The Challenged Patient: Vocabulary

Question 1

Deafness

Answer 1

The inability to hear.

Question 2

Conductive deafness

Answer 2

Deafness caused when there is a blocking of the transmission of the sound waves through the external ear canal to the middle or inner ear.

Question 3

Sensorineural Deafness

Answer 3

Deafness caused by the inability of nerve impulses to reach the auditory center of the brain because of nerve damaged either to the inner ear or to the brain.

Question 4

Otitis Media

Answer 4

Middle ear infection.

Question 5

Cerumen

Answer 5

Earwax

Question 6

Labyrinthitis

Answer 6

Inner ear infection that causes vertigo, nausea, and an unsteady gait.

Question 7

Presbycusis

Answer 7

Progressive hearing loss that occurs with aging.

Question 8

Enucleation

Answer 8

Removal of the eyeball after trauma or illness

Question 9

Glaucoma

Answer 9

Group of eye diseases that results in increased intraocular pressure on the optic nerve; if left untreated, it can lead to blindness.

Question 10

Diabetic Retinopathy

Answer 10

Slow loss of vision as a result of damage done by diabetes.

Question 11

Aphasia

Answer 11

Occurs when the individual suffers a brain injury due to stroke or head injury due to store or head injury and no longer has the ability to speak or read. Sensory aphasia is when the patient cannot understand the spoken word. Motor aphasia is when the patient can understand what is said but cannot speak. Global aphasia is when the patient has both sensory and motor aphasia.

Question 12

Colostomy

Answer 12

A surgical diversion of the large intestine through an opening in the skin where the fecal matter is collected in a pouch; may be temporary or permanent.

Question 13

Neutropenic

Answer 13

A condition that results from a abnormally low neutrophil count in the blood.

Question 14

Mucoviscidosis

Answer 14

Cystic fibrosis, so called because of the abnormally viscous mucoid secretions associated with the disease.