Definitions D Flashcards
dacryoadenitis
An inflammation of the lacrimal gland caused by a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection. Signs and symptoms of this condition include sudden severe pain, redness, and pressure in the orbit of the eye.
deafness
The complete or partial loss of the ability to hear. It can range from the inability to hear sounds of a certain pitch or intensity, to a complete loss of hearing.
debridement
The removal of dirt, foreign objects, damaged tissue, and cellular debris from the wound to prevent infection and to promote healing.
decibel
Commonly used as the measurement of the loudness of sound.
deep brain stimulation (DBS)
A neurosurgical procedure used in the treatment of dystonia, tremors, and Parkinson?s disease. A device to stimulate the brain with mild electrical signals is implanted in the brain and is connected to a stimulator implanted near to collar bone.
deep tendon reflexes (DTR)
DTRs are tested with a reflex hammer that is used to strike a tendon. A reflex is an involuntary response to a stimulus. No response or an abnormal response or an abnormal response can indicate a disruption of the nerve supply to the involved muscles. Reflexes also are lost in deep coma or because of medication such as heavy sedation.
deep vein thrombosis
The condition of having a thrombus attached to the interior wall of a deep vein. Sometimes such a blockage forms in the leg of a bedridden patient or in someone who has remained seated too long in an airplane or car. The danger that is the thrombus (clot) will break loose and travel to a lung where it can be fatal by causing a blockage.
defibrillation
The use of electrical shock to restore the heart?s normal rhythm. This shock is provided by a device known as a defibrillator. Also known as cardioversion.
dehydration
A condition in which fluid loss exceeds fluid intake and disrupts the body?s normal electrolyte balance.
delirium
An acute condition of confusion, disorientation, disordered thinking and memory, agitation, and hallucinations. This condition is usually caused by a treatable physical condition, such as a high fever. An individual suffering from this condition is described as being delirious.
delirium tremens (DTs)
A disorder involving sudden and severe mental changes or seizures caused by abruptly stopping the use of alcohol.
delusion
A false person belief that is maintained despite obvious proof or evidence to the contrary. The belief is not one ordinarily accepted by other members of the individual?s culture or religious faith.
dementia
A slowly progressive decline in mental abilities, including memory, thinking, and judgment, that is often accompanied by personality changes. Senile dementia is dementia of the age.
dental calculus
Dental plaque that has calcified (hardened) on the teeth. These deposits irritate the surrounding tissues and cause increasingly serious periodontal disease. The term calculus is also used to describe hard deposits, such as gallstones or kidney stones that form in other parts of the body. Also known as tartar.
dental caries
An infectious disease caused by bacteria that destroys the enamel and dentin of the tooth. If the decay progress is not arrested, the pulp can be exposed and become infected.
dental plaque
A major cause of dental caries and periodontal disease, forms as soft deposits in sheltered areas near the gums and between the teeth. Dental plaque consists of bacteria and bacterial by-products. In contrast, the plaque associated with heart conditions consists of deposits of cholesterol that form within blood vessels.
dental prophylaxis
The professional cleaning of the teeth to remove plaque and calculus. The term prophylaxis also refers to a treatment intended to prevent a disease or stop it from spreading. Examples include vaccination to provide immunity against a specific disease.
depression
The act of lowering of body part. The depressor anguli oris, for example, lowers the corner of the mouth into a frown. A depressor muscle lowers a body part. Depression is also a common mood disorder characterized by lethargy and sadness, as well as the loss of interest or pleasure in normal activities. Severe depression may lead to feeling of worthlessness and thoughts of death or suicide.
dermabrasion
A form of abrasion involving the use of a revolving wire brush or sandpaper. It is used to remove acne and chickenpox scars as well as for facial skin rejuvenation. Microdermabrasion removes only a fine layer of skin, so the results are temporary.
dermatitis
An inflammation of the skin, this condition, which takes many forms, is usually characterized by redness, swelling, and itching.
dermatoplasty
The replacement of damaged skin with healthy tissue taken from a donor site on the patient?s body. Also known as a skin graft.
dermatosis
A general term used to denote skin lesions or eruptions of any type that are not associated with inflammation.
developmental disorder
A developmental disorder can result in an anomaly or malformation such as the absence of a limb or the present of an extra toe. Also known as a birth defect.
diabetes insipidus (DI)
Which is not related to diabetes mellitus, is caused by an insufficient production of the antidiuretic hormone ADH or by the inability of the kidneys to respond appropriately to this hormone.
diabetes mellitus
A group of metabolic disorders characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. Diabetes mellitus is not related to diabetes insipidus. This condition is described as type 1, type 2, and latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (type 1.5).
diabetic coma
A diabetic coma is caused by very high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). This condition is treated by prompt administration of insulin. Also known as diabetic ketoacidosis.
diabetic retinopathy
damage to the retina as a complication of uncontrolled diabetes.
dialysis
A procedure to remove waste products, such as urea, creatinine, as well as excess water from the blood of a patient whose kidneys no longer function. The two types of dialysis in common use are hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Patients can sometimes choose the type of long-term dialysis they prefer.
