diagnostic terms Flashcards
Disease
Any condition not caused by an injury that causes the body to work incorrectly
Diagnosis
The identification of a disease/disorder by the evaluation of its history, symptoms, physical signs and test results.
Misdiagnosis
A diagnosis that is later discovered, based on new evidence, to have been incorrect
Prognosis
The predicted outcome of a disease
Chronic
A term used to describe the time scale and/or severity of of a disease/disorder, which indicates a slow onset, usually slow course (long duration) and low severity
Acute
A term used to describe the time scale and/or severity of of a disease/disorder, which indicates a rapid onset, usually fast course (short duration) and often intense severity
Sign
An observable effect of a disease that medical professionals can visualize or detect
Blood pressure
The force exerted by blood against the walls of blood as it circulates throughout the body
Diastolic pressure
The blood pressure measured during diastole, which is the phase of heart activity when it is it resting and filling with blood for the next systole
Systolic pressure
The blood pressure measured during systole, the phase of heart activity where it is contracting and actively pumping blood out
Pulse
The rhythmic of an artery that occurs when the heart is beating
Respiration rate
Number of breaths per minute
Endoscope
Illuminated instrument used for the visualization of the interior of a body cavity or organ
Fluoroscopes
Instrument that provides real-time imaging of the motion of the internal structures through the use of X-rays and a fluorescent screen
Microscope
An instrument that uses shaped lenses to magnify and study microscopic samples
Stethoscope
An instrument used to listen to internal body structures such as heartbeat or intestinal activity
Radiograph
A diagnostic image, or X-ray, created by created by applying radioactive X-rays to a portion of the body
Tympanic thermometer
Thermometer with a specially designed tip that is placed into the external opening of the ear canal to obtain a body temperature reading
Calibration
The process of adjusting an instrument to ensure its accuracy
Microscopy
Inspection with a microscope
Biopsy
A diagnostic procedure in which tissue cells are surgically removed from a patient and examined for the presence of disease
Urinalysis
The microscopic and chemical analysis of urine to detect abnormalities found in certain diseases
Endoscopy
Visual inspection of the body through an endoscope
Colonoscopy
A diagnostic procedure in which a camera is inserted into the large intestine to examine the patient for signs of disease
Lumbar puncture
A diagnostic procedure in which fluid is collected from the spinal canal to diagnose diseases affecting the central nervous system
Barium swallow
A fluoroscopic diagnostic procedure to evaluate the function of the upper gastrointestinal tract
Ultrasound
A diagnostic technique that uses sound waves to create images of internal body structures
Ech(o)
Sound
Electr(o)
Electricity
Fluor(o)
Emitting or reflecting light
-meter
Instrument used to measure
-radi(o)
Radiant energy
-scope
Instrument used for viewing
-scopy
Visual examination
-gram
A record or recording
-graph
Instrument used to record
-graphy
Process of recording
