Definitions N Flashcards
narcolepsy
A sleep disorder consisting of sudden and uncontrollable brief episodes of falling asleep during the day.
nasogastric intubation
the placement of a feeding tube through the nose and into the stomach. This tube, which is placed temporarily, provides nutrition for patients who cannot take sufficient nutrients by mouth.
natural immunity
Resistance to a disease present without the administration of an antigen or exposure to a disease. Natural immunity is either present at birth or it is passed from the mother to her child through breast milk. Also known as passive immunity.
naturopathy
A combination of nutrition, medicinal supplements and herbs, water therapy, homeopathy, and lifestyle modifications used to identify and treat the root causes of symptoms and disease instead of surgery and drugs. It emphasizes supporting the body?s own innate healing ability and the healing power of nature. Also known as naturopathy medicine.
nausea
The urge to vomit.
nebulizer
An electronic device that pumps air or oxygen through a liquid medicine to turn it into a mist, which is then inhaled by the patient via a face mask or mouthpiece.
necrotizing fasciitis
A severe infection caused by Group A strep bacteria, which is also known as flesh-eating bacteria. Necrotizing means causing tissue death, and fasciitis is inflammation of fascia. These bacteria normally live harmlessly on the skin; however, if they enter the body through a skin wound, this serious infection can result. If untreated, the infected body tissue is destroyed, and the illness can be fatal.
needle breast biopsy
A technique in which an x-ray-guided needle is used to remove small samples of tissue from the breast. It is less painful and disfiguring than a surgical biopsy.
neobladder
A replacement for the missing bladder created by using about 20 inches of the small intestine. It allows patients to avoid having an abdominal stoma.
neoplasm
An abnormal growth of body tissue. Within this mass, the multiplication of cells is uncontrolled, abnormal, rapid, and progressive. Also known as a tumor.
nephritis
An inflammation of the kidney or kidneys. The most common causes of nephritis are toxins, infection, or an autoimmune disease.
nephrolith
Found in the kidney. Also known as a kidney stone or a renal calculus,
nephrolithiasis
The term nephrolithiasis describes the presence of stones in the kidney. As these stones travel with the flow of urine, they are named for the location where they become lodged.
nephrolysis
The surgical freeing of a kidney from adhesions.
nephropathy
The term nephropathy means any disease of the kidney. This definition includes both degenerative and inflammatory conditions. Diabetic nephropathy is kidney disease resulting from late-stage diabetes mellitus.
nephropexy
The surgical fixation of nephroptosis, or a floating kidney. Also known as nephrorrhaphy.
nephroptosis
The prolapse of a kidney into the pelvic area when the patient stands.
nephropyosis
Suppuration of the kidney. Suppuration means the formation or discharge of pus. Also known as pyonephrosis.
nephrostomy
The placement of a catheter to maintain an opening from the pelvis of one or both kidneys to the exterior of the body. In a kidney affected by hydronephrosis, this allows urine from the kidney to be drained directly through the lower back. Nephrostomy tubes are also used to gain access to the kidneys for diagnostic procedures.
nephrotic syndrome
A group of conditions in which excessive amounts of protein are lost through the urine. This condition, which is usually caused by damage to the kidney?s glomeruli, results in abnormally low levels of protein in the blood. Also known as nephrosis.
neuritis
An inflammation of a nerve accompanied by pain and sometimes loss of function.
neurodegenerative disease
An umbrella term for disorders in which there is a progressive loss of the structure or functions of the neurons.
neurogenic bladder
A urinary problem caused by interference with the normal nerve pathways associated with urination. Normal urinary function depends on nerves to sense when the bladder is full, and to control the muscles that either retain the urine or allow the bladder to empty.
neuromuscular blocker
A drug that causes temporary paralysis by blocking the transmission of nerve stimuli to the muscles. These drugs are used as an adjunct to anesthesia during surgery to cause skeletal muscles to relax. As used here, adjunct means in addition to. Also known as neuromuscular blocking agent.
neuromuscular therapy (NMT)
A form of massage that uses soft-tissue manipulation focusing on applying pressure to trigger points to treat injuries and alleviate pain. A trigger point is a particularly taut band of muscle that is tender to the touch.
neuroplasty
The surgical repair of a nerve.
neurorrhaphy
Suturing together the ends of a severed nerve.
neurotomy
The surgical division or dissection (cutting) of a nerve.
nevus
A small, dark, skin growth that develops from melanocytes in the skin (plural, nevi). Normally, these growths are benign. Also known as a mole.
nitroglycerin
A vasodilator that is prescribed to prevent or relieve the pain of angina by dilating the blood vessels to the heart. This increases the blood flow and oxygen supply to the heart. Nitroglycerin can be administered sublingually (under the tongue), transdermally (through the skin), or orally as a spray.
nocturia
Frequent and excessive urination during the night.
nocturnal enuresis
Urinary incontinence during sleep. It is also known as bed-wetting. Nocturnal means pertaining to night.
nocturnal myoclonus
Jerking of the limbs that can occur normally as a person is falling asleep. Nocturnal means pertaining tonight.
nodule
A solid, raised skin lesion that is larger than 0.5 cm in diameter and deeper than a papule. In acne vulgaris, nodules can cause scarring.
noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL)
A type of nerve deafness caused by repeated exposure to extremely loud noises such as a gunshot, or to moderately loud noises that continue for long periods of time. These noises can permanently damage the hair cells in the cochlea, and at least partial hearing loss occurs. Unfortunately, this gradual hearing loss usually isn?t noticed until some hearing has been permanently destroyed. Any sound above 85 decibels (dB) can cause some hearing loss if the exposure is prolonged. Most portable music players can produce sounds up to 120 dB, which is louder than a lawn mower or a chain saw and is the equivalent to an ambulance siren.
nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
The term nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) describes the accumulation of fat in the liver of people who drink little or no alcohol. Those with this condition, which usually has no signs or symptoms, is most common in middle-aged individuals who are obese, have type 2 diabetes, have high cholesterol, or have a combination of these.
nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)
A more serious form of this condition since it consists of fatty accumulations plus liver damaging inflammation. In some cases, this will progress to cirrhosis, irreversible liver scarring, or liver cancer.
non-Hodgkin?s lymphoma
The term used to describe all other lymphomas other than Hodgkin?s lymphoma. There are many different types of non-Hodgkin?s lymphoma, some aggressive (fast growing) and some indolent (slow growing).
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Non-narcotic analgesics administered to control pain by reducing inflammation and swelling. NSAIDS, such as aspirin and ibuprofen, are available over the counter. Stronger NSAIDs are available by prescription. Medications in this group can cause side effects, including attacking the stomach lining and thinning the blood. Commonly known as NSAIDs.
normal sperm count
A normal sperm count is 20 to 120 million or more sperm per milliliter (mL) of semen.
nosocomial infection
A disease acquired in a hospital or clinical setting. For example, MRSA infections are often spread in hospitals. Nosocomial comes from the Greek word for hospital.
nuclear scan
A diagnostic procedure that uses nuclear medicine technology to gather information about the structure and function of organs or body systems that cannot be seen on conventional x-rays. Also known as a scintigram.
nulligravida
A woman who has never been pregnant.
nullipara
A woman who has never borne a viable child.
nyctalopia
A condition in which an individual with normal daytime vision has difficulty seeing at night. Also known as night blindness.
nystagmus
An involuntary, constant, rhythmic movement of the eyeball that can be congenital or caused by a neurological injury or drug use.
