Medical Terminology Flashcards
Acute
Sudden onset/short duration
Intense or Severe
Chronic
Long lasting/Persistent
can develop gradually
Auscultation
Listening to internal sounds
Usually w/stethoscope
Palpation
Using your hands to exam body during physical exam
Hands on method used in gathering important information
Percussion
Technique used during physical exam by tapping on specific part of body to listen to sounds it produces
Resonance
Low pitched, hollow sound heard during percussion over air filled areas of body
**Abnormal resonance/Lack of resonance can indicate issues like fluid build up or a mass
Hyperresonance
Abnormal/louder/low pitched sound heard during percussion over areas of body that contain more air than normal
Indicates too much air in a body cavity, which can suggest an underlying health issue
Dullness
Sound heard during percussion that is soft, short, and high pitched
Suggest area is solid or filled w/something other than air
Flatness
solid/air less area
Sound heard during percussion over a dense structure w/no air (like bone/thick muscle)
produces a very soft/high pitched brief sound
Indicates area has NO air
Tympany
Refers to high pitched drum like sound that is heard during percussion over hollow air filled spaces in the body
Carotid Pulse
Blood vessel in neck
one on each side of neck
Supplies blood to brain/neck/face
Brachial
Located in upper arm
Runs down arm
Starting at should and continues to elbow
Supplies blood to arm and hand
Checked on inside of elbow
Radial
Main artery in forearm
Runs along thumb side of forearm and wrist
Check on wrist just below base of thumb
Popliteal
Blood vessel behind the knees
Supplies blood to lower legs and foot
Felt in back of knee
Often used to assess blow flow to the lower legs and feet
Posterior Tibial
Blood vessel in lower leg
Runs along back of leg, near the ankle and supplies blood to foot
Commonly checked behind inner ankle bone(medial malleolus)
Provides blood to the lower leg and foot
Dorsalis pedis
Blood vessel located on the top of foot
Supplies blood to feet and toes
Felt on top of foot, just between the 1st and 2nd toes
Assess blood flow to the lower extrimities
Femoral
Largest artery in thigh
Main vessel supplying oxygen rich blood to lower body
Starts in groin area and runs down leg
Felt in groin
Crucial role in blood flow to legs
Jaundice
Yellowing of skin/eyes/mucous membranes
Caused by excess bilirubin
Ecchymosis
Bruise/bleeding under the skin
Contusion
Bruise/blood pooling under the skin
Occurs when small blood vessels under skin damaged from a blow/trauma/injury
Cyanosis
Bluish/purple discoloration of skin/lips/nails due to low oxygen levels in blood
Petechiae
Small/red-purple spots caused by tiny blood vessels breaking under the skin
Erythema
Redness of skin caused by increase in blood flow -often due to irritation or inflammation
Derm-
skin
Cutaneo-
skin
Hyperpigmentation
areas of skin darker than surrounding skin/ due to melanin production
Hypopigmentation
areas of skin loose color and become lighter due to reduced melanin
Hematoma
Blood outside of blood vessel/often appears swollen or bruised
Melanoma
Type of skin cancer/develops from melanocytes (cells that produce melanin)
ABCDE assessing abnormal area on skin
A-Asymmetry-
B- Border irregularity
C- Color variation
D- Diameter >6mm
E- Evolving/changing mole
Carcinoma
Type of cancer that begins in epithelial ells (cells that line surface of the body)
/most common form of cancer
can occur in various parts of body
skin turgor
skin elasticity ability to return to normal position after being pinched or stretched /
Helps assess for hydration
Edema
Swelling caused by fluid retention in tissues
Affect
Emotional state/mood
Outward display of emotion
Types of Affect
Inappropriate
Incongruent
Flat
Blunted
Labile
Congruent
Flat Affect
Severe reduction in emotional expressiveness
associated w/depression & schizophrenia
Blunted affect
Reduced intensity of emotional expression
less severe than flat
Labile affect
Rapid/unpredictable change in emotion
often seen in mood disorders
Congruent affect
Emotional expression that matches the persons mood/situation
Inappropriate affect
emotional reaction that does not match the context of the situation
often signals underlying psychological or neurological issue
Incongruent affect
Emotional expression that does not match person mood or situation
9laughing during a sad moment
Level of Consciousness
(LOC)
How awake and responsive a person is
used to evaluate brain function and neurological health
Gaze Accommodation
Eyes ability to adjust and focus when looking between near and distant objects
critical role in maintaining clear vision
CVA
Stroke/ Blockage or rupture of a blood vessel in brain leading to potential brain damage
CVA/ F-A-S-T
F- Face drooping
A-Arm weakness
S- Speech difficulty
T- Time to call 911
Ischemic stroke
Blood clots block or narrow an artery leading to brain
Respart of body)ults: Thrombus (clot formed in artery)
Embolus (clot traveling to another
Hemorrhagic stroke
Blood vessel in brain ruptures causing bleeding into or around the brain
TIA
“mini stroke” Temporary blockage of blood flow to brain
No permanent damage
Warning sign of possible future stroke
Babinski/planter reflex
Assess function of nervous system
particularly CNS
upward movement of big toe indicates possible neurological problem
Hypertension
(HTN)
High B/P
Force of blood against the walls of the arteries is consistently too high
Hypotension
Low B/P
When blood pressure in arteries is abnormally low
blood flow to organs maybe insufficient
Bradycardia
Slow Heart rate
<60/bpm
Tachycardia
Fast Heart rate
>100/bpm
Tachypnea
abnormally rapid/fast breathing
>20-22/bpm
Bradypnea
slow breathing
<12/bpm
Visceral pain
pain originates from organ
internal organ causes pain
deep/aching/cramping
often hard to localize associated w/conditions affecting abd/chest/pelvis
referred pain
Felt in location other than where the actual problem is
often r/t interconnected nerve pathways
Somatic pain
Pain originates from skin, muscle, bones, joints, or connective tissue
“sharp” localized
Korotkoff Sounds
sounds heard when taking a b/p used to determine systolic and diastolic b/p
Carotid pulse
supplies blood to brain/neck/face
blood vessel in the neck one on each side of neck
Brachial pulse
Located in upper arm
runs down arm
starting at shoulder and continues to elblow
Checked on inside of elbow
Dorsalis pedis
Artery is on top of foot
supplies oxygen rich blood to toes and feet
Felt on top of foot between big toe and 2nd toe
Posterior tibial
Blood vessel in lower leg
Runs along back of leg near the ankle and supplies blood to the foot
Commonly checked behind the inner ankle bone (medial malleolus)
Provides blood to lower leg and feet
Popliteal
Blood vessel behind the knees
supplies blood to lowere legs and feet
felt in back of knee
often used to assess blood flow to the lower legs
determines circulation to the lower legs and feet
Femoral pulse
Felt in groin
Crucial role in blood flow to legs
Large artery in thigh main blood vessel supplying oxygen rich blood to lower body
starts in groin area and runs down leg
Bronchi
Large air passages that help transfer air from trachea to lungs
Alveolae
Small air sacs in lungs where gas exchange occurs
Inspiration
Inhalation/breathing in allows oxygen in lungs
Expiration
Exhalation/breathing out
removes carbon dioxide from the body
Stridor
High pitched noisy sound
indicates airway obstruction
Wheeze
whistling sound during breathing
indicates barrowed airways
Rhonchi
Low pitched rattling sound heard during breathing due to mucus or obstruction of large airway
Crackles
crackling/popping sounds often caused by fluid in lungs
asthma
chronic condition affects breathing due to inflamed/narrowed airways
COPD
Long term lung disease
Hard to breath due to blocked air flow
Emphysema
Lung condition
air sacs are damaged making it hard to breath
Hyper-oxygenation
excessive amounts of oxygen
Hypo-oxygenation
body not getting enough oxygen
Carbon dioxide retention
When body holds onto too much CO2
often due to poor lung function can lead to breathing difficulties
Borborygmi
Rumbling/gurgling sounds made by intestine during digestion
Movement of food/liquid/gas
Peristalsis
Involuntary movement of muscle in digestive tract that helps move food/liquid/waste thought the system
Emesist
vomiting
Hematemesis
Vomiting blood
Hematemesis Melena
GI bleeding
black/tarry stool/related to digestion of blood
Hematochezia
fresh/red bright red blood from rectum/due to GI bleed
hemorrhoids/diverticulosis/colorectal cancer
Perineum/perineal
area between genitals and anus
Nephro-
Kidney
Uro-
Urine/Urinary system
Renal Calculi
Kidney stones/hard deposits of minerals/salts that form in kidneys and can cause severe pain when passing through urinary tract
Nephrolithiasis
Kidney stones/renal calculi
presence of kidney stones/cause severe pain as the pass through urinary tract
Types of Renal Calculi
Calcium Stones
Struvite stones- response to UTI
Uric Acid stones- dont drink enough water or Gout
Cystine stones- rare/usually occur in people w/genetic disorder called Cystinuria
Ileum
(RLQ & LLQ)
Final/end part of small intestine
absorbs remaining nutrients and moves digested material into large intestine/ critical role in nutrient absorption and immune function
Duodenum
(RUQ & LUQ)
1st section of small intestine
responsible for continuing digestion by moving food w/enzymes and bile
beginning of nutrient absorption
Duodenum/4 parts
Superior: extends from stomach
Descending: Receives bile and pancreatic enzymes from the common bile duct and the pancreatic duct
Horizontal: Crosses body from right to left
Ascending: Connects the jejunum the next section of small intestine
Jejunum
(LUQ & LLQ)
Middle section of the small intestine/
2nd part of small intestine
responsible for absorbing nutrients from digested food
Plays vital role in digestive process
Colon
(RLQ/RUQ/LUQ/LLQ)
Large intestine absorbs water/forms stool/eliminates waste from body
vital role in maintaining fluid balance and preparing waste for excretion
Parts of Colon
RUQ: Transvers/Ascending
RLQ: Cecum/Ascending
LUQ: Transverse/Descending
LLQ: Descending/Sigmoid
Cecum: (RLQ)- 1st part of colon where undigested food from small intestine enters
Ascending: (RLQ) Runs upward along right side of abdomen
Transvers (RUQ)- Crosses abdomen right to left
Descending: (LUQ)- Runs downwards along left side of abdomen
Sigmoid: (LLQ)- S-shaped section connects the descending colon to the rectum
Bounding
Stronger than normal pulse/feels
unusually strong/forceful
Palpable
Something that is noticeable/detectable by tough
“felt” “touched”
Weak pulse
Lack of normal strength or force
difficult to feel/loess force than normal
Absent pulse
No pulse is felt
No blood flow to that artery
sign of blockage/blood clot
severe vascular disease/cardiac arrest
Angina
Chest pain //occurs when heart does not get enough oxygen rich blood
reduced blood flow to the heart muscle
Stable Angina
Predictable and occurs with exertion or stress
usually relieved w/rest or with medication
Unstable Angina
Occurs suddenly more severe
Mav signal a heart attack or other serious heart condition
Capillary refill
Check how fast blood returns to skin after pressure is applied
Assess circulation
heart Failure
When either ventricle fails to pump blood efficiently into the aorta or pulmonary artery
Jugular venous distention
Visible bulging of neck veins
Occurs when there is increased pressure in the right side of heart
which can cause blood to back up in the vein
Myocardial infarction
Heart attack
When part of heart muscle is damaged due to lack of blood flow, often related to blocked artery
usually caused by blockage of 1 or more coronary arteries due to build up of plaque
Ischemia
Inadequate blood supply as a result of blood flow to tissue leading to oxygen deprivation or potential damage typically related to blockage of blood vessel
Plaque
combination of fat, cholesterol and other substances
Peripheral Artery Disease
(PAD)
Arteries outside the heart specifically in upper and lower extremities become narrow or blocked related to fatty deposits (atherosclerosis)
S/S: Leg pain/cramping * Weak/absent pulse in lower ext
Slow healing wounds in lower extremities
Shiny/taut
Pulse deficit
Difference between the heartbeat and pulse felt at a distant site, indicating that not all heart beats are strong enough to reach the extremities
often seen in atrial fibrillation
where the heart beats irregularly
Difference between apical pulse and radial pulse
Pressure Pulse
Difference between systolic pressure and diastolic pressure
Shows the force of blood flow w/eth each heart beat
Stasis Ulcer
Wound caused by poor venous blood flow
Typically related to chronic venous insufficiency
Pressure Ulcer
Occurs when prolonged pressure on a particular area of skin reducing blood flow and causing tissue damage leading to skin break down
Acute
Sudden onset/short duration/intense or severe
Chronic
LOng lasting/persistent/can develop gradually
Auscultation
listening to internal sounds usually w/stethoscope
Palpation
Using your hands to exam body during physical assessment
Hands on method used in gathering important information
Tympany
High pitched drum like sound that is heard during percussion over hollow air filled spaces in the body
Percussion
Technique used during physical exam by tapping on specific part of body to listen to the sound it produces
Resonance
Low pitched/hollow sound heard during percussion over air filled areas of the body
Abnormal resonance for lack of resonance/can indicate issues like fluid buildup or a mass
Neck vein distention
neck at 45 degrees
Dullness
Sound heard during percussion that is soft/short/high pitched suggest area is solid or filled w/something other than air
Flatness
Solid/airless area
Sound heard during percussion over a dense structure w/no air like none/thick muscle produces a very soft/high pitched brief sound indicates are has no air
Hyperresonance
Abnormal Louder/low pitched sound heard during percussion over areas of body that contain more air than normal
Indicates too much air in a body cavity, which can suggest an underlying health issue
Blood Pressure stages
Normal: <120/<80
Elevated: 120-129/<80
Stage I: 130-139/80-89
Stage II: 140>/90>
CRISIS: >180/>120
External Jugular Vein
Right atrial pressure
30-45 degrees as high as 90degrees
Jugular Vein
Fluttering or Oscillating/ Irregular rhythms or unusually prominent waves suggest Right sided heart failure
Orthostatic Hypertension
(Postural hypertension)
<20/systolic
<10 diastolic
within 3 minutes of standing
Cause: fluid volume deficit/r/x antihypertensives/prolonged bed rest
Palpating Pulses
Rate
Rhythm
Amplitude
Contour
Rating Pulses
o+= Absent
1+= Diminished/barely palpable
2+= Normal
3+= Full Volume
4+= Full Volume/Bounding
Cachexia
Extreme weight loss/ muscle wasting/physical decline
Seen in chronic disease/net easily reversed w/diet alone
Anorexia
Loss of appetite/reduced desire to eat/unintentional weight loss
Macronutrients
Body requires large amounts to provide energy and support basic physiological function
Carbohydrates/Proteins/Fats
Micronutrients
Vitamins/minerals/body requires small amounts
Atrophy
wasting away/decrease in size/commonly occurs in muscles/organs related to disuse/aging/malnutrition/neurological condition
Crepitation
Cracking/popping/grating sounds or sensations
r/t: cartilage wear/osteoarthritis/rough surfaces rub together
Hypertrophy
increase in size/ enlargement of cells
Glasgow Coma Scale
Assess LOC after brain injury or AMS
Evaluates eyes/verbal/motor response
Low score=more severe impairment
Goiter
/ Abnormal enlargement of thyroid gland
Causes: Iodine deficiency/auto immune disorder/ Thyroid Nodules/ Graves disease/ Thyroid Cancer/ Hormonal changes/ Inflammation/ Thyroiditis
Light Palpation
1cm deep
Assess for surface characteristics/ tenderness/ muscle tone
Skin: texture/ temp/superficial mass
Abd: Muscle/ detecting guarding/rigidity
Superficial organs: Some parts of liver/bladder if distended
Deep Palpation
Pressing more firmly/4-5cm deep
Assess the size, shape, and consistency of deeper organs
Organs felt w/Deep Palpation
Liver (RUQ)
Kidneys (Rt/LT Flank)
Spleen (LUQ) only if enlarged
Abd Aorta (mid abd/just above naval)
Bladder0if distended/felt in lowerabd
Uterus-pregnant woman/felt in lower abd
Flatness
Soft/high pitch sound & very short heard w/percussion
Indicates: area w/no air and composed of dense/solid tissue
Heard where bones/solid structures are present
Areas to Percuss Flatness
Bones
Muscles/dense areas
Solid tumors/Masses
Paresthesia
“Pins” & “Needles” Temporary or Chronic
Abnormal sensation of skin tingling/prickling/numbness
Typically occurs in hands/feet/arms/legs
Hemiparesis
Weakness/partial paralysis on 1 side of body
caused by brain damage r/t stroke/injury
Hemiplegia
Complete paralysis on 1 side of body
Paraplegia
Paralysis of lower 1/2 of body
includes both legs and sometimes part of lower trunk
R/T: Spinal cord injury/damage affecting movement & sensation in the legs
Quadriplegia
(Tetraplegia)
Paralysis affecting all 4 limbs (Upper/Lower extremities &
torso)
R/T: Spinal cord damage to cervical region
Impacts movement/sensation/many bodily functions
Aura
Sensor disturbance-Warning symptom before seizure/migraine
Involving sensory changes such as visual disturbance/tingling/speech problems
post-ictal state
Recovery phase after seizure
Symptoms: Confusion/fatigue/muscle soreness as brain returns to normal state
Romberg Test
“test cops perform for DUI”
Screening tool to assess balance by having person sand still w/eyes closed and touch nose
+ result indicates problem w/sensory input or inner ear function
Dullness
Soft/high pitched and short hounds heard w/percussion
Indicates dense tissue or fluid
Typically heard over solid organs or fluid filled areas
Orangs where Dullness is heard w/percussion
Liver(RUQ)=Solid organ
Spleen(LUQ)= may only be percussed if enlarged (splenomegaly)
Heart- Helps determine size/borders
Fluid in lungs-Abnormal/may indicate pleural effusion/Pneumonia(fluid/infection in lungs)/Atelectasis(collapsed lung)
Bladder- Heard over bladder is bladder is distended w/urine
Organs that can be Percussed
Lungs
Heart
Liver
Spleen
Stomach
Intestine
Bladder
Tympany
High pitched hollow, drum like sound heard during percussion over air filled structures
usually areas in abd where air is present in GI Tract
Stomach (LUQ) gastric bubbles in stomach make this sound
Intestines- Heard all over small/large intestine because they contain gas
–air in intestines creates a resonant drum/like sound when percussed
Tympany Normal/Abnormal
Normal sound over air filled structures in abd
Abnormal sound when heard in areas where it is not normally present
Chest(over lungs=maybe related to abnormal air
accumulation like pneumothorax
Korotkoff sounds
pulsatile sounds heard upon auscultation of the brachial artery, as in when checking a manual blood pressure
Pulse deficit
difference between auscultated apical heart rate and a palpable radial pulse
Can signal a weakness in the ventricles such as heart failure or atrial fibrillation
Atelectasis
Collapsed lung
Assess for cough, decreased breath sounds, possible cyanosis, chest expansion decreased
Ataxia
Lack of muscle coordination
Watch the client walk
Erythema
Increase redness of the skin from dilated superficial capillaries
Seen w/fever, inflammation, emotional reactions
Must palpate in dark skin people for warmth
Senile tremors
Alcohol relieves senile tremors
Not recommended since patient may develop an addiction
Benign tremors: hands, head (nodding yes/no) and tongue protrusion
