Special Populations

Question 0

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)

Answer 0

A syndrome of the immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1 or HIV-2) and characterized by opportunistic infection and disease.

Question 1

Abrasion

Answer 1

A scraping away of a portion of the skin or mucous membranes.

Question 2

Acute

Answer 2

Descriptive of a condition that usually has a rapid onset and a relatively short and severe course; opposite of chronic.

Question 3

Acute coronary syndrome

Answer 3

A sudden, severe coronary event that mimics a heart attack such as unstable angina.

Question 4

Allergan

Answer 4

A substance that can cause an allergic reaction by stimulating type-1 hyper sensitivity and atopic individuals.

Question 5

Alzheimer’s disease

Answer 5

An age-related, progressive disease characterized by death of nerve cells in the brain leading to a loss of cognitive function; the cause of the nerve cell death is unknown.

Question 6

Anemia

Answer 6

A reduction in the number of red blood cells and/or quantity of hemoglobin per volume of blood below normal values.

Question 7

Aneurysm

Answer 7

A localized abnormal dilation of a blood vessel; associated with a stroke when the aneurysm bursts.

Question 8

Angina

Answer 8

A common symptom of coronary artery disease characterized by chest pain, tightness, or radiating pain resulting from a lack of blood flow to the heart muscle.

Question 9

Angina pectoris

Answer 9

Chest pain caused by an inadequate supply of oxygen and decreased blood flow to the heart muscle; an early sign of coronary artery disease. Symptoms may include pain or discomfort, heaviness, tightness, pressure or burning, numbness, aching, and tingling in the chest, back, neck, throat, job, or arms; also called angina.

Question 10

Angioplasty

Answer 10

A surgical procedure that involves inserting a catheter into a blocked coronary artery. A narrow balloon is inflated inside the artery, to widen the artery. Also called percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA).

Question 11

Anorexia nervosa

Answer 11

An eating disorder characterized by refusal to maintain body weight of at least 85% of expected weight; intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat; body image disturbances, including a disproportionate influence of body weight on self-evaluation; and, in women, the absence of at least three consecutive menstrual periods.

Question 12

Anterior shin splints

Answer 12

Pain in the anterior compartment muscles of the lower leg, fascia, and periosteal lining. Often induced by exertional or sudden changes in activity.

Question 13

Apnea

Answer 13

A temporary absence or cessation of breathing; when this condition occurs during sleep it is called sleep apnea.

Question 14

Arrhythmia

Answer 14

A disturbance in the rate or rhythm of the heartbeat. Some can be symptoms of serious heart disease; may not be of medical significance until symptoms appear.

Question 15

Arthritis

Answer 15

Inflammation of a joint; a state characterized by the of joints.

Question 16

Asthma

Answer 16

A chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways that affects genetically susceptible individuals in response to various environmental triggers such as allergens, viral infection, exercise, cold, and stress.

Question 17

Ataxia

Answer 17

Failure of muscular coordination; irregularity of muscular action.

Question 18

Atherogenesis

Answer 18

Formation of atheromatous deposits, especially on the innermost layer of arterial walls.

Question 19

Atherogenic dyslipidemia

Answer 19

Formation of atheromatous deposits, especially on the innermost layer of the arterial walls due to an abnormal concentration of lipids or lipoproteins in the blood.