Med Term 15 Flashcards
means the evaluation or appraisal of a condition.
assessment
the four key indications that the body systems are functioning. include temperature, pulse, respirations, and blood pressure
vital signs
average normal reading is 98.6 F, or 37 C
temperature
an abnormally low body temperature
hypothermia
means heat
therm/o
an extremely high fever
hyperthermia
the rhythmic pressure against the walls of an artery caused by the contraction of the heart
pulse
the number of complete respirations per minute
respiratory rate
the force of the blood against the walls of the arteries
blood pressure
device used to measure a blood pressure
sphygmomanometer
the top reading of a blood pressure
systolic
the bottom reading of a blood pressure
diastolic
considered to be the fifth vital sign
pain
means listening for sounds within the body and is usually performed through a stethoscope
auscultation
means to listen
auscult/o
means the process of
-tion
an abnormal rattle or crackle like respiratory sound heard during inspiration
rale, aka crackle
an abnormal sound heard while listening to the chest during inspiration, expiration, or both. low pitched, whistle like, or similar to snoring, caused by partial obstruction of the airway
rhonchus
an abnormal high-pitched harsh sound heard during inhalation. the result of a partial blockage of the pharynx, larynx, and trachea
stridor
an abnormal sound heard during auscultation of an artery, usually due to partially blocked, narrowed, or diseased artery, or blood flowing through graft, fistula, or shunt
bruit
an abnormal heart sound that is most commonly a sign of abnormal function of the heart valves
heart murmur
normal noises made by the intestines
abdominal sounds, aka bowel sounds
an examination technique in which the examiner’s hands are used to feel the texture, size, consistency, and location of certain body parts
palpation
a diagnostic procedure designed to determine the density of a body part by the sound produced by tapping the surface with the fingers
percussion
an instrument used to examine the interior of the eye
ophthalmoscope
means eye
ophthalm/o
an instrument used to visually examine the external ear canal and tympanic membrane
otoscope
an instrument used to enlarge the opening of any canal or cavity to facilitate inspection of its interior
speculum
an instrument used to listen to sounds within the body
stethoscope
describes any position in which the patient is lying down
recumbent
the patient is lying on the belly with the face down
prone position
the patient is lying on the back with the face up
horizontal recumbent position, aka supine position
the patient is lying on the back with the knees bent
dorsal recumbent position
the patient is lying on the left side with the right knee and thigh drawn up with the left arm placed along the back, used to examine the rectal area
Sim’s position
the patient is lying face down with the hips bent so that the knees and the chest rest on the table, used for rectal examinations
knee-chest position
position where the patient is lying on the back with the feet and legs raised and supported in stirrups, used for vaginal and rectal examinations and during childbirth
lithotomy position
when immediate results are requested
stat
means tests that are frequently performed as a group on automated multichannel laboratory testing equipment
profile
an individual trained and skilled in phlebotomy
phlebotomist
the puncture of a vein for the purpose of drawing blood
phlebotomy, aka venipuncutre
means vein
phleb/o
the technique used when only a small amount of blood is needed as a specimen for a blood test
capillary puncture
a series of tests performed as a group to evaluate several blood conditions
complete blood cell count
a test based on the speed at which the red blood cells separate from the plasma and settle to the bottom of the container
erythrocyte sedimentation rate, aka sed rate
describes the percentage, by volume, of a blood sample occupied by red cells
hematocrit
means to separate
-crit
measures the number of platelets in a specified amount of blood and is a screening test to evaluate platelet function
platelet count
a determination of the number of erythrocytes in the blood
red blood cell count
usually part of a complete blood count
total hemoglobin test
means protein
-globin
a determination of the number of leukocytes in the blood
white blood cell count
determines what percentage of the total count is composed of each of the 5 types of leukocytes
white blood cell differential test
a group of eight specific blood tests that provide important information about the current status of the patient’s kidneys, electrolyte balance, blood sugar, and calcium levels
basic metabolic panel
measures the amount of nitrogen in the blood due to the wast product urea
blood urea nitrogen test
performed to determine the compatibility of donor and recipient blood before a transfusion
crossmatch tests
performed to identify high levels of inflammation within the body, obtained by the presence of C-reactive protein, which is produced by the liver only during acute inflammation
C-reactive protein test (CRP)
measures the amounts of total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, and triglycerides in a blood sample
lipid panel
a test used to diagnose conditions associated with abnormalities of clotting time and to monitor anticoagulant therapy
prothrombin time
measures the ability of the liver’s ability to take up, process, and secrete bilirubin into the bile
serum bilirubin test
measures circulating blood levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone that can indicate abnormal thyroid activity
thyroid-stimulating hormone assay
the examination of the physical and chemical properties of urine to determine the presence of abnormal elements
urinalysis
describes the degree of acidity or alkalinity of a substance, average range is from 4.5 to 8.0 in urine
pH
reflects the amount of wastes, minerals, and solids that are present in urine
specific gravity
found in small quantities in normal urine and larger amounts in the urine of a diabetic, has a sweet, fruity odor
acetone
the presence of the protein albumin in the urine and is a sign of impaired kidney function
albuminuria
means albumin or protein
albumin/o
the presence of bacteria in the urine
bacteriuria
means bacteria
bacteri/o
the presence of calcium in the urine
calciuria
means calcium
calci/o
an increased concentration of creatine in the urine
creatinuria
means creatinine
creatin/o
a rapid method of identifying the presence in the body of one or more drugs of abuse such as cocaine, heroin, and marijuana
drug-screening
presence of glucose in the urine, and is most commonly caused by diabetes
glycosuria
means glucose
glycos/o
the presence of blood in the urine
hematuria
the presence of ketones in the urine
ketonuria
means ketones
keton/o
the presence of an abnormal amount of protein in the urine
proteinuria
the presence of pus in the urine
pyuria
laboratory tests that are used to identify the cause of a urinary tract infection and to determine which antibiotic would be the most effective treatment
urine culture and sensitivity tests
the visual examination of the interior of a body cavity
endoscopy
describes a surgical procedure performed through very small incision with the use of an endoscope and specialized instruments
endoscopic surgery
a small flexible tube with a light and a lens on the end, used to examine
endoscope
the visual examination of the interior of the abdomen with the use of a laparoscope that is passed through a small incision in the abdominal wall
laparoscopy
means abdomen
lapar/o
a surgical puncture to remove fluid for more diagnostic purposes or to remove excess fluid
centesis
the surgical puncture of the abdominal cavity to remove fluid
abdominocentesis
a surgical puncture of the joint space to remove synovial fluid for analysis to determine the cause of pain or swelling in a joint
arthrocentesis
the puncture of a chamber of the heart for diagnosis or therapy
cardiocentesis, aka cardiopuncture
the puncture of the pericardial sac for the purpose of removing fluid
pericardiocentesis
the surgical puncture of the tympanic membrane with a needle to remove fluid or pus from an infected middle ear
tympanocentesis
administered by swallowing, via an enema, or intravenously to make specific body structures visible
contrast medium
means that the substance does not allow x-rays to pass through and appears white or light gray on the resulting film
radiopaque
means that the substance, such as air or nitrogen gas, does allow x-rays to pass through and appears black or dark gray on the resulting film
radiolucent
injected into a vein to make the flow of blood through blood vessels and organs visible
intravenous contrast medium
a radiopaque contrast medium used primarily to visualize the gastrointestinal tract
barium
an image of hard-tissue internal structures is created by the exposure of sensitized film to x-radiation
radiology
a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases and disorders with x-rays and other forms of radian energy
radiologist
describes the body placement and the part of the body closest to the x-ray film
radiographic positioning
describes the path that the x-ray beam follows through the body from entrance to exit
radiographic projection
has the patient positioned with the back parallel to the film
anteroposterior projection
has the patient positioned facing the film and parallel to it
posteroanterior projection
has the patient positioned at right angles to the film
lateral projection
has the patient positioned so the body is slanted sideways to the film
oblique projection
means that the film is placed and exposed outside of the mouth
extraoral radiography
show all of the structures in both dental arches in a single film
panoramic radiograph, aka Panorex
means that the film is placed within the mouth and exposed by a camera positioned next to the exterior of the cheek
intraoral radiography
show the entire tooth and some surrounding tissue
periapical radiographs
show the crowns of the teeth in both arches on one side of the mouth, used primarily to detect dental decay between the teeth
bite-wing radiographs
uses a thin, fan-shaped x-ray beam that rotates around the patient to produce multiple cross-sectional views of the body
computed tomography
means to cut, section, or slice
tom/o
uses a combination of radio waves and a strong magnetic field to create signals that are sent to a computer and converted into images of any plane through the body
magnetic resonance imaging
combines MRI with the use of a contrast medium to locate problems within blood vessels throughout the body
magnetic resonance angiography
the visualization of body parts in motion by projecting x-ray images on a luminous fluorescent screen
fluoroscopy
means glowing
fluor/o
the recording of images as they appear in motion on a fluorescent screen
cineradiography
means relationship to movement
cine-
imaging of deep body structures by recording the echoes of pulses of sound waves that are above the range of human hearing
ultrasonography
means beyond
ultra-
means sound
son/o
the image created by ultrasonography
sonogram
an ultrasonic diagnostic procedure used to evaluate the structures and motion of the heart
echocardiography
performed in the same way as an echocardiogram, but measures the speed and direction of the blood flow within the heart
doppler echocardiogram
a noninvasive procedure used to image and evaluate fetal development during pregnancy
fetal ultrasound
an ultrasonic imaging technique used to evaluate heart structures
transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)
when radioactive substances are administered for either diagnostic or treatment purposes
nuclear medicine
the radioactive substances used in nuclear medicine
radiopharmaceuticals
when nuclear medicine is used for diagnostic purposes
nuclear imaging
a diagnostic procedure that uses nuclear medicine technology to gather info about the structure and function of organs or body systems that cannot be seen on conventional x-rays
nuclear scan, aka scintigram
nuclear scanning test that identifies new areas of bone growth or breakdown
bone scan
a radiopharmaceutical containing radioactive iodine in this test
thyroid scan
a type of nuclear imaging test that produces 3D computer-reconstructed images showing perfusion through tissues and organs
single photon emission computed tomography, aka SPECT
means the flow of blood through an organ
perfusion
combines tomography with radionuclide tracers to produce enhanced images of selected body organs or areas
positron emission tomography, aka PET imaging
the study of the nature, uses, and effects of drugs for medical purposes
pharmacology
means drug
pharmac/o
a licensed specialist who formulates and dispenses prescribed medications
pharmacist
a medication that can legally be dispensed only by a pharmacist with an order from a licensed professional such as a physician or dentist
prescription
a medication that can be purchased without a prescription
over-the-counter
drug usually named for its chemical structure and is not protected by a brand name or trademark
generic
drug sold under the name given the drug by the manufacturer. Always spelled with a capital leter
brand-name
a compulsive, uncontrollable dependence on a drug, alcohol, or other substance. can also be a habit, or practice
addiction
an undesirable reaction that accompanies the principal response for which the drug was taken
adverse drug reaction, aka side effect
the patient’s consistency and accuracy in following the regimen prescribed by a physician or other health care professional
compliance
a factor in the patient’s condition that makes the use of a medication or specific treatment dangerous or ill advised
contraindication
the result of drugs reacting with each other, often in ways that are unexpected or potentially harmful
drug interaction
an unexpected reaction to a drug that is peculiar to the individual
idiosyncratic reaction
a substance that eases the pain or severity of the symptoms of a disease, but does not cure it
palliative
the result of medical treatment that yields the exact opposite of normally expected results
paradoxical reaction
an inactive substance, such as a sugar pill or liquid, that is administered only for its suggestive effects
placebo
a drug interaction that occurs when the effect of one drug is increased by another drug, herbal remedy, or other treatment
potentiation
medication administered to prevent or reduce fever
antipyretic
refers to the class of drugs that relieves pain without affecting consciousness
analgesic
an analgesic that reduces pain and fever, but does not relieve inflammation. found in tylenol
acetaminophen
nonnarcotic analgesics administered to control pain by reducing inflammation and swelling
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, aka NSAIDS
a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicine that is sold over the counter under the brand names of Advil and Motrin, used for arthritis
Ibuprofen
traditionally administered to prevent seizures such as those associated with epilepsy
anticonvulsant
primarily administered to prevent or relieve depression
antidepressant
applied topically to relive pain due to conditions such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
pain-relieving creams
a method of pain control by wearing a device that delivers small electrical impulses, as needed, to the nerve endings through the skin
transcutaneous electronic nerve stimulation, aka TENS
means across
trans-
describes vapors and gases taken in through the nose or mouth and absorbed into the bloodstream through the lungs
inhalation administration
refers to medications taken by mouth to be absorbed through the walls of the stomach or small intestine
oral administration
the insertion of medication in the rectum either in the form of a suppository or a liquid
rectal administration
the placement of medication under the tongue where it is allowed to dissolve slowly
sublingual administration
means tongue
lingu/o
a liquid or ointment that is rubbed into the skin on the area to be treated
topical application
medication that is administered from a patch that is applied to unbroken skin
transdermal
means taken into the body, or administered, in a manner other than through the digestive tract
parenteral
made into the fatty layer just below the skin
subcutaneous injection
made into the middle layers of the skin
intradermal injection
made directly into the muscle tissue
intramuscular injection
made directly into a vein
intravenous injection
a single, concentrated dose of drug usually injected into a blood vessel over a short period of time
bolus
at
@
before meals
ac
as desired
ad lib
amount
amt
bid, b.i.d.
twice a day
nothing by mouth
NPO
after meals
p.c.
by mouth
p.o.
as needed
p.r.n.
every day
q.d.
every hour
q.h.
four times a day
q.i.d.
prescription
Rx
to be labeled accordingly
sig
three times a day
t.i.d.
