lab book med terms Flashcards
assessment
the measurement or quantification of a variable or the placement of a value on something (not an examination or evaluation)
caregiver
the person who is treating or working with the pt
communication
the exchange of information through verbal, written, or nonverbal means
documentation
written, printed, or electronic matter conveying authoritative information, records, or evidence
electrodiagnostic tests
the use of an electrical current to assist with the diagnosis of a pt’s condition
evaluation
the dynamic process in which the practitioner makes clinical judgments based on data gathered during the examination and identifies problems pertinent to pt management
examination
the process of obtaining a history, performing relevant systems reviews, and selecting and administering specific tests and measures
goniometry
the measurement of the range of motion of a joint of the body
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996
HIPAA
- a federal law enacted to protect health care-related information
kinesthesia
the sense by which position, weight and movement are perceived
orthosis
an orthopedic appliance used to support, align, prevent, or correct deformities or to replace the function of parts of the body
outcome measure
a quantifiable or objective means to determine the effectiveness of treatment or performance that is usually expressed in functional terms
POMR
problem-oriented medical record: a system developed to organize a medical record that uses a common list of pt problems as its base
proprioception
perception mediated by proprioceptors or proprioceptive testing
- sensation and awareness about the movements and position of body parts or the body
prosthesis
the artificial replacement of an absent body part
radiograph
an image or a record produced on exposed or processed film through radiography
- roentgenogram
AIDS
acquired immunodeficiency syndrome caused by HIV (human immunodeficiency virus)
asepsis
absence of microorganisms that produce disease
- the prevention of infection by maintaining a sterile condition
contamination
when something is rendered unclean or nonsterile
decontamination
the use of physical or chemical means to remove, inactivate, or destroy blood-borne pathogens on a surface or item to the point at which they are no longer capable of transmitting infectious particles and the surface or item is rendered sage for handling, use or disposal
disinfection
the destruction or removal of pathogenic organisms by not necessarily their spores
health care-associated infections
infections associated with health care delivery in any setting
- previously known as nosocomial infection
hepatitis
inflammation of the liver
infection
the production of a disease or harmful condition by the entrance of disease-producing germs into an organism
isolation
separation from others
medical asepsis
practices that help reduce the number and spread of microorganisms
microorganism
a tiny living animal or plant that can cause disease
nosocomial
pertaining only to infections originating in a hospital
pathogen
a microorganism that produces disease
PPE
personal protective equipment
- various barriers and respirators used alone or in combination to protect skin, mucous membranes, eyes, airways, and clothing from contact with infectious agents
- gloves, respirators, masks, face shields, goggles, show covers, caps, gowns
respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette
CDC standard that applies to all persons entering a health care setting (visitors, pts, and health care personnel)
sepsis
the presence of pathogenic microorganisms or their toxins in the blood or tissues
spore
a hard, thick-walled capsule formed by some bacteria that contains only the essential parts of the protoplasm of the bacterial cell
sterile
containing no microorganism
- free from germs
sterilization
process by which all microorganisms are destroyed
surgical asepsis
practices that render and keep objects and areas free of all microorganisms
wound
a bodily injury caused by physical means, with disruption of the normal continuity of structures
anterior
situated at or directed toward the front of a body or object
BOS
base of support
- the area on which an object rests and that provides support for the object
COG
the point at which the mass of a body or object is centered
dysfunction
disturbance, impairment, or abnormality of functioning of a body part
friction
the act of rubbing one object against another
gravity
the force that pulls toward the center of the earth and affects all objects
isometric
maintaining or pertaining to the same length
kyphosis
abnormally increased convexity in the curvature of the thoracic spine as viewed from the side
lateral
pertaining to a side (away from the midline)
lever arm
a component of a mechanical lever
- it may be the force arm or the weight (resistance)
- when the length of the force arm is increased or the length of the weight arm is decreased, a greater mechanical advantage is created fro the lever system
lordosis
an increase in one of the forward convexities of the normal vertebral columns
- lumbar or cervical
medial
pertaining to or situated toward the midline of the body
recumbent
lying down
squat
to sit on the heels with the knees fully net
stoop
to bend the body forward or downward by partially bending the knees
torque
the expression of the effectiveness of a force in turning a lever system
T = F x D
valsalva maneuver
increased intrathoracic pressure caused by forcible exhalation against a closed glottis
vector
a quantity possessing magnitude and direction, such as a force or velocity
VGL
vertical gravity line
- imaginary vertical line that passes through the COG of an object
ascend
to go or move upward
condyle
rounded projection on a bone
crash bar
the metal bar on a door that disengages the door latch when it is pushed
descend
to go down
femoral
pertaining to the femur
independent
able to function or perform without assistance from another person
locomotion
the ability to move from one place to another
pedal
pertaining to the foot or feet
pneumatic
of or containing air or gases
popliteal
pertaining to the area behind the knee
propulsion
the act of propelling
- movement of a wheelchair by the person in the chair or by another person
restraint
the forcible confinement or restriction of movement of a person through the use of belts, straps or other similar items
self-closing device
a device attached to a door that closes the door through the use of compressed fluid or air
semipneumatic
partially containing air or gases
anteroposterior
from the front to the back of an object or a living being
bariatric
field of medicine that is concerned with weight loss or that deals with causes, prevention, and treatment of obesity
contralateral
on the other side
dependent
requiring some level or type of assistance, which may be human or mechanical
- the pt is unable to assist with transfers
draw sheet
a small sheet or linen pad placed underneath the pt that extends from the upper trunk to midthigh
exacerbation
an increase in the severity of disease or any of its symptoms
gait belt
an adjustable belt or strap that is secured around a pt’s waist or hips and is used to protect and control the pt during gait activities or transfers
graft
any tissue or organ for transplantation or implantation
hemiplegia
paralysis of one side of the body
ipsilateral
homolateral (same side)
mobility
the ability to move in an environment with ease and without restriction
osteoporosis
a decreased mass per unit volume of normally mineralized bone compared with that in age-matched and sex-matched control subjects
- loss of bone mass
paralysis
loss of power and voluntary movement in a mm through injury or disease of its nerve supply
paresis
partial or incomplete paralysis
plinth
a padded table for a pt to sit or lie on while performing exercises, receiving a massage, or undergoing other physical therapy treatment
syncope
temporary suspension of consciousness as a result of cerebral anemia
- fainting
transfer
the moving of a pt from one surface to another surface
vertigo
a sensation of rotation or movement of one’s self or of one’s surroundings
stereognosis
the ability to recognize the form of an object by touch
joint commision
private, nonprofit organization whose purpose is to encourage the attainment of uniformly high standards of institutional medical care
two-point discrimination
the ability to recognize or differentiate two blunt points when they are simultaneously applied to the skin
ambulation
act of walking or being able to walk
Affected
Attacked by disease, afflicted
assistive device
A piece of equipment used to provide support or stability for a pt when he or she is walking
Axillary crutches
Adjustable or non adjustable wooden or metal crutches that fit under a pt’s upper arms and into the axillary and have a hand piece to grasp
Forearm crutches
Wooden or metal crutches with a full or half cuff that fits over a pts’ forearms and that have a hand piece to grasp
(Lofstrand or Canadian crutches)
Four-point gait
Repetitive, alternating, reciprocal forward movement of an assistive device and a patient’s opposite lower extremity
Immobilized
An object or apparatus that immobilizes or prevents motion, such as a cast or brace
monitor
To check on a given physiological condition or phenomenon, such as blood pressure or heart respiration rate
Parallel bars
Adjustable or non adjustable wooden or metal bars that are horizontal and parallel to each other and attached to vertical uprights to provide stable, non mobile support for a person who requires an assistive device
Platform attachment
Wooden or metal crutches with an adjustable or non adjustable platform for a patients forearm to rest on and aid in WB
Quad cane
A cane with 3-4ft that forms a wider BOS than the single crutch tip
- crab, 3 or 4 footed, hemi cane
Reciprocal
Corresponding but reversed on both sides
Riser
A vertical piece of wood joining two steps
- the back of the step
Three-one-point gait (PWB)
(PWB)
One LE is FWB and the contraLE is PWB
- pt uses bilat canes, crutches, or a walker to partially support BW as pt bears weight on PWB LE
- the FWB LE advances independently and the assistive devices and PWB LE advance simultaneously
Three-one-point gait (NWB)
(NWB)
One LE is FWB and the contra LE is NWB
- pt uses bilat crutches or a walker to suppport his or her weight when the weight-bearing LE advances
Tripod position
The use of 3 points as supports, such as a cane or crutch tips and a pt’s feet, with the tips in front of and to the side of the pt’s feet to from a base of support when the pt stands
Two-point gait
Repetitive, simultaneous, reciprocal forward movement of an assistive device and a person’s opposite LE
Walker
An assistive device that usually has four contacts that are placed on the floor and a frame to support the pt’s weight and provide stability during ambulation
Anticoagulation
The use of drugs to render the blood suffiently unable to create a clot or mass to discourage thrombosis
Arrhythmia
Variation from the normal rhythm, esp of heartbeat
Arterial monitoring line (A line)
A catheter inserted into an artery and attached to an electronic monitoring system to directly measure arterial BP
Catheter
A rubber, plastics, metal, or glass tube used to remove or inject fluids into a pt
Comminuted
Broken or crushed into small pieces
Cyanosis
A bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes caused by excessive concentration of reduced hemoglobin in the blood
Dialysis
The diffusion of solute molecules through a semipermeable membrane passing from the side of higher concentration to the side of lower concentration
- method used in cases of defective renal funciton to remove elements from the blood that are normally excreted in the urine (hemodialysis)
Electrocardiogram
EKG or ECG
- a graphic record of the electrical action of the hear derived by amplification of minutely small electrical impulses normally generated by the heart
Endotracheal tube
ETT
- a hollow tube, approximately 10 inches long, with an inflatable cuff near one end that is inserted and positioned in the trachea
- after the tube has been positioned, the cuff is inflated to maintain the tube’s position so that the pt can breathe through the tube
Fistula
Any abnormal, tube-like passage within body tissue, usually between two internal organs or leading from an internal organ to the body surface
Fowler’s position
- Low fowler’s position in which the head of the pt’s bed is raised 15-30 degrees above level
- semi-fowler’s is where the head of the bed is raised 30-45 degrees
- high fowler’s is when the head of the bed is raised 60-90 degrees
- *knees flexed in all 3 positions
Hyperventilation
Abnormally prolonged and deep breathing
Hypoxia
Deficient oxygenation of the blood
Infusion
Slow therapeutic introduction of fluid other than blood into a vein
Infusion pump
(IMED, IVAC)
- an electronic device designed to automatically control the flow and rate of intravenous fluids into a pt
International nomalized ration
(INR)
- a system established for reporting the results of blood coagulation or clotting tests
Intravenous (IV)
Administration of fluids into a vein through the use of a steel needle or plastic catheter
Intravenous therapy
The introduction of a fluid into a pt’s vein
- nutrients or medications may be supplied intravenously
Mediastinum
The mass of tissues and organs separating the sternum in front and the vertebral column behind, containing the heart and its large vessels, trachea, esophagus, thymus, lymph nodes, and other structures and tissues
Micturition
Voiding of urine
Monitor
An apparatus designed to observe, report, and measure a given condition or phenomenon such as blood pressure, HR, or RR
Myocardial infarction
(MI)
- necrosis of the cells of an area of the heart mm resulting from O2 deprivation caused by obstruction of the blood supply
Nasogastric tube
NG
- a plastic tube usually inserted into a nostril and ending in the stomach
- it can be used to remove fluid or gas from the stomach, monitor the digestive function of the stomach, administer medications or nutrients, or obtain specimens of the stomach contents
Oximeter
A photoelectrical device that measures oxygen saturation of the blood (pulse ox)
Patent
Open, unobstructed, or not closed
Pneumothorax
Accumulation of air or gas in the pleural cavity resulting in collapse of the lung on the affected side
Respirator
Ventilator
Shunt
A passage or anastomoses between two natural vessels, esp between blood vessels
Stoma
An artificial permanent opening, esp in the abdominal wall, that is made in surgical procedures
Suprapubic
Above the pubis
Swan-ganz catheter
A long intravenous tube inserted into a vein (usually the basilic or subclavian vein) and terminating in the pulmonary artery
- a monitor attached to the catheter measures the pulmonary artery pressure and the pulmonary capillary wedge pressure
- it permits evaluation of cardiac function
Tachypnea
Very rapid respirations
Tract
A longitudinal assemblage of tissues or organs (esp a bundle of nerve fibers having a common origin, function and termination) or several anatomic structures arranged in a series and serving a common function
Traction
The exertion of pulling or distracting force to maintain a proper position of bone ends or joints to facilitate the healing process
Trendelenburg position
A position in which the pt lies supine with the head lower than the remainder of the body
Ventilator
A mechanical apparatus designed to intermittently or continuously assist or control pulmonary ventilation (breathing)
- respirator
Wedge pressure
Intravascular pressure measured by a catheter inserted into the pulmonary artery (swan-ganz catheter) to permit indirect measurement of mean left atrial pressure
