Basic Medical Terms

Question 1

Abrasion

Answer 1

scrape of the skin due to something abrasive

Question 2

Abscess

Answer 2

collection of pus underneath the skin

Question 3

Antipyretic

Answer 3

medication used to reduce a fever

Question 4

Acute

Answer 4

new, usually of rapid onset and of concern; opposite of chronic

Question 5

Afebrile

Answer 5

without fever (Temp. < 100.4)

Question 6

Anterior

Answer 6

located toward the front of the body

Question 7

Appendicitis

Answer 7

dangerous infections of the appendix

Question 8

Auscultation

Answer 8

listening to sounds arising within organs (as the lungs)

Question 9

Benign

Answer 9

normal, of no danger to health

Question 10

Bradycardia

Answer 10

slow heart-rate (HR < 60 bpm)

Question 11

Bronchiolitis

Answer 11

infection of the bronchioles (smaller air-tubes in the lungs)

Question 12

Bronchitis

Answer 12

infection of the bronchi (upper airway)

Question 13

Catheter

Answer 13

tube inserted into vessels or body cavities to permit injection or withdrawal of fluids or to keep a passage open

Question 14

Chronic

Answer 14

long standing, constant. Opposite of acute

Question 15

Cellulitis

Answer 15

infection of skin cells

Question 16

Conjunctivitis

Answer 16

infection of the outer layer of the eye

Question 17

Dialysis

Answer 17

process of removing waste from the blood for people with renal failure

Question 18

Diaphoresis

Answer 18

sweating

Question 19

Diffuse

Answer 19

spread out (not localized)

Question 20

Distal

Answer 20

farther from the trunk of the body

Question 21

Dyspnea

Answer 21

Difficulty breathing

Question 22

Dyursia

Answer 22

painful urination

Question 23

Ecchymosis

Answer 23

a bruise

Question 24

-ectomy (suffix)

Answer 24

surgical removal (ex. tonsillectomy)

Question 25

Edemy

Answer 25

swelling

Question 26

Emesis

Answer 26

vomiting

Question 27

Epilepsy

Answer 27

seizure disorder

Question 28

Epistaxis

Answer 28

nose bleed

Question 29

Erythema/Erythematous

Answer 29

Redness/Red

Question 30

Exudates (tonsillar)

Answer 30

pus-pockets on the tonsils

Question 31

Febrile

Answer 31

the state of having a fever (Temp > 100.4)

Question 32

Grossly

Answer 32

obviously; a lot; wholly

Question 33

Hematemesis

Answer 33

gross amounts of blood in the vomit

Question 34

Hematuria

Answer 34

blood in the urine

Question 35

Hemoptysis

Answer 35

coughing up gross amounts of blood

Question 36

Hemorrhage

Answer 36

excessive or profuse bleeding

Question 37

Hepatomegaly

Answer 37

enlarged liver

Question 38

Hernia

Answer 38

protrusion of an organ through the wall of the cavity that normally contains it

Question 39

Hyperlipidemia

Answer 39

high cholesterol

Question 40

Hypertension

Answer 40

high blood pressure

Question 41

Hypoxia

Answer 41

low oxygen saturation of the body, not enough oxygen in the blood

Question 42

ICD-10

Answer 42

a system to classify & code diagnosis, symptoms, & procedures

Question 43

Infarct

Answer 43

area of dead tissue after a lack of blood supply

Question 44

Inferior

Answer 44

lower on the body, farther from the head

Question 45

Ischemia

Answer 45

lack of blood supply

Question 46

-itis (suffix)

Answer 46

inflammation (ex. appendicitis)

Question 47

Laceration

Answer 47

splitting of the skin due to trauma (a cut due to something sharp)

Question 48

Lateral

Answer 48

farther from the midline (a line that can be traced from nose to bellybutton)

Question 49

Lethargic

Answer 49

septic, very sick, about to die

Question 50

Medial

Answer 50

nearer to the midline

Question 51

Meningitis

Answer 51

dangerous infection of the outer lining of the brain

Question 52

Otitis Externa

Answer 52

infection of the outer ear (ear canal)

Question 53

Otitis Media

Answer 53

infection of the inner ear (behind eardrum)

Question 54

Melena

Answer 54

black tarry stool

Question 55

Myalgia

Answer 55

muscular pain "muscle aches"

Question 56

Pallor

Answer 56

pale skin

Question 57

Palpation

Answer 57

examine by touch

Question 58

Palpitation

Answer 58

to beat rapidly, irregularly, or forcibly (usually relating to the heart)

Question 59

Peritoneal signs

Answer 59

guarding/rebound/rigidity: PE findings indicate a rupture in the abdomen

Question 60

Pharyngitis

Answer 60

throat infection

Question 61

Pneumonia

Answer 61

bacterial infection of the lungs

Question 62

Posterior/Dorsal

Answer 62

rear or backside of the body

Question 63

Prone

Answer 63

body position of lying flat, face down

Question 64

Proximal

Answer 64

nearer to the trunk of the body

Question 65

Pulmonary

Answer 65

relating to the lungs

Question 66

Purulence/Purulent

Answer 66

pus/pus-like

Question 67

Rales

Answer 67

crackles; wet cracking noice in lungs

Question 68

Rhinorrhea

Answer 68

clear and natural discharge "runny nose"

Question 69

Rhonchi

Answer 69

rattling noise of mucous in the lungs

Question 70

-scopy (suffix)

Answer 70

viewing w/ a scope (ex. colonoscopy)

Question 71

Sepsis

Answer 71

dangerous infection of the blood

Question 72

Sinusitis

Answer 72

infection/inflammation of the nasal sinuses

Question 73

Small bowel obstruction

Answer 73

physical blockage of the small intestines

Question 74

Streptococcal Pharyngitis

Answer 74

strep throat

Question 75

Superior

Answer 75

higher on the body, nearer to the head

Question 76

Supine

Answer 76

body position lying face up

Question 77

Syncope

Answer 77

"passing out," loss of consciousness or fainting

Question 78

Tachycardia

Answer 78

fast heart rate (HR > 100 bpm)

Question 79

Trismus

Answer 79

inability to open the jaw due to pain

Question 80

Tachypnea

Answer 80

increased breathing rate

Question 81

Ulcerations

Answer 81

blisters or open-sores

Question 82

Vertigo

Answer 82

room-spinning dizziness (not light-headed)

Question 83

Wheezing

Answer 83

high pitched sound heard in the lungs with asthmatics or lung disease