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ProScribe > Medical Terminology > Flashcards

Medical Terminology Flashcards

1
Q

Abx

A

antibiotics

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2
Q

A. Fib

A

atrial fibrillation:

a disease of the heart characterized by irregular and often faster heartbeat.

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3
Q

AMA

A

against medical advice

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4
Q

AMS

A

altered mental status

  • low oxygen
  • alcohol intoxication
  • opiates
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5
Q

ASA

A

aspirin

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6
Q

AT/NC

A

atraumatic/normocephalic:

**describe the head and skull when they’re normal and without signs of injury

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7
Q

bpm

A

beats per minute

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8
Q

c/o

A

complains of, complaining of

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9
Q

c/w

A

consistent with

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10
Q

CA

A

cancer

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11
Q

CMT

A

cervical motion tenderness:

physical exam finding; found on pelvic exams most commonly when a female presents with a pelvic infection

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12
Q

CPR:

A

cardiopulmonary resuscitation

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13
Q

CT

A

computed tomograph scan

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14
Q

CTA

A

clear to auscultation:

clear to auscultation is the normal physical exam finding when the lungs are auscultated (listened to with a stethoscope)

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15
Q

CXR

A

chest x-ray

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16
Q

d/c

A

discharge

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17
Q

DDx:

A

differential diagnosis

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18
Q

DNR

A

do not resuscitate

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19
Q

DOE

A

dyspnea on exertion:

dyspnea on exertion is something a patient describes when a normal walk or exercise pattern is interrupted by shortness of breath

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20
Q

Dx

A

diagnosis

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21
Q

EF

A

ejection fraction:

low ejection fractions are found in patients with congestive heart failure
**below 55%

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22
Q

EKG or ECG

A

electrocardiogram

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23
Q

EMR

A

electronic medical record

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24
Q

EOMI

A

extraocular movements intact:

normal physical exam finding when a provider asks a patient to look in different directions; looks for weakness in the muscles that move the eyes

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25
Q

ETT or ET tube

A

endotracheal tube

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26
Q

f/u

A

follow up

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27
Q

Fx

A

fracture

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28
Q

G/P/A

A

pregnancies / # live births/ # miscarriages and abortions

When a pregnant patient presents to the clinic, it is important to know how many times they have been pregnant (G), how many live children they have delivered (P), and how many miscarriages and/or abortions (A) they have had.

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29
Q

H&H

A

hemoglobin and hematocrit

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30
Q

h/o

A

history of

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31
Q

HA

A

headache

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32
Q

Hct

A

hematocrit

Along with Hgb(hemoglobin), the hematocrit is a test to determine how many RBC a patient has in circulation. A low Hgb/Hct can indicate anemia if it is chronic, or blood loss if the finding is acute.

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33
Q

Hgb

A

hemoglobin

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34
Q

Hx

A

history

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35
Q

IM

A

intramuscular

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36
Q

IUP

A

intrauterine pregnancy

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37
Q

IV

A

intraveneous

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38
Q

IVDA

A

intravenous drug abuse

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39
Q

JVD

A

jugular venous distention:

Patients with JVD as a physical exam finding present wth bulging of the veins of the neck. This is commonly found in patients with CHF.

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40
Q

LLE

A

left lower ex

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41
Q

LLL

A

left lower lobe:

Relates to the lung. If a pt has pneumonia in the LLL, the physician may describe hearing scattered rhonchi in the LLL.

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42
Q

LNMP

A

last normal menstrual period

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43
Q

LOC

A

loss of consciousness

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44
Q

LOS

A

length of stay

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45
Q

LUE

A

left upper extremity

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46
Q

MVA

A

motor vehicle accident

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47
Q

N/V/D

A

nausea/vomiting/diarrhea

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48
Q

NAD

A

no acute distress/disease

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49
Q

NKDA

A

no known drug allergies

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50
Q

nml/nl

A

normal

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51
Q

NPO

A

nothing per os (nothing by mouth)

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52
Q

NS

A

normal saline:

Normal saline is the most common IV fluid. Other common IV fluids are (LR- Lactated Ringers Solution) and 1/2 Normal Saline.

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53
Q

NSR

A

normal sinus rhythm:

Normal sinus rhythm is considered to be the “normal” way a heart should beat. You will see this commonly printed on the top of EKGs when a heart is beating “normally”

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54
Q

NTG

A

nitroglycerin

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55
Q

PCN

A

penicillin

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56
Q

PCP

A

primary care physician

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57
Q

PERRL(A)

A

pupils equal round and reactive to light

“A” stands for accommodation, which is sometimes tested separately

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58
Q

PHI

A

protected health information

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59
Q

PO

A

per os (by mouth)

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60
Q

ppd

A

packs per day:

Knowing how many ppd someone smokes can give a good indication of his or her underlying lung function.

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61
Q

PRN

A

as needed

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62
Q

PTA

A

prior to arrival

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63
Q

RLE

A

right lower extremity

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64
Q

RLL

A

right lower lobe

Relates to the lung. If patient has a pulmonary effusion in the RLL, the physician may describe hearing decreased breath sounds in the RLL.

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65
Q

ROM

A

range of motion

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66
Q

RRR

A

regular rate and rhythm:

Another way to describe normal heart findings on physical exam.

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67
Q

RUE

A

right upper extremity

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68
Q

Rx

A

prescription

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69
Q

s/p

A

status post (after)

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70
Q

TM

A

tympanic membrane

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71
Q

Tx

A

treatment

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72
Q

URI

A

upper respiratory infection

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73
Q

WNL

A

within normal limits

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74
Q

Arrhythmia

A

an alteration in the rhythm of the heartbeat

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75
Q

Bradycardia

A

objectively categorized slow heart rate, typically below 60 bpm

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76
Q

Edema

A

An abnormal infiltration and excess accumulation of serous fluid in connective tissue or a serous cavity, typically seen as swelling in the legs.

77
Q

Friction rub:

A

A sound heard on auscultation caused by the rubbing together of two serous surface; commonly called simply a “rub”.

78
Q

Gallop

A

An abnormal third or fouth heart sound beyond the typical “lub dub” pattern.

79
Q

Murmur

A

An abnormal “whooshing” sound heard on auscultation of the heart indicating a structural or functional abnormality. It may be benign or potentially dangerous.

80
Q

Tachycardia:

A

Objectively categorized rapid heart rate, typically above 100 bpm.

81
Q

Palpitation:

A

A sensation in which a person perceives an irregular forceful, or rapid heartbeat.

82
Q

Ischemia:

A

A decrease in the blood supply to a bodily organ, tissue, or body part caused by constriction or obstruction of the blood vessels.

83
Q

Angina:

A

Chest pain caused by insufficient blood supply to the heart.

84
Q

Cardiomegaly:

A

Abnormal enlargement of the heart, most commonly seen on chest x-ray as a sign of CHF.

85
Q

Ectopy:

A

A temporary abnormal heartbeat (not a sustained abnormal rhythm) that can be read on an EKG or perceived by the patient as a palpitation.

86
Q

Bruit:

A

An abnormal sound heard on auscultation that indicates the narrowing of an artery, most commonly the carotid artery.

87
Q

Infarct:

A

An area of tissue death caused by an obstruction in O2 supply, typically by a clot in the heart or brain.

88
Q

Abrasion:

A

The rubbing or scraping of the surface layer from an area of the skin.

** Ab- means away from

89
Q

Abscess:

A

An enclosed collection of pus somewhere in the body, most often involving the skin.

90
Q

Gauge:

A

A diameter of a needle.

91
Q

Purulence:

A

Pus, or the condition of containing or discharging pus.

92
Q

Contusion:

A

Injury to tissue with or without skin discoloration, without skin breakage from blunt trauma; commonly as a bruise

93
Q

Ecchymosis:

A

Similar to a contusion, but specifically an area of bluish discoloration >1 cm in diameter; different in that it may not necessarily result from trauma; also known as “bruising”.

** AKA hematoma

94
Q

Erythema:

A

Abnormal redness, typically to the skin or mucous membranes, in the presence of inflammation, injury, or infection.

95
Q

Jaundice:

A

An abnormal yellowing, typically of the skin and from abnormally high levels of bilirubin in the blood.

96
Q

Laceration:

A

A cut of the skin typically caused by accidental contact with a sharp object or edge; contrast with incision (intentional) and abrasion (superficial scrape only).

97
Q

Pallor:

A

Deficiency of color especially of the face and/or skin.

98
Q

Fluctuance:

A

Capable of being moved or compressed, typically as it relates to the presence/absence of pus in a possible abcess.

99
Q

Cyanosis:

A

Bluish discoloration of a tissue resulting from O2 deprivation.

100
Q

Diaphoresis:

A

Excessive sweating as a medical symptom.

101
Q

Scleral icterus:

A

Yellowing of the sclera in patients with liver disease due to elevated bilirubin levels.

102
Q

Dehiscence:

A

Separation of layers, especially the parting of the sutured edges of a surgical wound.

103
Q

Crepitus:

A

A grating, crackling, or popping sound or sensations under the skin and in joints; also sometime the presence of air trapped in subcutaneous tissue that can feel like “Rice Krispies” on the skin.

104
Q

Debridement:

A

Medical removal of nonviable skin tissue, especially after injury.

105
Q

Decubitus ulcer:

A

An ulceration of tissue deprived of adequate blood supply by prolonged pressure; known commonly as a “bed sore”.

106
Q

Induration:

A

Area of localized hardening of body tissues, especially as it relates to the skin.

107
Q

Macule:

A

A small area of discoloration of the skin that is not raised; contrast with papules.

108
Q

Papule:

A

A small rounded growth on the skin that is raised, typically the medical term for a pimple or similar lesion.

109
Q

Petechiae:

A

Pinpoint areas of hemorrhage in the subcutaneous tissue that typically appear purple or red.

110
Q

Pruritus:

A

Medical term for itching.

111
Q

Skin turgor:

A

A comment on the elasticity of the skin; also refers to a physical exam test that involves pinching the skin to see how long it takes to return to normal position as an assessment of hydration.

112
Q

Tenting:

A

Skin that does not “snap back” towards the body immediately when pulled/pinched; indicative of dehydration and decreased skin turgor.

113
Q

Tinea:

A

Fungal skin infection; most commonly ringworm.

114
Q

Urticaria:

A

Raised, itchy areas of the skin typically seen with an allergic reaction; commonly “hives”.

115
Q

Hemorrhage:

A

A copious discharge of blood. It can be internal or external.

116
Q

Hematoma:

A

A mass of usually clotted blood that forms in a tissue, organ, or body space as a result of a broken blood vessel.

**different types

** -oma refers to swelling or tumor

117
Q

Affect (noun):

A

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

118
Q

Mood:

A

A sustained and pervasive state of emotion.

119
Q

Syncope:

A

Loss of consciousness resulting from insufficient blood flow to the brain; commonly known as “passing out”.

120
Q

Aphasia:

A

The symptomatic inability to express oneself through communication such as speaking.

121
Q

Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS):

A

A scale used to assess the consciousness of a patient upon physical examination, typically in patients with neurological concerns following head trauma.

122
Q

Hemiparesis:

A

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

123
Q

Hemiplegia:

A

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

** -plegia refers to paralysis

** Paraplegia is a motor/sensory loss in the legs extending up the trunk.

124
Q

Malaise:

A

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

** Mal- meaning bad

125
Q

Neuralgia:

A

Pain along the distribution of a nerve(s), typically perceived as burning or stabbing in nature.

126
Q

Paresthesia:

A

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

127
Q

Phonophobia:

Photophobia:

A

Abnormal sensitivity to noise/light commonly associated with migraines.

128
Q

Tinnitus:

A

Ringing in the ears.

129
Q

Deep Tendon Reflexes (DTRs):

A

Involuntary muscle contraction elicited by percussion of a muscle tendon ; rated on a number scale with 2+ being normal.

130
Q

Paraspinal:

A

The area on either side of the spine (directly over the spine is midline); typically used when describing tenderness or muscle spasm.

131
Q

Anisocoria:

A

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

132
Q

Ataxia:

A

Incoordination due to dysfunction of the CNS.

133
Q

Babinski Reflex:

A

A neurological test on the physical examination that involved stimulus to the sole of the foot to elicit certain responses.

134
Q

Brudzinski’s Sign:

A

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

135
Q

Facial droop:

A

Unilateral sagging of the face due to paralysis of the muscles on one side, typically a neurological physical examination finding with stroke and Bell’s palsy.

136
Q

Flat affect:

A

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

137
Q

Lethargic:

A

Decreased level of consciousness; typically noted as a general physical exam finding.

138
Q

Nystagmus:

A

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

139
Q

Postical state:

A

A state of decreased/altered level of consciousness following an epileptic state.

140
Q

Pronator drift:

A

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

141
Q

Somnolent:

A

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

142
Q

Straight Leg Raise (SLR) Test:

A

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

143
Q

What are the 4 prefixes used for different colors?

A
  1. chloro = green
  2. eryth- = red
  3. leuk- = white
  4. cyan- = blue
144
Q

Chlorosis:

A

an iron deficiency in adolescent girls that may impact a greenish tint in the skin

145
Q

Erythema:

A

superficial reddening of the skin, usually in patches; as a result of injury causing dilatation of the blood capillaries

146
Q

Leukocytes:

A

white blood cells that help body fight infections

147
Q

Cyanosis:

A

a bluish color of the skin and the mucous membrane due to insufficient oxygen in the blood

148
Q

Prefixes that mean within:

A
  1. inter-

2. endo-

149
Q

Prefixes that mean between:

A
  1. inter-
150
Q

Prefixes that mean outside or beyond:

A
  1. extra-
  2. ecto-
  3. exo-
151
Q

Prefixes that mean around, enclosing, surrounding:

A
  1. peri-

2. circum-

152
Q
  • ectomy

- graph(y)

A

surgical removal

instrument used to produce a record OR process of recording

153
Q

Abdomin/o-
Cholecyst/o-
Col/o-
Enter/o-

A

A: abdomen
Ch: gallbladder
Co: colon
E: intestine

154
Q

Gastr/o-
Hepat/o-
Splen/o-
Esophag/o-

A

G: stomach
H: liver
S: spleen
E: esophagus

155
Q

Angi/o- vessel
Arteri/o- artery
Cardi/o/a-
Heme/o-

A

An: vessel
Ar: artery
C: heart
H: blood or blood cell

156
Q

Arthr/o
Osteo-
Cost/o
Spondyl/o

A

A: joint
O: bone
C: rib
S: vertebra

157
Q

Mening/o-
Neur/o-
My/o-
Fibr/o-

A

M: meninges; membranes covering CNS
N: nerve
M: muscle
F: fibers

158
Q

Arther/o-
Glyco-
Lipid

A

A: fatty degeneration or plaque buildup
G: sugar
L: fat

159
Q

Audi/o-

Tympan/o

A

A: hearing
T: eardrum

160
Q

Cyst/o-
Gynec/o-
Uro, Urin/o, Uri/a-

A

C: bladder
G: female
U: urine

161
Q

Nephr/o-
Pyel/o-
Lith/o-

A

N: kidney
P: kidney
L: stone

162
Q

Laryng/o-
Pharyng/o-
Pneum/o-

A

L: larynx
Ph: pharynx
Pn: lung

163
Q

Pulmon/o-
Trache/o-
Bronch/o

A

P: lungs
T: trachea
B: the two main branches of the trachea

164
Q

Heter/o-
Hydr/o-
Path/o-
Seps/o-

A

He: different
Hy: water
P: disease
S: infection

165
Q

Dentition:

A

character of a set of teeth with regard to their number, kind, and arrangement

166
Q

Dental Caries:

A

medical phrase for tooth decay or cavities

167
Q

Epistaxis:

A

nosebleed

168
Q

Cerumen:

A

ear wax

169
Q

Nuchal Rigidity:

A

neck stiffness; concerning for meningitis

170
Q

Kernig’s Sign:

A

physical exam test for meningitis that involved pain on full extension of the leg

171
Q

Meningismus:

A

a constellation of signs and symptoms suggestive of meningitis (typically stiff neck, headache, and light sensitivity)

-ism refers to condition

172
Q

Malocclusion:

A

an abnormally in the way teeth align or come together, typically after trauma to the jaw

173
Q

Rales:

A

a type of abnormal respiratory or breath sound heard on auscultation

fluid build up in congestive heart failure also known as “crackles:

174
Q

Rhinorrhea:

A

excessive mucus secretion from the nose (aka runny nose)

** -rrhea refers to flow or discharged

175
Q

Rhonchi:

A

low-pitched, snore-like sounds heard on auscultation of the chest when air channels are partially obstructed (typically by mucus)

worrisome for pneumonia

176
Q

Sputum:

A

mucus/pus expectorated from the lungs, typically in a diseased state

177
Q

Hemoptysis:

A

coughing up of blood or bloody sputum

178
Q

Homan’s Sign:

A

pain in the calf of the leg upon dorsiflexion of the foot on PE

concerning for blood clot in the leg (DVT)

179
Q

Effusion:

A

escape of a fluid from the blood vessels or lymphatics into the tissues or a body cavity

most commonly in the context of pleural effusion seen on X ray

180
Q

Basilar:

A

relating to or situated at the base

typically referring to the skull or lungs

ex: bibasilar infiltrate found on a chest X-ray)

181
Q

Hypoxia:

A

decreased O2 supply in the body or an area of the body

182
Q

Orthopnea:

A

difficulty breathing that occurs when lying flat due to fluid in the lungs

indicative of CHF

183
Q

Stridor:

A

abnormal, high-pitched breathing sound during inspiration (inhaling) caused by a blockage in the throat or voice box (larynx)

184
Q

Tachypnea:

A

abnormally fast respiratory rate

greater than 20 bpm

185
Q

Splinting:

A

respiratory PE finding where a patient refrains from taking a full deeps breaths due to pain on inspiration; also refers to the act of placing a form of immobilization on an injured extremity

186
Q

Retractions:

A

visible sinking of the skin between/around the bones of the chest typically viewed as a sign of respiratory distress

187
Q

Nonrebreather Mask (NRB):

A

device used to deliver high concentrations of O2 to patients in acute respiratory distress; has a reservoir bag and a one-way valve to prevent rebreathing

188
Q

Accessory muscle use:

A

atypical muscles, such as those of the shoulder girdle, are used to help with breathing effort in patients in respiratory distress

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