med term Flashcards
afebrile
without a fever
constitutional/general
level 1
auscultation
listening to sounds produced within the body, usually using a stethoscope
constitutional/general
level 1
baseline
the normal state of being or starting point
constitutional/general
level 1
combative
ready or inclined to fight; aggressively uncooperative
constitutional/general
level 1
constitutional
affecting the whole constitution of the body, not local
constitutional/general
level 1
dehydration
excessive loss of body water; dry lips and mucosa are some of the signs of dehydration
constitutional/general
level 1
differential diagnosis
a disease or condition which the provider thinks could be the cause of a patient’s symptoms; usually ruled-in or ruled-out by testing
constitutional/general
level 1
distress
mental or physical suffering or pain
constitutional/general
level 1
febrile
increased body temperature, with fever, or caused by fever
constitutional/general
level 1
infarct
a localized area of dead tissue resulting from lack of blood supply
constitutional/general
level 1
ischemia
inadequate blood supply to an organ or part of the body
constitutional/general
level 1
lethargy
extreme fatigue or drowsiness
constitutional/general
level 1
malaise
general feeling of discomfort or illness
constitutional/general
level 1
morbidly obese
extremely overweight; body mass index (BMI) over 40
constitutional/general
level 1
palpable
able to be touched or felt; easily perceived
constitutional/general
level 1
sepsis
the presence of infectious organisms or toxins in the blood
constitutional/general
level 1
somnolent
sleepy or drowsy
constitutional/general
level 1
benign
mild type, or does not threaten health or life
constitutional/general
level 2
cachectic
abnormally thin and malnourished, emaciated
constitutional/general
level 2
hemorrhage
profuse bleeding from a ruptured blood vessel
constitutional/general
level 2
polydipsia
abnormal or excessive thirst, can be indicative of diabetes
constitutional/general
level 2
rhabdomyolysis
the breakdown of muscle tissue that leads to the release of muscle fiber contents into the blood; can cause kidney damage
constitutional/general
level 2
rigors
tremors/exaggerated shivering caused by a chill, usually in case of fever
constitutional/general
level 2
acute
new/abrupt onset and duration; the opposite of chronic
symptom timing
level 1
acute on chronic
a sudden exacerbation of chronic symptoms
symptom timing
level 1
chronic
constant or of long duration, opposite of acute
symptom timing
level 1
episodic
symptom that occurs occasionally at irregular intervals
symptom timing
level 1
gradual onset
symptoms that progress slowly from mild to severe symptoms; develop gradually
symptom timing
level 1
intermittent
used to describe symptoms that completely resolved in between returning
symptom timing
level 1
resolved
symptoms are completely gone
symptom timing
level 1
transient
a symptom having a short duration which resolves spontaneously
symptom timing
level 1
waxing and waning
the symptom is always present, never fully resolving but does increase/decrease in severity at times
symptom timing
level 1
atraumatic
not producing injury or damage; important to document for patients who present for injury or pain
head
level 1
Battle’s Sign
discoloration/bruising behind the ears, often associated with a basilar skull fracture
head
level 1
meningitis
inflammation/infection of the meninges, the membranes that cover the brain
head
level 1
raccoon eyes
bilateral ecchymosis (bruising) in the periorbital region (around the eyes), suggestive of a basilar skull fracture; also, referred to as periorbital ecchymosis
head
level 1
sinusitis
inflammation/infection of the sinuses, causes sinus pressure
head
level 1
TMJ disorder
can cause pain in your jaw joint and in the muscles that control jaw movement
head
level 1
anterior fontanel
anatomical feature of an infant’s skull, also called a soft spot; the anterior fontanel is a space between the frontal and parietal bones which normally closes within 18-24 months
head
level 2
normocephalic
the head is of normal shape and normal size
head
level 2
conjunctival injection
redness in the white part of the eye; indicates inflammation of the conjunctiva (conjunctivitis)
eyes
level 1
conjunctival exudate
pus-like material in the eyes; usually indicates conjunctivitis
eyes
level 1
corneal abrasion
a scratch to the cornea of the eye; the cornea is the clear, front surface of the eye located directly in front of the colored part of the eye (iris)
eyes
level 1
diplopia
also known as double vision, the simultaneous perception of two images of a single object
eyes
level 1
Fluorescein
An orange dye which is applied to the eye to detect corneal abrasions.
PERRL
Pupils Equal, Round, Reactive to Light
eyes
level 1
photophobia
extreme sensitivity to light
eyes
level 1
proparacaine
local anesthetic, often applied to the eyes in the form of drops
eyes
level 1
slit lamp
a microscope used during eye exams that can detect any small abnormalities
eyes
level 1
anisocoria
condition characterized by unequal pupil sizes
eyes
level 2
chalazion
a small swelling or lump on your eyelid caused by a blocked gland
eyes
level 2
EOMI
Extraocular Movements Intact; refers to the normal movement of the extraocular muscles, which are the muscles that control eye movement
eyes
level 2
nystagmus
involuntary, rapid movement of the eye balls; can be horizontal or vertical
eyes
level 2
pale palpebral conjunctiva
paleness of the inner lining of the eyelid, indicates anemia
eyes
level 2
periorbital ecchymosis
bruising around the eyes, also called raccoon eyes. a skull fracture
eyes
level 2
scleral icterus
yellowing of the sclera, or white part of the eye, due to jaundice
eyes
level 2
subconjunctival hemorrhage
bleeding in the white part of the eye; occurs when a blood vessel breaks underneath the conjunctiva of the eye
eyes
level 2
coloboma
a hole in one of the structures of the eye
eyes
level 3
conjugate gaze
the paired movements of the eyes as they track moving objects
eyes
level 3
fundoscopic exam
use of the ophthalmoscope to examine the eye
eyes
level 3
hyphema
a collection of blood inside the anterior chamber of the eye, between the cornea and the iris; most often caused by trauma to the eye
eyes
level 3
palpebral
of or relating to the eyelids
eyes
level 3
papilledema
optic disc swelling caused by increased intracranial pressure
eyes
level 3
ptosis
drooping or falling of the upper eyelid
eyes
level 3
seidel test
an eye test used to assess the presence of anterior chamber leakage in the cornea
eyes
level 3
strabismus
abnormal alignment of the eyes, the eyes appear to be looking in different directions; esotropia is when one or more eyes turn inwards and exotropia is where one or more eyes turn outwards
eyes
level 3
cauliflower ear
a deformity of the ear caused by blunt trauma or injury that results in a collection of blood or fluid in the outer ear
ears
level 1
cerumen
earwax
ears
level 1
cerumen impaction
the buildup of cerumen in the ear canal to the point of being unable to visualize the TM
ears
level 1
ceruminosis
copious amount of earwax without obstructing the view of the TM
ears
level 1
mastoid
the process of the temporal bone behind the ear
ears
level 1
otitis externa
infection of the ear canal. Also known as swimmer’s ear as this condition is common among swimmers; treated with antibiotic ear drops
ears
level 1
otitis media
infection of the middle ear; common in children and treated with PO antibiotics
ears
level 1
pinna
the external part of the ear, also called auricle
ears
level 1
tinnitus
ringing or buzzing in the ears
ears
level 1
TM
Tympanic Membrane; also known as the eardrum
ears
level 1
TM bulging
protruding or outward curve of the TM; usually indicates pressure, inflammation, or fluid behind the TM
ears
level 1
TM erythema
redness of the tympanic membrane, usually indicates an ear infection (otitis media)
ears
level 1
friable
easily broken into smaller pieces
ears
level 2
hemotympanum
blood behind the tympanic membrane (ear drum), usually caused by trauma to the head and may indicate a skull fracture
ears
level 2
otalgia
ear ache/pain
ears
level 2
TM dullness
loss of light reflection of the tympanic membrane, usually indicates ear infection
ears
level 2
TM perforation
a hole or break in the tympanic membrane
ears
level 2
boggy mucosa
swollen nasal turbinates
nose
level 1
deviated septum
when the nasal septum is off center, or crooked, sometimes making breathing difficult
nose
level 1
epistaxis
nose bleed
nose
level 1
naris
a nostril (singular), plural form is nares
nose
level 1
rhinorrhea
clear nasal drainage, also referred to as a runny nose
nose
level 1
septal hematoma
a collection of blood within the septum of the nose, usually occurs due to trauma to the nose; septal hematomas are always drained because failure to drain them can lead to avascular necrosis of the septal cartilage
nose
level 1
turbinates
a network of bones, vessels and tissue within the nasal passageways which are responsible for warming, humidifying, and filtering the air we breathe
nose
level 1
cobblestoning
a lumpy appearance of the oropharynx
throat
level 1
dysphagia
difficulty swallowing
throat
level 1
nasopharynx
the upper part of the pharynx (throat), connecting with the nasal cavity
throat
level 1
oropharynx
portion of the pharynx (throat) which starts at the back of the mouth
throat
level 1
peritonsillar abscess
an abscess, collection of pus, near the tonsil
throat
level 1
pharyngitis
inflammation of the pharynx; usually indicates infection of the throat
throat
level 1
patent airway
an airway which is open and clear
throat
level 2
pharyngeal erythema
redness of the pharynx (throat)
throat
level 2
tonsillar edema
swelling of the tonsils
throat
level 2
tonsillar exudate
white material or pus present on the tonsils; usually indicates pharyngitis or strep throat
throat
level 2
tonsillar hypertrophy
enlarged tonsils
throat
level 2
uvula midline
the uvula is in the normal position in the oropharynx, not shifted or deviated
throat
level 2
halitosis
bad/foul smelling breath
mouth/dental
level 1
sublingual edema
swelling to the area below the tongue which can indicate Ludwig’s angina, an infection of the floor of the mouth; Ludwig’s angina may lead to difficulty breathing and airway blockage due to the swelling
mouth/dental
level 1
trismus
inability to open the mouth completely, usually due to stiffness or spasms of the jaw muscles
mouth/dental
level 1
aphthous ulcer
also called canker sores; small, shallow, lesions that develop inside the mouth
mouth/dental
level 2
caries
decay of bone or tooth, cavities
mouth/dental
level 2
edentulous
lacking any teeth
mouth/dental
level 2
gingival edema
swelling of the gums (gingiva)
mouth/dental
level 2
thrush
a yeast infection of the tongue and lining of the mouth
mouth/dental
level 2
cheilosis
dry scaling and fissuring of the lips
mouth/dental
level 3
malocclusion
abnormal alignment of the upper and lower teeth, concerning for jaw fracture
mouth/dental
level 3
ptyalism
excess production of saliva
mouth/dental
level 3
xerostomia
the subjective feeling of oral dryness, dry mouth
mouth/dental
level 3
C-Spine
Cervical spine (neck), C1-C7
neck
level 1
Jugular Vein Distention (JVD)
this is bulging of the external jugular vein which indicates increased blood volume and usually congestive heart failure (CHF)
neck
level 1
nuchal rigidity
impaired neck flexion due to stiffness of neck
neck
level 1
supple
capable of moving and bending without difficulty, not stiff
neck
level 1
lymphadenopathy
enlargement or swelling of lymph nodes
neck
level 2
meningismus
an accumulation of signs and symptoms (e.g. headache and neck stiffness) suggestive of meningitis
neck
level 2
thyromegaly
enlarged thyroid
neck
level 2
trachea midline
the trachea is in the center of the neck and not deviated to one side; deviation to either side would suggest a pneumothorax
neck
level 2
Brudzinkski’s Sign
positive when flexing a patient’s neck forward causes them to flex their hip and knees or it causes them pain; a positive test indicates meningitis.
neck
level 3
carotid bruit
audible sound of turbulent blood flow heard over the carotid artery during auscultation; indicates narrowing of the artery
neck
level 3
Kernig’s Sign
performed by flexing the patient’s hip to 90 degrees then extending their knee; if pain is elicited during the test, the test is positive; a positive test indicates meningitis
neck
level 3
A-fib (Atrial Fibrillation)
irregular beating of the atria; can cause pooling of blood in the heart which can then lead to formation of a blood clot; noted as an irregularly irregular rhythm upon physical exam
cardiovascular
level 1
A-flutter (Atrial Flutter)
well organized but overly-rapid beating of the atria
cardiovascular
level 1
aneurysm
a localized widening of an artery or vein due to the vessel wall being weakened
cardiovascular
level 1
angina
chest pain due to ischemia (lack of oxygen) of the heart muscle
cardiovascular
level 1
arrhythmia
irregular heartbeat
cardiovascular
level 1
artery
blood vessel which carries blood away from the heart to the body
cardiovascular
level 1
bradycardia
heart rate which is slower than normal, less than 60 beats per minute for the average adult; physically fit individuals (like runners) may have a resting heart rate which is normally below 60 bpm
cardiovascular
level 1
EKG/ECG (Electrocardiogram)
measurement of the electrical activity of the heart
cardiovascular
level 1
embolism
obstruction of a blood vessel, typically by a blood clot or air bubble
cardiovascular
level 1
hypertension
repeatedly elevated blood pressure exceeding or equal to a systolic pressure of 140 mmHg or a diastolic pressure of 90 mmHg
cardiovascular
level 1
hypotension
low blood pressure, systolic pressure less than 90 mmHg or a diastolic pressure less than 60 mmHg
cardiovascular
level 1
MI (Myocardial Infarction)
death of cardiac muscle due to ischemia (inadequate blood supply to the heart); a heart attack
cardiovascular
level 1
murmur
abnormal heart sound which is rated on a scale of 1-6
cardiovascular
level 1
palpitations
a feeling or sensation of rapid, strong, or irregular heartbeat
cardiovascular
level 1
pericarditis
inflammation of the pericardium, the saclike membrane surrounding the heart
cardiovascular
level 1
PVC
premature ventricular contraction, visible on an EKG
cardiovascular
level 1
regular rate
heart rate which is between 60 and 100 beats per minute
cardiovascular
level 1
regular rhythm
the heart is in Normal Sinus Rhythm (NSR)
cardiovascular
level 1
STEMI
ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction; a heart attack diagnosed when the EKG shows ST segment elevation
cardiovascular
level 1
stent
a small tube which is used to treat narrow or weak arteries; used to treat coronary artery disease
cardiovascular
level 1
SVT
Supraventricular Tachycardia; rapid heartbeat which develops due to a malfunction of the electrical system of the heart
cardiovascular
level 1
tachycardia
heart rate which is faster than normal, faster than 100 beats per minute
cardiovascular
level 1
thrombus
blood clot within a blood vessel which is impeding blood flow
cardiovascular
level 1
vein
vessel carrying blood towards the heart
cardiovascular
level 1
V-fib (Ventricular fibrillation)
very rapid, uncoordinated fluttering contractions of the ventricles of the heart, requires immediate electrical cardioversion
cardiovascular
level 1