Medical Terms

Question 1

Abrasion

Answer 1

Wound caused by superficial damage to the skin, no deeper than the epidermis

*less severe than laceration

Question 2

Ambulation

Answer 2

ability to walk from place to place independently w/ or w/o assistance

Question 3

Antipyretic

Answer 3

an agent that reduces or prevents fever

Question 4

Atelectasis

Answer 4

a collapse of lung tissue affecting part or all of one lung

Question 5

Bradycardia

Answer 5

slowness of the heartbeat, usually evidenced by slowing of the pulse rate to less than 60 in adults

Question 6

Claudication

Answer 6

muscle cramps

Question 7

Cyanosis

Answer 7

a physical sign causing bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes

*caused by lack of oxygen in the blood

Question 8

Diaphoresis

Answer 8

perspiration, especially when copious and medically induced

Question 9

Dysuria

Answer 9

difficult or painful urination

Question 10

Emesis

Answer 10

act or process of vomiting

Question 11

Erythema

Answer 11

redness of the skin due to congestion of the capillaries

Question 12

Gait

Answer 12

a particular way or manner of walking

Question 13

Hematemesis

Answer 13

the vomiting of blood

Question 14

Hematoma

Answer 14

localized collection of extravasated blood, usually clotted, in an organ, space, or tissue

Question 15

Hemoptysis

Answer 15

coughing up of blood or bloody sputum from the lungs or airway

*200mL-600mL of blood coughed up within 24 hours is known as massive hemoptysis

Question 16

Laceration

Answer 16

a torn, raggled, mangled wound

Question 17

Orthopneic

Answer 17

relating to or suffering from orthopnea

*orthopnea - dyspnea that is exacerbated by sitting upright

Question 18

Palpable

Answer 18

perceptible to touch

Question 19

Pleurisy

Answer 19

inflammation of the membrane that surrounds and protects the lungs

*symptoms - sharp chest pains

Question 20

Polydipsia

Answer 20

excessive thirst

Question 21

Puncture

Answer 21

act of piercing or penetrating with a pointed obect or instrument

Question 22

Rhinorrhea

Answer 22

discharge of a thin nasal mucous

Question 23

Tachycardia

Answer 23

abnormally rapid heart rate

*usually 160-190 bpm

Question 24

Transient

Answer 24

pertaining to a condition that is temporary

*usually not recurring

Question 25

Waxing/Waning

Answer 25

the act or process of gradually occuring/declining or diminishing

Question 26

Afebrile

Answer 26

having no fever

Question 27

Antiemetics

Answer 27

used to prevent nausea and thus vomiting *aka antinauseants

Question 28

Apnea

Answer 28

temporary absence or voluntary cessation of breathing

Question 29

Avulsion

Answer 29

the tearing away of a structure or part

Question 30

Cerumen

Answer 30

earwax

Question 31

Contusion

Answer 31

bruise; an injury of a part without a break in the skin

Question 32

Debridement

Answer 32

process of removing nonliving tissue from pressure ulcers, burns, and other wounds

Question 33

Dyspnea

Answer 33

labored or difficult breathing

Question 34

Ecchymosis

Answer 34

passage of blood from ruptured blood vessels into subcutaneous tissue, marked by a purple discoloration of the skin

Question 35

Epistaxis

Answer 35

nosebleed *usually due to rupture of small vessels overlying the anterior part of the cartilaginous nasal septum

Question 36

Febrile

Answer 36

characterized by fever

Question 37

Gravid

Answer 37

pregnant

Question 38

Hematochezia

Answer 38

the passage of bloody stools

Question 39

Hematuria

Answer 39

presence of blood in the urine

Question 40

Incontinence

Answer 40

inability to control excretory functions

Question 41

Melena

Answer 41

passage of black, tar-like stools containing blood that has been acted on by the intestinal juices

Question 42

Pallor

Answer 42

paleness, as of the skin

Question 43

Photophobia

Answer 43

abnormal visual intolerance or sensitivity to light

Question 44

Polyuria

Answer 44

excessive secretion of urine

Question 45

Pruritus

Answer 45

severe itching, often of undamaged skin

Question 46

Purulent

Answer 46

containing, discharging, or causing the production of pus

Question 47

Syncope

Answer 47

a faint, temporary loss of consciousness due to generalized cerebral ischemia

Question 48

Tinnitus

Answer 48

hearing ringing, buzzing, or other sounds without an external cause

Question 49

Vertigo

Answer 49

sensation of rotation or movement of one's self or of one's surroundings; dizziness