Definitions you need to know Flashcards
what is ACE?
angiotensin-converting enzyme
- involved in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone-system
- found primarily in the lung
- responsible for the conversion of angiotensin I into angiotensin II
define acidotic
abnormally high acidity of body fluids and tissues
define acute
sudden, intense onset or flare-up
define Alzheimer’s disease
a progressive disease with specific brain abnormalities marked by memory loss and progressive inability to function normally at even the simplest tasks
define anaemia
chronically low hematocrit (the ratio of RBC to total blood volume) - essentially low RBC
define aneurysm
a ballon-like swelling in the wall of an artery
define aortic dissection
a tear in the aorta
what is an APGAR score?
a test administered to new born infants to evaluate their physical condition
define arrhythmia
when the hear beat is no longer originating from the sinus node and the rhythm is abnormal
define bolus
a large dose of a drug that is given at the beginning of treatment (on road typically bolus of saline or ICP may give bolus of a drug at the beginning of an infusion)
define capillary refill
the amount of time taken for colour to return to an area (typically the nail bed) after it is squeezed to induce blanching. Good capillary refill is 2 seconds or less
define carboxyheamoglobin
the substance formed when carbon monoxide binds with haemoglobin in the blood (generally only heard in reference to carbon monoxide poisoning)
define cyanotic
when a patients skin and mucous membranes are bluish in colour from an inadequate supply of oxygen in the blood
what is diaphoresis?
sweating
what is diastolic blood pressure measuring?
the pressure against blood vessels during relaxation (diastole) of the heart
