Medical term (near/psych) Flashcards
affect
a psychological term for the observable expression of emotion; common abnormal affects may be “flat” or “blunted”
aphasia
the symptomatic inability to express oneself through communication such as speaking
hemiparesis
muscular weakness or partial paralysis of the entire left or right side of the body (a neurologic finding/symptom)
hemiplegia
total paralysis of the entire left or right side of the body.
malaise
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”
paresthesia
an abnormal sensation of the skin associated with nerve dysfunction; most commonly described as “pins and needles”
phonophobia
abnormal sensitivity to noise commonly associated with migraines
photophobia
abnormal sensitivity to light commonly associated with migraines
tinnitus
ringing in the ears
deep tendon reflexed (DTR)
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
paraspinal
the area on either side of the spine (directly over the spine would be “midline”); typically used when describing tenderness or muscle spasm
anisocoria
unequal pupil size that may indicate serious neurologic dysfunction. It can also be baseline or normal for many patients
ataxia
incoordination due to dysfunction of the CNS
Babinski reflex
a neurologic test on physical exam that involves stimulation to the sole of the foot to elicit certain responses
Brudzinski’s sign
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.
facial droop
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
flat affect
a severe reduction in emotional expressiveness, typically noted as a psychologic physical exam finding in patients with depression and/or schizophrenia
nystagmus
rapid, involuntary movement of the eyes, typically noted as neurologic physical exam finding
postictal state
a state of decreased/altered level of consciousness following an epileptic seizure
pronator drift
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
somnolent
drowsy or less alert than baseline, typically as it relates to a general physical exam finding
straight leg raise (SLR) test
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
