Chapter 5 medical terms Flashcards
Thrombocytopenia
a condition in which there is an abnormally small number of platelets. Associated with abnormal bleeding
Thrombolytic
(clot-busting drug) dissolves or causes a thrombus to break up
Thrombosis
abnormal condition of having a thrombus
Thrombotic occlusion
blocking of an artery by a thrombus
Thrombus
a blood clot attached to the interior wall of an artery or vein
Transfusion reaction
a serious and potentially fatal complication of a blood transfusion in which a severe immune response occurs because the patient’s blood and the donated blood do not match
Varicose veins
are abnormally swollen veins that usually occur in the superficial veins of the legs. This condition occurs when the valves in the veins do not function properly, so blood pools in the veins, causing them to enlarge
Venous thromboembolism
(VTE) is a blood clot that originates in a vein
Deep vein thrombosis
(DVT) is a thrombus attached to the interior wall of a deep vein
Ventricular fibrillation
(V-fib), consists of rapid, irregular, and useless contractions of the ventricles. Instead of pumping strongly, the heart muscle quivers ineffectively
Pericardium
AKA pericardial sac, is the double-walled membranous sac that encloses the heart
Pernicious anemia
caused by a lack of the protein intrinsic factor (IF) that helps the body absorb vitamin BI2 from the gastrointestinal tract
*Vitamin BI2 is necessary for the formation of red blood cells
Phlebitis
inflammation of a vein
Raynaud’s disease
peripheral arterial occlusive disease in which intermittent attacks are triggered by cold temperatures or stress
Sepsis
(septicemia) potentially life-threatening infection that results from bacteria or other infectious organisms entering bloodstream
Sickle cell anemia
serious genetic disorder that causes abnormal hemoglobin, resulting in some red blood cells assuming an abnormal sickle shape
Tachycardia
abnormally rapid resting heart rate (heartbeat rate of greater than 100 BPM)
Temporal arteritis
(Giant cell arteritis ) caused by inflammation of the temporal arteries supplying blood to the head and brain
Thallium stress test
nuclear imaging test performed to evaluate how well blood flows through the coronary arteries of the heart muscle during exercise by injecting a small amount of thallium into the blood stream
Hemorrhage
The loss of a large amount of blood in a short time
Hemostasis
stop or control bleeding
Leukemia
a type of cancer characterized by a progressive increase in the number of abnormal leukocytes
Leukocytes
blood cells involved in defending the body against infective organisms and foreign substances
Leukopenia
decrease in the number of disease-fighting white blood cells circulating in the blood
Megaloblastic anemia
blood disorder characterized by anemia in which the red blood cells are larger than normal
Mitral valve prolapse
(MVP) the abnormal protrusion of a heart valve that results in the inability of the valve to close completely
Myelodysplastic Syndrome
type of cancer in which there is insufficient production of one or more types of blood cells due to dysfunction of the bone marrow
Myocardial infarction
(MI) AKA heart attack, is the occlusion (blockage) of one or more coronary arteries caused by plaque buildup
Orthostatic hypotension
(postural hypotension) low blood pressure that occurs upon standing up and remains lower than normal as long as the patient remains standing
Coronary artery disease
(CAD) aka coronary heart disease (CHD) is atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries that reduces the blood supply to the heart muscle
Coronary Thrombosis
Damage of the heart muscle caused by a thrombus blocking a coronary artery
Defibrillation
Emergency use of electrical shock to restore the heart’s normal rhythm
Diuretic
administered to stimulate the kidneys to increase the secretion of urine to rid the excess sodium and water
Electrocardiogram
(EKG or ECG) record of the electrical activity of the myocardium
Embolism
sudden blockage of a blood vessel by an embolus
Embolus
foreign object, such as a blood clot, quantity of air or gas, or a bit of tissue or tumor, that is circulating in the blood
Endocarditis
inflammation of the inner lining of the heart
Erythrocytes
mature red blood cells produced by the red bone marrow
Hemoglobin
oxygen-carrying blood protein pigment of the erythrocytes
Hemolytic anemia
inadequate number of circulating red blood cells due to the premature destruction of red blood cells by the spleen
Automated external defibrillator
(AED) is designed for use by nonprofessionals in emergency situations when defibrillation is required
Beta blocker
reduces the workload of the heart by slowing the rate of the heartbeat
Bradycardia
abnormally slow resting heart rate
Cardiac arrest
an event in which the heart abruptly stops beating or develops an arrhythmia that prevents it from pumping blood effectively
Cardiac catheterization
diagnostic and treatment procedure in which a catheter is passed into a vein or artery and then guided into the heart
Cholesterol
fatty substance that travels through the blood and is found all parts of the body, aids in the production of cell membranes, some hormones, and vitamin D
Cardiomyopathy
the term used to describe all diseases of the heart muscle
Carotid endarterectomy
surgical removal of the lining of a portion of a clogged carotid artery leading to the brain
chronic venous insufficiency
(venous insufficiency) a condition in which venous circulation is inadequate due to partial vein blockage OR leakage of venous valves
ACE inhibitor
(angiotensin-converting enzyme) blocks the action of the enzyme that causes the blood vessels to contract, resulting in hypertension
Anemia
lower than normal number of erythrocytes in the blood
Aneurysm
localized weak spot or balloon-like enlargement of the wall of an artery
Angina
severe episodes of chest pain occur due to an inadequate blood flow to the myocardium
Angioplasty
the technique of mechanically widening a narrowed or obstructed blood vessel
Anticoagulant
slows coagulation and prevents new clots forming
Aplastic anemia
absence of all formed blood elements caused by the failure of blood cell production in the bone marrow
Arrhythmia
loss of the normal rhythm of the heart beat
Atherosclerosis
hardening and narrowing of the arteries caused by the buildup of cholesterol plaque in the interior walls
Atherectomy
surgical removal of plaque buildup from the interior of an artery
Atrial fibrillation
(A-fib) normal rhythmic contractions of the atria are replaced by rapid, uncontrolled twitching of the muscular heart wall
Ventricular tachycardia
(V-tach) is a very rapid heartbeat that begins within the ventricles. This condition is potentially fatal because the heart is beating so rapidly that it is unable to adequately pump blood through the body
