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1
Q

Adnexa

A

Refers to the appendages of an organ
Most commonly used to refer to ovaries and fallopian tubes (adnexa of uterus); adj.-adnexal

EX: Adnexal mass

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2
Q

Afebrile

A

Without fever.

EX: Patient is afebrile and nontoxic.

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3
Q

Ambulatory

A

Able to move about, not confined to a bed.

Patient is ambulatory with assistance of a walker.

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4
Q

Aneurysm

A

A bulge or widening in a blood vessel wall caused by weakness in the vessel wall.

EX: Aortic aneurysm

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5
Q

Angina pectoris (angina)

A

Chest pain caused by ischemia to the heart muscle.

EX: Clinical presentation is concerning for angina, will proceed with cardiac enzymes.

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6
Q

Anasarca

A

Generalized massive edema; often occurs in congestive heart failure, liver failure, or renal disease.

EX: On exam, patient had diffuse swelling of all extremities, consistent with anasarca.

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7
Q

Anorexia

A

Loss of appetite, especially for a prolonged period of time (term individually does not refer to eating disorder)

EX: Patient complains of nausea, anorexia, and cramping abdominal pain.

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8
Q

Anorexia nervosa

A

An eating disorder characterized by excessive food restriction, intense fear of weight gain, and distorted body self-perception.

EX: Patient has a past medical history of Anorexia nervosa.

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9
Q

Arrhythmia

A

General term for abnormal electrical activity in the heart or irregular heart beat.

EX: Patient denies arrhythmias or any racing heart sensation

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10
Q

Arthralgia

A

Joint pain that is not associated with an inflammatory process.

EX: Patient describes arthalgia, most severely in her knees.

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11
Q

Articulation

A

Surface of contact between distinct bones.

EX: On exam, there is swelling at the third MCP and intercarpal articulation of the right hand.

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12
Q

Ascites

A

Accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity.

EX: Physical exam significant for ascites. Will proceed with paracentesis.

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13
Q

Atelectasis

A

Collapse or closure of alveoli in the lung resulted in decreased gas exchange; can be acute or chronic - not synonymous with pneumothorax.

EX: chest xray shows atelectasis vs. scarring of the right lower lobe.

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14
Q

Auscultation

A

Listening for internal sounds during an exam.

EX: Lungs are clear to auscultation.

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15
Q

Avulsion

A

General term referring to the pulling away of an area or structure.

EX: Avulsion fracture

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16
Q

Brady-/Tachy- cardia

A

Abnormally slow/fast heart rate.

EX: There is no bradycardia on exam.

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17
Q

Brady-/Tachy- pnea

A

Abnormally slow/fast respiratory rate.

EX: Vital signs are notable for tachypnea with a respiratory rate of 45.

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18
Q

Bruit

A

Unusual sound that blood makes when it rushes past and obstruction in a vessel.

EX: There is not corotid bruit on exam.

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19
Q

Cachectic

A

Loss of weight and muscle mass which produces the appearance of malnutrition.

EX: The patient is cachectic and ill-appearing on exam.

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20
Q

Cerumen

A

Wax (e.g. ear wax)

EX: On exam, tympanic membranes are clear with no cerumen impaction.

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21
Q

Cirrhosis

A

Replacement of tissue by scar tissue and regenerative nodules.

EX: Patient has a past history of cirrhosis and liver disease secondary to Hepatitis C.

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22
Q

Crepitus

A

Crackling sound made by two surfaces contacting one another, often bones, which can be heard without a stethoscope.

EX: There is crepitus of the knee with extension on the left.

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23
Q

Cyanotic

A

Describing a bluish or slatelike color of the skin or mucous membranes, caused by lack of blood supply.

EX: On exam, skin is warm and dry with no cyanosis.

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24
Q

Debridement

A

Removal of foreign or dead material from a wound.

EX: The patient had the ulcer debrided at the wound clinic prior to arrival.

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25
Dihiscence
A separation between layers, often in reference to a surgical incision site. EX: The incision site is healing will, with no evidence of dehiscence.
26
Diaphoresis
Sweating or perspiration. EX: Patient is distressed and diaphoretic on exam.
27
Dysmenorrhea
Painful menstruation. EX: Patient describes dysmenorrhea and irregular vaginal bleeding.
28
Dyspareunia
Painful intercourse. EX: Patient describes positional dyspareunia.
29
Dyspepsia
Condition of impaired digestion. EX: Patients abdominal pain and bloating likely represent dyspepsia or GERD.
30
Dysphagia
Difficulty swallowing. EX: Patient reports dysphagia after getting a piece of food stuck in her esophagus.
31
Dysphasia
Impairment of speech and verbal comprehension associated with a brain injury. EX: The patient's dysphasia and facial droop began this morning.
32
Dyspnea
Shortness of breath, difficult and labored breathing. EX: The patient experience dyspnea on exertion associated with her pregnancy.
33
Dysuria
Burning sensation or pain during urination. EX: Patient denies any dysuria or frequency of urination.
34
Ecchymosis
A purple discoloration of the skin due to the blood escaping from a ruptured blood vessel into the subcutaneous tissues (a bruise). EX: On exam, there is a 5 x 3 cm irregularly shaped ecchymosis on the anterior right lower extremity.
35
Eczema
Acute or chronic inflammation of the skin involving a scaly and itchy rash, which may include papules, vesicles, oozing, crusting, and scaling. EX: On the skin exam, there is an area of eczema on the right antecubital fossa.
36
Edentulous
Lacking teeth. EX: The patient's mouth is endentulous.
37
Effusion
Escape of fluid into a body cavity. EX: Swelling of the right knee could suggest a joint effusion.
38
Emaciated
Extremely thin an weak. EX: The patient appeared emaciated and pale.
39
Embolism
Obstruction of a blood vessel due to a clot of foreign substance. EX: CTA of the chest reveals a left pulmonary embolism.
40
Emesis
Vomiting EX: Patient had five episodes of emisis prior to arrival.
41
Epistaxis
Hemorrhage from the nostrils, nasal cavity, or nasopharynx. (Nosebleed) EX: The patient's epistaxis began after blowing her nose.
42
Erythema
Redness of the skin. EX: An are of erythema could be a sign of infection.
43
Evulsion
Act of tearing away or forcible extraction. EX: The patient's finger got stuck between two bleachers resulting in a complete evulsion of his right thumb nail.
44
Febrile
Having symptoms of a fever. EX: The patient is febrile on exam.
45
Fluoroscein
Red or orange-colored dye applied to the eye in order to detect corneal lesions, abrasions, or foreign bodies. EX: The fluoroscein uptake in the right eye indicated abnormality of the cornea.
46
Fundus
Anatomical term referring to the portion of an organ opposite from its opening; base or bottom. EX: The ultrasound shows a fibroid attached to the fundus of the uterus.
47
Gingiva
Gums EX: There is no gingival tenderness on exam.
48
Gravid
State of pregnancy. EX: The physical exam revealed a gravid uterus.
49
Hemangioma
Tumor consisting of blood vessels. EX: On exam, there is an hemangioma on the left anterior chest wall.
50
Hematemisis
Vomiting blood. EX: The patient reports and episode of hematemisis yesterday.
51
Hematochezia
Bright red, bloody stools. EX: After having an episode of hematochezia at home, the patient promptly came to the ED.
52
Hematoma
Localized collection of blood in an organ or tissue due to a ruptured blood vessel. EX: The patient developed a large subdural hematoma after hitting her head on the ground.
53
Hematuria
Blood in urine EX: The urinalysis reveals hematuria with 50-100 red blood cells.
54
Hemoptysis
Coughing up of blood or bloody sputum. EX: During a severe coughing episode, the patient noticed a moderate amount of hemoptysis.
55
Hemorrhage
Excessive or profuse bleeding. EX: Intracranial hemorrhage; subarachnoid hemorrhage
56
Hemothorax
Collection of blood in the pleural cavity. EX: Chest xray reveals a right hemothorax.
57
Hyper-/Hypo- glycemia
Elevated/Low blood sugar EX: Chemistry panel reveals hyperglycemia with a glucose >300
58
Hyper-/Hypo- kalemia
Elevated/Low potassium concentration in the plasma. EX: Labs reveal hypokalema with a potassium level of 3.0.
59
Hyper-/Hypo- natremia
Elevated/Low sodium concentration in the plasma. EX: Labs reveal hypernatremia with a sodium level of 150.
60
Hyper-/Hypo- tension
Elevated/Low arterial blood pressure. EX: The patient has a history of hypertension.
61
Ileus
Disruption of the contraction of the intestinal muscle resulting in failure of intestinal contents to pass through. EX: The patient's abdominal pain could be due to an ileus.
62
Induration
Area of hardened tissue. EX: On exam, there is a 1x 2 cm area of induration on the right arm.
63
Infarct
Necrotic area of tissue following cessation of the blood supply. EX: Myocardial infarct, cerebral infarct, splenic infarct.
64
Ischemia
A decrease in the blood supply. EX: Myocardial ischemia, cerrbral ischea.
65
Keloid
Scar formation consisting of dense tissue. EX: Thre is a 2cm lineaakeloid formation over the sternum.
66
Leukocytosis
Elevated white blood count above normal range. EX: CBC reveals leukocytosis with white blood count of 35,000.
67
Lymphadenopathy
Enlargement of the lymph nodes. EX: On exam there is a mild cervical lymphadenopathy.
68
Macule
Small colored spot on the skin that is not elevated or depressed. EX: There is a small macule on the right arm.
69
Malaise
General feeling of discomfort or weakness. EX: The patient reports generalized malaise and fatigue.
70
Malocclusion
Misalignment of teeth. EX: After sustaining facial trauma, the patient exhibits malocclusion.
71
Melena
Black, tarry stool. EX: Rectal exam reveals no melena.
72
Menorrhagia
Abnormally heavy and prolonged menstrual period at regular intervals. EX: The patient describes pelvic pain and a history of menorrhagia.
73
Nares
Nostrils EX: Exam reveals active bleeding from the bilateral nares.
74
Neuralgia
Sharp, shocking pain that follows the path of a nerve due to irritation or damage to the nerve. EX: The patient's facial pain could be due to trigeminal neuralgia.
75
Nystagmus
Involuntary rapid eye movement, can be described as horizontal or vertical. EX: Eyes are equal, round and reactive, without nystagmus.
76
Odynophagia
Painful swallowing. EX: The patient reports odynophagia; however, his pharynx appears normal on exam.
77
Os
Mouth or orifice EX: Cervical os is normal on pelvic exam.
78
Pallor
A pale appearance of the skin. EX: The patient has significant pallor on exam.
79
Para
Number of viable offspring EX: The patient's obstetrical history is gravida 3 and para 2 (G3P2)
80
Paresthesia
Abnormal tactile sensation often described as numbness, tingling, burning, or pricking. EX: Patient reports paresthesias in her bilateral lower extremities.
81
Paronychia
Inflammation of the tissue surrounding the nail. EX: There is evidence of paronychia on the right third digit.
82
Paroxysmal
A sudden attack, recurrence, or intensification of symptoms. EX: Paroxysimal benign positional vertigo.
83
Petechiae
Pinpoint-sized red spots on the skin. EX: On exam the patient has diffuse petechial rash.
84
Pleurisy
Inflamation of the pleura of the lungs. EX: Chest pain that is exacerbated by deep breaths or coughing could be due to pleurisy.
85
Pneumothorax
Abnormal collection of gas in the pleural space. EX: CXR reveals a pneumothorax.
86
Purulent
Containing, discharging, or causing the production or pus. EX: On exam, there is a 2cm abscess with purulent drainage.
87
Rale
An abnormal respiratory sound characterized by a cracking noise. EX: On auscultation, there are rales in the right base.
88
Rhinorrhea
Thin, watery discharge from the nose. EX: The patient reports rhinorrhea, but denies any nasal congestion.
89
Rhonchi
Course, rattling or snoring sound heard on auscultation, due to partial obstruction of air channels. EX: On auscultation of the lungs, there are diffuse rhonchi.
90
Sepsis
Severe response to the presence of a pathological microorganism or toxin in the blood. EX: Clinical picture is concerning for sepsis.
91
Sputum
Matter expectorated from the respiratory system, such as mucus. EX: The patient has had a productive cough with yellow sputum for the past two weeks.
92
Stellate
Star-shaped, radiating from the center. EX: Stellate fracture
93
Stenosis
Abnormal narrowing of a blood vessel or other tubular organ or structure. EX: Aortic stenosis
94
Stridor
Highpitched respiratory sound caused by an obstruction of the larynx or pharynx. EX: On exam, he child has stridor along with subcostal retractions.
95
Syncope
Loss of consciousness. EX: Per family, the patient had two episodes of syncope prior to arrival.
96
Tinea
Skin infection caused by a fungus EX: On exam, there is evidence of tinea corporis.
97
Tinnitus
Noise or ringing in the ears. EX: The patient has tinnitus in association with his vertigo.
98
Torsion
Twisting of a bodily organ on its own axis. EX: Ovarian torsion; Testicular torsion
99
Trismus
Difficulty opening mouth due to spasm of the masticatory muscles. EX: The patient exhibits trismus associted with his contraction of tetanus.
100
Turgor
The normal fullness or tension produced by the fluid content of blood vessels, capillaries, and cells. EX: On exam, skin turgor is normal.
101
Urticaria
Raised, itchy red welts on the surface of the skin that are accompanied by itching. EX: The patient developed a diffuse urticarial rash due to an adverse drug reaction.

Common Clinical Terms (3 decks)

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