Med Terminology Flashcards
Abrasion
Scrape of the skin due to something abrasive
Acute
New, usually rapid onset and of concern, opposite of chronic
Ambulate
To walk from place to place
Anterior
Located towards the front of the body
Artery
Blood vessel carrying blood away from the heart
Benign
Normal, of no danger to health
Bradycardia
Slow HR less than 60 bpm
Cardiomegaly
Enlarged heart
Cholecystitis
Inflammation of the cholecyst (gallbladder)
Chronic
Long-standing, constant opposite of acute
COPD
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, lung Dz commonly seen in smokers
Coronary Artery
Main artery that carries blood to the heart tissues
Cerebrovascular Accident CVA
AKA Stroke, lack of blood supply to the brain leading to brain damage
DIAPHORESIS
Sweating
Distal
Farther from the trunk of the body
Deep Vein Thrombosis DVT
Blood clot in a deep vein most often an extremity
Dyspnea
Problems with breathing
Dysuria
Painful urination
Ecchymosis
Bruise
Edema
Swelling
Emesis
Vomiting
Epistaxis
Nose bleed
Erythema/Erythematous
Redness/red
Febrile
Elevated body temperature, fever. indicative of infection
Grossly
OBviously; a lot; wholly
Hematemesis
Very large amounts of blood in vomit
Hematuria
Very large amount of blood in the urine
Hemoptysis
Coughing up large amounts of blood
Hemorrhage
Excessive or profuse bleeding
Hepatomegaly
Enlarged liver
Hypertension
High blood pressure
Hypotension
Low blood pressure
Hypoxia
Low oxygen saturation of the body, not enough oxygen in the blood
Infarct
Area of dead tissue after a lack of blood supply
Inferior
Lower on the body, farther from the head
Ischemia
Lack of blood supply
Laceration
Splitting of the skin due to trauma ( a cut due to something sharp)
Lateral
Farther from the midline (a line that can be traced from the nose to the belly-button)
Medial
Nearer to the midline
Melina
Black tarry stool
Myocardial Infarction MI
Death of cardiac muscle due to ischemia
Myalgia
Muscular pain “muscle aches”
Oriented x3
Oriented to persona, place and time
Pallor
Pale skin
Posterior/Dorsal
Rear or backside of the body
Proximal
Neared to the trunk of the body
Pruritic
Itchy
Pulmonary Embolism PE
Blocking of a pulmonary artery due to a blood clot
Purulent
Pus-like
Rales
Crackles; wet crackling noise in the lungs
Rhinorrhea
Clear nasal discharge, ‘‘runny nose”
rhonchi
Rattling noise of mucous in the lungs
Sepsis
Dangerous infect of the blood
STEMI
St elevation MI, real-time ongoing death of heart tissue due to ischemia
Superior
Higher on the body, nearer to the head
Supine
Body position lying face up
Syncope
“Passing out” loss of consciousness or fainting
Tachycardia
Fast HR above 100 bpm
Tachypnea
Increased breathing rate
Transient Ischemic Attack TIA
Minor stroke; where neurological function is regained quickly with time
Vein
Blood vessel arriving blood towards the heart
Vertigo
Condition of dizziness ‘room spinning’
Wheezing
High pitched sound of heard in the lungs with asthmatics or lung disease
AAA
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
A Fib
Atrial fibrillation
Abd
Abdomen, abdominal
Abx
Antibiotics
AMA
Against medical advice
AMS
Altered mental state
ASA
Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin)
BID
Twice daily
Bilat LE
Bilateral lower extremities
BM
Bowel movement
BP
Blood pressure
CA
Cancer,carcinoma
CABG
Coronary Artery Bypass Graft “open heart surgery”
CAD
Coronary artery disease
CT or CAT
Computerized assisted tomography
CHF
Congestive heart failure
COPD
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
CP
Chest pain
CPR
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
C-section
Caesarean section
C-spine
Cervical spine
CSF
Cerebral spinal fluid
CVA
Cerebrovascular accident or Costovertebral angle
CXR
Chest X-Ray
DKA
Diabetic ketoacidosis
DM
Diabetes Mellitus
DNR
Do not resuscitate
DOE
Dyspnea on exertion
DVT
Deep vein thrombosis
Dx
Diagnosis
Dz
Disease
EKG/ECG
Electrocardiogram
EtOH
Alcohol
FHx
Family history
Fx
Fracture
GI
Gastrointestinal
G/P/Ab
Gravies/Para/abortion
GSW
Gunshot wound
GU
Genitourinary
HA
Headache
HEENT
Head eye ears nose throat
HPI
History of present illness
HTN
Hypertension
Hx
History
H&H
Hemoglobin and hematocrit
H&P
History of present illness and physical exam
I&D
Incision and drainage
IDDM
insulin dependent diabetes mellitus
IUP
Intrauterine pregnancy
IVDA
IV drug abuse
JVD
Jugular vein distension
LLE
Left lower extremity
LLQ
Left lower quadrant
LNMP
Last normal menstrual period
LOC
Level of consciousness
LP
Lumbar puncture
L-spine
Lumbar spine
LUE
Left upper extremity
LUQ
Left upper quadrant
MCA
Motorcycle accident
MI
Myocardial infarction
MVA or MVC
Motor vehicle accident or collision
N/A
Not appicable
BAD
No acute distress, no acute disease
NIDDM
Non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus
NKDA
No known drug allergies
Nml - or - nl
Normal
NSAID
Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug
NSR
Normal sinus rhythm
NTG
Nitroglycerin
N/V/D
Nausea/vomiting/ diarrhea
O2 Sat
Oxygen saturation aka SaO2
OD
Overdose
PCP
Primary care physician
PE
Pulmonary embolism or physical exam
PERRL
Pupils are equal, round, and reactive to light
PO
Per Os (by mouth)
prn
As needed
Pt
Patient
PTA
Prior to arrival
PUD
Peptic ulcer disease
qd
Every day
qh
Every hour
qhs
At every bedtime
q2h
Every 2 hours
QID
Four times a day
RLE
Right lower extremity
RLQ
Right lower quadrant
ROM
Range of motion
ROS
Review of system
RUE
Right upper extremity
RUQ
Right upper quadrant
Rx
Prescription
r/o
Rule out
SOB
Shortness of breath
s/p
Status post (after)
Sx
Symptoms
TIA
Transient Ischemic Attack
TID
Three times a day
TM
Tympanic membrane
T-spine
Thoracic spine
Tx
Treatment
UA
Urinalysis
URI
Upper respiratory infection
UTI
Urinary tract infection
WNL
Within normal limits
UTD
Up to date
C/O
Complains of
Anisarca
Total body swelling
Auscultation
Listening with the stethoscope
Baseline
The normal state of being for each specific patient
Differential diagnosis
The diseases that a physician is considering as the reason for the patients Sx
A diagnosis of symptoms of two or more diseases by comparison
Fundus
The bottom aperture of the internal surface of a hollow organ; often referring to the uterus or eye
Malodorous
Foul-smelling
Os
Any body orifice
Palpable
Able to be touched or easily perceived
Polydipsia
Persistent thirst or frequent drinking of liquids; possible indicative of diabetes
Rupture
The breaking open of a bodily structure
Sepsis
Dangerous infection of the blood with pathological micro organisms or their toxins
Avulsion
A forcible pulling away of a part or structure
Crepitus
Crackling or grating sound usually of bones
Effusion
Escape of fluid into a cavity
Hemangioma
Tumor consisting of blood vessels
Stellate
Star-shaped, radiating from the center
Acute on chronic
New exacerbation of a chronic condition
Fluctuating
Sx that are always present but changing in severity, never fully resolving
Intermittent
Sx that completely resolve at times, but continue to return repeatedly
Paroxysmal
Occasional sporadic transient
Resolved
Gone, no longer existing
Transient
Resolving spontaneously after onset
Abduction
Draws away from the midline
Adduction
Draws toward the midline
Anatomical position
To stand erect with arms at the sides and palms of the hands turned forward
Articulation
Connection between bones; joint
Axilla
Armpit
Caudal
Towards the feet
Cephalad
Towards the head
Cervical
Pertaining to the neck or to the cervix of the uterus
Deep
Farther from the surface
Diffuse
Spread out over a wide area
Dorsiflexion
Backward flexion, as in bending backward either hand or foot
Everted
Turned outward
Extension
Straightening out
External
Outside
Flexion
Bending or angulation
Frontal/coronal plane
Divided body into anterior and posterior parts
Internal
Inside
Inverted
Tuned inward
Lateral
Farther from the midline
Midline
Divides body into right and left
Palmer or Volar
Palm side of the hand of body
Plantar
Sole of foot
Posterior or dosal
Rear or back
Pronator
Tht which turns palm of hand downward
Prone
Body position lying face down with forearms and hands turned palm side down
Proximal
Nearer to the limb root
Radial aspect
Pertaining to the radial (lateral) side of the arm
Superficial
Nearer to the surface
Supinator
That which turns palm of hand upward
Transverse plane
Right angles to the long axis;divides the body into upper and lower parts
Ulnar aspect
Pertaining to the ulnar (medial) side of the arm
Afebrile
Without fever
Alert
Looking around, awake, attentitive
Body habits
The state of the patient’s body, often referring to obesity
Cachectic
Extremely skinny, bony, malnourished
Constitutional
The general appearance and nature of a patient
Dehydrated
General appearance of lacking water; dry lips, dry mucosa
Distress
Patient’s inability to tolerate their body-state, due to pain or respiratory failure
Elderly
Appearing old
Emaciated
Extremely thin and malnourished wasting
Ill appearing
Not appearing healthy
Inconsolable
When an infant or baby cannot be made to stop crying
Malaise
Generalized feeling of discomfort or lack of well-being
Malnourished
Poor nutritional state
Morbidly obese
Extremely overweight
Non-toxic
Appearing stable and at no risk of deterioration
Somnolent
Appearing drowsy
Tearful
The state of crying or being about to cry
Uncooperative
Does not follow commands or go along with physician requests
Unkempt
Poor self hygiene
Well developed
Normal state of mental and body development
Atraumatic or Normocephalic
ATNC; normal external head inspection
Battles Sign
Bruising behind the ears, indicative of basilar skull fracture
Cephalgia
Headache
Encephalopathy
Disease of the brain
Facial angioedema
Swelling of the face often secondary to an allergic reaction
Fontanel
Anatomical feature of an infant’s skull, the”soft-spot”
Frontal
He forehead and the anterior top of the skull
Meningitis
Infection of the meninges, the membranes that contain the brain and spinal cord
Occipital/occiput
The most posterior part of the skull the back of the head
Parietal
Location across the posterior top of the skull
Raccoon eyes
Brushing around the eyes, indicative of basilar skull fracture
Sinusitis
Infection of the sinuses, usually causing sinus pressure
Temporal
The sides of the head, near the temples
Aniscoria
Unequal diameter of pupils
Conjunctiva
Thin outer lining of the eye and eyelid
Conjunctival exudate
Pus in the eyes
Cornea
Transparent frontal aspect of the eye, covering both the iris and pupil
Diploplia
Diagnosis of double vision
EOMI
Extra ocular muscles intact
Flouresceine uptake
Demonstrates the presence of a corneal abrasion
Fluorescein
Orange/yellow eyes drops used ot detect corneal lesions, abrasions, or foreign bodies
Fundoscopic exam
The use of an ophthalmoscope to look through the pupil and examine the interior surface of the posterior eye
Fundus of the eye
Interior surface of eye
Hyphema
Blood in anterior chamber of the eye, as seen during the fundoscopic exam
Lacrimal
Referring to tears
Nystagmus
Involuntary “shaking” eye movements, rather than normal continuous smooth motion
Ophthalmalgia
Pain in the eye
Pale conjunctiva
Pale inner aspect of the eyelid most often due to anemia
Papilledema
Swelling of optic disk due to increased intracranial pressure, seen fundoscopically
Periorbital ecchymosis
Bruising around
Photophobia
Light sensitivity
Sclera
Dense, fibrous, opaque outer coat enclosing the eyeball except the part covered by the cornea
Sclera Icterus
Yellowing of the sclera due to jaundice
Stye/Hordeolum
Small infected bump on the eyelid, usually in between the eyelash hairs
Subconjunctival Hemorrhage
Blood in the white part of the eye
Sunken eyes
Sign of dehydration
Auricle
External portion of the ear
Cerumen
Earwax
Labyrinthitis
Infection of the deep inner ear, known as the labyrinth, often causes vertigo
Loss of landmarks
The TM is opaque, no longer transparent, indicates ear infection
Otalgia
Ear ache
Otitis externa
Outer ear infection
Tinnitus
“Ringing in the ears”, the perception of ringing even with no external stimuli
TM Bulging
“Outpouching” of the TM indicative of inflammation
TM dullness
Absence of light reflection, indicative of ear infection
TM Erythema
Redness of the TM often indicative of infection
TM Perforation
Rupture of the eardrum
Tympanic Membrane
TM, the clear membrane inside the ear; ear drum
Naris
Nostril (plural Nares)
Septal Hematoma
Bruise/swelling of septum (sign of nose fracture)
Decreases gag reflex
Indicative of decreased LOC or brain stem injury. Concern airway protection
Dentition
Teeth
Dry mucosa
Dry tongue, mouth, and lips, indicating significant dehydration
Edentulous
Without teeth
Gingiva
Gums
Lingual
Referring to the tongue
Malocclusion
Imperfect closure of opposing teeth, indicative of trauma or jaw fracture
Nasopharynx
The far back of the nasal canal, where it joins the back of the throat
Odontolgia
Toothache
Odynophagia
Painful swallowing
Oropharynx
The back of the mouth, where it meets the throat
Peritonsillar abscess
Collection of pus or fluid around the tonsil
Pharyngeal erythema
Redness of the pharynx, indicating throat infection
Pharyngitis
Throat infection
Secretion pooling
Poor ability to handle secretions (saliva); drooling at the mouth and gagging
Tonsillar edema
Swelling of the tonsils, indicating infection
Tonsillar exudate
Pus on the tonsils, indicating infection of the tonsils
Trismus
Inability to fully open mouth due to inflamed jaw muscles
Uvula midline
Uvula in normal position (no shifted)
Brudzinski
Neck pain elicited by flexing neck, hips, and knees in response to the neck being flexed; sign of meningitis
Carotid bruit
Turbulent blood flow heard with auscultation over the carotid artery ( due to carotid narrowing or plaque)
Jugular vein distension JVD
Sign of CHF
Kernigs
Neck pain elicited by flexing hip, stiff hamstrings/inability to straighten the leg when hip is flexed sign of meningitis
Lymphadenopathy
Enlarged lymph nodes
Tacky mucosa
Sticky tongue, mouth, and lips indicating early dehydration
Lymphadenopathy
Enlarged lymph nodes
Meningismus
Stiff neck/signs of meningitis
Paraspinal tenderness
Tenderness of the muscles next to the vertebrae
Supple
Flexible,free-moving, not-stiff
Thyromegaly
Enlarged thyroid
Trachea midline
No deviation of trachea (deviates to unaffected side in pneumothorax)
Aortic aneurysm
Diagnosis on enlarged aorta; due to a weakened aortic wall
Aortic dissection
Diagnosis In which the arterial wall splits apart
Arrhythmia
Disturbance of rhythm in the heartbeat
Aortic rupture
Diagnosis in which the arterial wall breaks open as could happen in aortic dissection, ruptured aortic aneurysm trauma
Atrial fibrillation
Irregular beating of the atria; indicates that the sinus node is not conducting a normal sinus rhythm; “a fib”
Atrial flutter
Irregular beating of the atria; often describes as “a flutter with 2 to 1 block or 3 to 1 block
Atrial septal defect
ASD; a hole in the atrial septum that causes blood in the RA and LA to mix
Cardiac ischemia
Decreased blood flow through the coronary vessels and to the heart; usually diagnosed by ST segment depressions on EKG
Cardiomyopathy
Disease of the heart muscle
Dilated
Dysfunctional heart muscle because of an enlarged heart
Extra systoles
Extra beats of the heart heard during auscultation
Friction rub
Describes as grating, scratching sound of the heart indicative of pericarditis
Gallop
Three or four sounds, resembling the sounds of a gallop
Irregularly irregular
Heart rhythm for anyone with atrial fibrillation
Jugular vein distension
JVD
Sign of CHF
Murmur
Abnormal heart sound rated on 1-6 scale
Myocardial infaction
Death of cardiac muscle due to prolonged ischemia when blood flow through the coronary artery is obstructed
Myocarditis
Inflammation of the heart muscle
NSTEMI
Non ST segment elevation MI; a hear attack that is not diagnosed on the EKG but is diagnosed by an elevated troponin on blood test
Pericardial tamponade
Diagnosis due to fluid in the pericardium that exerts pressure on the heart and hampers its abilities to contract normally
Pericarditis
Inflammation of the pericardium evidenced on physical exam by the presence of a friction rub on heart auscultation
Pulse exam
Carotid, brachial, radial, femoral, popliteal, dorsal pedis (DP) or posterior tibia (PT)
Ventricular fibrillation
Irregular beating of the ventricles; this is a terminal event that requires immediate electrical cardioversion
Valvular vegetation
An infectious growth on the cardiac valves
Ventricular septal defect “A VSD”
A hole in the ventricular septum that causes blood to mix between the RV and LV
Ventricular wall thrombus
A blood clot that attached to the inside wall of the ventricle; pieces of the thrombus can break off and spread to anywhere in the body leading infarctions
Aorta
Artery carrying blood from the heart (LV) to the rest of the body
Aortic valve
Heart valve between the LV and ascending aorta
Atrial septum
Heart tissue that separates the RA from the LA
AV Node
Atrioventricular node: receives the electrical activity from the SA node and conducts it to the ventricles: the right bundle and then the left bundle
Coronary artery
Artery that supplies the heart with blood; there are the right coronary artery (RCA), the left main coronary artery, the circumflex coronary artery, the left anterior descending CA (LAD) and many branches coming from each known as marginal CA
Left atrium
LA: chamber in the heart that receives oxygenated blood from the pulmonary vein
Left ventricle
LV: chamber in the heart that receives oxygenated blood from the LA
Mitral valve
Heart valve between the LA and LV
Myocardium
Heart muscle
Pericardium
Lining surrounding the heart
Pulmonary vein
Vein carrying blood from the lungs to heart (LA)
Pulmonary artery
Artery carrying blood from the heart (RV) to the lungs
Pulmonic valve
Heart valve bt the RV. And pulmonary artery
Right atrium
RA: chamber in the heart that receives blood from the vena cava, sends it to the RV
Right ventricle
RV: chamber in the heart that receives blood from the RA sends it to the lungs
SA Node
Sinoatrial node; pacemaker of the heart
Tricuspid valve
Heart valve bt RA and RV
Vena Cava
Blood vessel that returns blood back to the RA
Ventricular septum
Heart tissue that separates the RV from the LV
Aneurysm
Localize ballooning of a vessel due to a weakened vessel wall
Bruit
A whooshing sounds heard during auscultation indicative of blockage or aneurysm
Dissection
Blood flow into the wall layers of an artery causing the arterial walls to split apart
Embolism
Obstruction of blood vessel by a traveling clot of blood or foreign substance
Stenosis
Narrowing of a body opening or passage
Thrombus
Blood clot or blockage
Accessory muscle use
Struggling for breath using extra muscles in addition to the diaphragm
Asthma
Constriction of the airway due to muscular contraction of the bronchioles
Atelectasis
Collapse of the alveoli in the lungs due to disease or poor inspiration
Bradypnea
Decreased respiratory rate
Bronchiolitis
Inflammation/infection of the bronchioles (smaller division of the bronchi)
Bronchitis
Inflammation/infection of the bronchi
Croup
Viral infection the upper airway with a barking cough and often Stridor
Dullness on percussion
Fluid or mass under area being percussed
Dyspnea
Difficult and labored breathing, s.o.b.
Hemothorax
Blood fluid present in the pleural cavity
Hypervenitilation
Breathing too fast aka behavioral breathlessness or psychogenic dyspnea
Nasal flaring
Enlargement of nostrils with breathing (sign of respiratory distress)
Prolonged expiration
Expiratory phase that is marked longer than the inspiration phase; heard in asthmatics
Pulmonary embolus
Blockage of the pulmonary artery or one of its branches due to a translocated clot
Pleurisy
General term for pain with breathing
Pneumothorax
Presence of air or gas in the pleural space;collapsed lungs
Pneumonia
Infiltrate (infection) inside the lung tissue
Prolonged expirations
Usually heard with asthmatics
Rales
Crackles;wet crackling heard in the lungs due to pneumonia or CHF
Retractions
Visible sinking of the area between the ribs and in the neck during inhalation (respiratory distress)
Rhonchi
Sound of mucous rolling around in the bronchioles/bronchi
Splinting
Avoiding deep inspirations due to increased pain with breathing
Sputum
Matter coughed up from the lower airways
Stridor
Upper airway noise;commons sign in Croup
Tachypnea
Increased respiratory rate ie greater than 20 respirations per minute
Wheezing
High pitched sound heard with asthmatics or lung disease
Raccoon eyes
Bruising around the eyes (indicates skull fracture)
Vertebral tenderness
Bony tenderness directly over the vertebrae
Bowel sounds
Intestinal sounds heard from auscultation over the abdomen;hyperactive, hypoactive, diminished,absent, tympanic
Cholelithiasis
Production of gallstones
Cirrhosis
Scarring of the liver tissue affecting the livers ability to function
Crohn’s/Colitis
Types of chronic inflammatory bowel disease
Diffuse
Generalized;not localized to any specific location
Distension
Enlarged or swollen due to internal pressure
Diverticulitis
Acute inflammation of the diverticulitis pouches
Diverticulosis
Formation of diverticulitis;pouches in the colon wall
Dunphy’s sign
Increasing pain with coughing
Dyspepsia
Indigestion
Dysphagia
Difficulty swallowing
Emesis
Vomiting
Epigastric
Upper central region of the abdomen
Gastroenteritis
General term for inflammation of the GI tract
Guarding
Tensing of abdominal wall muscles as to guard the internal organs indicative of true abdominal disease
Hematochezia
Bright red blood in stool
Hepatitis
Inflammation of the liver
Hernia
Contents of body cavity bulge out of the area where they are normally contained
Ileus
Lack of muscular contraction in the intestine leading to disruption of bowel passage air/fluid levels on abdominal x-ray
Inguinal
Pertaining to the groin region
Intussusception
One portion of the intestine slides into the next, much like the pieces of a telescope
Mass
Any abdominal enlargement
McBurney’s point
RLQ point (1/3 of the was from the ASIS to the umbilicus) tenderness indicative of appendicitis
Murphy’s sign
Pain with palpitation of the RUQ during inspiration, indicative of Cholecystitis
Obturator sign
RLQ on internal rotation of right thigh indicative of appendicitis
Organomegaly
Enlarged organ
Pancreatitis
Inflammation of the pancreas
P.U.D.
Peptic ulcer disease; ulcers developing in the stomach causing pain and emesis