Medical Terminology Flashcards
From the Vocab list plus the word 'Battery"
Absorption
The taking in, incorporation, or reception of gases, liquids, light, or heat
Abuse
Any action that intentionally harms or injures another person
There are several major types of abuse: physical, sexual, substance, elder, and psychological
AC
Abbreviation for ante cibum, meaning before meals
ADL
Activities of Daily Living
AM Care
Morning care, this can include positioning, vitals, assessments, and getting resident ready for the day
Apnea
Cessation of breathing, especially during sleep
Aspiration
Inhalation of some foreign material; aspiration of vomitus, blood, or mucus may occur when a person is unconscious or under the effects of a general anesthetic
Assault
A threat resulting in a person feeling fearful that they will be harmed
Atrophy
A wasting or decrease in size of a body organ, tissue, or part owing to disease, injury, or lack of use leading to decreased function
Battery
The intentional touching of a person without their consent
BID
Abbreviation for bis in die, meaning twice a day
BBP
Blood-Borne Pathogens
Brachial
Of, relating to, or resembling the arm or a similar or homologous part, such as the foreleg, wing, or other forelimb of a vertebrate
Cells
The smallest unit of living structure capable of independent existence, composed of a membrane-enclosed mass of protoplasm and containing a nucleus or nucleoid
Cells are highly variable and specialized in both structure and function, although all must at some stage replicate proteins and nucleic acids, use energy, and reproduce themselves
Client
A synonym for a patient who receives health care in an ambulatory care setting, especially when health maintenance rather than illness care is the primary service provided
Coma
A deep sleep, or a state of extreme unresponsiveness, in which an individual exhibits no voluntary movement or behavior.
Confusion
A mental state in which reactions to environmental stimuli are inappropriate because the person is bewildered, perplexed, or unable to orientate herself or himself
Constipation
An acute or chronic condition in which bowel movements occur less often than usual or consist of hard, dry stools that are painful or difficult to pass
Contracture
Abnormal shortening of muscle tissue, rendering the muscle highly resistant to stretching; this can lead to permanent disability. It can be caused by fibrosis of the tissues supporting the muscle or the joint, or by disorders of the muscle fibers themselves
Cyanosis
Cyanosis is a physical sign causing bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes. Cyanosis is caused by circulation issues or a lack of oxygen in the blood
Cyanosis is associated with cold temperatures, heart failure, lung diseases, and smothering. It is seen in infants at birth as a result of heart defects, respiratory distress syndrome, or lung and breathing problems
Dangle
A popular term for the first movement a patient is allowed, either after surgery under general anesthesia, or ‘under local’, in which the recuperee allows the feet to dangle over the side of the bed
Dehydration
Dehydration is the loss of water and salts essential for normal body function
Delegation
Transfer of responsibility for the performance of patient care while retaining accountability for the outcome
Dementia
Dementia is a loss of mental ability severe enough to interfere with normal activities of daily living, lasting more than six months, not present since birth, and not associated with a loss or alteration of consciousness
Diastolic
Relating to or occurring during cardiac relaxation. Constitutes the minimum amount of pressure exerted on the cardiovascular system
Digestion
The mechanical, chemical, and enzymatic process whereby ingested food is converted into material suitable for assimilation for synthesis of tissues or liberation of energy
DNR
Abbreviation for do not resuscitate
DOFF
To remove PPE
Dysphasia
The partial or complete impairment of the ability to communicate resulting from brain injury
Dysphagia
Difficulty swallowing
Dyspnea
Difficulty in breathing, often associated with lung or heart disease and resulting in shortness of breath
Edema
A condition of abnormally large fluid volume in the circulatory system or in tissues between the body’s cells
Elimination
Discharge from the body of indigestible materials and of waste products of body metabolism; see defecation, urination, and clearance
Expiration
- exhalation
- termination or death
- a time after which a medication or agent has lost its potency
Fecal Impaction
Accumulation of putty-like or hardened feces in the rectum or sigmoid
The condition often occurs in patients with long-standing bowel problems and chronic constipation. It also may develop when barium is introduced into the intestinal tract and not completely removed
Fowlers
An inclined position obtained by raising the head of the bed about 20-30 inches to promote collection of intraabdominal fluid in the lower part of the abdomen
Friction
The resistance of two surfaces rubbing against each other in opposite directions. Can cause sores or skin breakdown
HAI
Healthcare-Associated Infections
Infections acquired while patients are receiving health care for another condition
HIPAA
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
I&O
Intake and Output
Incontinence
Inability to control excretory functions
Ingestion
The taking of food, drugs, liquids, or other substances into the body by mouth
Inhalation
The drawing of air or other substances into the airways and lungs; see also aspiration or inspiration
Logrolling
Emergency medicine A popular term for the moving of a Pt–as if rolling a log–without allowing lateral movement of the head and neck, usually to a board or other flat rigid device
Maslow
Abraham H. Maslow, a U.S. psychologist that lived from1908-1970.
He developed a hierarchy of needs to describe needs that humans presumably fill successively in the order of lowest to highest: physiologic needs, love and belonging, self-esteem, and self-actualization
Metabolism
The chemical processes occurring within a living cell or organism that are necessary for the maintenance of life. In metabolism some substances are broken down to yield energy for vital processes while other substances, necessary for life, are synthesized
Microbe
Archaic. A microscopic living organism—e.g., bacterium, fungus, protozoan; microorganism
mL
MilliLiter, Cubic Centimeter (CC), 1/1000th of a Liter
Neglect
To disregard or ignore; to fail to perform a duty or to give due attention or care
NPO
Abbreviation for nil per os, meaning nothing by mouth
Nursing Process
A five-part systematic decision-making method focusing on identifying and treating responses of individuals or groups to actual or potential alterations in health. Includes assessment, nursing diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation
Nutrient
An element, mineral, or biochemical substance used by the body that must be supplied in adequate amounts from foods consumed
There are six classes of nutrients: water, proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, and vitamins
OBRA
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987. This nursing home reform act was enacted by Congress to protect people from abuse in nursing homes
Occult
Occult blood test examination by microscope or chemical test of a specimen (such as feces, urine, or gastric juice) for presence of blood that is not otherwise detectable. Feces are tested when intestinal bleeding is suspected but there is no visible evidence of blood
Ombudsman
A neutral representative of local government who assesses complaints about councils, authorities, organisations, education admissions appeal panels, healthcare professionals (e.g., GPs) and adult social care providers (e.g., care homes and home care providers)
Organs
Any part of the body exercising a specific function (for example, respiration, secretion, or digestion)
Orthopneic
Difficulty in breathing that occurs while the patient is lying down
OSHA
Abbreviation for Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the U.S. Department of Labor, responsible for establishing and enforcing safety and health standards in the workplace
Ostomy
A surgical procedure creating an opening in the body for the discharge of body wastes
Oz
Ounces
PASS
- Pull
- Aim
- Squeeze
- Sweep
The acronym for fire extinguisher usage
Pathogen
Any virus, microorganism, or other substance causing disease
Patient
A person who is ill or is undergoing treatment for disease
Peristalsis
The movement of the intestine or other tubular structure, characterized by waves of alternate circular contraction and relaxation of the tube by which the contents are propelled onward
PC
Abbreviation for post cibum, meaning after meals
PHI
Protected Health Information
Physical (Physiological) Needs
- Food and Water
- Shelter
- Activity
- Rest
- Comfort; freedom from pain
PM Care
Evening care, which can include brushing teeth, shower, change of clothing, denture care, getting patient into bed
PRN
Abbreviation for pro re nata, meaning as needed
Prone
Lying face downward, or on the ventral surface
Quadriplegia
Paralysis of the muscles of both arms, both legs and of the trunk. Quadriplegia results from severe spinal cord damage in the neck, usually as a result of a fracture-dislocation, but sometimes as a result of neurological disease
QID
Abbreviation for quater in die, meaning four times a day
Q4H
Every 4 hours
RACE
- Rescue
- Alert
- Contain
- Extinguish
The acronym for fire response
Radial
Relating to the radius (bone of the forearm), to any structures named from it, or to the radial or lateral aspect of the upper limb compared with the ulnar or medial aspect
Resident
- A patient in a long-term care setting
- A physician receiving specialized clinical training in a hospital, usually after completing an internship
Respiration
The act of breathing.
More technically, the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the atmosphere and the body cells, including inhalation and exhalation, diffusion of oxygen from the pulmonary alveoli to the blood and of carbon dioxide from the blood to the alveoli, followed by the transport of oxygen to and carbon dioxide from the body cells
Restraint
The forcible confinement or control of a subject. It may be either physical or chemical
Restraint Alternative
Measures used in place of a restraint or that reduce the need for a restraint
Sepsis
An infection in the bloodstream or body tissues. This is a very broad term covering the presence of many types of microscopic disease-causing organisms
Shearing
An applied force that tends to cause an opposite but parallel sliding motion of the planes of an object. Such motions cause tissues and blood vessels to move in such a way that blood flow may be interrupted, placing the patient at risk for pressure ulcers
Standard Precautions
A method of infection control—recommended by the CDC—in which all human blood, certain body fluids, as well as fresh tissues and cells of human origin are handled as if they are known to be infected with HIV, HBV, and/or other blood-borne pathogens
STAT
With no delay; at once. Used especially in medicine
Stoma
A surgically constructed opening, especially one in the abdominal wall that permits the passage of waste after a colostomy or ileostomy
Supine
Lying with the face upward, or on the dorsal surface
Syncope
Sudden loss of consciousness, either with momentary premonitory symptoms or without warning, due to cerebral anemia caused by ventricular asystole, extreme bradycardia, or ventricular fibrillation
Systolic
Relating to or occurring during cardiac contraction. Constitutes the maximum amount of pressure exerted on the cardiovascular system
TID
Latin for ter in die, meaning three times a day
Tissues
A group or layer of similarly specialized cells that together perform certain special functions
Transmission Precautions
The second tier of basic infection control and are to be used in addition to Standard Precautions for patients who may be infected or colonized with certain infectious agents for which additional precautions are needed to prevent infection transmission
Trendelenburg
A supine position in which the feet are higher than the head; used in patients who become acutely hypotensive. Developed by German surgeon, Friedrich Trendelenburg, 1844-1924.
