CV Terminology, Vitals and Abbreviations

Question 1

Dyspnea

Answer 1

Difficulty breathing (SOB)

Question 2

Orthopnea

Answer 2

Difficulty breathing while lying down.

Question 3

Diaphoresis

Answer 3

Profuse (too much) sweating

Question 4

Normal Respiration rate

Answer 4

20-25 breaths per minute

Question 5

Pulse Oximetry (O2 Saturation)

Answer 5

~95-100% saturation

Question 6

Lusitropy

Answer 6

Myocardial relaxation via Ca2+ sequestering (Lowering mycoplasmic levels)

Question 7

Bid

Phx Abbreviation for

Answer 7

Twice per day

Question 8

Prn

Phx Abbreviation for

Answer 8

As needed

Question 9

Qd

Phx Abbreviation for

Answer 9

Every day

Question 10

Qid

Phx Abbreviation for

Answer 10

Four times per day

Question 11

Q12

Phx Abbreviation for

Answer 11

Every 12 Hours

Question 12

Tid

Phx Abbreviation for

Answer 12

Three times per day

Question 13

mEq

Phx Abbreviation for

Answer 13

1 Milliequivalent = 1 MilliMolar

Question 14

Ablate

Define the term

Answer 14

To surgically remove body tissue by cutting, eroding or evaporating

Question 15

Aberrant

Define the term

Answer 15

Deviant, wandering off form usual pattern or course

Question 16

Attenuate

Define the term

Answer 16

To reduce to a degree, diminish in strength

Question 17

Augment

Define the term

Answer 17

To make something (already developed) greater; strengthen

Question 18

Concomitant

Define the term

Answer 18

Occurring concurrently with another; happening simultaneously

Question 19

Sequester

Define the term

Answer 19

To remove or set apart from an environment

i.e.) Calcium sequestering from the sarcoplasm via SERCA

Question 20

Modicum

Define the term

Answer 20

A small amount of something

Question 21

Modulate

Define the term

Answer 21

To regulate or adjust to a certain degree

I.e.) The vagus nerve modulates heart rate by secreting ACh that binds to CM2 receptors in the SA node.

Question 22

Divalent

Define the term

Answer 22

Having two sites of attachment.

I.e.) Used as in an antibody against 2 strains of a protein/virus

Question 23

Oncotic

Define the term

Answer 23

Aka “osmotic”; Pertaining to swelling via diffusion of water by a solute gradient.
I.e.) Proteins like albumin supply Oncotic pressure in the capillaries which pulls water back into circulation

Question 24

Coronary

Define the term

Answer 24

Encircling in the manner of a crown
I.e.) One might think “coronary” only refers to the coronary vessels of the heart, but it refers to surrounding a structure such as the “coronary” ligament of the liver.

Question 25

In vitro

Define the term

Answer 25

Within an artificial environment, such as a Petri dish

Question 26

In Vivo

Define the term

Answer 26

Within a living organism

I.e.) in vivo fertilization

Question 27

De novo

Define the term

Answer 27

Anew; starting from raw material

I.e.) de novo biosynthesis of metabolites

Question 28

Basal

Define the term

Answer 28

Pertaining to the lowest possible level, as in physiology

I.e.) Basal heart rate is set by the PSNS. Basal metabolic rate is controlled by the Thyroid hormone.