Medical Terms Flashcards
Angioedema
The swelling of tissue layers under the skin;
includes swelling of the dermis and lower layers [subcutaneous (SC) tissue, mucosa, submucosal layers –> swelling in these layers causes breathing difficulty]
Anorexia
Loss of appetite, can be psychological; due to AIDS (AIDS wasting syndrome) or due to drugs (generally, drugs DECREASE appetite, versus causing a loss of appetite.
Anorgasmia
Inability to have an orgasm, despite stimulation
Anuria
Lack of urine output, can be due to acute renal failure (oliguria is low urine output); with urinary retention (e.g., from anticholinergics, including antihistamines), the urine comes out but takes longer to begin to flow.
Apoptosis
Cell death, can be due to medical conditions (e.g., alcoholic cirrhosis)or from several chemotherapy drugs.
Arrhythmia
Irregular heart rhythm, with LOW HR (bradycardia) or FAST HR (tachycardia); can be due to antiarrhythmics, and (if the arrhythmia is torsades de pointes) from drugs that prolong the QT interval
Arthralgia
Joint pain
Arthritis
Joint disease/inflammation; 3 common types
osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and gout.
Ascites
Fluid accumulation within the peritoneal space that can lead to spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) and hepatorenal syndrome (HRS); can be caused by liver disease, volume overload with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF), infection or (uncommonly) as an adverse reaction to a drug (e.g., rifaximin).
Asplenia
Decrease or absent spleen function (e.g., spleen was removed after an injury, such as a gunshot wound), asplenia causes altered immunocompetency, with INCREASED infection risk.; infection precautions will be needed, including meningococcal and both pneumococcal (conjugate and polysaccharide) vaccines, and avoiding live vaccines
Abscess
A painful collection of pus on the skin, often caused by a bacterial infection. Can be due to a pressure ulcer (bed sore) from lying in the same position (over a bone) for long periods.
Akathisia
Inability to stay still with constant movement (restlessness)
Akinesia
Kinesia means movement; akinesia is the lack of voluntary movement; can be a symptom of Parkinson disease (freezing or off-movements)
Dyskinesias are abnormal, involuntary movements; can be due to levodopa and (to a lesser degree) dopamine agonists.
Dyskinesias are an extrapyramidal symptom (with dystonic reactions and tardive dyskineas
Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is involuntary movements in the tongue, face, trunk, and extremities (caused by dopamine blockade): can be due to antipsychotics (not quetiapine or clozapine) and metoclopramide. When TD is present, the drug should be discontinued; TD can be IRREVERSIBLE.
Alogia
Lack of speech, a negative symptom of schizophrenia.
Alopecia
Hair loss, can be due to valproate, methotrexate, chemotherapy drugs (taxanes)
Amenorrhea
Absence of menstruation, can be due to spironolactone, and drugs that INCREASE prolactin (risperidone, paliperidone)
Amnesia, anterograde
Loss of memory when the drug is taken(going forward in time); past memory is not affected; can be due to benzodiazepines (and varenicline, if the patient has a blackout)
Amnesia, retrograde
Loss of memory to past events
Anaphylaxis
Severe, life-threatening allergic reaction, occurs soon after a drug is taken; many drugs can cause anaphylaxis; drugs with high-risk include penicillins, carbapenems, omalizumab and other monoclonal antibodies (MABs), injectable iron (especially iron dextran, which requires a small test dose prior to use), pegloticase, rasburicase, IV phytonadione. When a drug causes anaphylaxis, the drug is contraindicated for the patient (except penicillin, to treat syphilis in pregnancy, will require desensitization).
Asthenia
Abnormal lack of energy and strength, can be due levetiracetam, some chemotherapy drugs.
Ataxia
Loss of full control and uncoordinated body movement (an intoxicated individual has ataxia, and cannot walk in a straight line); can be due to alcohol, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, drug toxicity from antiepileptic drugs (AEDS–>phenytoin) and lithium.
Ataxia can be due to ototoxicity that causes vestibular (inner ear) damage.
Atherosclerosis
The buildup of fats, cholesterol and other substances in and on the artery walls (atherosclerotic plaques), which restrict blood flow.
If the plaque ruptures, the artery can become occluded (closed up/blocked)
Attenuated
Weakened; used to refer to weakened live vaccines that are able to replicate, but will not be able to cause disease (except in immunocompromised patients)
Atypical
Not the usual symptoms or presentation (a women having a heart attack may have back pain or abdominal pain and not the classic (typical) symptom of chest pain
Auscultation
Listening to internal organs (heart, lungs,) with a stethoscope
Axillary Temperature
Temperature taken under the arm (in the armpit)
Avolition
Lack of motivation; a NEGATIVE symptom of schizophrenia
Bilateral
On BOTH (bi) sides of the body
VS
Unilateral, which is on ONE side of the body
Bioavailability
The extent to which an oral drug is absorbed into the systemic circulation;
IV drugs = 100% bioavailability (none is lost to oral absorption)
Drugs with 1:1 oral (PO) to IV dosing has 100% bioavailability
Ex: 100mg IV dose = 100 mg PO dose
Blepharitis
Eyelid inflammation
Bolus
A relatively LARGE dose of an IV drug given at once –> quickly achieves an effect or serum level
In CONTRAST;
an IV INFUSION delivers a steady rate of drug over a longer period
Bradycardia
DECREASED Heart Rate (HR);
< 60 BPM
Bradykinesia
Slow movement
Bronchitis
Inflammation of the bronchial tubes with difficulty breathing and clearing mucus, often due to INFECTION , from long-term smoking, second-hand smoke, or airborne irritants
BUD
Beyond-Use Date/Expiration Date
Beyond use date (BUDs) are applied to products by the pharmacist, and relate to the preparation’s microbial sterility.
BUD = the last date the drug may be used
BUD = usually shorter that then the chemical/physical stability
**When labeling drugs in use, ALWAYS choose the shorter date.
Expiration dates are used for manufactured drugs and relate to the drug’s chemical/physical stability after opening or dilution.
Expiration dates = provided by the manufacturer
Bulimia
An eating disorder characterized by binging (over-eating) and compensatory self-induced vomiting
Cachexia
Extreme weight loss and muscle wasting due to a chronic illness, commonly seen in frail, elderly patients who have been sick for some time
Carbuncle - cluster of furuncles (boils)
A furuncle is a hair follicle infection, most are S. aureus infections.
A Carbuncle is a red, inflamed cluster of furuncles that contains pus, and can form an abscess
Cardiomegaly
An abnormally enlarged heart
Most cardiomegaly is due to thin, stretched out ventricles (dilated cardiomyopathy)
Cataplexy
A sudden loss of muscle control that causes temporary paralysis on both sides, often triggered by laughing, crying or fear
The person remains conscious (is aware) but is temporarily unable to move
Cataplexy occurs most often with narcolepsy, a disorder of excessive sleepiness (narcolepsy with cataplexy)
Cataract
A cataract is a cloudiness covering the lens in the eye/s
As the cataract grows, the vision becomes progressively worse; can be due to sunlight exposure, chronic use of systemic steroids or steroid eye drops (Pred Forte)
Cellulitis
A BACTERIAL infection (usually due to Staphylococcus or Streptococcus) in the skin or subcutaneous tissue, most commonly on the lower legs
Skin is red, swollen and painful
Central Line
A central line (catheter) empties into a LARGE vein (superior vena cava)
In CONTRAST:
A Peripheral line empties into a SMALLER vein (the cephalic vein)
Some drugs can ONLY be used in a central line (vasopressors)
Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA) -stroke
Blood flow to a part of the brain is blocked:
Thrombus (clot) = Ischemic Stroke
blood vessel rupture = Hemorrhagic CVA
Cerumen
Ear wax, build-up DECREASES hearing
Can be removed in a medical office
or
with OTC products
Chancre
A painless ulcer (chancre in the genitals due to syphilis)
Chelation
A chemical complex in which ions and molecules bind to metal ions;
EDTA (antidote) = chelates heavy metals to reduce toxicity
Quinolones & Tetracyclines chelate with polyvalent metallic cations (Fe, Al, Mg, Ca) = DECREASE efficacy
Chelated complexes are NOT absorbed = excreted in FECES
Cholelithiasis
Formation of gallstones (calculi), often preceded by biliary sludge (mixture of bilirubin, cholesterol & other substances)
Cholestasis
Reduction or blockage of bile flow
Cinchonism
Cinchona alkaloid overdose Symptoms: Tinnitus Hearing loss Blurred vision Headache Delirium
Cirrhosis
Advanced frequently irreversible fibrosis (scarring) of the liver
Conjunctivitis- pinkeye
Inflammation of the thin clear tissue that lies over the white part of the eye
Can be due to:
1. infection (viral/bacterial)
2. inflammatory response to an allergen (pollen) or substance (dust)
Crystalluria
The excretion of crystals in the urine;
Keep hydrated to reduce risk (DRINK WATER)
Cystitis
Bladder inflammation, usually due to a bacterial infection
Hemorrhagic cystitis
Bladder inflammation with hematuria, pain, difficulty with voiding
Delirium
An acutely disturbed mind with incoherent thought and speech and agitation Can be due to: 1. Infection 2. Illicit drug use 3. Anticholinergic toxicity in elderly
Delusion/Hallucination
Delusions = incorrect (misinterpreted) perceptions
[Persecutory are most common (e.g. the nurse hates me and is trying to kill me; the nurse is there, but the perceptions are delusional)]
Hallucinations = hearing/seeing/feeling something that is not there, and not based on reality
[Auditory hallucinations are most common (e.g. hearing voices that are tormenting the patient)]
Dementia
Memory loss, difficulty with judgment, attention, planning and personal care.
Most common type = Alzheimer’s
Desiccant
An agent that keeps something dry;
Drugs that come in a bottle with a desiccant packet usually require that the drug is dispensed in the original container.
Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)
A life-threatening complication of T1DM (and occasionally T2DM–> more likely to get HHS), with signs/symptoms of fatigue, weakness, hyperglycemia, anion gap metabolic acidosis, and ketonuria.
Mainly due to not taking insulin, and insulin pump failure, or can be the initial presentation in T1DM
Dialysis
Different types: hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis
Dialysis replaces the function of the kidneys to remove waste products, electrolytes and excess fluid from the patients blood.
A dialysis machine filters the blood, which circulates back (cleaner) blood into the patient
Diaphoresis
Sweating
In addition to normal sweating due to heat, diaphoresis can be due to an acute coronary syndrome (ACS/MI), anxiety, vasomotor (menopausal) Symptoms, hypoglycemia, tuberculosis (TB), SNRIs/SSRIs and opioids.
Night sweats are common with vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes in the day, night sweats at night), active TB, and can be present with HIV infection
Dipoplia
Double vision
Due to:
alcohol, or drug toxicity (CNS-depressant drugs, AEDS (phenytoin), alcohol)
Dyscrasia
A blood disorder in one or more of the cell lines (agranulocytosis, pancytopenia)
Dysentery
Severe diarrhea, with abdominal pain and bloody stool, usually due to Shigella infection.
Dysgeusia
Bad, bitter or metallic taste in the mouth
Dyskinesia
Abnormal, involuntary movement
Dysmenorrhea
Discomfort and pain during the menstrual period
Dyspepsia
Indigestion
Dysphagia
Difficulty swallowing
Can be due to stroke and neuromuscular disorders
Dysphonia
Physical difficulty speaking; can be due to use of oral steroid inhalers
Dyspnea
Difficult or labored breathing; can be due to pulmonary toxicity, including cystic fibrosis, cardiac damage (w/heart failure)
In many cases the patient is fine until INCREASED oxygen is required that the patient is unable to provide (Dyspnea on exertion DOE)
Dystonia/Dystonic reaction
Prolonged contraction of muscles, including painful muscle spasms
Ectopic
In an abnormal place or position (ectopic pregnancy = pregnancy outside of the uterus)
Emboli/Embolism
Embolism is obstruction of a blood vessel by an emboli that has travelled through the blood.
Most emboli are blood clots (thrombus), and most come from DVTs.
A thrombus that has travelled through the blood is called a thromboembolus. Eventually, the thrombus comes to a vessel that it cannot fit through and gets stuck. The tissue on the other side of the emboli starts to die from lack of oxygen-rich blood.
A thrombus that stops in the lungs is called a pulmonary embolism (PE); it will block oxygen transfer, and can cause suffocation/death.
An emboli that stops in a cerebral (brain) artery will cause a CVA (stroke) or transient ischemic attack (TIA).
An emboli that stops in a coronary artery will cause an MI (heart attack).
Encephalitis
Inflammation of the brain; can be due to infections (herpes , toxoplasmosis)
Encephalopathy
A disease in the brain that alters brain function or structure; the KEY presentation is progressive loss of consciousness, with declines in memory and cognition.
Can be due to:
1. liver disease (hepatic encephalopathy)
2. brain infection/cancer/trauma/toxin exposure
Endocarditis
An infection in the lining of the heart chambers or heart valves;
Infection (growth) on the valves changes the shape of the valve, which can cause the blood to leak out or flow backwards (regurgitation, heard as a murmur).
Can require open-heart surgery to repair/replace heart valves.
Major risk factor = IV drug use (IVDA)
Endometriosis
A painful condition in which tissue that normally lines the uterus (endometrium) has grown outside the uterus
Enteral
Refers to the gut; enteral administration [through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract] is the preferred route (versus IV) for drug delivery.
(Other forms of drug delivery may be preferable–>topical delivery for skin rash)
Enuresis
Bed wetting, treated behaviorally (1st), then possibly with desmopressin (oral)
Epistaxis
Nosebleed;
can be due to anticoagulants & some risk with antiplatelets
Eructation
Burping
Erythema
Skin redness, caused by INCREASED blood (capillary dilation) in an area, commonly caused by receiving an injection, and from patch irritation.
Erythema migrans
the bulls-eye rash from Lyme disease (tick bite)
Erythema multiforme
Severe Rash
Etiology
The cause (of a disease)
Euphoria
A feeling of happiness, elation
Exacerbation
An acute INCREASE in the severity of a disease
Exophthalmos
Bulging (protruding) eyeballs. If bilateral, it is often due to Graves’ Disease (hyperthyroidism)
Extravasation
with vesicant
Extravasation occurs when a vesicant (a drug that will cause sever tissue damage) is being given by intravenous (IV) injection through a catheter (a line), and the catheter tip falls out of the vein, which allows the drug to seep into the surrounding tissues
Fibromyalgia
A painful condition with both physical pain (diffuse musculoskeletal pain) and psychological pain, with fatigue