History and Physical Examination Flashcards
alopecia
Loss of hair on the body.
auscultation
Listening for sounds produced within the body.
bilateral
Occurring on or having two sides.
body systems history
Detailed questions about the body system (or systems) involved in the presenting problems.
body systems review
A review of the body systems to note any additional problems the animal may have.
capillary refill time
The time it takes for the vessels in the mucous membranes to return to normal after being pressed.
cardiovascular system
The body system that circulates blood.
cat bag
A retraining device consisting of a skippered bag with several openings for treating different parts of at cat’s body.
caudal
A directional term that means “toward the tail”
cephalic venipuncture
The taking of a blood sample from the freely on an animal.
choana
A slit-like opening on the roof of the mouth in a bird.
client education
A general term that covers many of the clients’ interactions with the practice.
comedones
Skin lesions that resemble blackheads.
cradle
A device that consists of wooden slats or round woven together that go around a horse’s neck to keep the neck straight and prevent the horse from chewing at itself.
cranial
A directional term that means “toward the head”
dorsal
a directional term that means “toward the back”
elizabethan collar
A circular plastic shield, resembling a lampshade, that encircles the neck and extends to the end of the muzzle. The collar prevents the animal from chewing at its bandages.
environmental history
The animal’s most recent living situation.
erythroderma
A medical term meaning “reddened skin”
head catch
That part of the stall or chute that traps cattle by the head; also called a head clamp, squeeze white, or neck yoke.
heart-girth tape
A flexible tape-measuring device that weighs a horse by measuring its girth just behind the elbow in its heart area.
hobble
Rope or chain device that encircles the rear legs, restricting the animal’s ability to kick.
hog snare
A pole with a cable at the end that can be tightened over a pig’s snout.
integumentary system
The skin and attached structures, such as hair.
intervertebral disk disease
Deteriorated cushions between the vertebrae.
jugular ventipuncture
The taking of a blood sample from the jugular vein of an animal.
keel
The breastbone of a bird.
lateral recumbency
A restraint position in which the animal lies on its side.
master problem list
The first page of a veterinary medical chart that serves as an index or table of contents for the rest of the record.
medial
A directional term meaning “toward the middle”
mouth gag
A wedge-shaped structure that prevents a horse from biting down while someone is examining or treating its mouth.
nares
The nostrils.
neuro hammer
An examination instrument used by a veterinarian to check an animal’s reflexes.
nose tongs
A cattle-restraint device that grasps the center of the nose just inside the nostrils to permit more head control.
opthalmoscope
An instrument used to visualize the interior chamber of the eye, where signs of disease or trauma can sometimes be seen.
otoscope
An instrument used to inspect the ear of an animal; it’s an essential diagnostic too to determine types of infections and to discover foreign bodies in the ear canal.
palpation
Examining body parts by touch.
papillae
A pimple-like structure that can be found in the ear canal, china, etc.
papule
A hard, pimple-like skin bump.
perfuse
To pump; in the animal, the body’s ability to pump blood.
peristalsis
The involuntary constriction and relaxation of the muscles of the intestine or another canal, creating wavelike movements that push the contents of the canal forward.
presenting problem
The reason the animal is at the veterinary facility.
progress notes
The portion of a medical chart devoted to ongoing patient evaluation, arranged using SOAP format.
pulmonary edema
Fluid accumulation in the lungs.
pulse deficits
Distinct differences between the point at which the heart beats and the point at which a pulse beat is felt. The pulse should be felt immediately after the heart beats.
radiographs
x-rays
rales
Abnormal crackling sound heard in the lungs
respiratory system
The body system that takes in oxygen and releases carbon dioxide.
scruff (scrubbing)
Grasping the loose skin behind an animal’s neck; often used as a restraint methods for rabbits, cats, and ferrets.
seizure
A short circuit in the brain that makes the animal lose control over its body.
signalment
The overall patient description.
SOAP format
An acronym for the four devisions of the progress notes sections of the patient record. The letters represent subjective, objective, assessment, and procedure/plan.
symmetrical
Even in size and shape.
thoracic area
The chest cavity of an animal.
twitch
A horse-restraint device, usually either a long wooden handle affixed to a short loop of chain, or two signed metal handles that pinch and hold.
tympanic membrane
The membrane that covers the ear drum.
ventral
A directional term that means :toward the anterior or front”
vertebrae
The bones of the spine.
