Diagnostic, Nuclear, and Pharmacology Flashcards
Auscultation
Listening for sounds within the body, usually performed with a stethoscope
Respiratory Sounds: Rales, Rhonchi, Stridor
Rales - crackles; abnormal crackle-like lung sounds heard through a stethoscope during inspiration
Rhonchi - course rattling sounds that are somewhat like snoring. Usually caused by secretions in the bronchial airways
Stridor - an abnormal, high-pitched, musical breathing sound caused by a blockage in the throat or in the larynx
Palpation vs. Percussion
Palpation - an examination technique in which the examiner’s hands are used to feel the texture, size, consistency, and location of certain body parts
Percussion - A diagnostic procedure designed to determine the density of a body part by the sound produced by tapping the surface with the fingers.
Sims’ position
The patient is lying on the left side with the right knee and thigh drawn up with the left arm placed along the back.
Speculum
An instrument used to enlarge the opening of any canal or cavity.
Complete Blood Cell Counts
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate - sed rate; the speed at which RBCs separate from plasma and fall to the bottom of a specialized test tube.
Hematocrit - describes the percentage, by volume, of a blood sample occupied by RBCs
Platelet count - measures the number of platelets in a sample of blood and is a screening test to evaluate platelet function
Red blood cell count - number of RBCs in the blood
Total Hemoglobin test (Hb) - hemoglobin concentration can indicate polycythemia or dehydration if elevated, and anemia, recent hemorrhage, or fluid retention if below normal
White blood cell count - number of leukocytes in the blood
White blood cell differential count - percentage breakdown of types of leukocytes in the blood
Basic metabolic panel
BMP, or Profile 8, a group of eight specific blood tests that provide important information about the current status of the patient’s kidneys, electrolyte balance, blood sugar, and calcium levels
C-reactive protein test
CRP, performed to identify high levels of inflammation within the body.
Holistic
The term holistic refers to a treatment approach that takes into consideration the whole body and its environment, including the mind, body, and spirit.
A Palliative
A substance that eases the pain or severity of the symptoms of a disease but does not cure it.
Paradoxical Reaction
The result of medical treatment that yields the opposite of normally expected results.
Formulary
A list of prescription drugs covered by a specific health care plan.
Adverse drug reaction
ADR, or side effect, an undesirable reaction that accompanies the principal response for which the drug was taken.
Arthrocentesis
A surgical puncture of the joint space to remove synovial fluid for analysis to determine the cause of pain or swelling in a joint.
Radiopaque
A contrast medium that does not allow x-rays to pass through and appears white or light gray on the resulting film. The opposite of radiolucent.
Barium (Ba, chemical symbol) is a radiopaque contrast medium used primarily to visualize the gastrointestinal tract.
Laparoscopy
The visual examination of the interior of the abdomen with the use of a laparoscope that is passed through a small incision in the abdominal wall.
Nuclear Scan
Scintigram; 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.
Bone scans and thyroid scans.
PICC line
Peripherally inserted central catheter; frequently used for a patient who will need IV therapy for more than 7 days
Parenteral
The term parenteral means taken into the body or administered in a manner other than through the digestive tract. The most common is the injection.
Allopathic medicine
Allopathic medicine is another term for conventional, or Western, medical practices and systems of health care.
