center
Ambulatory
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 micro organisms
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
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)
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 for diagnosis including signs and symptoms
Diaphoresis
To carry through sweat glands; profuse sweating
Disease
Literally means lack of ease.
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 sense intellectually and emotionally the feelings of another person
Epidemic
Pertaining to upon the people; the rapid, widespread occurrence of an infectious disease that can be spread by any pathological organism transmitted by ants to humans, birds, insects, etc.
Etiology
The study of the cause(s) of disease
Excision
Process of cutting out, surgical removal
Febrile
Pertaining to fever, a sustained body temperature (T) above 98.6°F
Macroscopic
Pertaining to objects large enough to be examined by the naked eye
Malaise
A general feeling of discomfort, uneasiness; often felt by a patient who has a chronic disease
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
Microorganism
Small living organisms that are not visible to the naked eye
Morbidity
State of being diseased; ill, sick; refers to the disease rate or number of cases of a particular disease in a given age range, gender, occupation, or other relevant population – based grouping
Mortality
The condition of being human, subject to death; refers to the death rate reflected by the population in a given region, age range, or other relevant statistical grouping
Multiform
Occurring in or having many shapes; An object that has more than one defined shape
Necrosis
Abnormal condition of tissue death
Oncology
Literally means the study of tumors; the study of the etiology, the characteristics, treatment, etc., of the 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
Sequela
Abnormal condition that follows and is the result of a disease, treatment, or injury, such as deafness after treatment with an ototoxic drugs
Syndrome
A group of signs and symptoms occurring together that characterize a specific disease or pathological condition
Triage
A system of prioritizing and classifying patient injuries to determine priority of need and treatment
