Glossary A's
atrial fibrillation
Definition:irregular heartbeat in which the upper chambers of the heart (the atria) beat inconsistently and rapidly
atrial flutter
Definition:irregular heartbeat in which the upper chambers of the heart (the atria) beat rapidly but consistently
AAA
Definition:see abdominal aortic aneurysm
abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)
Definition:a, ballooning, or dilation of the walls of a portion of an abdominal artery due to weakness in the blood vessel
abscess
Definition:an accumulation of pus in a body tissue, usually causedby a bacterial infection
abdomen
Definition:the part of the body between the bottom of the ribs and the top of the thighs, containing most of the digestive and urinary systems along with some reproductive organs; also called the abdominal cavity
abdominal cavity
Definition:see abdomen
abdominal filtering
Definition:see peritoneal dialysis
arterial blood gas (ABG)
Definition:arterial blood test for oxygen, carbon dioxide, andbicarbonate content, plus blood pH; used to testeffectiveness of respiration
ABO blood groups
Definition:system by which human blood is classified, based onproteins occurring on red blood cells; the fourclassification groups are A, B, AB, and O
abortion
Definition:termination of a pregnancy; can occur because of naturalcauses (called a miscarriage) or be a medical intervention
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
Definition:group of drugs used to treat high blood pressure andcongestive heart failure
achilles tendon
Definition:tendon at the back of the lower leg that connects thecalf muscle to the heel bone
acid-base balance
Definition:mechanisms the body uses to keep its fluids close toneutral (i.e., neither basic nor acidic) so that the bodycan function properly
acid reflux
Definition:disorder in which acid in the stomach rises into theesophagus because the valve separating the stomach andesophagus does not function properly
acidosis
Definition:condition marked by abnormally high acid levels in theblood, associated with shock, some forms of diabetes, lungdisease, and severe kidney disease
acute
Definition:escriptive of a condition or illness that beginssuddenly and is very short-lasting
acute respiratory disease
Definition:urgent condition in which oxygen levels in the blood are lower than normal and breathing is difficult
advance directive
Definition:common name for Advance Directive for Health Care, a document that describes the kind of medical treatment a person would want to receive for different levels of illness if the signer becomes unable to make medical decisions; includes Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care and Living Will
addiction
Definition:dependence on a substance (e.g., alcohol or other drugs)or activity, to the point that stopping is very difficultand causes severe physical and mental reactions
Advance Directive for Health Care
Definition:document that describes the kind of medical treatment aperson would want to receive for different levels of illnessif the signer becomes unable to make medical decisions;includes Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care andLiving Will; commonly called advance directive
ADR
Definition:see adverse drug reaction
adverse drug reaction (ADR)
Definition:unintended and unwanted side effect of a drug therapy
adrenal glands
Definition:two small glands located on top of the kidneys that secrete several important hormones into the blood
adrenal insufficiency
Definition:condition in which the adrenal glands do not produce enough of the hormones that control important functions such as blood pressure
adrenaline
Definition:hormone produced by the adrenal glands and secreted in response to stress; also called epinephrine; used as a medication named adrena line
adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
Definition:see acute respiratory distress syndrome
adverse reaction
Definition:unintended and unwanted side effect of some sort of treatment
automatic external defibrillator
Definition:defibrillating device used in many public venues (e.g., airports, theatres, etc.) that is simple to use and does not require a doctor or nurse to operate
affective disorder
Definition:mental disorder involving abnormal moods and emotions; affective disorders include manic-depressive disorder
age spots
Definition:flat, darker patches of skin, occurring on sun-exposed areas of the body such as the back of hands and forehead, caused by aging and/or exposure to the sun; usually not serious and more a cosmetic than medical concern
agent
Definition:person to whom one formally (by Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care [DPA]) gives the power to make medical treatment decisions on the signer's behalf, if the signer is unable to make or communicate their own decisions regarding health care; also called a proxy or attorney-in-fact
acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
Definition:infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV),which causes a weakening of the immune system
AIDS
Definition:see acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
air embolism
Definition:blockage of an artery by air bubbles, which may have entered during surgery or after an injury
airway
Definition:normal passageway for air into and out of the bodyduring breathing, from the mouth and/or nose to the lungs;also, a device that helps keep the mouth and windpipe openso that air can reach the lungs, used to help prevent bitingdown on the tongue or breathing tube
airway obstruction
Definition:blockage of the passage of air through the windpipe to the lungs
alcoholic cardiomyopathy
Definition:heart damage and failure caused by intake of too much alcohol
alimentary canal
Definition:see digestive system; also called digestive tract
alkalosis
Definition:dangerously decreased acidity of the blood, which can becaused by high altitudes, hyperventilation, and excessive vomiting
allergic rhinitis
Definition:medical term for hay fever
allergy
Definition:reaction to a substance that in most people causes no reaction
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
Definition:most common of a group of disorders known as motorneuron diseases, in which the nerves in the brain thatcontrol the movement of muscles degenerate and musclefunction is gradually lost; commonly called Lou Gehrig's disease
ALS
Definition:see amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
altitude sickness
Definition:headaches, dizziness, and nausea usually experienced atheights above 8,000 ft due to reduced oxygen in the air
alternate
Definition:person named to substitute for an agent, if the agent is unable to fulfill his/her duties relative to a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care (DPA)
air sacs
Definition:small, thin-walled sacs or spaces in the lungs which arepart of the respiratory system; also called alveoli
amnesic effect
Definition:used to describe effect of causing one to forget anunpleasant experience, as with some antianxiety drugs
anabolic steroids
Definition:synthetic drugs similar to the hormones produced by themale sex organs
anal fissure
Definition:long, open sore on the skin of the anus
anal fistula
Definition:abnormal tube-like passage connecting the anus to thesurface of the surrounding skin
anal sphincter
Definition:ring of muscle fibers at the opening of the rectum,controlling the opening and closing of the anus
analgesic
Definition:drug that relieves pain, such as aspirin or acetaminophen
anaphylactic shock
Definition:life-threatening allergic reaction resulting indifficulty breathing and low blood pressure
anemia
Definition:condition in which the blood does not contain enough hemoglobin, the compound that carries oxygen from the lungs to other parts of the body
anesthesiology
Definition:medical specialty concerned with the study of anesthetics and anesthesia
anesthetic
Definition:substance that temporarily causes a person to be unableto feel pain, either in a certain area (local) or over theentire body (general)
anesthesia
Definition:loss of sensation in a certain part of the body (local)or throughout the body
aneurysm
Definition:abnormal swelling of the wall of an artery, caused by a weakening in the vessel wall
angioplasty
Definition:repair of a damaged blood vessel to restore proper function; may involve widening or reconstructing the blood vessel; often done by inflating a balloon within the vessel
angina pectoris
Definition:acute pain in chest (and often arms or jaw) due to lack of oxygen delivery to the heart muscle; a warning sign that the heart is under severe stress and needs relief before a heart attack occurs
antacid
Definition:drug that neutralizes stomach acids; used to treat indigestion, heartburn, and acid reflux
anterior
Definition:descriptive of being located in or relating to the front of the body
antianxiety drugs
Definition:used to describe group of drugs that have a calmingeffect, enabling a person to better deal with unpleasantfeelings or events; may also cause one to forget anunpleasant experience (amnesic effect)
antibiotic
Definition:bacteria-killing substance used to fight infection
antibiotic resistance
Definition:development by bacteria of the ability to live in the presence of a certain antibiotic, making treatment difficult
antibody
Definition:protein made by white blood cells that reacts with a specific foreign protein as part of the immune response
anticoagulant
Definition:drug used to stop abnormal blood clotting, such as to prevent stroke
anticonvulsants
Definition:group of drugs that help prevent the brain fromproducing abnormal electrical impulses that can cause seizures (convulsions)
antidelirium
Definition:drug used to minimize or eliminate confusion
antidysrhythmic
Definition:drug used to normalize the heart rhythm
antiemetic
Definition:drug used to treat nausea and vomiting
antihistamine
Definition:drug that relieves an allergic reaction by stopping the effects of histamine, the substance responsible for the negative symptoms associated with the reaction
antihypertensive
Definition:drug used to relieve the symptoms and prevent the damagethat can occur from high blood pressure
antipsychotic
Definition:drug used to treat severe mental disorders
antiseptic
Definition:chemical applied to the skin that prevents infection bykilling bacteria and other harmful organisms
aorta
Definition:the main artery in the body, originating at the heart and carrying oxygenated blood from the heart to other arteries in the body
aortogram
Definition:arteriogram of the main blood vessel in the body, the aorta
APACHE
Definition:computerized scoring system for prediction of outcomesof illness/injury situations; acronym for Acute Physiologyand Chronic Health Evaluation
plastic anemia
Definition:severely reduced amount of red blood cells, white bloodcells, and platelets
advanced practice nurse (APN)
Definition:advanced practice nurse (APN)registered nurse with advanced graduate trainingincluding nurse practitioner (NP), clinical nurse specialist(CNS), and other specialists
apnea
Definition:possibly life-threatening condition in which breathingstops, for either a short or long period of time
appendicitis
Definition:inflammation of the appendix
appendix
Definition:short, tube-like structure that branches off the largeintestine; has no known function
appendectomy
Definition:surgical removal of the appendix to treat appendicitis
acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
Definition:dangerous form of lung failure due to lung injury orinfection; also called, shock lung, wet lung, or adultrespiratory distress syndrome
arrest
Definition:stopping, as in,cardiac arrest, when the heart stops beating
arterial
Definition:pertaining to an artery or the arteries
arteriogram
Definition:contrast X-ray of an artery resulting from arteriography
arteriography
Definition:contrast X-ray procedure in which a contrast material isinjected into an artery to image the artery on a X-ray
arteriole
Definition:smallest division of an artery, leading to a capillary
arteriosclerosis
Definition:disorder causing thickening and hardening of arterywalls
arteritis
Definition:inflammation of the walls of an artery that causes thepassageway to become narrower; can lead to tissue damagebecause oxygen is not properly supplied
artery
Definition:blood vessel that carries blood from the heart totissues and organs in the body
arthritis
Definition:disease of the joints characterized by inflammation,pain, stiffness, and redness
artificial respiration
Definition:procedure of forcing air (either by mouth-to-mouth,mouth-to-nose or mechanically) into the lungs of person whoeither needs assistance breathing or has stopped breathing;also called artificial ventilation
Ascitesascites
Definition:excess fluid in the abdominal cavity, which leads to swelling
atrial septal defect
Definition:abnormal hole located in the wall between the two upperchambers of the heart (atria)
asphyxia
Definition:uffocation, which can be caused by choking on anobject, by lack of oxygen in the air, or by chemicals suchas carbon monoxide, which reduce the amount of oxygen in the blood
aspiration
Definition:liquid or solid material entering the windpipe (trachea)
asthma
Definition:disorder characterized by inflamed airways and difficulty breathing
atheroma
Definition:fatty deposits on the inner walls of blood vessels,which can cause narrowing and decrease blood flow
atherosclerosis
Definition:progressive narrowing and hardening of the arteries over time
atrium
Definition:one of the two, right and left, upper chambers of theheart; plural form is atria
atrophy
Definition:shrinkage or near disappearance of a tissue or organ
aura
Definition: warning signal, which may include emotions orsensations of movement or discomfort, that precedes a migraine headache or an epileptic seizure
autoimmune disease
Definition:disorder in which the body's immune system attacks itself
autonomic nervous system
Definition:the portion of the nervous system not under conscious control
autopsy
Definition:medical examination of a body following death, possibly to determine the cause of death or for research; also called a post-mortem examination
axilla
Definition:medical term for the armpit