Definitions N

Question 1

narcolepsy

Answer 1

A sleep disorder consisting of sudden and uncontrollable brief episodes of falling asleep during the day.

Question 2

nasogastric intubation

Answer 2

the placement of a feeding tube through the nose and into the stomach. This tube, which is placed temporarily, provides nutrition for patients who cannot take sufficient nutrients by mouth.

Question 3

natural immunity

Answer 3

Resistance to a disease present without the administration of an antigen or exposure to a disease. Natural immunity is either present at birth or it is passed from the mother to her child through breast milk. Also known as passive immunity.

Question 4

naturopathy

Answer 4

A combination of nutrition, medicinal supplements and herbs, water therapy, homeopathy, and lifestyle modifications used to identify and treat the root causes of symptoms and disease instead of surgery and drugs. It emphasizes supporting the body?s own innate healing ability and the healing power of nature. Also known as naturopathy medicine.

Question 5

nausea

Answer 5

The urge to vomit.

Question 6

nebulizer

Answer 6

An electronic device that pumps air or oxygen through a liquid medicine to turn it into a mist, which is then inhaled by the patient via a face mask or mouthpiece.

Question 7

necrotizing fasciitis

Answer 7

A severe infection caused by Group A strep bacteria, which is also known as flesh-eating bacteria. Necrotizing means causing tissue death, and fasciitis is inflammation of fascia. These bacteria normally live harmlessly on the skin; however, if they enter the body through a skin wound, this serious infection can result. If untreated, the infected body tissue is destroyed, and the illness can be fatal.

Question 8

needle breast biopsy

Answer 8

A technique in which an x-ray-guided needle is used to remove small samples of tissue from the breast. It is less painful and disfiguring than a surgical biopsy.

Question 9

neobladder

Answer 9

A replacement for the missing bladder created by using about 20 inches of the small intestine. It allows patients to avoid having an abdominal stoma.

Question 10

neoplasm

Answer 10

An abnormal growth of body tissue. Within this mass, the multiplication of cells is uncontrolled, abnormal, rapid, and progressive. Also known as a tumor.

Question 11

nephritis

Answer 11

An inflammation of the kidney or kidneys. The most common causes of nephritis are toxins, infection, or an autoimmune disease.

Question 12

nephrolith

Answer 12

Found in the kidney. Also known as a kidney stone or a renal calculus,

Question 13

nephrolithiasis

Answer 13

The term nephrolithiasis describes the presence of stones in the kidney. As these stones travel with the flow of urine, they are named for the location where they become lodged.

Question 14

nephrolysis

Answer 14

The surgical freeing of a kidney from adhesions.

Question 15

nephropathy

Answer 15

The term nephropathy means any disease of the kidney. This definition includes both degenerative and inflammatory conditions. Diabetic nephropathy is kidney disease resulting from late-stage diabetes mellitus.

Question 16

nephropexy

Answer 16

The surgical fixation of nephroptosis, or a floating kidney. Also known as nephrorrhaphy.

Question 17

nephroptosis

Answer 17

The prolapse of a kidney into the pelvic area when the patient stands.

Question 18

nephropyosis

Answer 18

Suppuration of the kidney. Suppuration means the formation or discharge of pus. Also known as pyonephrosis.

Question 19

nephrostomy

Answer 19

The placement of a catheter to maintain an opening from the pelvis of one or both kidneys to the exterior of the body. In a kidney affected by hydronephrosis, this allows urine from the kidney to be drained directly through the lower back. Nephrostomy tubes are also used to gain access to the kidneys for diagnostic procedures.

Question 20

nephrotic syndrome

Answer 20

A group of conditions in which excessive amounts of protein are lost through the urine. This condition, which is usually caused by damage to the kidney?s glomeruli, results in abnormally low levels of protein in the blood. Also known as nephrosis.

Question 21

neuritis

Answer 21

An inflammation of a nerve accompanied by pain and sometimes loss of function.

Question 22

neurodegenerative disease

Answer 22

An umbrella term for disorders in which there is a progressive loss of the structure or functions of the neurons.

Question 23

neurogenic bladder

Answer 23

A urinary problem caused by interference with the normal nerve pathways associated with urination. Normal urinary function depends on nerves to sense when the bladder is full, and to control the muscles that either retain the urine or allow the bladder to empty.

Question 24

neuromuscular blocker

Answer 24

A drug that causes temporary paralysis by blocking the transmission of nerve stimuli to the muscles. These drugs are used as an adjunct to anesthesia during surgery to cause skeletal muscles to relax. As used here, adjunct means in addition to. Also known as neuromuscular blocking agent.

Question 25

neuromuscular therapy (NMT)

Answer 25

A form of massage that uses soft-tissue manipulation focusing on applying pressure to trigger points to treat injuries and alleviate pain. A trigger point is a particularly taut band of muscle that is tender to the touch.

Question 26

neuroplasty

Answer 26

The surgical repair of a nerve.

Question 27

neurorrhaphy

Answer 27

Suturing together the ends of a severed nerve.

Question 28

neurotomy

Answer 28

The surgical division or dissection (cutting) of a nerve.

Question 29

nevus

Answer 29

A small, dark, skin growth that develops from melanocytes in the skin (plural, nevi). Normally, these growths are benign. Also known as a mole.

Question 30

nitroglycerin

Answer 30

A vasodilator that is prescribed to prevent or relieve the pain of angina by dilating the blood vessels to the heart. This increases the blood flow and oxygen supply to the heart. Nitroglycerin can be administered sublingually (under the tongue), transdermally (through the skin), or orally as a spray.

Question 31

nocturia

Answer 31

Frequent and excessive urination during the night.

Question 32

nocturnal enuresis

Answer 32

Urinary incontinence during sleep. It is also known as bed-wetting. Nocturnal means pertaining to night.

Question 33

nocturnal myoclonus

Answer 33

Jerking of the limbs that can occur normally as a person is falling asleep. Nocturnal means pertaining tonight.

Question 34

nodule

Answer 34

A solid, raised skin lesion that is larger than 0.5 cm in diameter and deeper than a papule. In acne vulgaris, nodules can cause scarring.

Question 35

noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL)

Answer 35

A type of nerve deafness caused by repeated exposure to extremely loud noises such as a gunshot, or to moderately loud noises that continue for long periods of time. These noises can permanently damage the hair cells in the cochlea, and at least partial hearing loss occurs. Unfortunately, this gradual hearing loss usually isn?t noticed until some hearing has been permanently destroyed. Any sound above 85 decibels (dB) can cause some hearing loss if the exposure is prolonged. Most portable music players can produce sounds up to 120 dB, which is louder than a lawn mower or a chain saw and is the equivalent to an ambulance siren.

Question 36

nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)

Answer 36

The term nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) describes the accumulation of fat in the liver of people who drink little or no alcohol. Those with this condition, which usually has no signs or symptoms, is most common in middle-aged individuals who are obese, have type 2 diabetes, have high cholesterol, or have a combination of these.

Question 37

nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)

Answer 37

A more serious form of this condition since it consists of fatty accumulations plus liver damaging inflammation. In some cases, this will progress to cirrhosis, irreversible liver scarring, or liver cancer.

Question 38

non-Hodgkin?s lymphoma

Answer 38

The term used to describe all other lymphomas other than Hodgkin?s lymphoma. There are many different types of non-Hodgkin?s lymphoma, some aggressive (fast growing) and some indolent (slow growing).

Question 39

non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Answer 39

Non-narcotic analgesics administered to control pain by reducing inflammation and swelling. NSAIDS, such as aspirin and ibuprofen, are available over the counter. Stronger NSAIDs are available by prescription. Medications in this group can cause side effects, including attacking the stomach lining and thinning the blood. Commonly known as NSAIDs.

Question 40

normal sperm count

Answer 40

A normal sperm count is 20 to 120 million or more sperm per milliliter (mL) of semen.

Question 41

nosocomial infection

Answer 41

A disease acquired in a hospital or clinical setting. For example, MRSA infections are often spread in hospitals. Nosocomial comes from the Greek word for hospital.

Question 42

nuclear scan

Answer 42

A diagnostic procedure that uses nuclear medicine technology to gather information about the structure and function of organs or body systems that cannot be seen on conventional x-rays. Also known as a scintigram.

Question 43

nulligravida

Answer 43

A woman who has never been pregnant.

Question 44

nullipara

Answer 44

A woman who has never borne a viable child.

Question 45

nyctalopia

Answer 45

A condition in which an individual with normal daytime vision has difficulty seeing at night. Also known as night blindness.

Question 46

nystagmus

Answer 46

An involuntary, constant, rhythmic movement of the eyeball that can be congenital or caused by a neurological injury or drug use.