Class 1: Medical Vocabulary Flashcards
1
Q
Anatomical Position
A
To stand erect with arms at the sides and palms of the hands turned forward
2
Q
Epigastric
A
Upper central region of the abdomen
3
Q
Fontanel
A
Anatomical feature of an infant’s skull, the “soft-spot”
4
Q
Palmar or Volar
A
Palm side of hand or body
5
Q
Plantar
A
Sole of foot
6
Q
Prone
A
Body position lying face down with forearms and hands turned palm side down
7
Q
Suprapubic
A
Lower central region on the abdomen
8
Q
T-spine
A
Thoracic spine (T1-T12)
9
Q
Acute on chronic
A
New exacerbation of a chronic condition
10
Q
Fluctuating
A
Symptoms that are always present but changing in severity, never fully resolving
11
Q
Intermittent
A
Symptoms that completely resolve at times, but continue to return repeatedly
12
Q
Paroxysmal
A
Occasional, sporadic, transient
13
Q
Transient
A
Resolving spontaneously after onset
14
Q
Family History (FHx)
A
A part of the medical chart that lists diseases and health conditions in your family that may put the patient at an increased risk of also having
15
Q
Health Insurance Portability and
Accountability Act (HIPAA)
A
Federal law that provides national standards to protect sensitive patient health information from being disclosed without the patient’s consent or knowledge
16
Q
History of present illness (HPI)
A
A part of the medical chart describing the development of the illness
17
Q
Review of System (ROS)
A
A part of the medical chart that is a checklist of the symptoms the patient has or does
not have. The symptoms are grouped by body system (cardiovascular, skin, etc)
18
Q
Social History (SHx)
A
A part of the chart addresses substance use, occupation, diet exercise, living situation,
marital status, etc.
19
Q
Abscess
A
A collection of pus beneath the skin
20
Q
Appendicitis
A
Dangerous infection of the appendix
21
Q
Arthritis
A
Inflammation of the joints
22
Q
Atrial fibrillation (A fib)
A
Irregular and often very rapid heart rhythm (arrhythmia)
23
Q
Bell’s Palsy
A
A localized facial nerve dysfunction that causes facial droop and numbness
24
Q
Bronchitis
A
Inflammation/Infection of the bronchi (upper airway)
25
Cellulitis
Infection of skin cells
26
Cerebrovascular accident (CVA)
Stroke. Blood supply to the brain is restricted or absent due to hemorrhage or occlusion of a vessel resulting in neurological damage and dysfunction
27
Cholelithiasis
Production of gallstones
28
Chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD)
Chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes obstructed airflow from the lungs
29
Chronic renal failure (CRF)
Decrease in the kidneys' ability to filter waste and fluid from the blood
30
Cirrhosis
Inflammation of an organ by degenerative changes, especially of the liver
31
Congestive heart failure (CHF)
Serious condition in which the heart doesn't pump blood as efficiently as it should
32
Conjunctivitis
Infection of the outer layer of the eye
33
Coronary artery bypass graft
(CABG)
Procedure used to treat coronary artery disease
34
Coronary artery disease (CAD)
Buildup of plaque in the arteries that supply oxygen-rich blood to your heart
35
Costochondritis
Inflammation of the rib cartilage
36
Croup
Viral infection of the upper airway with a barking cough and often stridor
37
Deep venous thrombosis (DVT)
blood clot forms in a vein located deep inside your body, typically in the leg
38
Dermatitis
Inflammation of the skin
39
Diverticulitis
Acute inflammation of the diverticula pouches
40
Ectopic pregnancy Egg developing outside the uterus extremely dangerous due to risk of rupture
Egg developing outside the uterus extremely dangerous due to risk of rupture
41
Endometriosis
Presence of functioning endometrial tissue outside of the uterus
42
Gastroenteritis
General term for inflammation of the GI tract
43
Gastroesophageal reflux
disease (GERD)
Digestive disorder that occurs when acidic stomach juices, or food and fluids back up from the stomach into the esophagus
44
Gout
Type of arthritis; diagnosed by ordering a uric acid level
45
Hepatitis
nflammation of the liver
46
Hyperglycemia
High blood sugar due to diabetes
47
Hyperlipidemia (HLD)
High cholesterol
48
Hypertension (HTN)
High blood pressure (typically >140/90)
49
Hypoglycemia
Low blood-sugar
50
Hypotension Low blood pressure (typically <100/65)
Low blood pressure (typically <100/65)
51
Insulin dependent diabetes
mellitus (IDDM)
Diabetes requiring the use of insulin injections
52
Lymphangitis
Inflammation of a lymphatic vessel; appears as red streaking
53
Multiple sclerosis
Autoimmune disease affecting the brain and spinal cord
54
Myocardial infarction (MI)
Death of cardiac muscle due to prolonged ischemia (Heart attack)
55
Nephrolithiasis / Renal calculi
Kidney stone
56
Non-insulin dependent diabetes
mellitus (NIDDM)
Diabetes not requiring the use of insulin injections
57
Otitis externa
Infection of the outer ear (ear canal)
58
Otitis media (OM)
Infection inner ear (behind the eardrum)
59
Pancreatitis
Inflammation of the pancreas
60
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
Inflammation of a woman’s reproductive organs
61
Peptic ulcer disease (PUD)
Ulcers developing in the stomach causing pain and emesis
62
Pericarditis
Inflammation of the pericardium
63
Peripheral vascular disease (PVD)
Blood circulation disorder that causes the blood vessels (excluding the heart and brain) to narrow, block, or spasm
64
Pharyngitis
Throat infection
65
Pneumonia
Infiltrate (infection) inside the lung tissue
66
Pneumothorax
Presence of air or gas in the pleural space; collapsed lung
67
Psoriasis
Autoimmune skin disease. dry, scaly, red, itchy patches of skin
68
Pulmonary Embolism
Blockage of the pulmonary artery or one of its branches due to a translocated clot
69
Pyelonephritis
Infection on the kidneys
70
Sciatica
Compression of sciatic nerve causing back pain with radiation to posterior leg
71
Sepsis
Dangerous infection of the blood
72
Sinusitis
Infection/inflammation of the sinuses
73
Transient ischemic attack (TIA)
Transient “mini-stroke”, neurological function is regained completely with time
74
Upper respiratory infection (URI)
Contagious infection of the upper respiratory tract (sinuses, throat, lungs or airways)
75
Urinary tract infection (UTI)
Infection in any part of the urinary system — kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra
76
IM
intramuscular (with respect to injections)
77
NKDA
No Known Drug Allergies
78
NSAID
Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (e.g. Ibuprofen, Motrin, etc)
79
Afebrile
Without fever
80
Ambulatory
Able to move about, not confined to a bed
81
Cachectic
Extremely skinny, bony, malnourished
82
Constitutional
The general appearance and nature of a patient
83
Distress
A patient’s inability to tolerate their body-state, due to pain or respiratory failure. No Acute Distress (NAD) is commonly written if a patient looks comfortable.
84
Febrile
Elevated body temperature, fever, indicative of infection
85
Lethargic
Septic, very sick, about to die
86
Malaise
Generalized discomfort or weakness
87
Non-toxic
Appearing stable and at no risk of deterioration
88
Somnolent
Appearing drowsy
89
Unkempt
Poor self hygiene
90
Well developed
Normal state of mental and body development
91
Cerumen
Earwax
92
Dentition
Teeth
93
Dry mucosa
Dry tongue, mouth, and lips, indicating significant dehydration
94
Edentulous
Without teeth
95
Epistaxis
Nose bleed
96
Gingiva
Gums
97
Nare
Nostril
98
Oropharynx
The back of the mouth, where it meets the throat
99
Otalgia
Ear ache
100
Pharyngeal erythema
Redness of the pharynx, indicating a throat infection
101
Tinnitus
“Ringing in the ears”, the perception of ringing even with no external stimuli
102
TM erythema
Redness of the TM, often indicative of infection
103
Tonsillar exudate
Pus on the tonsils, indicating infection of the tonsils
104
Tonsillectomy &
Adenoidectomy (T&A)
Tonsils and adenoids removal surgery
105
Tympanic membrane (TM)
Tympanic membrane, the clear membrane inside the ear; (ear drum)
106
Carotid bruit
Whooshing blood flow heard with auscultation (carotid narrowing or plaque)
107
Lymphadenopathy
Enlarged lymph nodes
108
Meningismus
Stiff neck/Signs of meningitis
109
Supple
Flexible, not-stiff
110
Thyromegaly
Enlarged thyroid
111
Jugular vein distention (JVD)
Jugular vein distention, sign of heart dysfunction
112
Aneurysm
Localized ballooning of a vessel due to a weakened vessel wall
113
Arrhythmia
Irregular heartbeat
114
Artery
Blood vessel carrying blood away from the heart, muscular, contractile
115
Bradycardia
Slow heart rate (HR<60)
116
Cardiomegaly
Enlarged heart
117
Coronary artery
Artery that supplies the heart with blood
118
Dorsalis pedis pulse
Pulse that is palpable on the dorsum (top) of the foot
119
Murmur
Abnormal heart sound rated on 1-6 scale
120
Normal sinus rhythm (NSR)
The rhythm of a healthy heart
121
Palpitation
To beat rapidly, irregularly, or forcibly (usually relating to the heart)
122
Pulse exam
Carotid, brachial, radial, femoral, popliteal, dorsalis pedis (DP) or posterior tibia (PT)
123
Regular rate and rhythm (RRR)
Normal heart sounds with a regular rate (60-100 bpm)
124
Stenosis
Narrowing of a body opening or passage
125
Tachycardia
Fast heart rate (HR>100 bpm)
126
Thrombus
Blood clot or blockage
127
Vein
Vessel carrying blood towards the heart, soft, compressible
128
Bradypnea
Decreased respiratory rate
129
Clear to auscultation (CTA)
No abnormal sounds when listening to the lungs with a stethoscope
130
Dyspnea
Difficulty/labored breathing, shortness of breath
131
Dyspnea on exertion (DOE)
Feeling short of breath during very light exercise (e.g. walking)
132
Hemoptysis
Coughing up gross amounts of blood
133
Hypoxia
Low oxygen saturation of the body, not enough oxygen in the blood
134
Pleurisy
General term for pain with breathing
135
Rales
Crackles; Wet crackling heard in the lungs, typically due to pneumonia or CHF
136
Rhonchi
Sound of mucous rolling around in the bronchioles/bronchi
137
Sputum
Any mixed matter with the saliva that is passed through the mouth
138
Stridor
Upper airway noise; common sign in croup
139
Tachypnea
Increased respiratory rate
140
Wheezing
High pitched sound heard in the lungs with asthmatics or lung disease
141
Dyspepsia
Indigestion
142
Dysphagia
Difficulty swallowing
143
Emesis
Vomiting
144
Hematemesis
Gross amounts of blood in the vomit
145
Hematochezia
Bright red blood in the stool
146
Hepatomegaly
Enlarged liver
147
Hernia
Protrusion of part of an internal organ or tissue bulges through a weak area of muscle
148
McBurney’s point
RLQ point tenderness indicative of appendicitis
149
Melena
Black tarry stool indicative of an upper GI bleed
150
Murphy’s sign
Pain with palpation of the RUQ during a deep breath, indicative of cholecystitis
151
N/V/D
Nausea/Vomiting/Diarrhea
152
Organomegaly
Enlarged organ
153
Peritoneal signs (Rebound,
guarding, or rigidity )
Signs indicative of acute abdominal inflammation (peritonitis)
154
Splenomegaly
Enlarged spleen
155
Adnexal tenderness
Tenderness of the ovaries during the pelvic exam indicative of ovarian cyst or torsion
156
Cervical os
The opening of the cervix; always will be closed unless passing tissue from the cervix
157
CVA tenderness
Costovertebral Angle tenderness; tenderness over the kidney’s
158
Dysmenorrhea
Painful menstruation
159
Foley catheter
A tube inserted through the urethra to drain urine, often left in place
160
Frequency
Urinating often
161
G / P / Ab
Gravida (The # of times pregnant / Para (The # of live children born) / Abortion (The # of failed pregnancies)
162
Gravid
The state of being pregnant; appearing pregnant
163
Hematuria
Blood in the urine
164
Intrauterine pregnancy (IUP)
When a fertilized egg implants and starts to develop within the uterus, where it is
supposed to be
165
Last normal menstrual period
(LNMP)
The first day of one's period
166
OB/GYN
Obstetrics and gynecology
167
Spotting
Passing very small amounts of blood from the vagina
168
Urgency
Abrupt onset of urge to urinate
169
Arthralgias
Joint aches
170
Atrophic
Showing signs of tissue degradation or breakdown
171
Bony tenderness
Tenderness of the bone indicative of a fracture
172
Deformity
Visual abnormality of a bone or anatomical structure
173
Dislocation
Disconnected joint; complete misalignment of the joint
