Vocab Flashcards
Abrupt
Describes a sudden change that occurs without warning.
Abstain
Ex: The dental hygienist is instructed the patient to abstain from smoking to improve his breath odor.
To voluntarily refrain from doing something
Access
The freedom to use something as one chooses; the permission or ability to enter or approach a specific entity or area.
Accountable
Ex. Paramedics are accountable for maintaining up-to-date knowledge of resuscitation technique
To be responsible
Acute
Ex: The nurse administered the prescribed pain medication to the patient who was experiencing acute pain after surgery
Sudden, intense
Adhere
Ex. The tape must adhere to the patient’s skin to hold the bandage in place
To hold fast or stick together
Adverse
Ex: Vomiting is an adverse effect of many medication
Undesired, possibly harmful
Affect
An appearance of an observable emotion or a clear influence on one’s emotions
Aggregate
A sum total of many things
Aid
A resource (band-aid)
Aide
Assistant; helper
Ambivalent
Ex: After learning that she had breast cancer, the patient was ambivalent about having a mastectomy
Uncertain, having contradictory feelings
Ambulate
Ex: The patient left the hospital as soon as he was able to ambulate independently
To walk
Annual
The duration of a single year; an occurrence that takes place once each year
Anterior
The front
Apply
Ex: The nurse will apply a medication to the wound before covering the wound with a bandage
To place, put on, or spread something
Assent
Ex: The patient was asked to assent to the surgery by signing the informed consent document.
To give consent; to agree
Applicable
Relevant
Audible
Ex. The respiratory therapist noted the patient’s audible wheezing as a symptom of the patient’s asthma.
Able to be heard
Assistance
The action of helping someone with a job or task
Bacteria
Ex: The health care provider ordered a laboratory test to confirm that the patient’s illness was caused by bacteria rather a virus.
Single-celled, microscopic organisms
Bilateral
Ex. The unlicensed assistive personnel reported to the nurse that the patient had bilateral weakness in the legs when walking.
Present on two sides
Cardiac
Ex. Smoking increases the risk of cardiac disease.
Of or relating to the heart
Cast
The process by which something is given shape through the pouring of a liquid substance into a mold; may also refer to the throwing of an object
Cavity
Ex. The nurse inspected the patient’s oral cavity for lesions
An opening or an empty area.
Cease
Ex. Because the patient’s breathing had ceased the paramedic began resuscitation measures.
Come to an end or bring to an end, stop
Chronic
Ex. The patient has suffered from chronic headaches ever since a car accident 6 months ago
Lasting or recurring over a long period of time
Chronology
Ex. The police interviewed witnesses and first responders to determine the chronology of the accident.
Order of events as they occurred; timeline.
Circuit
Movement once around a course
Compensatory
Ex. When the patient’s blood pressure decreased, the paramedic noted that the heart rate increased, which was recognized as a compensatory action.
Offsetting or making up for something
Complications
A factor that presents a degree of difficulty; may also refer to a secondary disease or conditions
Comply
To carry out the wishes of another person; to perform in the manner prescribed by law
Comprehension
To understand, through
Concave
Ex. The dietician noticed that the patient was very thin and that the patient’s abdomen appeared concave.
Round inward
Concise
Ex. When teaching a patient, the nurse tried to be concise so that the instructions would be easy to remember.
Brief, to the point
Congenital
Ex. The patient had surgery as a child to correct a congenital heart defect.
Present at birth
Consistency
Ex.: The respiratory therapist noticed that the mucus that patient was coughing was of a thin, watery consistency.
Degree of viscosity; how thick or thin a fluid is in relation to how it flows.
Constrict
Ex. the nurse knows that the small blood vessels of the skin will constrict when ice is applied to the skin.
To draw together or become smaller
Contingent
Ex. The hygienist told the patient that a healthy mouse ins contingent on careful daily brushing and flossing.
Dependent
Contour
The line that represents the shape ox a curvy figure
Contract
An agreement between two parties that binds each to perform certain actions
Contraindication
Ex. The patient’s excessive bleeding was a contraindication for discharge from the hospital.
A reason something is not advisable or should not be done
Convulsive
Ex. Epilepsy is a convulsive disorder.
Having or causing convulsions or sudden involuntary movement, i.e., violet shaking of the body
Cursory
Ex. During tirage, the paramedic gave each accident victim a cursory examination.
Quick , perfunctory, or thorough.
Defecate
Ex. The unlicensed assistive personnel helped the patient to the toilet when the patient needed to defecate.
Expel feces
Deficit
Ex. The therapist explained that the patient will experience a fluid deficit if the patient continues to perspire heavily during exercise without drinking enough fluids.
A deficiency or lack of something
Depress
Ex. The nurse will depress the patient’s skin to see if any swelling is present
Press downward
Depth
Ex. The nurse measures the depth of a wound by inserting a cotton swab into the wound.
Downward measurement from a surface
Deteriorating
Ex. The dental hygienist explains that the condition of the patient’s gums is deteriorating and treatment by the dentist is needed right away.
Worsening
Detestable
Intense dislike
Device
Something that is devised or thought up; may be a piece of equipment designed for a specific task
Diagnosis
Ex. The patient received a diagnosis of pancreatitis.
Identification of an injury or disease.
Diameter
The length of a line that passes through the body of an object.
Diffuse
Ex. The patient’s swelling was originally limited to a small area but is now diffuse.
Spread over a large area; generalized.
Dilate
Ex. When shining a light in the patient’s eyes, the nurse looks to see if both pupils dilate in response to the light.
To enlarge or expand.
Dilute
Ex. Dilute the mixture to taste if it is too salty.
To make weaker
Discrete
Ex. The paramedic observed several discrete bruise marks on the patient’s body.
Distinct, separate.
Distal
Ex. The paramedic suspected that the patient had a dislocated knee and knew it was important to check a distal pulse in the ankle.
Distant; away from the center (such as of the body).
Distended
Ex. When a blood vessel is distended, the laboratory technician can easily insert a needle to obtain a blood sample.
Enlarged or expanded from pressure.
Dysfunction
Ex. Family dysfunction may increase when a member experiences an acute physical illness.
Impaired or abnormal functioning.
Docile
Ex. The animal looked remarkably docile.
Easily handled or managed (tame)
Elevate
Ex. The exercise will naturally elevate your chest and head.
To lift or make something higher
Empathy
Ex. After being diagnosed with cancer, the health care provider felt more empathy toward patients with cancer.
Ability to share what others are feeling; understanding the feelings of another.
Endogenous
Ex. The expected rate of infection is endogenous to the system.
The growth from a deep tissue; refers to conditions that arise from factors that are internal to an organism
Enigma
Ex. The neighbor was still an enigma to him.
Mysterious
Enough
Adequate
Equilibrium
Ex. The nurse suspected that an ear infection was the cause of the patient’s lack of equilibrium.
Balance
Etiology
Ex. The nurse interviewed the patient to determine the etiology of the patient’s food poisoning.
The origin or cause of a disease or condition.
Eradicate
Destroy completely
Euphemism
An inoffensive expression that is substituted for one that is considered offensive
Exacerbate
Ex. The physical therapist recognized that too much exercise would exacerbate the patient’s breathing difficulties.
To make worse or more severe.
Excess
More than what is needed or having too much of something
Exogenous
The growth from superficial or shallow tissue; refers to conditions caused by factors that are external to an organism
Expand
To open or unfold; refers to an increase in number, size, or scope; may refer to the expression of an idea in greater depth
Expectorate
To cough up discharge from the lungs through the mouth. (spit).
Exposure
Ex. The nurse taught the parents of a newborn to avoid exposure to people with severe infections.
To come in contact, being subject to a condition or influence; making a secret fact known publicly
Extension
Ex. The physical therapist helped the patient perform extension and flexion exercises.
Lengthening; unbending a joint.
External
Being outside the human body; existing outside the confines of a specific space or institution
Fatal
Ex. The emergency medical technicians arrived too late to save any lives at the scene of a fatal car accident.
Resulting in death.
Fatigue
Ex. The dietician explained to the patient that eating more iron-rich foods may help reduce feelings of fatigue.
Extreme tiredness, exhaustion.
Febrile
Ex. An elevated body temperature is a sign of a febrile infection.
Related to or caused by a fever.
Flaccid
The state of not being firm; lacking vigor, force, or youthful firmness
Flexion
Ex. Arthritis can make flexion of the fingers difficult.
Bending a joint.
Flushed
Ex. The therapist observed that the patient’s face was flushed after the patient completed the exercises.
Reddened or ruddy appearance.
Fundamentals
Basics
Gaping
Something that is wide open and exposed
Gastrointestinal
Ex. The patient was diagnosed with a gastrointestinal disease
Of or relating to the stomach and the intestines.
Gender
The behavioral, cultural, or psychological traits that are associated with a specific sex
Hematologic
Ex. Pregnancy can put a woman at risk for anemia, which is a hematologic disorder.
Or or relating to blood.
Hydration
Ex. The medical assistant explains that adequate hydration helps keep skin soft and supple.
Maintenance of body fluid balance.
Hygiene
Ex. The dental assistant teaches patients about good hygiene practices to maintain strong teeth.
Measures contributing to cleanliness and good health
Impaired
Ex. The paramedic stated that the patient’s impaired speech was obvious in the way she slurred her words.
Diminished or lacking some usual quality or level.
Impending
Ex. The nurse manager increased the emergency room staffing in anticipation of accidents being cause by the impending snowstorm.
Occurring in the near future, about to happen.
Impervious
Ex. Standard precautions require the use of impervious gloves when bodily fluids are handled.
Impenetrable, now allowing anything to pass through.
Imply
Ex. The look on the administrator’s face implied that she was happy about the results of the inspection.
To suggest without explicitly stating.
Implement
To put into action; execute
Incidence
Ex. In recent years there has been an increased incidence of infections that do not respond to antibiotics.
Occurrence
Infection
Ex. The health care provider prescribed antibiotics for the patient with a bacterial infection.
Contamination or invasion of body tissue by pathogenic organisms.
Infer
Ex. When the patient started crying while receiving an injection, the nurse inferred that the patient was in pain.
To conclude or deduce
Inflamed
Ex. The nurse observed that the skin around the patient’s wound was inflamed.
Reddened, swollen, warm, and often tender.
Ingest
Ex. The paramedic may contact the poison control center when providing emergency care for a child who has ingested cleaning fluid.
To swallow for digestion.
Initiate
Ex. The nurse decided to initiate safety measure to prevent injury because the patient was very weak.
To begin or put into practice.
Insidious
Ex. The health care provider explained that the cancer probably started years ago but had not been detected because its spread was insidious.
So gradual as to not become apparent for a long time.
Intact
Ex. The nurse observed that the patient’s bandage was intact.
In place, unharmed
Internal
Things inside of the body or the mind; something that exists within the limits and confines of something else
Intubate
Ex. The patient was unable to breathe effectively, so the health care provider had to intubate immediately.
To insert a tube into something (usually a patient’s airway).
Invasive
Ex. The laboratory technician is careful when obtaining blood samples because this invasive procedure may cause problems such as infection or bruising.
Inserting or entering into a body part. Tending to spread or infringe upon something
Justification
To prove something is right
Kinetic
Ex. Kinetic energy from the battery of the medical assistant’s tablet caused the device to feel warm to the touch.
Or or relating to movement.
Labile
Ex. Because the child’s temperature was labile, the nurse instructed the unlicensed assistive personnel to check the temperature frequently.
Changing rapidly and often.
Laceration
Ex. After the accident, the paramedic examined the patient’s lacerations.
Cut; tear
Latent
Ex. The latent infection produced symptoms only when the patient’s condition was weakened from another illness.
Present but not active or visible.
Lateral
Ex. The physical therapist recommended exercises to help increase the strength of the patient’s lateral muscles.
On the side
Lethargic
Ex. The unlicensed assistive personnel observed that on the morning after a patient received a sleeping pill, the patient was too lethargic to eat breakfast.
Difficult to arouse.
Majority
The greater in number of two parts
Manifestation
Ex. The dietician looked for manifestations or poor nutrition, such as excessive weight loss and poor skin condition.
An indication or sign of a condition.
Medication
Medicine or a chemical compound used to treat or cure illness.
Musculoskeletal
Ex. As a result of overtraining, the athlete suffered a musculoskeletal injury.
Of or relating to muscle and skeleton.
Milieu
The environmental condition, or setting
Metabolism
The sum of all chemical processes that occur in an organism
Neurologic
Ex. The nurse checked the neurologic status of the patient who was brought to the emergency room after a motorcycle accident.
Of or relating to the nervous system.
Neurovascular
Ex. Strokes and aneurysms are neurovascular disorders.
Or or relating to the nervous system and blood vessels.
Nutrient
Ex. The dietician explains that fruits and vegetables contain nutrients that reduce the risk of some cancers.
Substance or ingredient that provides nourishment.
Occluded
Ex. Because the patient’s foot was cold and blue, the nurse reported that the patient’s circulation to that foot was occluded.
Closed or obstructed.
Ominous
Exhibiting an omen; refers to something evil or disastrous that appears likely to occur
Ongoing
Ex. The nurse instructed the patient that the treatment would be ongoing throughout the patient’s entire hospital stay.
Continuous.
Oral
Ex. The patient’s instructions stated “no oral fluids for 24 hours following surgery.”
Given through or affecting the mouth.
Osmosis
The higher the concentration the lower the osmosis
Ostracize
To exclude someone
Otic
Ex. The health care provider prescribed an otic medication to treat the patient’s ear infection.
Of the ear.
Overt
Obvious, easily observed
Parameter
Ex. The dietician explained that the number of calories needed for energy is one of the important parameters of a healthy diet.
A characteristic or constant factor, limit.
Paroxysmal
Characterized by a sudden fit or attack of symptoms; may be a sudden emotion or uncontrollable action.
Patent
Ex. The nurse checked to see whether the intravenous needle was patent before giving the patient a medication.
Open
Patient
A person receiving or registered to receive medical treatment.
Pathogenic
Ex. Viruses and bacteria are pathogenic organisms.
Causing or able to cause disease.
Pathology
Ex. The health care provider called to request the pathology report for her patient.
Processes, causes, and effects of a disease; abnormality.
Plurality
(In an election with more than 2 options) the number of votes for the candidate or party receiving the greatest number (but less that half of the votes)
Posterior
Ex. The dentist examined the posterior surface of the tooth for a cavity.
Located behind; in the back.
Potent
Ex. The potent medication immediately relieved the patient’s pain.
Producing a strong effect or able to copulate as a male
Potential
Ex. Because the patient was very weak, the physical therapist felt the patient had a high potential for falling.
Capable of occurring or likely to occur.
Precaution
Ex. The laboratory technician wore gloves as a precaution against blood contamination.
Preventative measure.
Precipitous
Ex. The paramedic assisted the pregnant woman during a precipitous delivery in her home.
Rapid, uncontrolled or very steep or difficult to climb or overcome
Predispose
Ex. The dietician explains that high dietary fat intake predisposes some people to heart disease.
To make more susceptible or more likely to occur.
Preexisting
Ex. The nurse notified the health care provider that the patient has a preexisting condition that might lead to complications during the emergency surgery.
Already present.
Prescription
A written order from a licensed medical professional to a pharmacist, authorizing them to prepare and give a specific patient a specific prescription drug
Prefer
Like (one thing or person) better than another or others; tend to choose.
Primary
Ex. The patient’s primary concern was when he could return to work after the operation.
First or most significant.
Priority
Ex. The laboratory technician was gentle when inserting the needle because it is a high priority to ensure that the patient does not experience excessive pain and discomfort during the procedure.
Of great importance.
Prognosis
Ex. The physician explained that, with treatment, the patient’s prognosis was for a long and healthy life.
The anticipated or expected course or outcome.
Proliferation
A rapid increase in number
Rampant
Unrestrained
Rationale
Ex. To ensure that the patient will follow the diet instructions, the medical assistant explains the rationale for the low-salt diet.
The underlying reason.
Recur
Ex. To ensure that a tooth cavity does not recur, the dental hygienist instructs the patient to use tooth paste with fluoride regularly.
To occur again.
Renal
Ex. The nurse closely monitored the oral intake and urinary output of the patient with acute renal failure.
Of or relating to the kidneys.
Regimen
A systematic plan for therapy (often including diet)
Remission
Improvement or absence of signs of disease
Residual
Ex. Patients often have residual weakness after suffering a stroke.
Remaining, left, continuing.
Respiration
Ex. Exercise increases the rate and depth of an individual’s respiration.
Inhalation and exhalation of air.
Restrict
To confine something or someone within specific limitations or boundaries
Retain
Ex. The nurse administered a medication to prevent the patient from retaining excess body fluid, which might cause swelling.
To hold or keep
Rigidity
Inability to be changed
Site
The physical location of a structure; the physical space reserved for a building; the place or scene of an occurrence
Sputum
Mucous secretion from the lungs, bronchi, and trachea expelled through the mouth
Status
Ex. The paramedic recognized that the patient’s tatus was unstable, which necessitated immediate transport to the nearest medical center.
Condition.
Strict
Inflexible; maintained in such a manner that cannot be changed or altered
Subcutaneous
Ex. The nurse administered the mediation by subcutaneous injection.
Under the skin.
Sublingual
Ex. The patient was prescribed a sublingual medication for chest pain
Under the tongue.
Superego
The moral component of personality that incorporates social standards about what represents right and wrong
Supplement
Ex. The dietician instructed the patients to supplement their diets with calcium tablets to help build strong bones.
To take in addition to or to complete.
Supposition
A message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence
Suppress
Ex. When the child’s temperature decreased, the nurse checked to see if any medications had been given that would have suppressed the fever.
To stop or subdue.
Symmetric (symmetrical)
Ex. The paramedic observed that the movement of both sides of the patient’s chest was symmetrical after the accident.
Benign equal or the same in size, shape, and relative position.
Symptom
Ex. The nurse recognized that the patient’s weakness was a symptom of bleeding after surgery.
An indication of a problem.
Syndrome
Ex. After reviewing the patient’s symptoms, which included pain and tingling in the hand and fingers, the health care provider made a diagnosis or carpal tunnel syndrome.
Group of symptoms that, when occurring together, reflect a specific disorder, or disorder.
Therapeutic
Ex. Therapeutic diets may include calorie and salt restrictions.
Of or relating to the treatment of a disease or a disorder.
Tertiary Health Care
A system to return patients to wellness
Toxic
Ex. The pediatric health care provider recommended that the parents of a toddler keep all toxic substances out of the toddler’s reach.
Causing harm, poisonous.
Transdermal
Ex. The health care provider prescribed a transdermal nicotine patch for a patient participating in the smoking cessation program.
Crossing through the skin.
Transmission
Ex. Nurses should wash their hands to prevent the transmission of infections.
Transfer; such as of a disease, from one person to another.
Trauma
Ex. The accident victim had severe facial trauma.
Injury, wound.
Triage
Ex. When the paramedics arrived at the scene of the accident, they had to triage the patients.
Process used to determine the priority of treatment for patients according to the severity of a patient’s condition and the likelihood of benefit from the treatment.
Ubiquitous
Ex. The patient noticed the ubiquitous “no smoking” signs in the clinic.
Being or seeming to be everywhere at once
Untoward
Adverse, negative or unseemly
Urinate
Ex. The patient was instructed to urinate into the container so the nurse could send the urine sample to the laboratory.
Excrete or expel urine.
Valid
Founded on fact or evidence
Vascular
Ex. The patient underwent vascular surgery for the repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Of or relating to blood vessels.
Venerable
Accorded a great deal of respect, especially because of age, wisdom, or character.
Verbal
Relating to or consisting of words; involving words rather than meaning or substance
Vertigo
Dizziness and loss of balance affected by disease of the inner ear
Virulent
Ex. The virulent infection required an aggressive treatment regimen.
Extremely harmful and severe.
Virus
Ex. A person with a cold who goes shopping can transmit the virus to other.
Microscopic infectious agent capable of replicating only in living cells, usually causing infectious disease.
Viscosity
A liquid that is resistant to flow
Vital
Ex. The paramedic knows that is vital to learn what type of poison was taken when caring for a poisoning victim.
Essential.
Void
Not occupied or empty; of no legal force or effect
Volume
Ex. The nurse recorded the volume of cough syrup administered to the patient
Amount of space occupied by a fluid.
Q.I.D
4 times a day
ATBE
At bedtime
Q.D.
Once per day
Q.8H
Every 8 hours
