Quiz 1 Acronyms And Terminology Flashcards
AAA
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: are bulges (dilations) in the wall of the aorta in the part that passes through the abdomen (abdominal aorta). If the aneurysm grows more than 5 cm, vessel ruptures can be more likely.
Risk factor: tobacco use (deficiency in protein causes weaken in the abdominal wall), male sex assigned at birth, atherosclerosis (plaque build up)
Symptoms/signs: usually asymptomatic, however, can feel sudden pain in the belly and traces to the lower back, groin areas and legs. Feel dizziness, nausea, and can go to shock
Diagnosis: CT scan, ultrasound if suspicion seeing a lump in the abdomen during physical examination, MRI can be used but the two mentioned more commonly used
Treatment: if the aneurysm is small: then drink antihypertensive meds for high BP, or aspirin for pain and blood thinning for plaque build up, statins to control cholesterol
If surgery is needed: need to do a synthetic graft repair (either tradition or endovascular synthetic graft repair)
A&O
Alert and oriented
ABG
Arterial Blood Gas: test measures the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in your blood as well your blood’s pH balance. The sample is taken from an artery, not a vein, and healthcare providers typically order it in certain emergency situations.
ac
Before meals
AC
Antecubital
ACE
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (inhibitors): ACE inhibitors are now recommended first for cases of heart failure though digitalis: digoxin, digitoxin (one of the worst margin safety drugs and low maintenance dose/low therapeutic dose & cumulative effects toxic) and diuretics are most often prescribed as well (because if heart can’t pump enough blood because heart failure then fluid retention can happen. Don’t drink NSAID for pain because they causes fluid retention which makes CHF even worse. Causes slightly increase in systolic pressure, no change in diastolic pressure). Beta Blockers may decrease hospitalization and lower mortality. Measurements show that ejection fraction increases. Flosequinan (a fluoroquinolone) is approved for cases resistant to ACE inhibitors.
Ex: captopril (Capoten®), enalapril (Vasotec®), lisinopril (Prinivil®), benazepril (Lotensin®), fosinopril (Monopril®), ramipril (Altace®), quinapril (Accupril®), moexipril (Univasc®), trandolapril (Diavan®)
Mechanism: less vasoconstriction and less aldosterone secretion so less fluid retention. Work well. Becoming more popular.
- Less effective in black patients
Side or Toxic Effects:
- Persistent cough, rash, proteinuria, headache, myalgia, dyspepsia, diarrhea
- Physicians less worried about severe effects which include fatal bone marrow depression and renal damage (occurs chiefly in patients with renal disease.)
Contraindications:
Pregnancy: 2nd and 3rd trimester death or injury to fetus
Caution in volume depleted or hyperkalemic (high potassium ion) patients
This agent is especially effective with a small dose of hydrochlorothiazide.
ACE Inhibitors are being recommended for other therapeutic uses besides hypertension control:
(1) Often the first drug given for congestive heart failure although digitalis and diuretics are often prescribed as well.
Less likely to cause potassium depletion and cardiac arrhythmias. More likely to cause first dose hypotension and dizziness, decreased renal function and severe persistent cough.
(2) Has been recommended post MI to decrease chances of slow onset of heart failure. (Improves perfusion of cardiac muscle.)
(3) Being used to reduce diabetic nephropathy (relaxes efferent arteriole lowering glomerular pressure and presumably damage.
ACS
Acute Coronary Syndrome: occurs when a sudden blockage in a coronary artery greatly reduces or cuts off the blood supply to an area of the heart muscle (myocardium). The lack of blood supply to any tissue is termed ischemia. If the supply is greatly reduced or cut off for more than a few minutes, heart tissue dies. A heart attack, also termed myocardial infarction (MI), is death of heart tissue due to ischemia.
- causes unstable angina to non–ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), and sudden cardiac death
-Etiology/causes: tobacco use, an atherosclerotic coronary artery, Coronary spasm (unknown cause from cocaine use)
- Symptoms/signs: Painful stimuli from thoracic organs, including the heart, can cause discomfort described as pressure, tearing, gas with the urge to eructate, indigestion, burning, aching, stabbing, and sometimes sharp needle-like pain with or without dyspnea, nausea, and diaphoresis.
- Diagnosis: ECG/EKG, cardiac markers
- Drug treatments: aspirin & other antiplatelet, beta blockers and ACE inhibitors for post-MI, statins for lipids level control, nitrates, 2L oxygen cannula, morphines can help for pain but can make situation worse, supportive care. (MONA- Morphine, Oxygen, Nitroglycerin, Aspirin)
Depends on types of ACS, different approach will be laid out. Follow physician orders.
ADA
American Diabetes Association
ADHD
Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder: a syndrome of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity
-methylphenidate (CNS stimulants)- Ritalin® used most often) classroom improvement in 70-80%: mechanism of action of drugs in ADHD:
1. Increases N.E. which seems to increase attention span of child.
2. Perhaps incr. dopamine helps (1996 study found abnormal D4 receptor in 21% AD-HD)
- In 2002 atomoxetine (Strattera®) a selective NE reuptake inhibitor was approved for ADHD. Effectiveness and side effects seem similar to methylphenidate.This drug, however, is not a CNS stimulant.
ADL
Activities of daily living
AED
Automatic external defibrillator: a medical device designed to analyze the heart rhythm and deliver an electric shock to victims of ventricular fibrillation to restore the heart rhythm to normal. Ventricular fibrillation is the uncoordinated heart rhythm most often responsible for sudden cardiac arrest.
ad lib
As desired
ADH
Antidiurectic hormone: induces expression of water transport proteins in the late distal tubule and collecting duct to increase water reabsorption resulted in less urine output and more water retention.
AIDS
acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: chronic, potentially life-threatening condition caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). By damaging your immune system, HIV interferes with your body’s ability to fight infection and disease by attacking CD4 cells. Without treatment, HIV may destroy so many CD4 cells that your immune system will have trouble fighting off infections.
HIV is a sexually transmitted infection (STI). It can also be spread by contact with infected blood and from illicit injection drug use or sharing needles. It can also be spread from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding. Without medication, it may take years before HIV weakens your immune system to the point that you have AIDS.
There’s no cure for HIV/AIDS, but medications can control the infection and prevent progression of the disease. Antiviral treatments for HIV have reduced AIDS deaths
afib
atrial fibrillation: is an irregular and often very rapid heart rhythm. An irregular heart rhythm is called an arrhythmia. AFib can lead to blood clots in the heart. The condition also increases the risk of stroke, heart failure and other heart-related complications.
During atrial fibrillation, the heart’s upper chambers — called the atria — beat chaotically and irregularly. They beat out of sync with the lower heart chambers, called the ventricles. For many people, AFib may have no symptoms. But AFib may cause a fast, pounding heartbeat, shortness of breath or light-headedness.
Episodes of atrial fibrillation may come and go, or they may be persistent. AFib itself usually isn’t life-threatening. But it’s a serious medical condition that needs proper treatment to prevent stroke.
A person with atrial fibrillation also may have a related heart rhythm problem called atrial flutter. The treatments for AFib and atrial flutter are similar.
Drugs treatment:
1. quinidine (prototype antiarrhythmic drug (originally for malaria) used less frequently than digitalis for arrhythmias. Quinidine is dangerous as well as effective. Quinidine is chiefly a cardiac depressant.
2. Beta blockers: for afib and atrial flutter
3. Amiodarone - (Oral) Severe toxicities (pulmonary fibrosis, corneal deposits, liver function, and thyroid function). Use only if others fail. Sometimes only drug that controls paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.
AICD
automatic implantable cardiac defibrillator: is a small battery-powered device placed in the chest. It detects and stops irregular heartbeats, also called arrhythmias. An ICD continuously checks the heartbeat. It delivers electric shocks, when needed, to restore a regular heart rhythm.
You might need an ICD if you have a dangerously fast heartbeat called ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. An ICD also may be recommended if you’re at high risk of dangerous irregular heartbeats, usually because of a weak heart muscle. An ICD isn’t the same as a pacemaker. A pacemaker is a device used to prevent dangerously slow heartbeats.
AKA
above knee amputation: involve removing the leg from the body by cutting through both the thigh tissue and femoral bone.
ALS
advanced life support
AMA
against medical advice
AP
anteroposterior
ARDS
acute respiratory distress syndrome: is a type of respiratory (lung) failure resulting from many different disorders that cause fluid to accumulate in the lungs and oxygen levels in the blood to be too low.
- The person has shortness of breath, usually with rapid, shallow breathing, the skin may become mottled or blue (cyanosis), and other organs such as the heart and brain may malfunction.
- A fingertip sensor (pulse oximetry) or a sample of blood from an artery is used to determine the levels of oxygen in the blood, and a chest x-ray is also taken.
People are treated in an intensive care unit because they may need mechanical ventilation.
- Oxygen is given and the cause of the respiratory failure is treated.
- Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a medical emergency. It may occur in people who already have lung disease or in those with previously normal lungs. This disorder used to be called adult respiratory distress syndrome, although it can occur in children.
AROM
active range of motion
ASA
aspirin
ASD
atrial septal defect: is an opening in the interatrial septum, causing a left-to-right shunt and volume overload of the right atrium and right ventricle. Children are rarely symptomatic, but long-term complications after 20 years of age include pulmonary hypertension, heart failure, paradoxical emboli, and atrial arrhythmias.
Diagnosis: ECG, chest X-ray
Treatment: catheterization, surgery, medications
ATN
Acute tubular necrosis: is a kidney disorder involving damage to the tubule cells of the kidneys, which can lead to acute kidney failure.
ATN is often caused by a lack of blood flow and oxygen to the kidney tissues (ischemia of the kidneys). It may also occur if the kidney cells are damaged by a poison or harmful substance. These include X-ray contrast dye, anesthesia drugs, antibiotics and other toxic chemicals.
- Diagnosis: Several tests can be used to diagnose acute renal failure. These include blood waste products such as blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine and electrolyte levels such as plasma potassium. The accumulation of these substances in the blood indicate that the kidneys are not working properly. Acute tubular necrosis is usually diagnosed by a nephrologist (kidney specialist). The diagnosis is mainly clinical but can be guided by microscopic examination of your urine. A biopsy of the kidney tissue can be done in certain cases, especially when the diagnosis is uncertain.
Treatment: dietary (limiting fluid, sodium and potassium intake), diuretics to increase urination, potassium controlled meds, dialysis.
AU
Both ears
AVM
arteriovenous malformation: tangle of blood vessels that irregularly connects arteries and veins, disrupting blood flow and oxygen circulation.
When an AVM disrupts this critical process, the surrounding tissues might not get enough oxygen. Also, because the tangled blood vessels in an AVM do not form properly, they can weaken and rupture. If an AVM in the brain ruptures, it can cause bleeding in the brain, stroke or brain damage. Bleeding in the brain also is called hemorrhage.
The cause of AVMs is not clear. They’re rarely hereditary, meaning passed down in families.
Once diagnosed, a brain AVM often can be treated successfully to prevent or reduce the risk of complications.
-Symptoms: headaches, dizziness, vision problems, seizures, and changes in thinking or neurological function. - Diagnosis: Many AVMs are found during testing for a different condition, often after a CT scan or an MRI is obtained for reasons not directly related to the AVM.
Active immunity
When Host produces antibodies In response to natural or artificial antigens
(Examples: vaccination where people develop antibodies after exposure to the antigen injected (could be live weakened virus, bacteria, or part of them etc or). This way, the body will remember and recognize the invaders/pathogens longer).
Airborne precautions
Precautions that can taken to protect against infection spread through particles/pathogens (smaller than 5 microns) that can stay in the air and travels.
“My Dead Chicken has Tuberculosis”:
- Measles (Rubeola), Disseminated Herpes Zoster (Shingles), Chickenpox (Varicella), Tuberculosis
Asepsis
Freedom from disease causing microorganisms. Not all microorganisms (not sterile/sterility)
Bacteremia
Condition in which microorganisms are found in person’s blood/blood is positive for pathogens microorganisms/no sick
Colonization
The process by which strains of microorganisms become resident flora. Microorganisms invades the host but not sick from it
