Terms seen in the PE Flashcards
Abrasion
scrape of scratch (Skin)
Abscess
collection of puss under the skin (Skin)
accessory muscle use
the use of muscles not normally used for breathing (indicates respiratory distress) (respiratory/chest)
adnexa
structures connected to the uterus (GU)
afebrile
without evidence of fever (constitutional)
affect
describes how the patient appears with respect to interacting with others. Usually describes as “flat”, “depressed”, or “normal’ (constitutional)
AKA
Above the knee amputation (musculoskeletal)
Alert
responsive (constitutional)
alert and oriented x3
oriented to person, place, and time (constitutional)
Anisocoria
unequal pupils (Eyes)
Anus
the external opening of the rectum (abdomen/GI)
Ascites
accumulation of fluid in the abdomen causing swelling (abdomen/GI)
Ataxia
loss of full control of bodily movements
atraumatic
without evidence of injury (Head)
auricle
external ear (ENT)
auscultation
the act of listening to lung sounds (respiratory/chest)
awake
conscious
bibasilar
at the bases of both lungs (respiratory/chest)
bimunual
pelvic exam using digits (fingers) (GU)
Bipolar
Specific psychiatric diagnosis characterized by swellings of mood, usually depression or mania like behavior
BKA
below the knee amputation
Blanching
Descriptive term relating to a certain type of rash (skin)
Bowel sounds
sounds made by the movement of the intestines during digestion (abdomen/GI)
Brachial pulse
pulse found on the upper arm (CVS)
Bradycardia
slow heart beat (CVS)
Brudzinski Sign
One of the clinical signs of meningitis (Neck)
Bulging
Descriptive word that can be associated with tympanic membrane (ENT)
Cachectic
wasting away (constitutional)
calcaneus
heel of the foot (musculoskeletal)
Capillary refill
rate at which blood refills in the capillaries (CVS)
Carotid bruit
Abnormal sound heart when auscultating the carotid artery (neck)
Carpals/metacarpals
bones of the hands (musculoskeletal)
Cerumen
Ear wax (ENT
Cerebellum
back part of the brain; function is to coordinate and regulate muscular activity (neurologic)
Cervical Motion Tenderness (CMT)
tenderness when moving the cervix (during bimanual exam) (GU)
Cervix
part of the uterus (GU)
Chest wall
bony muscular structures that form the outer framework of the chest (resp/chest)
Circumcised
removal of the foreskin of the penis (GU)
Clubbing
broadening of the extremities and abnormal curving of the nail beds
comfortable
not in distress (const)
Conjunctiva
Inside the eyelid covering part of the sclera (Eyes)
Cornea
transparent part of the eye that covers the iris and pupil (Eyes)
Crackles (coarse or fine)
abnormal breath sound (clicking sounds) (resp/chest)
Cranial nerves
12 pairs of nerves that can be seen on the ventral (bottom) surface of the brain (Neuro)
Crepitus
describe the grating, crackling or popping sounds and sensations experienced under the skin and joints (Musculoskeletal)
CVA (Costovertebral angle)
Area of the back over the kidney (Back)
Cyanosis
bluish discoloration of the skin (resp/chest)
Dentition
pertaining to the quality of teeth (ENT)
Deviated
descriptive word relating to the septum (ENT)
Distention
bloating of the abdomen (abdomen/GI)
Dorsalis pedis
pulse found on top of the food (CVS)
Dry
referring to the moisture of the skin (Skin)
DTRs
Deep tendon reflexes (measured as 1+, 2+, etc) (Musculoskeletal)
Dull
descriptive word that can be associated with tympanic membrane (ENT)
Ecchymosis
bruising (skin)
Ectopy
Extra heart beat outside of the normal rhythm
Edema
fluid collection causing swelling
EOMI
Extraocular movements intact
Epitaxis
bloody nose
Erythema/Erythematous
redness
Exophthalmos
Eye protruding from the head
Expressive aphasia
severe impairment of speech
Exudate
pustules (ENT)
Fever
has fever (const)
Femoral pulse
pulse found in the inguinal area of the body (CVS)
Flexion
bending forward (back)
Fontanelle
the soft spot on the top of an infants head (head)
Fundus
Interior surface of the eye (eyes)
Gallop
abnormal heart sound (CVS)
Gravid
notably pregnant
Gravid abdomen
notably pregnant abdomen
Guaiac test
test performed to check for hidden blood in stool