Medical Terms to Describe Disease Conditions

Question 1

SIGN

Answer 1

objective evidence of disease, such as fever

Question 2

SYMPTOM

Answer 2

subjective evidence of a disease, such as pain or headache

Question 3

SYNDROME

Answer 3

a set of signs and symptoms that occur together as part of a specific disease process

Question 4

DIAGNOSIS

DX

Answer 4

the identification of a disease (plural, diagnoses)

Question 5

DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS

D/DX) or RULE OUT (R/O

Answer 5

an attempt to determine which one of several possible diseases is causing the signs and symptoms

Question 6

PROGNOSIS

Answer 6

a prediction of the probable course and outcome of a disease (plural, prognoses)

Question 7

ACUTE

Answer 7

rapid onset, severe course, and relatively short duration

Question 8

CHRONIC

Answer 8

long duration, although such diseases can be controlled, they are rarely cured

Question 9

REMISSION

Answer 9

the temporary, partial, or complete disappearance of the symptoms of a disease without having achieved a cure

Question 10

DISEASE

Answer 10

a condition in which one or more body parts are not functioning normally

Question 11

EPONYM

Answer 11

a disease, structure, operation, or procedure named for the person who discovered or described it first

Question 12

ACRONYM

Answer 12

a word formed from the initial letter of the major parts of a compound term
(laser - Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation)