Medical Terminology Flashcards
Abx
antibiotics
A. Fib
atrial fibrillation:
a disease of the heart characterized by irregular and often faster heartbeat.
AMA
against medical advice
AMS
altered mental status
- low oxygen
- alcohol intoxication
- opiates
ASA
aspirin
AT/NC
atraumatic/normocephalic:
**describe the head and skull when they’re normal and without signs of injury
bpm
beats per minute
c/o
complains of, complaining of
c/w
consistent with
CA
cancer
CMT
cervical motion tenderness:
physical exam finding; found on pelvic exams most commonly when a female presents with a pelvic infection
CPR:
cardiopulmonary resuscitation
CT
computed tomograph scan
CTA
clear to auscultation:
clear to auscultation is the normal physical exam finding when the lungs are auscultated (listened to with a stethoscope)
CXR
chest x-ray
d/c
discharge
DDx:
differential diagnosis
DNR
do not resuscitate
DOE
dyspnea on exertion:
dyspnea on exertion is something a patient describes when a normal walk or exercise pattern is interrupted by shortness of breath
Dx
diagnosis
EF
ejection fraction:
low ejection fractions are found in patients with congestive heart failure
**below 55%
EKG or ECG
electrocardiogram
EMR
electronic medical record
EOMI
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
ETT or ET tube
endotracheal tube
f/u
follow up
Fx
fracture
G/P/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.
H&H
hemoglobin and hematocrit
h/o
history of
HA
headache
Hct
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.
Hgb
hemoglobin
Hx
history
IM
intramuscular
IUP
intrauterine pregnancy
IV
intraveneous
IVDA
intravenous drug abuse
JVD
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.
LLE
left lower ex
LLL
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.
LNMP
last normal menstrual period
LOC
loss of consciousness
LOS
length of stay
LUE
left upper extremity
MVA
motor vehicle accident
N/V/D
nausea/vomiting/diarrhea
NAD
no acute distress/disease
NKDA
no known drug allergies
nml/nl
normal
NPO
nothing per os (nothing by mouth)
NS
normal saline:
Normal saline is the most common IV fluid. Other common IV fluids are (LR- Lactated Ringers Solution) and 1/2 Normal Saline.
NSR
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”
NTG
nitroglycerin
PCN
penicillin
PCP
primary care physician
PERRL(A)
pupils equal round and reactive to light
“A” stands for accommodation, which is sometimes tested separately
PHI
protected health information
PO
per os (by mouth)
ppd
packs per day:
Knowing how many ppd someone smokes can give a good indication of his or her underlying lung function.
PRN
as needed
PTA
prior to arrival
RLE
right lower extremity
RLL
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.
ROM
range of motion
RRR
regular rate and rhythm:
Another way to describe normal heart findings on physical exam.
RUE
right upper extremity
Rx
prescription
s/p
status post (after)
TM
tympanic membrane
Tx
treatment
URI
upper respiratory infection
WNL
within normal limits
Arrhythmia
an alteration in the rhythm of the heartbeat
Bradycardia
objectively categorized slow heart rate, typically below 60 bpm
Edema
An abnormal infiltration and excess accumulation of serous fluid in connective tissue or a serous cavity, typically seen as swelling in the legs.
Friction rub:
A sound heard on auscultation caused by the rubbing together of two serous surface; commonly called simply a “rub”.
Gallop
An abnormal third or fouth heart sound beyond the typical “lub dub” pattern.
Murmur
An abnormal “whooshing” sound heard on auscultation of the heart indicating a structural or functional abnormality. It may be benign or potentially dangerous.
Tachycardia:
Objectively categorized rapid heart rate, typically above 100 bpm.
Palpitation:
A sensation in which a person perceives an irregular forceful, or rapid heartbeat.
Ischemia:
A decrease in the blood supply to a bodily organ, tissue, or body part caused by constriction or obstruction of the blood vessels.
Angina:
Chest pain caused by insufficient blood supply to the heart.
Cardiomegaly:
Abnormal enlargement of the heart, most commonly seen on chest x-ray as a sign of CHF.
Ectopy:
A temporary abnormal heartbeat (not a sustained abnormal rhythm) that can be read on an EKG or perceived by the patient as a palpitation.
Bruit:
An abnormal sound heard on auscultation that indicates the narrowing of an artery, most commonly the carotid artery.
Infarct:
An area of tissue death caused by an obstruction in O2 supply, typically by a clot in the heart or brain.
Abrasion:
The rubbing or scraping of the surface layer from an area of the skin.
** Ab- means away from
Abscess:
An enclosed collection of pus somewhere in the body, most often involving the skin.
Gauge:
A diameter of a needle.
Purulence:
Pus, or the condition of containing or discharging pus.
Contusion:
Injury to tissue with or without skin discoloration, without skin breakage from blunt trauma; commonly as a bruise
Ecchymosis:
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
Erythema:
Abnormal redness, typically to the skin or mucous membranes, in the presence of inflammation, injury, or infection.
Jaundice:
An abnormal yellowing, typically of the skin and from abnormally high levels of bilirubin in the blood.
Laceration:
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).
Pallor:
Deficiency of color especially of the face and/or skin.
Fluctuance:
Capable of being moved or compressed, typically as it relates to the presence/absence of pus in a possible abcess.
Cyanosis:
Bluish discoloration of a tissue resulting from O2 deprivation.
Diaphoresis:
Excessive sweating as a medical symptom.
Scleral icterus:
Yellowing of the sclera in patients with liver disease due to elevated bilirubin levels.
Dehiscence:
Separation of layers, especially the parting of the sutured edges of a surgical wound.
Crepitus:
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.
Debridement:
Medical removal of nonviable skin tissue, especially after injury.
Decubitus ulcer:
An ulceration of tissue deprived of adequate blood supply by prolonged pressure; known commonly as a “bed sore”.
Induration:
Area of localized hardening of body tissues, especially as it relates to the skin.
Macule:
A small area of discoloration of the skin that is not raised; contrast with papules.
Papule:
A small rounded growth on the skin that is raised, typically the medical term for a pimple or similar lesion.
Petechiae:
Pinpoint areas of hemorrhage in the subcutaneous tissue that typically appear purple or red.
Pruritus:
Medical term for itching.
Skin turgor:
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.
Tenting:
Skin that does not “snap back” towards the body immediately when pulled/pinched; indicative of dehydration and decreased skin turgor.
Tinea:
Fungal skin infection; most commonly ringworm.
Urticaria:
Raised, itchy areas of the skin typically seen with an allergic reaction; commonly “hives”.
Hemorrhage:
A copious discharge of blood. It can be internal or external.
Hematoma:
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
Affect (noun):
A psychological term for the observable expression of emotion; common abnormal affects may be “flat” or “blunted”.
Mood:
A sustained and pervasive state of emotion.
Syncope:
Loss of consciousness resulting from insufficient blood flow to the brain; commonly known as “passing out”.
Aphasia:
The symptomatic inability to express oneself through communication such as speaking.
Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS):
A scale used to assess the consciousness of a patient upon physical examination, typically in patients with neurological concerns following head trauma.
Hemiparesis:
Muscular weakness or partial paralysis of the entire left or right side of the body (neurologic finding/symptom).
Hemiplegia:
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.
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 out”.
** Mal- meaning bad
Neuralgia:
Pain along the distribution of a nerve(s), typically perceived as burning or stabbing in nature.
Paresthesia:
An abnormal sensation of the skin associated with nerve dysfunction; most commonly described as “pins and needles”.
Phonophobia:
Photophobia:
Abnormal sensitivity to noise/light commonly associated with migraines.
Tinnitus:
Ringing in the ears.
Deep Tendon Reflexes (DTRs):
Involuntary muscle contraction elicited by percussion of a muscle tendon ; rated on a number scale with 2+ being normal.
Paraspinal:
The area on either side of the spine (directly over the spine is midline); typically used when describing tenderness or muscle spasm.
Anisocoria:
Unequal pupil size that may indicate serious neurological dysfunction. It can also be baseline or normal for many patients.
Ataxia:
Incoordination due to dysfunction of the CNS.
Babinski Reflex:
A neurological test on the physical examination that involved stimulus 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 movement; performed when there is concern for meningitis.
Facial droop:
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.
Flat affect:
A severe reduction in emotional expressiveness, typically noted as a psychological physical exam finding in patients with depression and/or schizophrenia.
Lethargic:
Decreased level of consciousness; typically noted as a general physical exam finding.
Nystagmus:
Rapid, involuntary movement of the eyes, typically noted as neurologic physical exam finding.
Postical state:
A state of decreased/altered level of consciousness following an epileptic state.
Pronator drift:
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.
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 fully extended legs of a supine patient one at a time; this is typically performed in patients with back pain.
What are the 4 prefixes used for different colors?
- chloro = green
- eryth- = red
- leuk- = white
- cyan- = blue
Chlorosis:
an iron deficiency in adolescent girls that may impact a greenish tint in the skin
Erythema:
superficial reddening of the skin, usually in patches; as a result of injury causing dilatation of the blood capillaries
Leukocytes:
white blood cells that help body fight infections
Cyanosis:
a bluish color of the skin and the mucous membrane due to insufficient oxygen in the blood
Prefixes that mean within:
- inter-
2. endo-
Prefixes that mean between:
- inter-
Prefixes that mean outside or beyond:
- extra-
- ecto-
- exo-
Prefixes that mean around, enclosing, surrounding:
- peri-
2. circum-
- ectomy
- graph(y)
surgical removal
instrument used to produce a record OR process of recording
Abdomin/o-
Cholecyst/o-
Col/o-
Enter/o-
A: abdomen
Ch: gallbladder
Co: colon
E: intestine
Gastr/o-
Hepat/o-
Splen/o-
Esophag/o-
G: stomach
H: liver
S: spleen
E: esophagus
Angi/o- vessel
Arteri/o- artery
Cardi/o/a-
Heme/o-
An: vessel
Ar: artery
C: heart
H: blood or blood cell
Arthr/o
Osteo-
Cost/o
Spondyl/o
A: joint
O: bone
C: rib
S: vertebra
Mening/o-
Neur/o-
My/o-
Fibr/o-
M: meninges; membranes covering CNS
N: nerve
M: muscle
F: fibers
Arther/o-
Glyco-
Lipid
A: fatty degeneration or plaque buildup
G: sugar
L: fat
Audi/o-
Tympan/o
A: hearing
T: eardrum
Cyst/o-
Gynec/o-
Uro, Urin/o, Uri/a-
C: bladder
G: female
U: urine
Nephr/o-
Pyel/o-
Lith/o-
N: kidney
P: kidney
L: stone
Laryng/o-
Pharyng/o-
Pneum/o-
L: larynx
Ph: pharynx
Pn: lung
Pulmon/o-
Trache/o-
Bronch/o
P: lungs
T: trachea
B: the two main branches of the trachea
Heter/o-
Hydr/o-
Path/o-
Seps/o-
He: different
Hy: water
P: disease
S: infection
Dentition:
character of a set of teeth with regard to their number, kind, and arrangement
Dental Caries:
medical phrase for tooth decay or cavities
Epistaxis:
nosebleed
Cerumen:
ear wax
Nuchal Rigidity:
neck stiffness; concerning for meningitis
Kernig’s Sign:
physical exam test for meningitis that involved pain on full extension of the leg
Meningismus:
a constellation of signs and symptoms suggestive of meningitis (typically stiff neck, headache, and light sensitivity)
-ism refers to condition
Malocclusion:
an abnormally in the way teeth align or come together, typically after trauma to the jaw
Rales:
a type of abnormal respiratory or breath sound heard on auscultation
fluid build up in congestive heart failure also known as “crackles:
Rhinorrhea:
excessive mucus secretion from the nose (aka runny nose)
** -rrhea refers to flow or discharged
Rhonchi:
low-pitched, snore-like sounds heard on auscultation of the chest when air channels are partially obstructed (typically by mucus)
worrisome for pneumonia
Sputum:
mucus/pus expectorated from the lungs, typically in a diseased state
Hemoptysis:
coughing up of blood or bloody sputum
Homan’s Sign:
pain in the calf of the leg upon dorsiflexion of the foot on PE
concerning for blood clot in the leg (DVT)
Effusion:
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
Basilar:
relating to or situated at the base
typically referring to the skull or lungs
ex: bibasilar infiltrate found on a chest X-ray)
Hypoxia:
decreased O2 supply in the body or an area of the body
Orthopnea:
difficulty breathing that occurs when lying flat due to fluid in the lungs
indicative of CHF
Stridor:
abnormal, high-pitched breathing sound during inspiration (inhaling) caused by a blockage in the throat or voice box (larynx)
Tachypnea:
abnormally fast respiratory rate
greater than 20 bpm
Splinting:
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
Retractions:
visible sinking of the skin between/around the bones of the chest typically viewed as a sign of respiratory distress
Nonrebreather Mask (NRB):
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
Accessory muscle use:
atypical muscles, such as those of the shoulder girdle, are used to help with breathing effort in patients in respiratory distress
