Diagnostic Procedures, Pharmacology, and Complementary Medicine Flashcards
albumin/o
albumin, protein
calc/i
calcium, lime, the heel
-centesis
surgical puncture to remove fluid
creatin/o
creatinine
fluor/o
glowing
glycos/o
glucose, sugar
lapar/o
abdomen, abdominal wall
lingu/o
tongue
-otomy
cutting, surgical incision
pyret/o
fever
radi/o
radiation, x-rays
-scope
instrument for visual examination
-scopy
visual examination
son/o
sound
ultra-
beyond
acetaminophen
analgesic that reduces pain and fever but does not relieve inflammation.
acupuncture
a traditional Chinese medical practice using very thin acupuncture needles inserted into specific points of the body to restore the flow of qi.
adherence
also called compliance; the patient’s consistency and accuracy in following the regimen (directions or rules) prescribed by a physician or other health care professional.
albuminuria
the presence of the protein albumin in the urine.
analgesic
refers to the class of drugs that relieves pain without affecting consciousness.
antipyretic
medication administered to prevent or reduce fever.
arthrocentesis
“surgical puncture of the joint space to remove synovial fluid for analysis to determine the cause of pain or swelling in a joint.”
auscultation
listening for sounds within the body, usually performed with a stethoscope.
bacteriuria
the presence of bacteria in the urine.
bruit
an abnormal sound or murmur heard during auscultation of an artery.
calciuria
the presence of calcium in the urine.
computed tomography
“a scan that uses a thin, fanshaped x-ray beam that rotates around the patient to produce multiple cross-sectional views of the body.”
contraindication
a factor in the patient’s condition that makes the use of a medication or specific treatment dangerous or ill advised.
creatinuria
an increased concentration of creatinine in the urine.
echocardiography
an ultrasonic diagnostic procedure used to evaluate the structures and motion of the heart.
endoscope
a small, flexible tube with a light and a lens on the end.
fluoroscopy
the visualization of body parts in motion by projecting x-ray images on a luminous fluorescent screen.
glycosuria
the presence of glucose in the urine.
hematocrit
a blood test that measures the percentage, by volume, of a blood sample occupied by red cells; this test is used to diagnose abnormal states of hydration.
hematuria
the presence of blood in the urine.
hyperthermia
an extremely high body temperature.
hypothermia
an abnormally low body temperature.
idiosyncratic reaction
an unexpected reaction to a drug that is peculiar to the individual.
interventional radiology
the use of radiographic imaging to guide a procedure or confirm placement of an inserted object.
intradermal injection
the administration of medication by injection into the middle layers of the skin.
intramuscular injection
the administration of medication by injection directly into muscle tissue.
intravenous injection
the administration of medication by injection directly into a vein.
ketonuria
the presence of ketones in the urine.
laparoscopy
visual examination of the interior of the abdomen with the use of a laparoscope.
lithotomy position
an examination position in which the patient is lying on the back, face up, with the feet and legs raised and supported in stirrups.
magnetic resonance imaging
an imaging technique that uses a combination of radio waves and a strong magnetic field to create signals that are sent to a computer and converted into images of any plane through the body.
ophthalmoscope
an instrument used to examine the interior of the eye.
otoscope
an instrument used to visually examine the external ear canal and tympanic membrane.
palliative
a substance that eases the pain or severity of a disease but does not cure it.
parenteral
taken into the body or administered In a manner other than through the digestive tract.
percussion
“a diagnostic procedure designed to determine the density of a body part by the sound produced by tapping the surface with the fingers.”
perfusion
the flow of blood through an organ.
pericardiocentesis
the puncture of the pericardial sac for the purpose of removing fluid.
phlebotomy
the puncture of a vein for the purpose of drawing blood.
placebo
an inactive substance, such as a sugar pill or liquid, that is administered only for its suggestive effects.
positron emission tomography
“an imaging technique that combines computed tomography with radionuclide tracers, usually inserted into a vein, to produce enhanced images of selected body organs or areas.”
prone position
a position in which the patient lies face down on the abdomen.
proteinuria
the presence of an abnormal amount of protein in the urine.
pyuria
the presence of pus in the urine.
radiolucent
the substance, such as air or nitrogen gas, allows x-rays to pass through and appears black or dark gray on the resulting film.
radiopaque
a substance that does not allow x-rays to pass through and appears white or light gray on the resulting film.
rales
abnormal crackle-like lung sounds heard through a stethoscope during inspiration (breathing in).
recumbent
any position in which the patient is lying down.
rhonchi
a coarse, rattling sound somewhat like snoring, usually caused by secretions in the bronchial airways.
Sims’ position
an examination position in which the patient is lying on the left side with the right knee and thigh drawn up with the left arm placed along the back.
single photon emission computed tomography
a type of nuclear imaging test that produces 3D computer-reconstructed images showing perfusion through tissues and organs.
speculum
an instrument used to enlarge the opening of any canal or cavity to facilitate inspection of its interior.
sphygmomanometer
instrument used to measure the force of the blood against the walls of the arteries.
stethoscope
an instrument used to listen to sounds within the body.
stridor
an abnormal, high-pitched, musical breathing sound caused by a blockage in the throat or larynx.
subcutaneous injection
the administration of medication by injection into the fatty layer just below the skin.
transdermal
the administration of medication through the unbroken skin so that it is absorbed continuously to produce a systemic effect.
transesophageal echocardiography
an ultrasonic imaging technique that is performed from inside the esophagus to evaluate heart structures.
ultrasonography
the imaging of deep body structures by recording the echoes of sound wave pulses that are above the range of human hearing; also known as ultrasound.
urinalysis
“the examination of the physical and chemical properties of urine to determine the presence of abnormal elements.”
