Medical Terminology w/ Abbreviations

Question 1

Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS)

Answer 1

An umbrella term for situations where the blood supplied to the heart muscle is suddenly blocked.

Question 2

Aspirin (ASA)

Answer 2

Classified as a salicylate and a non steroidal anti- inflammatory drug (NSAID). It works by blocking certain natural substances in your body to reduce fever, pain and swelling. It is commonly given to patients presenting to the ED for/ with chest pain.

Question 3

Do Not Resuscitate (DNR)

Answer 3

Instruction to withhold resuscitation efforts. This can be issued by a physician after consultation with the patient or surrogate decision maker, or by the medical command authority via radio communications.

Question 4

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

Answer 4

A blood clot in a deep vein, usually in the legs. Can also occur in the arms.

Question 5

Echocardiogram (ECHO)

Answer 5

Diagnostic test in which Ultrasound is used to visualize the heart.

Question 6

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)

Answer 6

A contagious and antibiotic-resistant staph bacteria that leads to potentially dangerous infection. It does not get better with the first-line of antibiotics that usually cure staph infections.

Question 7

Nil per os (NPO)

Answer 7

Translates to “nothing by mouth.”

Question 8

Nitroglycerin (NTG)

Answer 8

Mediation that dilated blood vessels and decreases the workload on the heart. It is often used to treat angina pectoris.

Question 9

Non-ST Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (NSTEMI)

Answer 9

A heart attack that is not diagnosed on the EKG but is diagnosed by an elevated troponin blood test.

Question 10

National Emergency X-Ray Utilization Study (NEXUS)

Answer 10

Refers to the study that created clinical decision rules for deciding which patients with neck injury should receive x-rays for evaluation.

Question 11

No Known Drug Allergy (NKDA)

Answer 11

No allergy to medications.

Question 12

Penicillin (PCN)

Answer 12

A group of antibiotics derived from Penicillium fungi.

Question 13

Pulmonary Embolism

Answer 13

A condition in which one or more arteries in the lungs become blocked by a blood clot.

Question 14

Range of Motion (ROM)

Answer 14

How far the person’s joints can be moved in different directions.

Question 15

ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEM)

Answer 15

A myocardial infarction (MI) diagnosed by an ST segment elevation on an EKG.

Question 16

Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI)

Answer 16

For patients with history of unstable angina (UA) and NSTEMI, the TIMI risk score is a simple prognostication scheme that categorizes a patient’s risk of death ischemic events and provides a basis for therapeutic decision making.