Medical Terms Flashcards
A-
not, no, or lack of
-algia
pain or soreness
Audio-
hearing
Brady-
slow
Dys-
difficult, abnormal or painful
-ectomy
surgical removal
Hem-
blood
Hepato-
liver
Hyper-
high, above normal or excessive
Hypo-
low or below normal
-itis
inflammation
Myo-
muscle
Nephro-
kidney
Oligo-
too few or too little
Patho- or pathy-
disease or suffering
-pnea
breathing
Tachy-
fast
abscess
local collection of pus anywhere in the body
agranulocytosis
lack of granulocytes (WBCs) produced by the bone marrow
akathisia
inability to stay still with constant movement (restlessness)
akinesia
lack of body movement
alogia
lack of speech (also called aphasia)
alopecia
hair loss
amenorrhea
absence or cessation of menstruation
amnesia, anterograde
loss of memory related to events that occur after a traumatic event
amnesia, retrograde
loss of memory related to events occurring before a traumatic event
anaphylaxis
severe, life-threatening allergic reaction occurring within 30-60 minutes of an exposure. symptoms can include hypotension, swelling of the mouth and throat, difficulty breathing (bronchospasm, wheezing), hives, abdominal pain
angioedema
subcutaneous or submucosal swelling, typically in the tissues of the face, lips, mouth & throat. can occur in isolation or as a component of anaphylaxis
anion
negatively charged ion
anorexia
significant loss of appetite or aversion to food
anorgasmia
inability to achieve orgasm
anuria
no urine output
aortic dissection
tear in the wall of the aorta, which allows blood to flow between the wall layers, separating (dissecting) them
aphasia
lack of speech (alogia)
apoptosis
cell death
arrhythmia
abnormal heart rhythm
arthralgia
joint pain
arthritis
joint inflammation
ascites
fluid accumulation within the peritoneal space of the abdomen
asplenia
decreased spleen function or the absence of a spleen
asthenia
lack of energy and strength; weakness
ataxia
lack of muscle control & uncoordinated body movements
atherosclerosis
buildup of fats, cholesterol & other substances within arterial walls, which leads to plaques and a narrowing of the arterial space
attenuated
weakened
atypical
unusual
auscultation
listening to internal organs (i.e. heart & lungs) with a stethoscope
axillary
armpit
avolition
total lack of motivation
azotemia
buildup of urea (a nitrogen waste product normally eliminated by the kidneys) in the blood (also called uremia)
Beyond Use Date (BUD)
expiration date applied to a compounded product, beyond which the drug should not be used
bilateral
on both sides of the body
bioavailability
proportion (expressed as a percentage) of a drug that enters into the systemic circulation and is available to exert its biologic action
blepharitis
eyelid inflammation
bolus
single IV dose of a medication administered all at once over a short period of time
bradycardia
slow heart rate (<60 BPM)
bradykinesia
slow body movement
bronchitis
inflammation of the bronchi tubes in the film
bulimia
eating disorder characterized by binging (over-eating) followed by self-induced vomiting
cachexia
extreme weight loss & muscle wasting due to a chronic illness
carbuncle
red, inflamed cluster of furuncles (boils) that contain pus & can form an abscess
cardiomegaly
enlarged heart
cataplexy
sudden, temporary loss of muscle control & and inability to move while the person is awake, often triggered by strong emotions such as laughing, crying or fear
cataract
cloudiness covering the lens in the eye, caused by a breakdown of proteins & resulting in blurred vision
cation
positively charged ion
cellulitis
spreading bacterial infection in the skin or subcutaneous tissue, characterized by redness, swelling, warmth & pain
central line
long catheter inserted into a neck, upper chest or groin vein and guided into a large central vein (superior vena cava) to administer IV meds & fluid
cerebrovascular accident
when blood flow to part of the brain is blocked (e,g. by a clot or ruptured vessel) & brain cells die. also called a stroke
cerumen
ear wax
chancre
painless ulcer (usually located on the genitals) associated with primary syphilis
chelation
process by which ions and molecules (e.g. drugs) bind to metal ions, forming a non-absorbable complex
cholecystectomy
surgical removal of the gallbladder
cholelithiasis
formation of stones (calculi) in the gallbladder
cholestasis
reduction or blockage of bile flow
cirrhosis
advanced, irreversible fibrosis (scarring) of the liver
coagulopathy
condition associated with excessive bleeding & impaired clot formation
conjunctivitis
inflammation of the thin clear membrane that covers the eyeball & lines the inside of the eyelid
continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
treatment for obstructive sleep apnea that uses a machine to pump air through the airways, keeping the windpipe open during sleep
crystalluria
presence of crystals in the urine caused by metabolic disorders or drugs
cystitis
bladder inflammation, usually due to a bacterial infection
delirium
acute change in mental status characterized by incoherent thoughts and speech, disorientation, agitation, hallucinations, delusions and/or paranoia
delusion
false or irrational belief based on an incorrect interpretation of reality
dementia
memory loss & difficulty with thinking, problem-solving and language that interferes with daily life
desiccant
substance that preserves something by removing moisture & keeping it dry
diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
life-threatening hyperglycemic crisis characterized by high blood glucose, anion gap metabolic acidosis & ketones in the blood or urine
dialysis
process of removing waste products & excess electrolytes and fluid from the blood
diaphoresis
excessive or abnormal sweating not explained by the environmental temperature or a person’s activity level
diplopia
double vision
dissection
tear within the wall of a blood vessel (e.g. the aorta) which allows blood to flow between the wall layers, separating (dissecting) them
dyscrasia
any disease or abnormal condition of the body
dysentery
infection of the intestines, characterized by severe, bloody diarrhea and abdominal pain
dysgeusia
altered sense of taste
dyskinesia
abnormal, involuntary movements
dysmenorrhea
discomfort & pain during the menstrual period
dyspepsia
indigestion
dysphagia
difficulty swallowing
dysphonia
impairment of the voice (e.g. hoarseness) & difficulty speaking
dyspnea
difficult or labored breathing; shortness of breath
dystonia
involuntary movements & prolonged contractions of muscles that result in twisting body motions & abnormal posture
ectopic
in an abnormal place or position
embolism
foreign substance or blood clot that travels through the bloodstream and lodges in a blood vessel causing an obstruction
empyema
collection of pus & fluids in a body cavity, usually the pleural space (space between the lung & inner surface of the chest wall)
encephalitis
inflammation of the brain
encephalopathy
brain disease, damage or malfunction that results in an altered mental state
endocarditis
inflammation of the heart valves or lining of the heart chambers
endometriosis
painful condition in which tissue that normally lines the uterus (endometrium) has grown outside the uterus
enteral
involving the intestine
enuresis
involuntary urination
epistaxis
nosebleed
eructation
burping or belching
erythema
skin redness
etiology
the cause (e.g. of a disease)
euphoria
feeling of happiness; elevated mood
euthyroid
normal thyroid gland function
exacerbation
increase or worsening (e.g. in the severity of a disease)
excoriation
scraping or wearing off of skin resulting in a skin abrasion
exophthalmos
bulging (protruding) eyeballs
extravasation
when fluid (e.g. drug, blood) leaks outside of a vessel into the surrounding tissue
fibromyalgia
condition of widespread pain accompanied by stiffness, fatigue, sleep disturbances, headaches & emotional or mental distress (e.g. anxiety)
fibrosis
scarring (with stiffness) in connective tissue
flatulence
excess gas in the GI tract
folliculitis
hair follicle inflammation, usually caused by infection; can look like acne
galactorrhea
production of breast milk in men or women who aren’t breastfeeding
gastritis
inflammation, irritation or erosion of the lining of the stomach
gastroparesis
decreased function of the nerves controlling the stomach muscles, resulting in inadequate digestion & delayed gastric emptying
genotype
set of unique genes that determine a specific trait in an individual
gingival bleeding
bleeding of the gums (gingiva)
gingival hyperplasia
gum (gingiva) overgrowth
glossitis
tongue inflammation
gynecomastia
breast enlargement in men
hallucination
distortion of reality whereby a person hears, sees or feels something that is not there
heimlich maneuver
procedure for removing or dislodging an obstruction (e.g. food) from a person’s airway by applying forceful abdominal thrusts in an inward & upward direction
hematemesis
vomiting blood
hematologic
having to do with blood or blood disorders
hematoma
collection of blood within an organ or localized body tissue
hematuria
blood in the urine
hemolysis
destruction of RBCs
hemoptysis
coughing or spitting up blood from the respiratory tract
hemorrhoid
enlarged or swollen blood vessel near the anus or within the rectum
hemostasis
stopping of blood flow
hepatotoxicity
liver damage
hirsutism
male-pattern hair growth in women
hot flashes
episodes of flushing with a sensation of warmth or heat in the upper body & face
hyperbilirubinemia
increased bilirubin in the blood; can cause jaundice
hyperhidrosis
excessive sweating
hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS)
hyperglycemic crisis characterized by very high blood glucose, severe dehydration & confusion
hyperplasia
increase in the number of cells in an organ or body tissue
hyperthermia
body temperature well above normal
hypertrichosis
excessive hair growth; can be all over the body or in patches
hypertrophy
enlargement of an organ or tissue resulting from an increase in cell size
hypohidrosis
reduced sweat production (oligohydrosis)
intraarticular
into the joint
intracranial hemorrhage (ICH)
bleeding in the brain
intrathecal
introduced into or occurring in the space between the layers of tissue that cover the brain and spinal cord
ischemia
inadequate blood supply to an organ or part of the body
jaundice
yellowing of the skin & sclerae (whites of the eyes)
leukocytosis
increased (higher than normal) WBC count
libido
sexual desire
lymphadenopathy
swollen lymph node (also called glands)
lyophilized
freeze-dried
malaise
general feeling of discomfort or illness
malignant
severe & progressively worsening
cancer: ability to spread to other parts of teh body & invade and destroy tissue
medication guide (MedGuide)
handout that provides drug-specific information to help the patient avoid serious adverse events
melasma
skin pigmentation, usually appearing as dark spots on the cheeks of the face
menorrhagia
heavy menstrual bleeding
metatarsophalangeal joint
big toe joint
morbidity
illness or disease
mortality
death
mucositis
inflammation or ulceration of the mucous membranes in the digestive tract (often in the mouth)
myalgia
muscle pain
mydriasis
pupil dilation
myelosuppression
decreased bone marrow activity resulting in low WBCs, RBCs & platelets
myocardial infarction
heart attack
myocarditis
inflammation of the myocardium (heart muscle)
myoclonus
involuntary and abnormal muscle contractions
myopathy
muscle weakness or any muscle disease
necrosis
cell or tissue death
nephrolithiasis
formation of kidney stones
nephrotoxicity
kidney (renal) toxicity or damage
neuropathy
nerve damage
nosocomial
originating in a hospital
nystagmus
repetitive, uncontrolled movements of the eye
oligohidrosis
reduced sweat production (hypohidrosis)
orthopnea
shortness of breath when lying flat
orthostasis
drop in blood pressure that happens soon after standing
osteomalacia
softening of the bones
osteomyelitis
infection inside the bone
osteoporosis
low bone mass (density) resulting in porous & brittle bones
otalgia
ear pain
otorrhea
drainage of liquid from the ear
ototoxicity
ear damage
palliative care
medical (for comfort) care to improve the quality of life and provide symptom relief in patients with a serious, life-threatening or terminal illness, but doesn’t cure the disease
pallor
pale skin color
parasomnia
unusual, odd, or dangerous behavior occurring during sleep
paresthesia
burning, prickling or “pins and needles” sensation
peak level
highest concentration of a drug in the bloodstream
pediculosis
lice infestation
pegylation
addition of polyethylene glycol (PEG) to a molecule
perinatal
time immediately before & after birth
peripheral line
short catheter inserted into a peripheral vein, usually in the hand or the lowest part of the arm or foot, to administer intravenous medications & fluids
peripherally inserted central line (PICC)
central line inserted peripherally (in a vein in the arm) & advanced through the vein until the tip reaches a large vessel (often the superior vena cava)
peripheral neuropathy
peripheral weakness, numbness & pain from nerve damage
peristalsis
wave-like muscle movements of the GI tract that help digest food & push the contents forward
pharmacodynamics
effect that a drug has on the body
pharmacokinetics
effect that the body has on a drug as it goes through the process of absorption, distribution, metabolism & excretion
pharyngitis
inflammation of the pharynx resulting in a sore throat
phenotype
observable trait (e.g. hair color) that is the outward expression of a person’s genotype
phlebitis
inflammation of a vein
photosensitivity
oversensitivity of the skin to light
pleural effusion
fluid between the layers of the pleura, the thin membranes that line outside of the lungs
pneumonia
infection that inflames one or both lungs
polydipsia
extreme thirst
polyp
abnormal growth of tissue projecting from a mucous membrane
polyphagia
excessive hunger or increased appetite
polyuria
excessive urination
porphyria
group of disorders (commonly affecting the skin & nervous system) resulting from abnormalities in heme (an oxygen transporter) production & a subsequent increase in the formation of intermediate chemicals (porphyrins)
postprandial
after a meal
preeclampsia
serious, potentially fatal complication of pregnancy characterized by high blood pressure, protein in the urine & peripheral edema
preprandial
before a meal
priapism
prolonged, often painful, erection of the penis
prophylaxis
prevention (e,g. of a disease)
pruritus
itchy skin
pulse oximetry
noninvasive test that measures the level of oxygen in the blood (also called oxygen saturation)
purulent
consisting of, containing, or discharging pus
pyelonephritis
type of UTI where one or both kidneys become infected
pyrexia
fever
rales
abnormal rattling or cracking sound heard when examining the lungs with a stethoscope
rhonchi
continuous, deep rattling sounds (that resemble snoring) heard when examining the lungs with a stethoscope
risk evaluation & mitigation strategy (REMS)
drug safety program required by the FDA for some medications with serious safety concerns to ensure the benefits of the medications outweigh the risks
retrograde ejaculation
semen enters the bladder instead of exiting through the penis during orgasm
rhabdomyolysis
condition where skeletal muscle breaks down, releasing creatinine phosphokinase (CPK), myoglobin & other muscle components into the blood; can lead to kidney failure
rhinitis
inflammation & swelling in the nose
rhinorrhea
runny dose, with a thin mucus nasal discharge
rigidity
stiffness or an inability to bend
rigor
sudden feeling of cold with shivering accompanied by a rise in temperature
scabies
infestation of the skin by an itchy, contagious mite (Sarcoptes scabiei)
sepsis
life-threatening immune response to infection that can lead to tissue damage, organ dysfunction & death
septicemia/bacteremia/blood poisoning
severe bloodstream infection
shock
medical emergency (with high mortality), most often characterized by severe hypotension & hypoperfusion of vital organs
sialorrhea
excessive salivation or drooling
sinusitis
inflammation of the sinuses (hollow areas of the skull around the nose)
somnambulism
sleepwalking
somnolence
sleepiness or drowsiness
spirometry
pulmonary function test that measures the volume of air someone can inhale, the volume they can exhale and how fast they can exhale
steatorrhea
excess fat in the feces due to decreased intestinal fat absorption
steatosis
abnormal fat accumulation
stenosis
narrowing of a body space
Steven-Johnson Syndrome/Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (SJS/TEN)
severe systemic reaction that causes rash, blisters & peeling of the skin and the mucus membranes of the mouth airways, eyes & genitalia
stomatitis
inflammation and/or ulceration of the mouth
striae
stretch marks on the skin
stricture
abnormal narrowing of a body passage
subtherapeutic
lower than what is considered to be safe & effective (e.g. drug level, dose, laboratory values)
supratherapeutic
above what is considered to be safe & effective (e.g. drug level, dose, laboratory values)
syncope
temporary loss of consciousness caused by a drop in blood pressure and blood flow to the brain (fainting)
synergy
when the combined effect is greater than the sum of the parts
systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
autoimmune condition that causes inflammation & tissue damage in many parts of the body including the joints, skin, brain, lungs, kidney & heart (lupus)
tachycardia
fast heart rate (>100 bpm)
tachyphylaxis
diminished response to successive doses of a drug
tardive dyskinesia
uncontrollable, involuntary, repetitive movements of the face (most common) & other body parts
teratogenic
drug that will cause birth defects if taken during pregnancy
thrombocytopenia
low platelet count
thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP)
serious blood disorder that causes blood clots (thrombosis from platelet clumping) to form in small blood vessels throughout the body. this leads to a low platelet count and subsequent bleeding under the skin which appears as purple bruises (purpura)
thrush
yeast infection characterized by white patches in the mouth and/or throat caused by Candida albicans
tinnitus
ringing or buzzing in the ears
Torsades de Pointes (TdP)
life-threatening type of ventricular tachycardia characterized by changes in the QRS complexes & a prolonged QT interval
transient ischemic attack (TIA)
temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain that causes symptoms of a stroke that resolve within a short period of time (mini-stroke)
trough level
lowest concentration of a drug in the bloodstream or the concentration measured immediately before the next dose
unilateral
on one side of the body
uremia
buildup of urea (nitrogen waste product normally eliminated by the kidneys) in the blood (azotemia)
urethra
tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body. it runs through the penis in males & the vaginal opening in females
ureter
tubes that run from each kidney into the bladder, delivering the “renal filtrate” that will be excreted as urine
urolithiasis
formation of stone in the kidney, urethra, bladder or ureters
urticaria
raised, itchy areas of skin (hives)
vesicant
drug that can cause severe tissue damage or blistering
xerophthalmia
extreme dryness of the eyes (conjunctiva & cornea)
xerostomia
severe dry mouth caused by decreased saliva
