terminology Flashcards
abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)
a condition where the walls of the aorta in the abdomen weaken and blood leaks into the layers of the vessel, causing it to bulge.
abruptio placenta
a premature separation of the placenta from the wall of the uterus
acidosis
a pathological condition that results from the accumulation of acids in the body
acute coronary syndrome
a term used to describe a group of symptoms caused by myocardial ishemia, including anfia and mayocardial infarction
acute myocardial infarction
heart attack; death of heart muscle following obstruction of blood flow to it
adventitious breath sounds
abnormal breath sounds such as a wheeze, Ronchi, and rales
agitated delirium
a condition of disorientation, confusion, and possible hallucinations coupled with purposelessness and restless activity
agonal respiration
slow, shallow, irregular respirations or occasional gasping breaths; sometimes seen in dying patients
air embolism
the presence of air in the veins, which can lead to cardiac arrest if it enters the heart
alkalosis
the buildup of excess base in the body fluids
anaphylaxis
an extreme, life-threatening systemic allergic reaction that may include shock and respiratory failure.
aneurism
a swelling or enlargement of part of a blood vessel, resulting from the weakening of the vessel wall
angina pectoris
short-lived chest discomfort caused by partial or temporary blockage of blood flow to the heart muscle.
anisocoria
naturally occurring uneven pupil size
anterograde amnesia
inability to remember events after an injury
aortic aneurysm
a weakness in the wall of the aorta that makes it susceptible to rupture
aphasia
the inability to understand/ or produce speech
aplastic crisis
a condition in which the body stops producing red blood cells; typically caused by infection
apnea
absence of spontaneous breathing
appendicitis
inflammation of the appendix
arrhythmia
an irregular or abnormal heart rhythm
arterial air embolism
air bubbles in the arterial blood vessels
ascites
fluid in the abdomen
aspiration (context of airway)
the introduction of vomitus or other foreign material into the lungs
asthma
an acute spasm of the smaller air passages, called bronchioles, associated with excessive mucus production and with swelling of the mucous lining of the respiratory passage
asystole
the complete absence of any electrical cardiac activity, appearing as a straight or almost straight line on a ECG strip
ataxic respiration
irregular ineffective respirations that may or may not have an identifiable pattern
atelectasis
collapse of the alveolar air spaces of the lungs
atherosclerosis
a disorder in which cholesterol and calcium build up inside the walls of the blood vessels, forming plaque, which eventually leads to partial or complete blockage of blood flow.
bacterial vaginosis
an overgrowth of bacteria in the vagina; characterized by itching, burning, or pain, possibly a “fishy” smelling discharge
avulsion
an injury in which soft tissue is completely loose or is hanging as a flap
barotrauma
injury resulting from pressure disequilibrium across the body surfaces; for example too much pressure in the lungs
basilar skull fracture
usually occurring following diffuse impact to the head (falls etc) generally resulting from the extension of a linear fracture to the base of the skull. Symptoms may include bruising behind the ears, bruising around the eyes, or blood behind the ear drum.
battle sign
bruising behind an ear over the mastoid process that may indicate skull fracture
blanching
turning white
bloody show
a small amount of blood at the vagina that appears at the beginning of labor and may include a plug of pink-tinged mucus that is discharged when the cervix begins to dilate
blowout fracture
a fracture of the orbit or of the bones that support the floor of the orbit
bradycardia
a slow heartrate, less than 60 bpm
bradypnea
a slow respiratory rate, an ominous sign in a child that indicated impending respitory arrest
breath-holding syncope
a loss of consciousness caused by decreased breathing stimulus
breech presentation
a delivery in which the buttocks come out first
bronchial breath sounds
normal breath sounds made by air moving through the bronchi
bronchiolitis
inflammation fo the bronchioles that usually occurs in children younger than 2 years and is often caused by the respiratory syncytial virus
bronchitis
an acute or chronic inflammation of the lungs that may damage lung tissue; usually associated with cough and production of sputum and sometimes fever
buboes
enlarged lymph nodes (up to the size of tennis balls) that were characteristic of people infected with the bubonic plague
carbon dioxide retention
a condition characterized by a chronically high blood levels of carbon dioxide in which the respiratory center no longer responds to high blood levels of carbon dioxide
cardiac arrest
a state in which the heart fails to generate effective and detectable blood flow; pulses are not palpable in cardiac arrest, given if muscular and electrical activity continues in the heart
cardiac tamponade
compression of the heart as the result of a buildup of blood or other fluid in the pericardial sac (sac around the heart), leading to decreased cardiac output
cardiogenic shock
a state in which not enough oxygen is delivered to the tissues of the body, caused by low output of blood from the heart. it can be severe complication of a large acute myocardial infarction, as well as other conditions
cataracts
clouding of the lense of the eye or its surrounding transparent membranes
cerebral edema
swelling of the brain
cerebral palsy
a term for a group of disorders characterized by poorly controlled body movement
cerebrovascular accident (CVA)
an interruption of blood flow to the brain that results in the loss of brain function. Also called a stroke
chlamydia
a sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis
cholecystitis
inflammation of the gallbladder
chronic bronchitis
irritation of the major lung passageways from infections diseases or irritants such as smoke
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
A slow process of dilation and disruption of the airways and alveoli caused by chronic bronchial obstruction
closed abdominal injury
an injury in which there is soft-tissue damage inside the body but the skin remains intact
closed chest injury
an injury to the chest in which the skin is not broken, usually caused by blunt-force trauma
closed fracture
a fracture in which the skin is not broken
closed head injury
injury in which the brain has been injured but the skin has not been broken and there is no obvious bleeding
closed injuries
injuries in which damage occurs beneath the skin of mucous membrane but the surface remains intact
coma
a state of profound unconsciousness from which one cannot be roused
common cold
a viral infection usually associated with swollen nasal mucous membranes and the production of fluid from the sinuses and nose
commotio cordis
a blunt chest injury caused by a sudden. direct blow to the chest that occurs only during the critical portion of a person’s heartbeat
compartment syndrome
swelling in a confined space that produces dangerous pressure; may cut off blood flow or damage sensitive tissue; frequently seen in fractures below the elbow or knee in children
compensated shock
early stages of shock, in which the body can still compensate for blood loss
concussion
a temporary loss or alteration of part or all of the brain’s abilities to function without actual physical damage to the brain
congestive heart failure (CHF)
a disorder in which the heart loses part of its ability to effectively pump blood, usually as a result of damage to the heart muscles and usually resulting in a backup of fluid into the lungs
conjunctivitis
inflammation of the conjunctiva (the membrane that lines the eyelids and covers the exposed part of the eye)
contact burn
a burn caused by direct contact with a hot object
contusions
a bruise from an injury that causes bleeding beneath the skin without breaking the skin
coup-contrecoup injury
dual impacting of the brain into the skull, coup injury occurs at the point of impact; contrecoup injuries occur on the opposite side of the impact, as the brain rebounds
crepitus
a grating or grinding sensation caused by fractured bone ends or joints rubbing together; also air bubbles under the skin that produce a crackling sound or crinkly feeling
croup
an inflammatory disease of the upper respiratory system that may cause partial airway obstruction and is characterized by a barking cough, usually seen in children
crowning
the appearance of the infants head at the vaginal opening during labor
crush syndrome
significant metabolic derangement that develops when crushed extremities or body parts remain trapped for prolonged periods. this can lead to renal failure and death.
crushing syndrome
an injury that occurs when a great amount of force is applied to the body
cyanosis
a bluish-gray skin color that is caused by a reduced level of oxygen in the blood
cystitis
inflammation of the bladder
decompensated shock
the late stage of shock when blood pressure is falling
decompression sickness
a painful condition is seen in divers who ascend too quickly in which gas, especially nitrogen, forms bubbles in blood vessels and other tissues; also called “the bends”
decubitus ulcers
also known as bedsores they are caused by the pressure of skin against a surface for long periods, these sores can range from a pink discoloration of the skin to a deep wound that may invade into bone or organs
deep venous thrombosis
the formation of a blood clot within the larger veins of an extremity, typically following a period of prolonged immobilization
dehydration
loss of water from the tissues of the body
delirium
a more or less sudden change in mental stats marked by the inability to focus, think logically, and maintain attention
delirium tremends (DTs)
a severe withdrawal syndrome seen in alcoholics who are deprived of ethyl alcohol; characterized by restlessness, fever, severe sweating, disorientation, agitation, and seizures; can be fatal if untreated
dementia
the slow onset of progressive disorientation shortened attention span, and loss of cognitive function
dependent edema
swelling in the part of the body closest to the ground, caused by a collection of fluid in the tissues; a possible sign of congestive heart failure
dependent lividity
blood settling into the lowest point of the body, causing discoloration of the skin
depression
a persistent mood of sadness, despair, and discouragement; may be a symptom of many different mental and physical disorders, or it may be a disorder on its own
developmental disability
insufficient development of the brain. resulting in some level of dysfunction or impairment
diabetes mellitus
a metabolic disorder in which the ability to metabolize carbohydrates is impaired, usually because of the lack of insulin
diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
a form of hyperglycemia in uncontrolled diabetes in which certain acids accumulate when insulin is not available
diastole
the relaxation, or period of relaxation, of the heart, especially of the ventricles
diphtheria
an infectious disease in which a membrane forms, lining the pharynx, this lining can severely obstruct the passage of air into the larynx
dislocation
disruption of a joint in which ligaments are damaged and the bone ends are completely displaced
displaced fracture
a fracture in which bone fragments are separated from one another and not in anatomic alignment
dissecting aneurysm
the inner layer of an artery, such as the aorta, becomes separated, allowing blood (at high pressure) to flow between the layers
distributive shock
a condition that occurs when there is widespread dilation of the small arterioles, small venules or both
diverticulitis
bulging out of intestinal rings in small pockets at weak areas in the muscle walls creating abdominal discomfort
down syndrome
a genetic chromosomal effect that can occur during fetal development and that results in mental retardation as well as certain physical characteristics, such as a round head with flat occiput and slanted wide-eyes set
dysarthria
slurred speech
dysbarism
any signs and symptoms caused by the difference between the surrounding atmospheric pressure and the total gas pressure in various tissues, fluids, and cavities of the body
dyspnea
shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
ecchymosis
bruising or discoloration associated with bleeding within or under the skin
eclampsia
seizure (convulsions) resulting from severe hypertension in a pregnant woman
ectopic pregnancy
a pregnancy that develops outside the uterus, typically in the fallopian tube
edema
the presence of abnormally large amounts of fluid between cells in body tissues, causing swelling of the affected area
embolus
a blood clot or other substance in the circulatory system that travels to a blood vessel where it causes a blockage
emesis
vomiting
emphysema
a disease of the lungs in which there is extreme dilation and eventual destruction of the pulmonary alveoli with poor exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide; it is one form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
epidural hematoma
an accumulation fo blood between the skull and dura mater
epiglottitis
a disease in which the epiglottis becomes inflamed and enlarged and may cause an upper airway obstruction
epistaxis
a nosebleed
evisceration
the displacement of organs outside the body
fetal alcohol syndrome
a condition of infants who are born to whoman who consume alcohol during pregnancy; characterized by growth and physical problems, mental retardation, and a variety of congenital abnormalities
flail chest
a condition in which two or more ribs are fractured in two ore more places or in association with a fracture of the sternum so the segment of the chest wall is effectively detached from the rest of the thoracic cage
flame burn
a burn caused by an open flame
flash burn
a burn caused by exposure to very intense heat, such as in an explosion
fracture
a break in the continuity of a bone
frostbite
damage to tissues as the result of exposure to cold; or frozen or partially frozen body parts are frostbitten
full-thickness burns
3rd degree burns; burns that affects all skin layers and may affect the subcutaneous layers, muscle, bone, and internal organs, leaving the area dry, leathery, and white, dark brown, or charred
gastric distention
a condition in which air fulls the stomach, often as a result of high volume and pressure during artificial ventilation
general adaptation syndrome
the body response to stress begins with an alarm response, followed by a stage of reaction and resistance and then recovery, or if the stress is prolonged, exhaustion
generalized seizure
a seizure characterized by severe twitching of all the body’s muscles that may last several minutes or more; formerly known as a grand mal seizure
gestational diabetes
diabetes that develops during pregnancy in women who did not have diabetes before pregnancy
gonorrhea
a sexually transmitted disease caused by the Neisseria Gonorrhoeae
hay fever
an allergic response usually to outdoor airborne allergens such as pollen or sometimes indoor allergens such as dust mites or pet dander; also called allergic rhinitis
heat cramps
painful muscle spasms usually associated with vigorous activity in hot environments
heat exhaustion
a form of heat injury in which the body loses significant amounts of fluid and electrolytes because of heavy sweating, also called heat prostration or heat collapse
heatstroke
a life-threatening condition of severe hyperthermia caused by exposure to excessive natural or artificial heat, marked by warm, dry skin, severely altered mental status, and often irreversible coma
hematemesis
vomited blood
hematoma
a mass of blood in the soft tissues beneath the skin
hematuria
blood in the urine
hemiparesis
weakness on one side of the body
hemolytic crisis
a rapid destruction of red blood cells that occurs faster than the body’s ability to create new cells
hemophilia
a congenital abnormality in which the body is unable to produce clots, which results in uncontrollable bleeding
hemopneumothorax
the accumulation of blood and air in the pleural space of the chest
hemoptysis
coughing up blood
hemorrhagic stroke
one of the two main types of stroke; occurs as a result of bleeding inside the brain
hemothorax
a collection of blood in the pleural cavity
hepatitis
inflammation of the liver, usually caused by a viral infection that causes fever loss of appetite, jaundice, fatigue, and altered liver function
hernia
the protrusion of a loop of an organ or tissue through an abnormal body opening
herpes simplex
virus caused by human herpesviruses 1 and 2, characterized by small blisters whose location depends on the type of virus, type 2 results in blisters in the genital area, while type 1 results in blisters in nongenital areas
human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is caused by HIV which damages the cells in the body’s immune system so that the body is unable to fight infections or certain cancers
hypercarbia
increased carbon dioxide levels in the bloodstream
hyperglycemia
an abnormally high glucose level in the blood
hyperglycemic crisis
a state of unconsciousness resulting from several problems, including ketoacidosis, dehydration because of excessive urination, and hyperglycemia
hypertension
blood pressure that is higher than the normal range
hypertensive emergency
an emergency situation created by excessively high blood pressure, which can lead to serious complications such as a stroke or aneurysm
hyperthermia
a condition in which the body core temperature rises to 38.3 degrees C or more
hyperventilation
rapid or deep breathing that lowers the blood carbon dioxide levels below normal
hyperventilation syndrome
panic attack; this syndrome occurs in the absence of other physical problems. the respirations of a person who is experiencing hyperventilation syndrome may be as high as 40 shallow breaths/min or as low as only 20 very deep breaths/min
hypoglycemia
a condition characterized by a low blood glucose level
hypoglycemic crisis
severe hypoglycemia resulting in changes in mental status
hypoperfusion
a condition that occurs when the level of tissue perfusion decreases below that needed to maintain normal cellular function; also called shock
hypotension
blood pressure that is lower than the normal range
hypothermia
a condition in which the internal body temperature falls below 35 degrees, usually as a result of prolonged exposure to cool or freezing temperatures
hypovolemic shock
a condition in which low blood volume, is due to massive internal or external bleeding or extensive loss of body water, resulting in inadequate perfusion
hypoxia
a dangerous condition in which the body tissues and cells do not have enough oxygen
ileostomy
a surgical procedure to create an opening between the small intestine and the surface of the body
