CMA - CH 12 Key Terms

Question 1

ataxia

Answer 1

defective muscle coordination, primarily seen when attempting voluntary muscular movements

Question 2

auscultation

Answer 2

the diagnostic listening to the sounds of the inner workings of the body using a stethoscope

Question 3

bruits

Answer 3

sound of venous or arterial origin heard on auscultation

Question 4

catheterization

Answer 4

insertion of a catheter tube into the body for evacuating fluids or injecting fluids into body cavities.

Question 5

cyanosis

Answer 5

discoloration of the skin due to abnormal amounts of reduced hemoglobin in the blood caused by decreased oxygen and increased carbon dioxide in the blood.

Question 6

dorsal recumbent

Answer 6

position - patient lays on his or her back (dorsal) face up, legs separated, knees flexed, with feet flat on the table.

Question 7

fenestrated drape

Answer 7

type of drape with opening, usually round, that can be placed with the opening over a particular body area; used in surgery and for proctologic examinations.

Question 8

Fowler’s

Answer 8

patient sits in a position with the back of the examination table raised to either 45 degrees (semi-Fowler’s) or 90 degrees (high Fowler’s). Legs rest flat on table. A pillow may be placed under the knees. This is used for patients having cardiovascular or respiratory problems to facilitate their breathing, and for examination of the upper body and head.

Question 9

jaundice

Answer 9

yellow discoloration of the skin and sclera caused by excess bilirubin in the blood.

Question 10

labyrinthitis

Answer 10

inflammation of the inner ear or labyrinth.

Question 11

lithotomy

Answer 11

patient lays on back similar to dorsal recumbent position except the buttocks should be as close to the bottom edge of the table as possible, and feet are placed in stirrups attached to the foot of the table.

Question 12

mensuration

Answer 12

a method of examination using the process of measuring. The measurements of height and weight, the length of a limb, and the amount of flexion and exstension of an extremity are all forms of mensuration.

Question 13

pallor

Answer 13

lack of color; paleness

Question 14

palpation

Answer 14

an examination of the body using touch; often used to help verify observations.

Question 15

percussion

Answer 15

the process of eliciting sounds from the body by tapping with either a percussion hammer or fingers. The vibrations and sounds from underlying organs and cavities can be felt and heard.

Question 16

proctologic

Answer 16

the branch of medicine dealing with diseases of the rectum and the anus.

Question 17

prone

Answer 17

in this position, the patient is instructed to lay face down on the table with head turned to side; arms may be placed above the head or along the side of the body. The drape must cover from the mid-chest area to the legs.

Question 18

pyorrhea

Answer 18

discharge of pus from the gums around the teeth

Question 19

scleroderma

Answer 19

slowly progressing disease characterized by deposition of fibrous connective tissue in the skin and in internal organx.

Question 20

Sims’

Answer 20

in this position, patient is instructed to lay on the left side; the left arm and shoulder may be drawn back behind the body. The left knee is slightly flexed to support the body, and the right knee is flexed sharply.

Question 21

supine

Answer 21

this position is assumed when patient is laying flat facing up. It is used form examination of the anterior surface of the body from head to toe.

Question 22

Trendelenburg

Answer 22

a supine position in which patient’s head is angled 15-18 degrees below the level of the feet

Question 23

vitiligo

Answer 23

skin condition characterized by smooth white spots on various areas of the body.