Key Terms

Question 1

auscultation

Answer 1

listening for sounds within the body, usually within the chest or abdomen

Question 2

biopsy

Answer 2

removal of a small of amount of tissue for microscopic examination

Question 3

cautery

Answer 3

destruction of tissue by a damaging agent, such as a harmful chemical, heat, or electric current ; cauterization

Question 4

chemotherapy

Answer 4

use of chemicals to treat disease. Often applied specifically to the tx of cancer with chemicals

Question 5

diagnosis

Answer 5

the process of determining the cause and nature of an illness

Question 6

endoscope

Answer 6

an instrument for examining the inside of an organ or cavity through a body opening or small incision; most endoscopes use fiber optics for viewing

Question 7

excision

Answer 7

removal by cutting

Question 8

fixation

Answer 8

holding or fastening a structure in a firm position

Question 9

grading

Answer 9

a method for evaluating a tumor based on microscopic examination of cells

Question 10

immunotherapy

Answer 10

tx that involves stimulation or suppression of the immune system; either specifically or nonspecifically

Question 11

incision

Answer 11

a cut, as for surgery; also the act of cutting

Question 12

inspection

Answer 12

visual examination of the body

Question 13

laser

Answer 13

a device that transforms light into beam of intense heat an power; used for surgery and dx

Question 14

opthalmascope

Answer 14

an instrument for examining the interior of the ey

Question 15

otoscope

Answer 15

instrument used to examine the ears

Question 16

palliative

Answer 16

providing relief but not cure; a tx that provides such relief

Question 17

palpation

Answer 17

examining by placing the hands or fingers on the surface of the body to determine characteristics such as texture, temp, movement, and consistency

Question 18

percussion

Answer 18

tapping of the body light but sharply to assess the condition of the underlying tissue by the sounds obtained

Question 19

prognosis

Answer 19

prediction of a disease’s course and outcome

Question 20

radiography

Answer 20

use of x-rays passed through the body to make a visual record (radiograph) of internal structures either on specially sensitized film or digitally; roentgenography

Question 21

remission

Answer 21

lessening of disease sx; the period during which this decrease occurs or period when no sign of a disease exists

Question 22

sign

Answer 22

objective evidence of disease that can be observed or tested; ex: fevers, rash, high bp, and blood or urine abnormalities; an objective sx

Question 23

sphygmomanometer

Answer 23

blood pressure apparatus or blood pressure cuff; pressure is read in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) when the heart is contracting (systolic pressure) and when the heart is relaxing (diastolic pressure).

Question 24

staging

Answer 24

the process of classifying malignant tumors for dx, tx, and prognosis

Question 25

stethoscope

Answer 25

an instrument used for listening to sounds produced within the body

Question 26

surgery

Answer 26

a method for treating disease or injury by manual operations

Question 27

suture

Answer 27

to unite parts by stitching them together; also the thread or other material used in the process or the seam formed by surgical stitching

Question 28

symptom

Answer 28

any evidence of disease; sometimes limited to subjective evidence of disease as experienced by the individual, such as , pain, dizziness, and weakness

Question 29

therapy

Answer 29

tx, intervention

Question 30

vital sign

Answer 30

measurement that reflect basic functions necessary to maintain life

Question 31

acupuncture

Answer 31

an ancient Chinese method of inserting needles into the body at specific point to relieve pain, induce anesthesia, or promote healing; similar effects can be obtained by using firm finger pressure at the surface of the body in the technique of acupresssure

Question 32

biofeedback

Answer 32

a method for learning control of involuntary physiologic responses by using electronic devices to monitor bodily changes and feeding this information back to a person

Question 33

chiropractic

Answer 33

a science that stresses the condition of the nervous system in dx and tx of disease; often, the spine is manipulated to correct misalignment.

Question 34

holistic health care

Answer 34

practice of treating a person as a whole entity with physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs. It stresses comprehensive care, involvement in one’s own care, and the maintenance of good health rather than the tx of disease

Question 35

homeopathy

Answer 35

a philosophy of treating disease by administering drugs in highly diluted form along with promoting healthy life habits and a healthy environment

Question 36

massage

Answer 36

manipulation of the body or portion of the body to calm, relieve tension, increase circulation, and stimulate muscles

Question 37

meditation

Answer 37

process of clearing the mind by concentrating on the inner self while controlling breathing and perhaps repeating a word or phrase

Question 38

naturopathy

Answer 38

a therapeutic philosophy of helping people heal themselves by developing healthy lifestyles; naturopaths may use some of the methods of conventional medicine

Question 39

osteopathy

Answer 39

a system of therapy based on the theory that the body can overcome disease when it has normal structure, a favorable environment, and proper nutrition. Osteopaths use standard medical practices for dx and tx but stress the identification and correction of faulty body structure

Question 40

anesthesia

Answer 40

loss of the ability to feel pain, as by the administration of a drug