CMA - CH 13 Key Terms Flashcards
alpha-fetoprotein
Test done during pregnancy testing mother’s serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) blood test. Done approx 16th week of pregnancy; screening test done to rule out neural tube defects, abdominal wall defects, and chromosomal problems such as Down syndrome. If positive additional testing done, IE: amniocentesis or ultrasound for DX.
amniocentesis
surgical puncture of the amniotic sac to remove fluid for laboratory analysis
amniotomy
artificial rupture of the amniotic sac
bacterial vaginosis
an overgrowth of normal vaginal bacteria that results in an abnormal discharge
Bartholin glands
one of two small mucous glands located at the vaginal opening at the base of the labia majora
bimanual examination
examination performed by the provider using two hands to examine the internal pelvic organs. Two fingers of one hand are inserted into the vagina and the other hand presses on the outside of the abdominal wall. Shape, consistency, and position of the pelvic organs can be determined.
candidiasis
infection of the skin or mucous membrane with any species of the fungi, Candida.
carcinoma in situ
cancer that does not extend beyond the basement membrane.
cervical punch biopsy
biopsy of the uterine cervix using an instrument, the end of which is a punch
chlamydia
a bacterium which causes one of the most prevalent sexually transmitted diseases.
colposcopy
visual examination of vaginal and cervical tissues using a colposcope following an abnormal pap smear. A magnifying lens and powerful lights are used.
condylomata
a wart-like lesion of viral origin found on external genitalia or perianal region.
congenital anomalies
conditions present at time of birth that deviate from what is considered normal.
contraception
voluntary prevention of pregnancy
coupling agent
an agent used when ultrasonography is used; enhances penetration of sound waves through tissue.
cryosurgery
destruction of tissue by application of extreme cold, silver nitrate, and carbon dioxide.
diethylstilbestrol (DES)
synthetic hormone used therapeutically in menopausal disturbances. It should not be given during pregnancy. It has been related to cervicovaginal malignances in daughters of mothers who had it prescribed for them to treat a threatened abortion. DES has been related to reproductive disorders in males whose mothers took it during pregnancy.
dilation
expansion of an orifice or organ.
Down syndrome
genetic defect present at birth that is the result of an abnormality of chromosome 21.
dysmenorrhea
painful menses.
dyspareunia
painful intercourse.
dysplasia
abnormal development of tissue
eclampsia
complication of pregnancy that includes general edema, hypertension, proteinuria, and convulsions.
ectopic pregnancy
implementation of the fertilized ovum outside of the uterine cavity.
efacement
thinning and shortening of the cervical canal during labor to permit passage of the fetus.
endometriosis
occurs when tissue that resembles the endometrium invades various locations in the pelvic cavity and elsewhere.
erosion
destruction of the superficial layer of tissue by trauma, ulceration, or inflammation.
formalin
an aqueous solution of 37% formaldehyde.
fulgurated
destroyed by electric current
genitalia
reproductive organs, internal and external
gestation
period of development from fertilization to birth
gestational diabetes
Diabetes that first manifests clinically during pregnancy. It usually subsides after delivery.
gravidity
total number of pregnancies a woman has had regardless of duration , including a present one.
human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
hormone secreted by the trophoblast after fertilization of the ovum. It may be detected in the blood and urine ofpregnant women.
hyperemesis gravidarum
severe nausea and vomiting during pregnancy with inability to eat. May lead to severe dehydration.
hypoxia
oxygen deficiency
hysterosalpingogram
X-ray of uterus and fallopian tubes using a contrast medium
intraepithelial
within the epithelium
involutes
when the uterus returns to normal size and shape after childbirth
Lamaze
a method of childbirth which teaches the mother about the physiology of childbirth and techniques of relaxation, concentration, and breathing.
laparoscopy
procedure in which a lighted instrument is used to view the inside of the pelvic cavity.
lochia
discharge from the uterus of blood, mucus, and tissue during the period after childbirth.
meconium
first feces of a newborn.
menopausal hormone therapy (MHT)
when natural hormones are symptomatically absent and hormones from outside the body are ingested to elevate levels.
metrorrhagia
uterine bleeding at irregular intervals
multigravida
a woman who has been pregnant more than once
Nagele’s rule
usual method of calculating expected DOB
neonatal
pertaining to a newborn
nullipara
a woman who has not carried a pregnancy to the stage of viability
oxytocin
a pituitary hormone that stimulates the muscles of the uterus to contract, thus inducing labor.
Pap (Papanicolaou) test
screening exam to detect the presence of abnormal cervical cells
parity
carrying a pregnancy to the point of viability regardless of the outcome
parturition
process of giving birth
patency
open, not blocked
pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
infection of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and adjacent pelvic structures; most common causes are gonorrhea and chlamydia, spread as sexually transmitted diseases.
placenta abruptio
sudden and abrupt separation of the placenta from uterine wall
placenta previa
occurs when the placenta lies low in the uterus and can partially or completely cover the cervical os
polycystic
many cysts; as in polycystic ovarian syndrome in which the ovary is enlarged and has many fluid-filled sacs
postcoital
period of time after (following) sexual intercourse
preeclampsia
a complication of pregnancy characterized by generalized edema, hypertension, ad proteinuria
prenatal
period of time between fertilization and birth
primigravidas
women who are pregnant for the first time
prostaglandins
modulators of biochemical activity in tissues
puerperium
period from the end of the third stage of labor until involution of uterus is complete, usually 3 - 6 weeks
sickle cell anemia
an inherited blood disorder that may shorten lifespan
supine hypotension
condition that may occur when a pregnant woman is loying in supine position; the heavy, large uterus presses on the inferior vena cava and aorga, reducing blood flow back to the heart
Tay-Sachs
inherited disease that is usually fatal
thalassenia
hereditary anemia that may be fatal
titer
measure of the amount of antibody present against a particular antigen
trichomoniasis
infestation with a Trichomonas parasite, which may be transmitted through sexual intercourse
trimester
three months; one third of the gestational period of pregnancy.
ultrasonography
process of placing a handheld transducer against a body area to be tested. The transducer sends sound waves through the skin and the various internal organs. When echoes are formed and sent back, the transducer converts them into electrical signals. The energy is transformed into a picture on a monitor or printed on paper. Photographs of the images can be taken and become a part of the patient’s permanent record.
vesicles
blisters or other elevations on the skin
viability
ability to live, grow, and develop after birth; usually 12 weeks or greater than 1 pound.
wet mount
a method of adding liquid, usually saline or potassium hydrochloride, to a specimen on a slide for exam and preservation. The specimen is placed on a slide and one drop of saline (for diagnosis of trichomonas vaginalis) or potassium hydrochloride (for DX of yeast infections) is applied and mixed with the specimen. It is then covered with a coverslip and examined microscopically.
