Medical Terminology Flashcards
Acute
Disease, symptom, or side-effect which is sudden or severe and/or runs a short course
Adjuvant
An additional treatment or therapy
Aseptic
Pertaining to a condition free of germs
[1] Medical Asepsis: procedures used to reduce the number of microorganisms and prevent their spread
[2] Surgical Asepsis: procedures to eliminate any microorganisms (i.e., sterile technique)
Benign
Non malignant, non recurrent, non invasive. Describes tumours that do not spread
Biopsy
Removal of tissue for microscopic examination
Carcinoma
Malignant new growth composed of epithelial cells (note: cancers of the blood, lymphatic, and nervous systems are classified according to the cells in which they originate and other clinical features)
Catheterization
Passage of a catheter (tube) into a body cavity or organ for the injection or removal of fluid
Centreal Venous Line
A long catheter, the tip of which rests in the right atrium of the patient’s heart
Chevron
Tape placed over the angiocatheter - IV tubing connection to prevent dislodgement
Chronic
Disease, symptom, or side effect which persists over a long period of time or progress slowly
Clear Fluids
Patient may drink anything that can be seen through
Critical Drip
Potentially dangerous medications such as those which have the systemic effect of raining or lowering blood pressure, controlling heart rate or rhythm, anticoagulants, or chemotherapy
Cyst
Fluid filled sac or pouch that is usually abnormal
Concurrent Treatment
More than one treatment occurring at the same time
Consecutive Treatment
Treatments that occur in a sequential order. One treatment following the other
Curative
A curative cancer treatment is one that removes or reduces the threat of life
Decubitus Ulcers
Bed sores
Diagnosis
Identification of a disease or condition through evaluation of signs, symptoms, laboratory results and other procedures
Dilation
Expansion or widening of an opening
Embolus
An undissolved, mobile mass in the blood (fat air, blood clots, cell debris, bacteria clumps, and foreign bodies) that circulates in the bloodstream until it becomes lodged in a vessel
Endotracheal Tube
An airway tube which rests in the larynx just below the vocal cords to protect the patient against aspiration and maintain an open airway to the level of the larynx
Etiology
The science and study of the causes of disease
Endoscope
An instrument for examining the inside of an organ or cavity
Full Fluids
Patient may drink anything in liquid form
Hemiplegia
Paralysis of one half of the body i.e. the face, trunk, arm, and leg on one side of the body
Hemodialysis (dialysis)
The removal of waste material from the blood by a machine, in place of non- or poorly functioning kidneys
Ileal Conduit
A surgical procedure following the removal of the bladder in which the ureter is connected to the small intestine
Ileostomy
A surgical opening into the small bowel
Infusion Pump
A mechanical device which delivers IV solution at a precise rate over an exact period of time
In Situ
Localized, has not invaded surrounding tissues, confined to site of origin
Intubation
The insertion of a breathing tube through the mouth or nose into the trachea (endotracheal tube - large-bore catheter)
Idophor
An antiseptic skin preparation solution similar to isopropyl alcohol
Lesion
An area of damaged tissue (an injury or wound)
Malignant
Tumours that are locally invasive and can metastasize to distant sites
Metastasis
Tumour cells that pressed from the primary site to distant parts of the body
MICU
Medical intensive care unit
Monitor
To watch over or assess the patient over a period of time