Terminology

Question 1

Haemoptysis

Answer 1

Spitting out or coughing up of blood or blood-stained mucous.

Question 2

Nightsweats

Answer 2

Repeated episodes of extreme perspiration at night.

Question 3

Jaundice

Answer 3

Yellow skin discolouration of the skin and sclera caused by the build-up of bilirubin in the blood and the consequent tissue deposition thereof.

Question 4

Syncope

Answer 4

The transient loss of consciousness resulting from cerebral anoxia (absence of oxygen) usually due to inadequate blood flow.

Question 5

Polydipsia

Answer 5

Excessive thirst

Question 6

Pyrexia

Answer 6

Pattern of fever

Question 7

Pneumothorax

Answer 7

Caused by leakage of air from the lung/chest wall puncture into the pleural space, resulting in part or all of a lung to collapse.

Question 8

Tachycardia

Answer 8

Abnormally rapid heart rate

Question 9

Wasting

Answer 9

The process of a person or body part becoming progressively weaker and more emaciated. It may be accompanied by a loss of appetite, which worsens the condition.

Question 10

Diarrhoea

Answer 10

Many different presentations:
• Frequent stools (>3/day) or change of from previous frequency
• Change in stool consistency (can be loose/watery)
• Small amounts of formed stool passed multiple times a day (increased urge to defecate)

Question 11

Palmar Erythema

Answer 11

Reddening of the palms of the hands.

Question 12

Clubbing

Answer 12

Increase in soft tissue of the distal part of the fingers/toes, without osseous change. The distal parts of the extremities are broadened with abnormally shiny and curved nails.

Question 13

Photophobia

Answer 13

1. Extreme sensitivity to light by the eyes

2. Abnormal/irrational fear of light

Question 14

Chest pain

Answer 14

a physical complaint that requires immediate
diagnosis and evaluation. Evaluation of chest pain requires determining the quality of the pain-dull, sharp, or crushing, locating the site of the pain-in the center or side of the chest, and determining how long the pain has persisted, how it has developed, and whether it has occurred in the past.

Question 15

Ascites

Answer 15

The abnormal accumulation of peritoneal fluid in the abdomen.

Question 16

Polyuria

Answer 16

Excessive urination (>3L/day)

Question 17

Stony dull

Answer 17

Sounds produced on percussion from the pleximeter with no contribution from the underlying area.

Question 18

Bronchiectasis

Answer 18

Pathological dilation of the bronchi, resulting in impairedclearance of mucus and chronic infection. A history of chronic coughing and purulent sputum since childhood is
virtually diagnostic.

Question 19

Bradycardia

Answer 19

Abnormally slow heartbeat (<60 BPM)

Question 20

Pruritis

Answer 20

severe itching of often undamaged skin

Question 21

Acanthosis nigrans

Answer 21

Brown-black velvety elevations of the epidermis use to confluent papillomas usually found in the axillae and nape of the neck.

Question 22

Dyspnoea

Answer 22

The awareness that an abnormal amount of effort is required for breathing, i.e. difficult/laboured breathing or shortness of breath.

Question 23

Splenomegaly

Answer 23

The enlargement of the spleen.

Question 24

Oedema

Answer 24

oedema is a condition of abnormally large fluid volume in the circulatory system or in tissues between the body’s cells (interstitial spaces).

Question 25

Xanthelasma

Answer 25

Xanthelasma Intracutaneous cholesterol deposits around the eyes creating slightly raised regions with a yellow discolouration.

Question 26

Polyphagia

Answer 26

Excessive eating

Question 27

Bronchial breathing

Answer 27

Tubular, hollow sounds which are heard when auscultating ver the large airways. Louder and higher-pitched than vesicular breath sounds.

Question 28

Lymphadenopathy

Answer 28

Abnormal increase in the size of the lymph nodes/lymph vessels.

Question 29

Cirrhosis

Answer 29

A chronic degenerative disease marked by inflammation of the liver where damaged cells are replaced by scar tissue.
It is typically a result of alcoholism or hepatitis.

Question 30

Haematemesis

Answer 30

The presence of blood in vomitus (may be obviously red or have a “coffee ground” appearance).

Question 31

kilonychia

Answer 31

Dry, thin, brittle, ridged, spoon-like nails.

Question 32

Glossitis

Answer 32

Describe the smooth, swollen, inflamed and sometimes erythematous appearance of the tongue usually due to atrophy of papillae.

Question 33

Haematuria

Answer 33

The presence of blood in the urine.

Question 34

Palpitations

Answer 34

A sensation in which a person is aware of an irregular, hard, or rapid heartbeat.

Question 35

Cyanosis

Answer 35

The blue discolouration of the skin and mucous membranes due to the presence of deoxygenated haemoglobin in
superficial blood vessels.

Question 36

Dysphagia

Answer 36

Difficulty swallowing

Question 37

Pleural effusion

Answer 37

The collection of fluid in the pleural space.

Question 38

Tachypnoea

Answer 38

Abnormally rapid respiratory rate

Question 39

Gynaecomastia

Answer 39

Enlargement of the male breasts due to adipose and glandular tissue growth. The breasts can be unilateral or bilateral or be tender.

Question 40

Melaena

Answer 40

Melaena stools are poorly formed, black and have a tarry appearance, with a characteristically offensive smell. Due to
the presence of blood digested by gastric acid and colonic bacteria.

Question 41

Leuconychia

Answer 41

White discolouration appearing on nails usually due to injury to the base of the nail.