Medical Terms Flashcards
1
Q
Angioedema
A
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]
2
Q
Anorexia
A
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.
3
Q
Anorgasmia
A
Inability to have an orgasm, despite stimulation
4
Q
Anuria
A
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.
5
Q
Apoptosis
A
Cell death, can be due to medical conditions (e.g., alcoholic cirrhosis)or from several chemotherapy drugs.
6
Q
Arrhythmia
A
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
7
Q
Arthralgia
A
Joint pain
8
Q
Arthritis
A
Joint disease/inflammation; 3 common types
osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and gout.
9
Q
Ascites
A
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).
10
Q
Asplenia
A
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
11
Q
Abscess
A
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.
12
Q
Akathisia
A
Inability to stay still with constant movement (restlessness)
13
Q
Akinesia
A
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.
14
Q
Alogia
A
Lack of speech, a negative symptom of schizophrenia.
15
Q
Alopecia
A
Hair loss, can be due to valproate, methotrexate, chemotherapy drugs (taxanes)
16
Q
Amenorrhea
A
Absence of menstruation, can be due to spironolactone, and drugs that INCREASE prolactin (risperidone, paliperidone)
17
Q
Amnesia, anterograde
A
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)
18
Q
Amnesia, retrograde
A
Loss of memory to past events
19
Q
Anaphylaxis
A
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).
20
Q
Asthenia
A
Abnormal lack of energy and strength, can be due levetiracetam, some chemotherapy drugs.
21
Q
Ataxia
A
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.
22
Q
Atherosclerosis
A
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)
23
Q
Attenuated
A
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)
24
Q
Atypical
A
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
25
Auscultation
Listening to internal organs (heart, lungs,) with a stethoscope
26
Axillary Temperature
Temperature taken under the arm (in the armpit)
27
Avolition
Lack of motivation; a NEGATIVE symptom of schizophrenia
28
Bilateral
On BOTH (bi) sides of the body
VS
Unilateral, which is on ONE side of the body
29
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
30
Blepharitis
Eyelid inflammation
31
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
32
Bradycardia
DECREASED Heart Rate (HR);
| < 60 BPM
33
Bradykinesia
Slow movement
34
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
35
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
36
Bulimia
An eating disorder characterized by binging (over-eating) and compensatory self-induced vomiting
37
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
38
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
39
Cardiomegaly
An abnormally enlarged heart
| Most cardiomegaly is due to thin, stretched out ventricles (dilated cardiomyopathy)
40
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)
41
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)
42
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
43
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)
44
Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA) -stroke
Blood flow to a part of the brain is blocked:
Thrombus (clot) = Ischemic Stroke
blood vessel rupture = Hemorrhagic CVA
45
Cerumen
Ear wax, build-up DECREASES hearing
Can be removed in a medical office
or
with OTC products
46
Chancre
A painless ulcer (chancre in the genitals due to syphilis)
47
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
48
Cholelithiasis
Formation of gallstones (calculi), often preceded by biliary sludge (mixture of bilirubin, cholesterol & other substances)
49
Cholestasis
Reduction or blockage of bile flow
50
Cinchonism
```
Cinchona alkaloid overdose
Symptoms:
Tinnitus
Hearing loss
Blurred vision
Headache
Delirium
```
51
Cirrhosis
Advanced frequently irreversible fibrosis (scarring) of the liver
52
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)
53
Crystalluria
The excretion of crystals in the urine;
| Keep hydrated to reduce risk (DRINK WATER)
54
Cystitis
Bladder inflammation, usually due to a bacterial infection
55
Hemorrhagic cystitis
Bladder inflammation with hematuria, pain, difficulty with voiding
56
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
```
57
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)]
58
Dementia
Memory loss, difficulty with judgment, attention, planning and personal care.
Most common type = Alzheimer's
59
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.
60
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
61
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
62
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
63
Dipoplia
Double vision
Due to:
alcohol, or drug toxicity (CNS-depressant drugs, AEDS (phenytoin), alcohol)
64
Dyscrasia
A blood disorder in one or more of the cell lines (agranulocytosis, pancytopenia)
65
Dysentery
Severe diarrhea, with abdominal pain and bloody stool, usually due to Shigella infection.
66
Dysgeusia
Bad, bitter or metallic taste in the mouth
67
Dyskinesia
Abnormal, involuntary movement
68
Dysmenorrhea
Discomfort and pain during the menstrual period
69
Dyspepsia
Indigestion
70
Dysphagia
Difficulty swallowing
| Can be due to stroke and neuromuscular disorders
71
Dysphonia
Physical difficulty speaking; can be due to use of oral steroid inhalers
72
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)
73
Dystonia/Dystonic reaction
Prolonged contraction of muscles, including painful muscle spasms
74
Ectopic
In an abnormal place or position (ectopic pregnancy = pregnancy outside of the uterus)
75
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).
76
Encephalitis
Inflammation of the brain; can be due to infections (herpes , toxoplasmosis)
77
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
78
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)
79
Endometriosis
A painful condition in which tissue that normally lines the uterus (endometrium) has grown outside the uterus
80
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)
81
Enuresis
Bed wetting, treated behaviorally (1st), then possibly with desmopressin (oral)
82
Epistaxis
Nosebleed;
| can be due to anticoagulants & some risk with antiplatelets
83
Eructation
Burping
84
Erythema
Skin redness, caused by INCREASED blood (capillary dilation) in an area, commonly caused by receiving an injection, and from patch irritation.
85
Erythema migrans
the bulls-eye rash from Lyme disease (tick bite)
86
Erythema multiforme
Severe Rash
87
Etiology
The cause (of a disease)
88
Euphoria
A feeling of happiness, elation
89
Exacerbation
An acute INCREASE in the severity of a disease
90
Exophthalmos
Bulging (protruding) eyeballs. If bilateral, it is often due to Graves' Disease (hyperthyroidism)
91
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
92
Fibromyalgia
A painful condition with both physical pain (diffuse musculoskeletal pain) and psychological pain, with fatigue
93
Fibrosis
Scarring (with stiffness) in connective tissue[{liver cell fibrosis is present in cirrhosis, pulmonary fibrosis (PF) lungs]
94
Flatulence
Excess gas in the GI tract, which is expelled by belching or through the anus (farting)
95
Folliculitis
Hair follicle infection that looks like a red pimple; primarily caused by Staphylococcus or Streptococcus
96
Galactorrhea
The production of breast milk in men or women who are NOT breastfeeding
97
Gastritis
Inflammation, irritation, or erosion of the lining of the stomach
98
Gastroparesis
Peristalsis is the movement of food/liquids through the GI tract by muscle contractions; gastroparesis = DECREASED peristalsis
99
Genotype, Phenotype
Specific sequence of nucleotides that code (provide instructions) for a protein.
A specific type of gene is called an allele (e.g. "she must have gotten that brown hair allele (genotype) from her father")
The brown hair is the phenotype = what is expressed
100
Gingival Bleeding
Gingiva is gums; gingival bleeding is gum bleeding; the most common cause is poor dental care.
101
Gingival Hyperplasia
Gingival hyperplasia is gum overgrowth
102
Glossitis
```
Tongue inflammation;
Can be due to:
Anemia (iron deficiency)
Infection (herpes sore)
Allergic reaction
Injury (burn)
```
103
Gynecomastia
Breast enlargement in men
104
Hematemesis
Vomiting blood
105
Hematoma
A collection of blood can be due to hemorrhagic stroke, injury or medications.
106
Hematuria
Blood in the urine;
Can be due to:
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
over-anticoagulation
107
Hemolysis
Destruction of red blood cells (RBCs)
108
Hemoptysis
Coughing or spitting up blood from the respiratory tract
109
Hemorrhoid
An enlarged or swollen blood vessel, usually located near the anus or the rectum
110
Hemostasis
Causing bleeding to stop
111
Hepatotoxicity
Liver toxicity from various causes (viral infections, cancer, alcohol, hepatotoxic drugs)
112
Hirsutism
Male-pattern hair growth in women
113
Hot Flashes- vasomotor symptoms
Temporary but recurring episodes of flushing with a sensation of warmth or heat on the upper body and face.
They are one of the hallmarks of perimenopause, and are due to the decline in estrogen, which has feedback regulation of luteinizing hormone (LH, resulting in INCREASED LH; this causes temperature dysregulation
114
Hyperbilirubin
INCREASED bilirubin in the blood, resulting in clay-colored stools and dark urine
115
Hyperhidrosis
Excessive sweating, commonly due to vasomotor (menopausal) symptoms
116
Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State (HHS)
A hyperglycemic crisis that most often occurs in T2DM due to some type of severe stress (very high BG levels, severe infection).
Serum ketones are not present, or are negligible (present in DKA)
117
Hyperthermia
Body temperature well above normal; can be caused by heat stroke or drugs (antipsychotics in neuroleptic malignant syndrome NMS)
118
Hypertrichosis
Excessive hair growth, can be all over the body or in patches
119
Hypertrophy
The enlargement of an organ or tissue from the INCREASE in size of its cells (benign prostatic hypertrophy, BPH), versus hyperplasia, which is an INCREASE in the number of cells
120
Intracranial Hemorrhage (ICH)
A hemorrhage in the brain
121
Intraarticular
Into the joint
122
Intrathecal
Introduced into or occurring in the space under the arachnoid membrane of the brain or spinal cord; intrathecal injection is used for drug delivery, including some chemotherapy regimens.
123
Ischemia
An inadequate blood supply to an organ or part of the body
124
Libido
Sexual desire
125
Lyophilized
Freeze-dried; IV drugs that come as lyophilized powders are reconstituted (brought back to liquid form) by the addition of sterile water for injection (SWFI) or bacteriostatic water for injection
126
Malaise
A general feeling of discomfort or illness
127
Malignant
Virulent, uncontrolled, potentially fatal, used to refer to cancer (versus benign, or harmless)
128
Medication Guide (MedGuide)
A handout that alerts the patient to toxicities associated with a drug; additionally the MedGuide will include useful information, such as what to expect, and administration
129
Menorrhagia
Heavy menstrual bleeding
130
Metatarsophalangeal Joint
The big toe joint; often the location of gout attack
131
Morbidity, Mortality
Morbidity = disease
Mortality = death
Both are population terms, are are used for the disease burden in a population (morbidity), or the number of people who died within a population (mortality).
The population could be the subjects in a clinical trial.
132
Mucositis
inflammation/ulceration of the mucous membranes in the mouth and throat
133
Myalgias
Muscle pain
134
Mydriasis
Pupil dilation
135
Myelosuppression (Bone Marrow Suppression)
Low WBC, RBC and platelets; usually due to chemotherapy drugs
136
Myocardial Infarction
A heart attack; there are 3 types:
STEMI: most severe; due to COMPLETE coronary artery blockage. No blood flow to heart tissue, which begins to die. Cardiac enzymes will be elevated in the blood and the ECG will have ST-segment elevations
NSTEMI: the coronary artery is PARTIALLY blocked, severely restricting blood flow to the heart. Cardiac enzymes will be elevated in the blood; the ECG may be normal or may have abnormalities.
Unstable angina: the coronary artery is PARTIALLY blocked, restricting blood flow to the heart. Cardiac enzymes will NOT be elevated in the blood; the ECG may be normal or may have abnormalities
137
Myocarditis
Inflammation or the myocardium (heart muscle)
138
Myoclonus
Muscle twitching
139
Myopathy
Muscle damage
140
Necrosis
The death of all or most of the cells in a part of the body, or in an organ
141
Nephrolithiasis
Kidney stones; urolithiasis can refer to kidney, or bladder stones; painful to pass
142
Nephrotoxicity
Renal toxicity/damage
143
Neuropathy, peripheral
Peripheral nerve damage, can be due to diabetes, and from some types of chemotherapy
144
Nosocomial
Hospital-acquired, such as a nosocomial infection (e.g. nosocomial (hospital-acquired) pneumonia)
145
NPO
Nothing by mouth; unable to take oral medication, food or drinks
146
Nystagmus
Repetitive, uncontrolled movements of the eyes
147
Oligohidrosis
Deficient sweat, can cause heat stroke
148
Othropnea
Shortness of breath when lying flat
| -patients can assess if heart failure is worsening by the number of pillows they prop themselves up with to get to sleep
149
Pillow orthopnea
Making your body more VERTICAL (w/more pillows) to keep congestion out of the lungs
150
Orthostasis
A DECREASE in blood pressure that happens soon after standing = postural hypotension
151
Osteomalacia
Bones are too soft
152
Osteoporosis
LOW bone density = porous (full of holes) and brittle bones
153
Osteomyelitis
Infection inside the bone
- Difficult to treat & requires long-term antibiotics
- Some cases require amputation = when infection cannot be treated
154
Otalgia
Ear pain
155
Otorrhea
Middle ear effusion/fluid = infection
156
Ototoxicity
Ear damage, which can cause hearing loss = tinnitus
157
Palliative Care
Medical care directed towards providing relief from the symptoms of a serious illness, including adequate relief from pain
158
Pallor
Pale skin color
159
Parasomnias
Unusual actions while sleeping, such as sleepwalking
160
Paresthesia
A burning or prickling sensation
161
Peak Level
The highest concentration of a drug in the patient's bloodstream
-taken after the dose has been given and has distributed through the blood
162
Pediculosis
Lice Infestation (head/body)
163
Pegylated
Addition of polyethylene glycol (PEG) to a compound to DECREASE toxicity & INCREASE half-life (extending dosing interval)
164
Pharmacodynamics
What a DRUG does to the human body
| [loop diuretics' cause a person to lose fluids]
165
Pharmacokinetics
What the HUMAN body does to a drug
| [enzyme metabolism, which can destroy the drug]
166
Pharyngitis
Sore throat can be due to viral or bacterial (streptococcal) infection
167
Phlebitis
Vein inflammation, with pain, swelling, redness
| -can be due to injection of long-term antibiotics, hypertonic or cytotoxic solutions or a clot (thrombophlebitis)
168
Photosensitivity
Sun allergy
- an immune system reaction to sunlight
- most often causes an itchy red rash
169
PICC
| Peripherally Inserted Central Line
A central line inserted peripherally (in a vein in the arm) and advanced through the bein until the tip reaches a large vessel (often the SUPERIOR VENA CAVA)
170
Pleural Effusion
Fluid between the layers of pleura (thin membranes that line the outside of the lungs)
171
Pneumonia
Lung infection
172
Polydipsia
Extreme thirst
173
Polyp
An abnormal growth of tissue projecting from a a mucous membrane
174
Polyphagia
Excessive hunger or increased appetite
175
Polyuria
INCREASED urination
176
Porphyria
A group of disorders that results from a buildup of natural chemicals that produce porphyrin in your body
177
Porphyrin
Important hemoglobin (which carries oxygen) to function normally
178
Postprandial
After a meal, often in referencing after-meal blood glucose control
179
Preprandial
Before a meal, often used in referencing pre-meal medication administration with diabetes
180
Priapism
Prolonged erection > 4 hours, will become painful, and requires emergency medical care
-Can be due to sickle cell disease and medications
181
Prophylaxis
Preventing a condition or drug side effect
| [medications for malaria prophylaxis = protect people from contracting malaria)
182
Pruritus
Itching
183
Purulent
Consisting of, containing, or discharge pus
184
Pyelonephritis
A type of urinary tract infection where one or both kidneys become infected
185
Pyrexia
Fever
186
Rales, Rhonchi, Stridor
| lung sounds
Abnormal lung sounds heard with auscultation (via stethoscope) during inspiration (when breathing in)
187
Rales/crackles
Rattling, crackling sounds, can be due to infection (pneumonia), pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary edema due to congestion with heart failure
188
Rhonchi/wheezes
Deeper rattling sounds that resemble snoring sounds, due to fluid build-up [infection, COPD and cystic fibrosis (CF) cause rhonchi, which may go away with mucus secretion or coughing}
189
Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS)
A strategy to manage the risks from an especially toxic drug (EX: requiring prescribers to warn patients about the risks from opioids, in addition to a pharmacist's counseling)
-The specifics for each REMS depends on the toxicity from the drug
190
Retrograde ejaculation
Semen enters the bladder instead of exiting through the penis during orgasm
191
Rhabdomyolysis
Skeletal muscle breaks down rapidly, releasing myoglobin and other muscle components into the blood
-This causes complications, including acute renal failure from muscle pieces flooding into the kidney an causing severe damage
192
Rhinitis
Inflammation and swelling in the nose, usually caused by a cold or allergic rhinitis
193
Rhinorrhea
Runny nose, due to excessive mucus
194
Rigidity
Stiffness; nuchal rigidity (unable to bend neck) can indicate meningitis
-"Lead-Pipe" rigidity can indicate neuroleptic malignant syndrome
195
Rigors
Shivering, in which a patient feels cold but the body temperature is hot; can occur post-operatively or due to medication
196
Scabies
Itchy, contagious mite (sarcoptes scabiei) infestation (not infection); mites burrow into the skin and cause severe itching
197
Sepsis
Life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by dysregulation host response to infection.
Organ dysfunction can be identified by an acute change in the total Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score > or = to 2 points due to infection.
198
qSOFA
Quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment = simplified version to asses sepsis that uses only three criteria:
1. altered mental status
2. systolic BP < or = to 100 mmHg
3. respiratory > or = to 22 breaths per minute
199
Septicemia
A severe bloodstream infection.
| Also known as bacteremia = blood poisoning
200
Shock
A medical emergency (w/HIGH mortality), characterized by hypoperfusion usually in the setting of hypotension
201
Sialorrhea
Hypersalivation (drooling); can be due to Parkinsons disease.
202
Sinusitis
Inflammation of the sinuses (the hollow areas of the skull around the nose) can be due to infection or allergies; can cause SEVERE headache (sinus headache)
203
Somnambulism
Sleep walking; can be caused by medication or part of parasomnias (unusual actions during sleep) due to non-benzodiazepines
204
Somnolence
Sedation, usually due to medications
205
Spirometry
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The pulmonary (lung) test that is used to diagnose and assess asthma and COPD
-measures how much air someone can inhale, exhale, and how fast they can exhale
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Steatorrhea
Fat globules in the feces due to DECREASED intestinal fat absorption
-Present in CF
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Steatosis
Abnormal collection of fat somewhere in the body
| -Liver steatosis, in which fat collects in the liver = fatty liver
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Stenosis
Narrowing of space/s in the body
-bilateral renal stenosis = narrowing of BOTH renal arteries (which provide the major source of blood to the kidneys--> caused by atherosclerosis
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Stevens Johnsons Syndrome/Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis
| SJS/TEN
A severe skin reaction can be due to MANY drugs.
SJS: the less-severe end of the spectrum, which may/may not proceed to TEN = MORE severe
-Begins with FEVER and FLU-like symptoms, followed by skin blisters (initially on face and chest) that are BRIGHT RED, and spread rapidly
-Mucus membranes, nerves, eyes and genitalia can be affected.
-Can cause sepsis/shock/organ failure or death
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Stomatitis
Mouth inflammation can be due to medications and develop with mucositis (Inflammation/ulceration of the mucous membrane in the mouth and throat)
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Striae
Stretch marks on the skin can be due to losing weight quickly, pregnancy, and the use of chronic steroids, including heavy use of topical steroids.
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Stricture
An abnormal narrowing of a body passage, often seen in esophageal strictures, which are caused when acid refluxes into the esophagus, causing esophagitis with ulceration and leaving scar tissue that narrows the tube.
-Chronic acid exposure causes the cells to become abnormal, which is called Barrett's esophagitis, and is a pre-cancerous condition.
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Stridor
Abnormal lung sound: high pitched whistling sounds; specific causes, including croup
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Syncope
Temporary loss of consciousness caused by a quick drop in blood pressure
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Synergy
A effect greater than the sum of the parts; drugs can be used together resulting in synergistic benefits
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Tachycardia
INCREASED HR > 100 BPM
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Tachyphylaxis
DECREASED response to the effect of a drug
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Teratogenic
A drug that will cause birth defects if taken during pregnancy
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Thrombocytopenia
DECREASED platelets
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Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP)
Blood clots form throughout the body
-The clots consume platelets, which leads to bleeding under the skin and the formation of purpura (bruises) and petechia (dots), that are seen on the skin surface
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Thrush
Oral candidiasis infection inside of the mouth, can be due to severe immunocompromised state (AIDS) and localized immunocompromise from oral steroid inhaler use.
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Tinnitus
Ringing in the ears; can be due to toxicity from medications
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Torsades de Pointes (TdP)
A deadly type of ventricular tachycardia can be due to many drugs
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Trough level
The lowest concentration of a drug in the blood; troughs are usually measured at steady-state, right before a dose.
In contrast a PEAK level is measured after a drug has been given and has had time to distribute
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Uremia
A build up of urea (a nitrogen waste product) in the blood
| -elevated BUN (blood urea nitrogen); can be due to kidney failure
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Urethra
The tube that carries urine from the bladder, and out of the body, runs through vaginal opening (in females)
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Ureter
The tubes that run from the kidney into the bladder, delivering the "renal filtrate" that will be excreted as urine.
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Urolithiasis
Kidney/bladder stones, that are VERY painful to pass
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Urticaria
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Hives:
-Raised
-Itchy areas of skin
-affects top skin layer only (dermis)
Can be due to drug reaction
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Xerophthalmia
Dry eyes; can be due to:
- Sjogren's Syndrome
- Long daily use of contact lenses
- dehydration
- anticholinergics
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Xerostomia
Dry mouth; can be due to:
- Sjogren's Syndrome
- Dehydration
- anticholinergics
