Medical term (near/psych)

Question 1

affect

Answer 1

a psychological term for the observable expression of emotion; common abnormal affects may be “flat” or “blunted”

Question 2

aphasia

Answer 2

the symptomatic inability to express oneself through communication such as speaking

Question 3

hemiparesis

Answer 3

muscular weakness or partial paralysis of the entire left or right side of the body (a neurologic finding/symptom)

Question 4

hemiplegia

Answer 4

total paralysis of the entire left or right side of the body.

Question 5

malaise

Answer 5

an indefinite feeling of weakness or lack of health often indicative of or accompanying the onset of an illness; feeling generally weak or “wiped our”

Question 6

paresthesia

Answer 6

an abnormal sensation of the skin associated with nerve dysfunction; most commonly described as “pins and needles”

Question 7

phonophobia

Answer 7

abnormal sensitivity to noise commonly associated with migraines

Question 8

photophobia

Answer 8

abnormal sensitivity to light commonly associated with migraines

Question 9

tinnitus

Answer 9

ringing in the ears

Question 10

deep tendon reflexed (DTR)

Answer 10

involuntary muscle contraction elicited by percussion of a muscle tendon (the test with the hammer we have all seen before); rated on a number scale with 2+ being normal

Question 11

paraspinal

Answer 11

the area on either side of the spine (directly over the spine would be “midline”); typically used when describing tenderness or muscle spasm

Question 12

anisocoria

Answer 12

unequal pupil size that may indicate serious neurologic dysfunction. It can also be baseline or normal for many patients

Question 13

ataxia

Answer 13

incoordination due to dysfunction of the CNS

Question 14

Babinski reflex

Answer 14

a neurologic test on physical exam that involves stimulation to the sole of the foot to elicit certain responses

Question 15

Brudzinski’s sign

Answer 15

a test performed on physical exam that involves flexing the neck and/or lower extremities to monitor involuntary movements; performed when there is concern or meningitis.

Question 16

facial droop

Answer 16

unilateral sagging of the face due to paralysis of the muscles on one side, typically a neurologic physical exam finding with stroke and Bell’s palsy

Question 17

flat affect

Answer 17

a severe reduction in emotional expressiveness, typically noted as a psychologic physical exam finding in patients with depression and/or schizophrenia

Question 18

nystagmus

Answer 18

rapid, involuntary movement of the eyes, typically noted as neurologic physical exam finding

Question 19

postictal state

Answer 19

a state of decreased/altered level of consciousness following an epileptic seizure

Question 20

pronator drift

Answer 20

a neurologic test on physical exam that involves holding both arms straight out at shoulder height with palms facing upward,; if one side of the body is weaker than the other, as in a stroke, one arm will drop and turn inward

Question 21

somnolent

Answer 21

drowsy or less alert than baseline, typically as it relates to a general physical exam finding

Question 22

straight leg raise (SLR) test

Answer 22

a physical exam test that involves lifting the fully extended legs of a supine patient one at a time; this is typically performed in patients with back pain