key words Flashcards
analgesic
drug used to relieve pain
anaphylaxis
allergic reaction to a foreign substance– usually severe, possibly life threatening.
antibody
protein substance produced by the body’s immune system in response to and interacting with specific antigen.
antiemetic
drug used to stop or prevent vomiting.
antigen
any substance that, when introduced into the body, causes the production of a specific antibody by the immune system.
chromosome
a linear structure in the nucleus composed of DNA and proteins and bearing part of the genetic information of the cell. Each human cell (except the egg and sperm cells) has 46 chromosomes, 23 pairs.
Diuretic
Drug that promotes the secretion of urine.
dyspnea
labored or difficult breathing, generally indicating an insufficient amount of oxygen in the blood.
amino acid
one of any large group of organic compounds constituting the primary building blacks of proteins.
edema
excessive accumulation of fluid in bodily tissues. May be localized or general.
erythema
diffused redness of the skin due to dilation of the superficial capillaries.
exocrine
pertaining to the glands that release their secretions into the digestive tract or to the surface of the body.
genotype
description of the combination of genes of an individual, either with respect to a single trait or with respect to a larger set of traits.
heterzygous
possessing genes from each parent for a particular trait.
homeostasis
tendency of the body to maintain stability even though they are exposed to continually changing outside forces.
homozygous
possessing identical genes from each parent for a particular trait.
hypovolemic shock
condition of severe physiologic distress caused by a decrease in the circulating blood volume so large that the body’s metabolic needs cannot be met.
Hypoxemia
decreased oxygen in arterial blood.
Incontinence
inability to control the passage of urine, semen, or feces due to one or more physiological or psychological conditions.
lymphadenopathy
Disease of the lymph nodes, usually manifested as swelling of the nodes.
macrophage
any of the class of cells with in the body tissues having the ability to engulf particular substances and microorganisms.
metastasis
movement of bacteria or body’s cells from one part of the body to the other. Typically by way of circulatory system. Esp true of cancer cells.
Nosocomial
Occurring in the health care system.
osteomalacia
disease caused by vitamin D deficiency in adults that cause soft flexible, brittle, deformed bones.
Pathogenic
Capable of causing disease.
Phagocytosis
Ingestion and digestion of bacteria, other cells, and particles by a class of cells called phagocytes.
Phenotype
Observable physical characteristics of an individual, determined by the combined influences of the individual’s genetic makeup and the effects of environmental factors.
Polymorphonuclear Leukocyte
white blood cell that posses a nucleus composed of over 200 or more lobes or parts.
Pruritus
severe itching
Sequela
Condition that is the result of a disease.
Stridor
Harsh, high pitched sound during respiration due to obstruction of air passages.
Syncope
transient loss of consciousness due to inadequate blood flow to the brain.
Syndrome
A group of symptoms or signs linked by a common pathological history.
Tachycardia
abnormally rapid heart rate, usually exceeding 100 bpm.
Urticaria
Vascular reaction of the skin characterized by the temporary eruption of wheals or hives.
Wheal
Generally round, transient elevation of the skin, which is white in the center, with pale red edges, often accompanied by itching.
endorphine
one of the group of naturally occurring substances, produced by the central nervous system, that reduce the perception of pain.
Enkephalin
Substance produced in the brain that acts opiate like and produces analgesia.
