Medical Terminology 3 (A-L) Flashcards
Abandonment
Leaving patient after care has been initiated and before transferring to someone with equal or greater training.
Abrasion
Scratch or scrape.
Abruptio Placentae
Placenta separates from the uterine wall.
-Cause of pre-birth bleeding.
Acromion Process
Highest portion of the shoulder.
Activated Charcoal
Used to treat poisoning overdoses when a substance is swallowed.
-Helps absorb poisons - It binds to the charcoal and is prevented from being absorbed by the body.
Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS)
Term used for symptoms related to lack of oxygen in the heart muscle.
-Also called cardiac compromise.
Acute Myocardial Infarction
Portion of the myocardium (heart muscle) dies as a result of oxygen starvation.
Also called heart attack.
Adolescence
13-18 years of age
Vitals: Heart Rate = 55-105/min
Respirations: = 12-20/min
Systolic BP = 80-120
Adult
19+ years of age
Vitals: Heart Rate = 60-100/min
Respirations = 12-20/min
Blood Pressure = 120/80
Agonal Breathing
Irregular, gasping breaths.
Allergen & Allergic Reaction
Allergen = Something that cause allergic reaction
Allergic Reaction = Exaggerated immune response.
Alveoli
Microscopic sacs of the lungs where gas exchange with the bloodstream takes place.
Amniotic Sac
“Bag of waters” that surrounds the developing fetus.
Anaphylaxis
Severe or life threatening reaction.
- Drop in BP
- Respiratory system swells
Anemia
Lack of normal # of red blood cells in the circulation.
Aneurysm
Dilation or ballooning of a weakened section of the wall of an artery.
Angina Pectoris
Chest Pain - Portion of the heart muscle not receiving enough oxygen.
Anterior
Front of body or body part.
Ventral
Aorta
Largest artery in the body, transports blood from left ventricle to begin systemic circulation.
Apnea
Not Breathing.
Arterial Bleeding
Bleeding from an artery - Bright red blood that is rapid, profuse and difficult to control.
Arteries
Carry oxygenated blood away from the heart.
Exception:
Arteriole
Smallest kind of artery.
Aspirin
Medication used to reduce clotting ability of blood - Prevents and treats clots associated with myocardial infarction.
Assault
Placing a person in fear of bodily harm.
Asystole
Heart has completely stopped.
Atria
Upper chambers of the heart:
- Right chamber receives unoxygenated blood returning from the body.
- Left chamber receives oxygenated blood returning from the lungs.
Avulsion
Tearing away of skin or flap of skin.
Bariatric
Patients who are significantly overweight or obese.
Battery
Causing bodily harm/restraining.
Bilateral
Both sides.
Blood glucose levels
Normal = 70-120 mg/ml
Usually no more than 140
Brachial Artery
Artery of the upper arm.
Site of pulse check during infant CPR.
Bronchi
Two large sets of branches that come off the trachea and enter the lungs.
Bronchoconstriction
Constriction or blockage of the bronchi that lead from the trachea to the lungs.
Capillaries
Oxygenated blood from the arteries is emptied into the capillaries, which supply every cell of the body.
Capillary Bleeding
Bleeding from the capillaries - Slow oozing flow of the blood.
Cardiac Conduction System
System of specialized muscle tissue that conducts electric impulses that stimulate the heart to beat.
Cardiogenic Shock
Brought on NOT by blood loss but by inadequate pumping actin of the heart. Often a result of a heart attack or CHF.
Cardiovascular System
Consist of:
Heart, Arteries and veins
-Pumps blood throughout entire body to transport nutrients, oxygen and wastes.
Carotid Arteries
Large neck arteries that carry blood from the heart to the head.
Carpals/Metacarpals
The wrist bones/hand bones.
Central Nervous System
Consist of brain and spinal cord.
Cephalic Presentation
Baby appears head first during birth, this is the normal presentation.
CISM
Critical incident stress management.
-Education and resources to deal with stress appropriately.
Clavicle
Collarbone.
Closed Wound
Internal injury with no open pathway from the outside.
Compensated Shock
When body is developing shock but the body is still able to maintain perfusion.
- You see increased HR - to increase the blood flow.
- You see increased respirations - to increase the o2 in the blood.
Components of Reassessment
-repeat primary assessment
-reassess and record vitals
-repeat pertinent parts of history/physical exam
check interventions
Confidentiality
Obligation not to reveal info obtained about a patient, except to other healthcare professionals, involved in the patients care.
Congestive Heart Failure
Failure of the heart to pump efficiently. leading to excessive blood/fluids in the lungs.
Consent
Permission from the patient.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)
Positive pressure ventilation, consisting of a mask and a means of blowing oxygen into the mask, preventing airway collapse.
Contusion
A bruise.
Coronary Arteries
Blood vessels that supply the muscle of the heart.
Crepitus
Grating sensation or sound when bone ends rub together.
Cricoid Pressure
Pressure applied to cricoid ring to minimize air entry into the esophagus.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Emphysema as well as chronic bronchitis, black lung and many undetermined respiratory illnesses that cause the patient problems.
Cyanosis
Blue color resulting from lack of oxygen in the body.
Decompensated Shock
When the body can no longer compensate for low blood volume or lack of perfusion.
-Falling BP develops
Dehydration
Abnormally low amount of water in the body.
Defibrillation
Electrical Shock to stop the fibrillation of the heart muscles and restore normal rhythm.
Diabetes Mellitus (diabetes)
Condition brought on by decreased insulin production/inability of body cells to use insulin properly.
Diaphragm
A major muscle of respiration, divides chest cavity from abdominal cavity.
Distention
To be stretched, inflated or larger than normal.
Distal
Farther away from the torso.
Duty to act
Obligation to provide care.
Dyspnea
Difficulty breathing - shortness of breath.
Dysrhythmia
Disturbance in the heart rate and rhythm.
Eclampsia
Severe complication of pregnancy that produces seizures and coma.
Ectopic Pregnancy
Implantation of the fertilized egg is not in the body of the uterus.
Edema
Swelling - Associated w/ the movement of water.
Embolism
Blockage of a vessel by clot/foreign material brought to site by blood current.
Endocrine System
Collection of glands that produce hormones that regulate different things.
Epilepsy
Medical condition that causes seizures.
Epiglottitis
When an infection inflames the area around and above the epiglottis causing the tissue to swell.
Epinephrine
Hormone produced by the body. As a medication, it dilates respiratory passages.
Evisceration
An intestine or internal organ protruding through a wound in the abdomen.
Expiration/Exhalation
Passive process, which intercostal muscles relax, causing chest cavity to decrease in size forcing air from the lungs.
Expressed Consent
Consent given by adults who are of legal age and mentally competent.
Femoral Artery
Major artery supplying the leg.
Femur
Large bone of the thigh.
Fibula
Lateral and smaller bone of the lower leg.
Flail Chest
Fracture of two or more adjacent ribs in two or more places allowing free movement of fractured segment.
Fontanelle
Soft spot on an infants anterior scalp.
Full thickness burn
3rd degree burn, involving all 3 layers.
Charred black, dry and white areas.
Gallbladder
Sac under the liver that stores bile produced by the liver.
Glucose
Form of sugar, body’s basic source of energy.
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
HIPAA
Law protecting privacy of patient - Specific health care info.
Hematoma
Swelling caused by collection of blood under the skin.
Hemorrhage
Bleeding - especially severe bleeding
Hemothorax
Blood in the chest cavity.
Homeostasis
To maintain a condition of balance or equilibrium.
Humerous
Bone of the upper arm.
Hyperglycemia
High blood sugar
Hyperglycemia & Hypoglycemia
Hyper: slower onset, warm red dry skin, has acetone breath.
Hypo: More rapid onset, cold pale moist skin, does not have acetone breath.
Hypertension
High blood pressure.
Hypoglycemia
Low blood sugar.
Hypoperfusion
Inadequate perfusion of the cells and tissues - caused by insufficient flow of blow through the capillaries.
Shock
Hypovolemic Shock / Hemorrhagic Shock
Shock resulting from blood loss or fluid loss.
Hypoxia
Insufficiency of oxygen in body’s tissues.
Hypoxia readings
96-100: Normal
91-95: Mild Hypoxia
86-90: Moderate Hypoxia
85 & below: Severe Hypoxia
Implied Consent
Presumed a patient or patients parent would give if they could, such as for an unconscious patient or parent that cant be reached.
Infancy
Birth to 1 year of age.
Vitals: HR = 140-160/min
Respirations = 40-60 @ birth 30-40 soon after
Systolic BP = 70-90
Inferior
Away from the head.
Inspiration/Inhalation
Active process, which the intercostal muscles contract, expanding the size of chest cavity causing air to flow into the lungs.
Insulin
Hormone produced by the pancreas or taken as a medication by diabetics.
Irreversible Shock
Body has lost the battle to maintain perfusion to vital organs.
Jugular Vein Distention (JVD)
Bulging of the neck veins.
Kidneys
Filter blood and regulate fluid levels in the body.
Labor + Stages
3 stages of delivery
1st = starts with contractions, ends when cervix is dilated.
2nd = When baby enters birth canal until he is born.
3rd = After baby is born until afterbirth (placenta, cord, amniotic sac)
Laceration
A cut.
Lateral
Away from the midline of the body.
Layers of skin
Epidermis, dermis, subcutaneous layers.
Liability
Being held legally responsible.
Liver
Largest organ in the body - Which produces bile to assist in breakdown of fats.
