Medical Terminology Flashcards
(188 cards)
1
Q
Abx
A
antibiotics
2
Q
A. Fib
A
atrial fibrillation:
a disease of the heart characterized by irregular and often faster heartbeat.
3
Q
AMA
A
against medical advice
4
Q
AMS
A
altered mental status
- low oxygen
- alcohol intoxication
- opiates
5
Q
ASA
A
aspirin
6
Q
AT/NC
A
atraumatic/normocephalic:
**describe the head and skull when they’re normal and without signs of injury
7
Q
bpm
A
beats per minute
8
Q
c/o
A
complains of, complaining of
9
Q
c/w
A
consistent with
10
Q
CA
A
cancer
11
Q
CMT
A
cervical motion tenderness:
physical exam finding; found on pelvic exams most commonly when a female presents with a pelvic infection
12
Q
CPR:
A
cardiopulmonary resuscitation
13
Q
CT
A
computed tomograph scan
14
Q
CTA
A
clear to auscultation:
clear to auscultation is the normal physical exam finding when the lungs are auscultated (listened to with a stethoscope)
15
Q
CXR
A
chest x-ray
16
Q
d/c
A
discharge
17
Q
DDx:
A
differential diagnosis
18
Q
DNR
A
do not resuscitate
19
Q
DOE
A
dyspnea on exertion:
dyspnea on exertion is something a patient describes when a normal walk or exercise pattern is interrupted by shortness of breath
20
Q
Dx
A
diagnosis
21
Q
EF
A
ejection fraction:
low ejection fractions are found in patients with congestive heart failure
**below 55%
22
Q
EKG or ECG
A
electrocardiogram
23
Q
EMR
A
electronic medical record
24
Q
EOMI
A
extraocular movements intact:
normal physical exam finding when a provider asks a patient to look in different directions; looks for weakness in the muscles that move the eyes
25
ETT or ET tube
endotracheal tube
26
f/u
follow up
27
Fx
fracture
28
G/P/A
pregnancies / # live births/ # miscarriages and abortions
When a pregnant patient presents to the clinic, it is important to know how many times they have been pregnant (G), how many live children they have delivered (P), and how many miscarriages and/or abortions (A) they have had.
29
H&H
hemoglobin and hematocrit
30
h/o
history of
31
HA
headache
32
Hct
hematocrit
Along with Hgb(hemoglobin), the hematocrit is a test to determine how many RBC a patient has in circulation. A low Hgb/Hct can indicate anemia if it is chronic, or blood loss if the finding is acute.
33
Hgb
hemoglobin
34
Hx
history
35
IM
intramuscular
36
IUP
intrauterine pregnancy
37
IV
intraveneous
38
IVDA
intravenous drug abuse
39
JVD
jugular venous distention:
Patients with JVD as a physical exam finding present wth bulging of the veins of the neck. This is commonly found in patients with CHF.
40
LLE
left lower ex
41
LLL
left lower lobe:
Relates to the lung. If a pt has pneumonia in the LLL, the physician may describe hearing scattered rhonchi in the LLL.
42
LNMP
last normal menstrual period
43
LOC
loss of consciousness
44
LOS
length of stay
45
LUE
left upper extremity
46
MVA
motor vehicle accident
47
N/V/D
nausea/vomiting/diarrhea
48
NAD
no acute distress/disease
49
NKDA
no known drug allergies
50
nml/nl
normal
51
NPO
nothing per os (nothing by mouth)
52
NS
normal saline:
Normal saline is the most common IV fluid. Other common IV fluids are (LR- Lactated Ringers Solution) and 1/2 Normal Saline.
53
NSR
normal sinus rhythm:
Normal sinus rhythm is considered to be the "normal" way a heart should beat. You will see this commonly printed on the top of EKGs when a heart is beating "normally"
54
NTG
nitroglycerin
55
PCN
penicillin
56
PCP
primary care physician
57
PERRL(A)
pupils equal round and reactive to light
"A" stands for accommodation, which is sometimes tested separately
58
PHI
protected health information
59
PO
per os (by mouth)
60
ppd
packs per day:
Knowing how many ppd someone smokes can give a good indication of his or her underlying lung function.
61
PRN
as needed
62
PTA
prior to arrival
63
RLE
right lower extremity
64
RLL
right lower lobe
Relates to the lung. If patient has a pulmonary effusion in the RLL, the physician may describe hearing decreased breath sounds in the RLL.
65
ROM
range of motion
66
RRR
regular rate and rhythm:
Another way to describe normal heart findings on physical exam.
67
RUE
right upper extremity
68
Rx
prescription
69
s/p
status post (after)
70
TM
tympanic membrane
71
Tx
treatment
72
URI
upper respiratory infection
73
WNL
within normal limits
74
Arrhythmia
an alteration in the rhythm of the heartbeat
75
Bradycardia
objectively categorized slow heart rate, typically below 60 bpm
76
Edema
An abnormal infiltration and excess accumulation of serous fluid in connective tissue or a serous cavity, typically seen as swelling in the legs.
77
Friction rub:
A sound heard on auscultation caused by the rubbing together of two serous surface; commonly called simply a "rub".
78
Gallop
An abnormal third or fouth heart sound beyond the typical "lub dub" pattern.
79
Murmur
An abnormal "whooshing" sound heard on auscultation of the heart indicating a structural or functional abnormality. It may be benign or potentially dangerous.
80
Tachycardia:
Objectively categorized rapid heart rate, typically above 100 bpm.
81
Palpitation:
A sensation in which a person perceives an irregular forceful, or rapid heartbeat.
82
Ischemia:
A decrease in the blood supply to a bodily organ, tissue, or body part caused by constriction or obstruction of the blood vessels.
83
Angina:
Chest pain caused by insufficient blood supply to the heart.
84
Cardiomegaly:
Abnormal enlargement of the heart, most commonly seen on chest x-ray as a sign of CHF.
85
Ectopy:
A temporary abnormal heartbeat (not a sustained abnormal rhythm) that can be read on an EKG or perceived by the patient as a palpitation.
86
Bruit:
An abnormal sound heard on auscultation that indicates the narrowing of an artery, most commonly the carotid artery.
87
Infarct:
An area of tissue death caused by an obstruction in O2 supply, typically by a clot in the heart or brain.
88
Abrasion:
The rubbing or scraping of the surface layer from an area of the skin.
** Ab- means away from
89
Abscess:
An enclosed collection of pus somewhere in the body, most often involving the skin.
90
Gauge:
A diameter of a needle.
91
Purulence:
Pus, or the condition of containing or discharging pus.
92
Contusion:
Injury to tissue with or without skin discoloration, without skin breakage from blunt trauma; commonly as a bruise
93
Ecchymosis:
Similar to a contusion, but specifically an area of bluish discoloration >1 cm in diameter; different in that it may not necessarily result from trauma; also known as "bruising".
** AKA hematoma
94
Erythema:
Abnormal redness, typically to the skin or mucous membranes, in the presence of inflammation, injury, or infection.
95
Jaundice:
An abnormal yellowing, typically of the skin and from abnormally high levels of bilirubin in the blood.
96
Laceration:
A cut of the skin typically caused by accidental contact with a sharp object or edge; contrast with incision (intentional) and abrasion (superficial scrape only).
97
Pallor:
Deficiency of color especially of the face and/or skin.
98
Fluctuance:
Capable of being moved or compressed, typically as it relates to the presence/absence of pus in a possible abcess.
99
Cyanosis:
Bluish discoloration of a tissue resulting from O2 deprivation.
100
Diaphoresis:
Excessive sweating as a medical symptom.
101
Scleral icterus:
Yellowing of the sclera in patients with liver disease due to elevated bilirubin levels.
102
Dehiscence:
Separation of layers, especially the parting of the sutured edges of a surgical wound.
103
Crepitus:
A grating, crackling, or popping sound or sensations under the skin and in joints; also sometime the presence of air trapped in subcutaneous tissue that can feel like "Rice Krispies" on the skin.
104
Debridement:
Medical removal of nonviable skin tissue, especially after injury.
105
Decubitus ulcer:
An ulceration of tissue deprived of adequate blood supply by prolonged pressure; known commonly as a "bed sore".
106
Induration:
Area of localized hardening of body tissues, especially as it relates to the skin.
107
Macule:
A small area of discoloration of the skin that is not raised; contrast with papules.
108
Papule:
A small rounded growth on the skin that is raised, typically the medical term for a pimple or similar lesion.
109
Petechiae:
Pinpoint areas of hemorrhage in the subcutaneous tissue that typically appear purple or red.
110
Pruritus:
Medical term for itching.
111
Skin turgor:
A comment on the elasticity of the skin; also refers to a physical exam test that involves pinching the skin to see how long it takes to return to normal position as an assessment of hydration.
112
Tenting:
Skin that does not "snap back" towards the body immediately when pulled/pinched; indicative of dehydration and decreased skin turgor.
113
Tinea:
Fungal skin infection; most commonly ringworm.
114
Urticaria:
Raised, itchy areas of the skin typically seen with an allergic reaction; commonly "hives".
115
Hemorrhage:
A copious discharge of blood. It can be internal or external.
116
Hematoma:
A mass of usually clotted blood that forms in a tissue, organ, or body space as a result of a broken blood vessel.
**different types
** -oma refers to swelling or tumor
117
Affect (noun):
A psychological term for the observable expression of emotion; common abnormal affects may be "flat" or "blunted".
118
Mood:
A sustained and pervasive state of emotion.
119
Syncope:
Loss of consciousness resulting from insufficient blood flow to the brain; commonly known as "passing out".
120
Aphasia:
The symptomatic inability to express oneself through communication such as speaking.
121
Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS):
A scale used to assess the consciousness of a patient upon physical examination, typically in patients with neurological concerns following head trauma.
122
Hemiparesis:
Muscular weakness or partial paralysis of the entire left or right side of the body (neurologic finding/symptom).
123
Hemiplegia:
Total paralysis of the entire left or right side of the body.
** -plegia refers to paralysis
** Paraplegia is a motor/sensory loss in the legs extending up the trunk.
124
Malaise:
An indefinite feeling of weakness or lack of health often indicative of or accompanying the onset of an illness; feeling generally weak or "wiped out".
** Mal- meaning bad
125
Neuralgia:
Pain along the distribution of a nerve(s), typically perceived as burning or stabbing in nature.
126
Paresthesia:
An abnormal sensation of the skin associated with nerve dysfunction; most commonly described as "pins and needles".
127
Phonophobia:
Photophobia:
Abnormal sensitivity to noise/light commonly associated with migraines.
128
Tinnitus:
Ringing in the ears.
129
Deep Tendon Reflexes (DTRs):
Involuntary muscle contraction elicited by percussion of a muscle tendon ; rated on a number scale with 2+ being normal.
130
Paraspinal:
The area on either side of the spine (directly over the spine is midline); typically used when describing tenderness or muscle spasm.
131
Anisocoria:
Unequal pupil size that may indicate serious neurological dysfunction. It can also be baseline or normal for many patients.
132
Ataxia:
Incoordination due to dysfunction of the CNS.
133
Babinski Reflex:
A neurological test on the physical examination that involved stimulus to the sole of the foot to elicit certain responses.
134
Brudzinski's Sign:
A test performed on physical exam that involves flexing the neck and/or lower extremities to monitor involuntary movement; performed when there is concern for meningitis.
135
Facial droop:
Unilateral sagging of the face due to paralysis of the muscles on one side, typically a neurological physical examination finding with stroke and Bell's palsy.
136
Flat affect:
A severe reduction in emotional expressiveness, typically noted as a psychological physical exam finding in patients with depression and/or schizophrenia.
137
Lethargic:
Decreased level of consciousness; typically noted as a general physical exam finding.
138
Nystagmus:
Rapid, involuntary movement of the eyes, typically noted as neurologic physical exam finding.
139
Postical state:
A state of decreased/altered level of consciousness following an epileptic state.
140
Pronator drift:
A neurological test on physical exam that involves holding both arms straight out at should height with palms facing upward; if one side of the body is weaker than the other, as in stroke, one arm will drop and turn inward.
141
Somnolent:
Drowsy or less alert than baseline, typically as it relates to a general physical exam finding.
142
Straight Leg Raise (SLR) Test:
A physical exam test that involves lifting fully extended legs of a supine patient one at a time; this is typically performed in patients with back pain.
143
What are the 4 prefixes used for different colors?
1. chloro = green
2. eryth- = red
3. leuk- = white
4. cyan- = blue
144
Chlorosis:
an iron deficiency in adolescent girls that may impact a greenish tint in the skin
145
Erythema:
superficial reddening of the skin, usually in patches; as a result of injury causing dilatation of the blood capillaries
146
Leukocytes:
white blood cells that help body fight infections
147
Cyanosis:
a bluish color of the skin and the mucous membrane due to insufficient oxygen in the blood
148
Prefixes that mean within:
1. inter-
| 2. endo-
149
Prefixes that mean between:
1. inter-
150
Prefixes that mean outside or beyond:
1. extra-
2. ecto-
3. exo-
151
Prefixes that mean around, enclosing, surrounding:
1. peri-
| 2. circum-
152
- ectomy
| - graph(y)
surgical removal
instrument used to produce a record OR process of recording
153
Abdomin/o-
Cholecyst/o-
Col/o-
Enter/o-
A: abdomen
Ch: gallbladder
Co: colon
E: intestine
154
Gastr/o-
Hepat/o-
Splen/o-
Esophag/o-
G: stomach
H: liver
S: spleen
E: esophagus
155
Angi/o- vessel
Arteri/o- artery
Cardi/o/a-
Heme/o-
An: vessel
Ar: artery
C: heart
H: blood or blood cell
156
Arthr/o
Osteo-
Cost/o
Spondyl/o
A: joint
O: bone
C: rib
S: vertebra
157
Mening/o-
Neur/o-
My/o-
Fibr/o-
M: meninges; membranes covering CNS
N: nerve
M: muscle
F: fibers
158
Arther/o-
Glyco-
Lipid
A: fatty degeneration or plaque buildup
G: sugar
L: fat
159
Audi/o-
| Tympan/o
A: hearing
T: eardrum
160
Cyst/o-
Gynec/o-
Uro, Urin/o, Uri/a-
C: bladder
G: female
U: urine
161
Nephr/o-
Pyel/o-
Lith/o-
N: kidney
P: kidney
L: stone
162
Laryng/o-
Pharyng/o-
Pneum/o-
L: larynx
Ph: pharynx
Pn: lung
163
Pulmon/o-
Trache/o-
Bronch/o
P: lungs
T: trachea
B: the two main branches of the trachea
164
Heter/o-
Hydr/o-
Path/o-
Seps/o-
He: different
Hy: water
P: disease
S: infection
165
Dentition:
character of a set of teeth with regard to their number, kind, and arrangement
166
Dental Caries:
medical phrase for tooth decay or cavities
167
Epistaxis:
nosebleed
168
Cerumen:
ear wax
169
Nuchal Rigidity:
neck stiffness; concerning for meningitis
170
Kernig's Sign:
physical exam test for meningitis that involved pain on full extension of the leg
171
Meningismus:
a constellation of signs and symptoms suggestive of meningitis (typically stiff neck, headache, and light sensitivity)
-ism refers to condition
172
Malocclusion:
an abnormally in the way teeth align or come together, typically after trauma to the jaw
173
Rales:
a type of abnormal respiratory or breath sound heard on auscultation
fluid build up in congestive heart failure also known as "crackles:
174
Rhinorrhea:
excessive mucus secretion from the nose (aka runny nose)
** -rrhea refers to flow or discharged
175
Rhonchi:
low-pitched, snore-like sounds heard on auscultation of the chest when air channels are partially obstructed (typically by mucus)
worrisome for pneumonia
176
Sputum:
mucus/pus expectorated from the lungs, typically in a diseased state
177
Hemoptysis:
coughing up of blood or bloody sputum
178
Homan's Sign:
pain in the calf of the leg upon dorsiflexion of the foot on PE
concerning for blood clot in the leg (DVT)
179
Effusion:
escape of a fluid from the blood vessels or lymphatics into the tissues or a body cavity
most commonly in the context of pleural effusion seen on X ray
180
Basilar:
relating to or situated at the base
typically referring to the skull or lungs
ex: bibasilar infiltrate found on a chest X-ray)
181
Hypoxia:
decreased O2 supply in the body or an area of the body
182
Orthopnea:
difficulty breathing that occurs when lying flat due to fluid in the lungs
indicative of CHF
183
Stridor:
abnormal, high-pitched breathing sound during inspiration (inhaling) caused by a blockage in the throat or voice box (larynx)
184
Tachypnea:
abnormally fast respiratory rate
greater than 20 bpm
185
Splinting:
respiratory PE finding where a patient refrains from taking a full deeps breaths due to pain on inspiration; also refers to the act of placing a form of immobilization on an injured extremity
186
Retractions:
visible sinking of the skin between/around the bones of the chest typically viewed as a sign of respiratory distress
187
Nonrebreather Mask (NRB):
device used to deliver high concentrations of O2 to patients in acute respiratory distress; has a reservoir bag and a one-way valve to prevent rebreathing
188
Accessory muscle use:
atypical muscles, such as those of the shoulder girdle, are used to help with breathing effort in patients in respiratory distress
