hosa 2 Flashcards
nebulizer
an electronic device that pumps air or oxygen through a liquid medicine to turn it into a mist that is inhaled via a face mask or mouthpiece.
necrotizing fasciitis
a severe infection caused by group A strep bacteria.
needle breast biopsy
a technique in which an x-ray-guided needle is used to remove small samples of tissue from the breast.
needlestick injury
an accidental puncture wound caused by a used hypodermic needle, potentially transmitting an infection.
neoplasm
an abnormal growth of body tissue in which the multiplication of cells is uncontrolled, abnormal, rapid, and progressive; also known as a tumor.
nephritis
inflammation of the kidney or kidneys.
nephrolith
a stone located in the kidney.
nephrolithiasis
the presence of stones in the kidney
nephrolysis
the surgical freeing of a kidney from adhesions.
nephropathy
any disease of the kidney.
nephropexy
the surgical fixation of nephroptosis.
nephroptosis
the prolapse of a kidney into the pelvic area when the patient stands.
nephropyosis
suppuration of the kidney
nephrostomy
the placement of a catheter to maintain an opening between the pelvis of one or both kidneys to the exterior of the body.
nephrotic syndrome
a group of conditions in which excessive amounts of protein are lost in the urine.
neuritis
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 neurons.
neurogenic bladder
a urinary problem caused by interference with the normal nerve pathways associated with urination.
neuromuscular blocker
a medication that causes temporary paralysis by blocking the transmission of nerve stimuli to the muscles.
neuromuscular therapy
a form of massage that uses soft-tissue manipulation focusing on applying pressure to trigger points to treat injuries and alleviate pain
neuroplasty
the surgical repair of a nerve or nerves.
neurorrhaphy
surgically suturing together the ends of a severed nerve.
neurotomy
the surgical division or dissection of a nerve.
nevus
a small, dark skin growth that develops from melanocytes in the skin.
nitroglycerin
a vasodilator that is prescribed to prevent or relieve the pain of angina.
nocturia
frequent and excessive urination during the night
nocturnal enuresis
urinary incontinence during sleep.
nodule
a solid, raised skin lesion that is larger than 0.5 cm in diameter and deeper than a papule.
noise-induced hearing loss
nerve deafness caused by repeated exposure to extremely loud noises.
non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
the term used to describe all lymphomas other than Hodgkin’s lymphoma
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
medications administered to control pain by reducing inflammation and swelling.
nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
describes the accumulation of fat in the liver of people who drink little or no alcohol.
nonalcoholic steatohepatitis
a more serious form of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, consists of fatty accumulations plus liver-damaging inflammation
normal sperm count
20 to 120 million or more sperm per milliliter of semen.
nosocomial infection
a disease acquired in a hospital or clinical setting.
nuclear imaging
the use of radiopharmaceuticals for diagnostic purposes.
nuclear scan
a diagnostic procedure that uses nuclear medicine technology to gather information about the structure and function of organs or body systems.
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.
nystagmus
an involuntary, constant, rhythmic movement of the eyeball.
obesity
an excessive accumulation of fat in the body.
oblique fracture
a fracture that occurs at an angle across the bone
obsessive-compulsive disorder
a mental condition characterized by obsessions and/or compulsions.
occupational therapy
activities to promote recovery and rehabilitation to assist patients in performing the activities of daily living.
ocular prosthesis
a replacement for an eyeball that is either congenitally missing or has been surgically removed.
oligomenorrhea
light or infrequent menstruation in a woman with previously normal periods.
oligospermia
a sperm count of below 20 million/mL.
oliguria
scanty urination.
onychia
inflammation of the matrix of the nail.
onychocryptosis
ingrown toenail.
onychomycosis
a fungal infection of the nail
oophorectomy
the surgical removal of one or both ovaries
oophoritis
inflammation of an ovary.
open fracture
a fracture in which the bone is broken and there is an open wound in the skin
open-angle glaucoma
the most common form of glaucoma.
ophthalmoscope
an instrument used to examine the interior of the eye.
ophthalmoscopy
the visual examination of the fundus of the eye with ophthalmoscope.
opportunistic infection
caused by a pathogen that does not normally produce an illness in healthy humans.
oral administration
medication taken by mouth to be absorbed through the walls of the stomach or small intestine.
oral glucose tolerance test
a test performed most commonly to diagnose gestational diabetes.
oral or maxillofacial surgeon
a physician specializing in surgery of the face and jaws to correct deformities, treat diseases, and repair injuries.
oral rehydration therapy
treatment in which a solution of electrolytes is administered in a liquid preparation to counteract dehydration.
oral thrush
a type of stomatomycosis caused by the fungus Candida albicans
orbitotomy
a surgical incision into the orbit.
orchidectomy
the surgical removal of one or both testicles.
orchiopexy
the repair of an undescended testicle.
organic disorder
a disorder that produces symptoms caused by detectable physical changes in the body.
orthostatic hypotension
low blood pressure that occurs upon standing up.
orthotic
a mechanical appliance, such as a leg brace or splint, that is specially designed to control, correct, or compensate for impaired limb function.
ossification
the normal process of bone formation.
ostectomy
the surgical removal of bone.
osteitis
inflammation of bone.
osteoarthritis
the type of arthritis most commonly associated with aging.
osteochondroma
a benign bony projection covered with cartilage.
osteoclasis
the surgical fracture of a bone to correct a deformity.
osteomalacia
abnormal softening of bones in adults.
osteomyelitis
inflammation of the bone marrow and adjacent bone
osteopathic manipulative therapy
mechanical spinal adjustment used in conjunction with conventional medical therapies by an osteopath.
osteopenia
thinner than average bone density.
osteophytes
also known as bone spurs.
osteoporosis
a marked loss of bone density and an increase in bone porosity that is frequently associated with aging.
osteoporotic hip fracture
a fracture of a hip weakened by osteoporosis that can occur spontaneously or as the result of a fall.
osteorrhaphy
surgical suturing or wiring together of bones.
osteosarcoma
a hard-tissue sarcoma that usually involves the upper shaft of long bones, pelvis, or knee.
osteotomy
the surgical cutting of a bone.
ostomy
a surgical procedure to create an artificial opening between an organ and the body surface.
otalgia
pain in the ear
otitis
inflammation of the ear.
otitis media
inflammation of the middle ear.
otomycosis
a fungal infection of the external auditory canal.
otoplasty
the surgical repair, restoration, or alteration of the pinna of the ear.
otopyorrhea
the flow of pus from the ear.
otorrhagia
bleeding from the ear.
otorrhea
any discharge from the ear.
otosclerosis
ankylosis of the bones of the middle ear resulting in a conductive hearing loss.
otoscope
an instrument used to visually examine the external ear canal and tympanic membrane.
ovarian cancer
cancer that begins within the cells of the ovaries
over-the-counter drug
medication that can be purchased without a written prescription.
overactive bladder
a condition that occurs when the muscles of the bladder contract involuntarily even though the bladder is not full.
overflow incontinence
continuous leaking from the bladder either because it is full or because it does not empty completely.
overuse injuries
injuries that occur when minor tissue injuries have not been given time to heal.
overuse tendinitis
inflammation of tendons caused by excessive or unusual use of a joint.
Paget’s disease
a chronic bone disease of unknown cause, characterized by abnormal breakdown of bone tissue followed by abnormal bone formation.
palatoplasty
surgical repair of a cleft palate or lip.
palliative
a substance that eases the pain or severity of a disease but does not cure it.
palpation
an examination technique in which the examiner’s hands are used to feel the texture, size, consistency, and location of certain body parts.
palpation of the breast
performed by a health professional to feel the texture, size, and consistency of the breast.
palpitation
a pounding or racing heart with or without irregularity in rhythm.
pancreatectomy
surgical removal of all or part of the pancreas.
pancreatitis
inflammation of the pancreas
pandemic
an outbreak of a disease occurring over a large geographic area, possibly worldwide.
panic attack
an unexpected, sudden experience of fear in the absence of danger, accompanied by physical symptoms such as shortness of breath and chest pain.
panic disorder
a condition characterized by having more than one panic attack, resulting in persistent fear of the attacks.
Pap smear
an exfoliative biopsy of the cervix.
papilledema
swelling and inflammation of the optic nerve at the point of entrance into the eye through the optic disk.
papilloma
a benign, superficial, wartlike growth on the epithelial tissue or elsewhere in the body, such as in the bladder.
papule
a small, raised red lesion that is less than 0.5 cm in diameter.
paradoxical drug reaction
the result of medical treatment that yields the exact opposite of normally expected results.
paralysis
the loss of sensation and voluntary muscle movements in a muscle through disease or injury to its nerve supply.
paraplegia
paralysis of both legs and the lower part of the body
parasite
a plant or animal that lives on or within another living organism at the expense of that organism.
parathyroidectomy
surgical removal of one or more of the parathyroid glands.
parenteral administration
the administration of medication by injection through a hypodermic syringe.
paresthesia
a burning or prickling sensation that is usually felt in the hands, arms, legs, or feet.
Parkinson’s disease
a chronic, degenerative central nervous system disorder characterized by fine muscle tremors, rigidity, and a slow or shuffling gait.
paronychia
an infection of the skin fold around a nail.
partial knee replacement (PKR)
a procedure in which only part of the knee is replaced.
pathogen
a disease-producing microorganism.
pathologic fracture
occurs when a weakened bone breaks under normal strain.
peak flow meter
a handheld device used to measure how quickly a person with asthma can expel air.
pediculosis
an infestation with lice.
pelvic inflammatory disease
any inflammation of the female reproductive organs not associated with surgery or pregnancy.
pelvimetry
a radiographic study to measure the dimensions of the pelvis to determine its capacity to allow passage of the fetus through the birth canal.
peptic ulcers
sores that affect the mucous membranes of the digestive system.
percussion
a diagnostic procedure to determine the density of a body area that uses the sound produced by tapping the surface with the fingers.
percutaneous diskectomy
a procedure to treat a herniated intervertebral disk.
percutaneous nephrolithotomy
surgical removal of a kidney stone through a small incision in the back.
percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty
a treatment procedure to open a partially blocked coronary artery by flattening the plaque deposit and stretching the lumen.
percutaneous vertebroplasty
treatment of osteoporosis-related compression fractures by injecting bone cement to stabilize compression fractures within the spinal column.
perfusion
the flow of blood through an organ.
pericardiocentesis
the puncture of the pericardial sac for the purpose of removing fluid
pericarditis
inflammation of the pericardium.
periodontal disease
inflammation of the tissues that surround and support the teeth.
periorbital edema
swelling of the tissues surrounding the eye or eyes
periosteotomy
an incision through the periosteum to the bone.
periostitis
inflammation of the periosteum.
peripheral arterial disease
an example of a peripheral vascular disease caused by atherosclerosis. Impaired circulation to the extremities and vital organs causes changes in the skin color and temperature, plus intermittent claudication.
peripheral neuropathy
a disorder of the peripheral nerves that carry information to and from the brain and spinal cord, producing pain, loss of sensation, and inability to control muscles.
peripheral vascular disease
disorders of blood vessels outside the heart and brain.
peritoneal dialysis
dialysis in which the lining of the peritoneal cavity acts as the filter to remove waste from the blood.
peritonitis
inflammation of the peritoneum.
pernicious anemia
anemia caused by a lack of a protein that helps the body absorb vitamin B12 from the gastrointestinal tract.
PERRLA
an abbreviation meaning Pupils are Equal, Round, Responsive to Light, and show Accommodation.
persistent depressive disorder
low-grade chronic depression present on a majority of days for two or more years
persistent vegetative state
a type of coma in which the patient exhibits alternating sleep and wake cycles; however, the individual is unconscious even when appearing to be awake
personality disorder
a chronic pattern of inner experience and behavior that causes serious problems with relationships and work.
pertussis
a contagious bacterial infection of the upper respiratory tract that is characterized by recurrent bouts of a paroxysmal cough.
petechiae
very small pinpoint hemorrhages less than 2 mm in diameter.
Peyronie’s disease
a form of sexual dysfunction in which the penis is bent or curved during erection.
phacoemulsification
the use of ultrasonic vibration to shatter and remove the lens clouded by a cataract.
pharyngitis
inflammation of the pharynx.
phenylketonuria
a genetic disorder in which an essential digestive enzyme is missing.
pheochromocytoma
a benign tumor of the adrenal gland that causes the release of excess epinephrine and norepinephrine
phimosis
narrowing of the opening of the foreskin so that it cannot be retracted to expose the glans penis.
phlebitis
inflammation of a vein.
phlebotomy
the puncture of a vein for the purpose of drawing blood.
phlegm
thick mucus secreted by the tissues lining the respiratory passages.
phobia
a persistent irrational fear of a specific thing or situation strong enough to cause significant distress, interfere with functioning, and lead to avoidance of the thing or situation that causes this reaction.
photocoagulation
the use of lasers to treat some forms of wet macular degeneration by sealing leaking or damaged blood vessels.
photodynamic therapy
a technique used to treat damaged and precancerous skin, as well as various types of cancer
photophobia
excessive sensitivity to light.
photopsia
presence of what appear to be flashes of light.
physical therapy
treatment to prevent disability or to restore function through the use of exercise, heat, massage, or other techniques.
pigmented birthmarks
irregularities in skin color, such as moles.
pinealectomy
the surgical removal of the pineal gland.
pinealoma
a tumor of the pineal gland.
pituitary adenoma
a slow-growing, benign tumor of the pituitary gland that may or may not cause excess hormone secretion.
placebo
an inactive substance that is given for its suggestive effects.
placenta previa
abnormal implantation of the placenta in the lower portion of the uterus.
plantar fasciitis
inflammation of the plantar fascia causing foot or heel pain when walking or running.
plaque
a fatty deposit within the blood vessels; also a soft buildup of bacterial debris on the exterior of the teeth; also a scaly, solid, raised area of closely spaced papules on the skin.
plasmapheresis
the removal of whole blood from the body, separation of its cellular elements, and reinfusion of these cellular elements suspended in saline or a plasma substitute.
platelet count
a blood screening test that measures the number of platelets in a specified amount of blood.
pleural effusion
the excess accumulation of fluid in the pleural space that prevents the lung from fully expanding.
pleurisy
inflammation of the pleura that produces sharp chest pain with each breath.
pleurodynia
pain in the pleura or in the side.
pneumoconiosis
any fibrosis of the lung tissues caused by dust in the lungs after prolonged environmental or occupational contact.
pneumocystis pneumonia
the form of pneumonia caused by an opportunistic infection with the fungus Pneumocystis carinii.
pneumonectomy
the surgical removal of all or part of a lung.
pneumonia
a serious infection or inflammation of the lungs in which the alveoli and air passages fill with pus and other liquid
pneumorrhagia
bleeding from the lungs
pneumothorax
the accumulation of air in the pleural space resulting in a pressure imbalance that causes the lung to fully or partially collapse
poliomyelitis
a highly contagious viral infection of the brainstem and spinal cord that sometimes leads to paralysis.
polyarteritis
a form of vasculitis involving several medium and small arteries at the same time.
polycystic kidney disease
a genetic disorder characterized by the growth of numerous fluidfilled cysts in the kidneys.
polycystic ovary syndrome
condition caused by a hormonal imbalance in which the ovaries are enlarged by the presence of many cysts formed by incompletely developed follicles.
polycythemia
an abnormal increase in the number of red cells in the blood due to excess production of these cells by the bone marrow.
polydipsia
excessive thirst.
polymenorrhea
abnormally frequent menstruation.
polymyalgia rheumatica
a geriatric inflammatory disorder of the muscles and joints characterized by pain and stiffness.
polymyositis
muscle disease characterized by the simultaneous inflammation and weakening of voluntary muscles in many parts of the body.
polyp
a mushroom-like growth from the surface of a mucous membrane.
polyphagia
excessive hunger.
polysomnography
the diagnostic measurement of physiological activity during sleep.
polyuria
excessive urination.
port-wine stain
a flat vascular birthmark made up of dilated blood capillaries.
positron emission tomography
an imaging technique that combines tomography with radionuclide tracers to produce enhanced images of selected body organs or areas.
post-traumatic stress disorder
the development of characteristic symptoms after a major traumatic event
prediabetes
a condition in which the blood sugar level is higher than normal but not high enough to be classified as type 2 diabetes.
preeclampsia
a complication of pregnancy characterized by hypertension, edema, and proteinuria.
pregnancy test
a diagnostic test to is determine if a woman is pregnant.
premature ejaculation
a condition in which the male reaches climax too soon, usually before or shortly after penetration.
premature infant
a neonate born before the 37th week of gestation.
premature menopause
a condition in which the ovaries cease functioning before age 40.
premenstrual dysphoric disorder
a condition associated with severe emotional and physical problems linked to the menstrual cycle.
premenstrual syndrome
a group of symptoms experienced by some women within the two-week period before menstruation.
prenatal influences
the mother’s health, behavior, and the prenatal medical care she does or does not receive before delivery.
presbycusis
a gradual sensorineural hearing loss that occurs as the body ages.
presbyopia
condition of common changes in the eyes that occur with aging.
prescription drug
a medication that can legally be dispensed only by a pharmacist with an order from a licensed professional.
pressure sore
an open ulcerated wound that is caused by prolonged pressure on an area of skin.
priapism
a painful erection that lasts four hours or more but is not accompanied by sexual excitement.
primary bone cancer
a relatively rare malignant tumor that originates in a bone.
primigravida
a woman during her first pregnancy.
primipara
a woman who has borne one viable child.
probiotics
living microorganisms with a role in aiding digestion and protecting the body from harmful bacteria.
proctopexy
surgical fixation of a prolapsed rectum to an adjacent tissue or organ.
prolactinoma
a benign tumor of the pituitary gland that causes it to produce too much prolactin.
prone position
position where the patient lies face down on the abdomen.
prophylaxis
treatment, such as vaccination, intended to prevent a disease or stop it from spreading.
prostate cancer
cancer beginning in the prostate.
prostate-specific antigen
a diagnostic blood test that is used to screen for prostate cancer.
prostatectomy
surgical removal of all or part of the prostate gland.
prostatism
a disorder resulting from compression or obstruction of the urethra due to benign prostatic hyperplasia.
prostatitis
inflammation of the prostate gland.
prosthesis
a substitute for a diseased or missing body part.
proteinuria
the presence of an abnormal amount of protein in the urine.
prothrombin time
a blood test used to diagnose conditions associated with abnormalities of clotting time and to monitor anticoagulant therapy.
proton pump inhibitors
medications that decrease the amount of acid produced by the stomach.
pruritus vulvae
severe itching of the external female genitalia
psoriasis
a common skin disorder characterized by flare-ups in which red papules covered with silvery scales occur on the elbows, knees, scalp, back, or buttocks.
psychoanalysis
treatment based on the idea that mental disorders have underlying causes stemming from childhood and can only be overcome by gaining insight into one’s feelings and patterns of behavior.
psychotic disorder
a condition characterized by the loss of contact with reality and deterioration of normal social functioning.