Week 15 Terms

Question 1

Ablation

Answer 1

Complete destruction of tissue

Question 2

Active electrode

Answer 2

Point of the electrosurgical instrument that delivers current to tissue

Question 3

Active electrode monitoring (AEM)

Answer 3

Electrosurgical instrument system that monitors the impedance of instruments and stops the flow of electricity when it reaches a critical level

Question 4

Alternating current (AC)

Answer 4

Electrical current that changes directions and transmits high-voltage electricity

Question 5

Amplification

Answer 5

Phenomenon of increasing wave height by lining up the peaks and troughs of individual waves

Question 6

Argon

Answer 6

Inert gas used in electrosx to direct and shroud the electrical current

Question 7

Bipolar circuit

Answer 7

Electrosurgical circuit in which current travels from the power unit through an instrument containing two opposite poles in contact with the tissue and then returns directly to the energy source

Question 8

Blended mode

Answer 8

Combination of intermediate frequency and intermediate wave intervals

Question 9

Carbon dioxide

Answer 9

Inert gas used as a lasing medium during laser sx

Question 10

Cauterization

Answer 10

Use of a hot object to burn tissue to achieve coagulation

Question 11

Circuit

Answer 11

The flow of electricity through a conductive medium

Question 12

Coagulum

Answer 12

Sticky, semiliquid substance that forms when tissue is altered by electrical or ultrasonic energy

Question 13

Coherency

Answer 13

Quality of laser light in which all light waves are lined up with trough and peaks matching

Question 14

Conductive

Answer 14

Quality of a material to give up electrons easily and thus transmit electrical current

Question 15

Continuous wave lasers

Answer 15

Lasers that emit the laser light continuously rather than in pulses

Question 16

Cryoablation

Answer 16

Method of tissue destruction in which a probe is inserted into a tumor or tissue mass. High-pressure argon gas is injected into the probe.

Question 17

Cryosurgery

Answer 17

Use of extremely low temperature to destroy diseased tissue

Question 18

Current

Answer 18

Flow of electricity

Question 19

Cavitron ultrasonic surgical aspirator (CUSA)

Answer 19

Instrument that destroys tumors through the use of ultrasound (high frequency sound waves)

Question 20

Cutting mode

Answer 20

Use of high voltage and relatively low frequency to cut through tissue

Question 21

Desiccation

Answer 21

Removal of water from tissue, causing it to die

Question 22

Direct coupling

Answer 22

Transfer of electrical current from an active electrode to another conductive instrument by accident or as part of the electrosurgical process

Question 23

Direct current (DC)

Answer 23

Type of low-voltage current generated by battery

Question 24

Dispersive electrode

Answer 24

Component of the electrosurgical circuit that spreads current at the point where it exists the body and thus prevents injury

Question 25

Duty cycle

Answer 25

Duration of current flow; can intermittently be applied to produce the desired effect on tissue

Question 26

Electrosurgery

Answer 26

Direct use of electricity to cut and coagulate tissue

Question 27

Electrosurgical unit (ESU)

Answer 27

Power generator and control source in the electrosurgical system

Question 28

Electrosurgical vessel sealing

Answer 28

Type of bipolar electrosurgery in which tissue is welded together using low voltage, low temperature, and a high-frequency current

Question 29

Eschar

Answer 29

Charred and burned tissue created by a high-voltage current

Question 30

Excimer

Answer 30

Type of lasing energy that is created when electrons are removed from the lasing medium

Question 31

Excitation source

Answer 31

Energy that causes the atoms of a lasing medium (gas or solid) to vibrate

Question 32

Frequency

Answer 32

Periodicity of electromagnetic waves

Question 33

Fulguration

Answer 33

Process of tissue surface destruction used in electrosx

Question 34

Grounding pad

Answer 34

Patient return electrode

Question 35

Holmium:YAG

Answer 35

Solid crystal lasing medium that penetrates a wide variety of substances

Question 36

Impedance

Answer 36

Constriction of electrical current by a nonconductive material or an area of high density. Results in the transformation of electricity into thermal energy

Question 37

Inactive electrode

Answer 37

Patient return electrode

Question 38

Laser

Answer 38

Light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation

Question 39

Laser head

Answer 39

Component of the laser system that holds the lasing medium

Question 40

Lasing medium

Answer 40

Solid or gas that is sensitive to atomic excitation by an energy source, which creates intense laser light and energy

Question 41

Lateral heat

Answer 41

Unintentional heating of tissue outside the direct area of electrosurgical application; aka Thermal spread

Question 42

Monopolar circuit

Answer 42

Continuous path of electricity that flows from ESU to active electrode, then through patient and return electrode, then back to ESU

Question 43

Nonconductive

Answer 43

Quality of a substance that resists the transfer of electrons and therefore electrical current

Question 44

Phacoemulsification

Answer 44

Destruction of cataracts using ultrasound technology

Question 45

Radiofrequency

Answer 45

Electromagnetic energy in which frequency is in the area of radiotransmission

Question 46

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA)

Answer 46

Use of radiofrequency waves to destroy a tissue mass or surface

Question 47

Resistance

Answer 47

Restriction of electron flow in a direct current circuit

Question 48

Smoke plume

Answer 48

Toxic smoke emitted by tissue during electrosx and laser sx

Question 49

Spray coagulation

Answer 49

Fulguration

Question 50

Ultrasonic energy

Answer 50

High frequency energy created by vibration or excitation of molecules; destroys tissue by breaking molecular bonds