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Medical Terms
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| ablation | Burning or freezing to scar tissue in the heart to block irregular electrical signals |
| aneurysm | Bulge that occurs in the wall of the artery |
| angina | Chest pain due to reduced blood flow to the heart |
| angioplasty | Procedure to open narrowed or blocked blood vessels that supply the heart by using a balloon |
| arteriosclerosis | Thickening or hardening of the arteries causing narrowing |
| bradycardia | Slow heart beat |
| CABG | Acronym for Coronary Artery By Pass Graft (open heart surgery in which new grafts replace diseased arteries) |
| cardiologist | Doctor who studies the heart |
| cardiomegaly | Enlarged heart |
| cardiomyopathy | Heart disease |
| CHF | Acronym for Congestive Heart Failure (chronic illness), in which heart pumps blood less efficiently; limb swelling |
| COPD | Acronym for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, a chronic, inflammatory lung disease with difficulty breathing; pt often on O2. Two common types: emphysema and chronic bronchitis |
| EKG | Acronym for Electrocardiogram, records the electrical signal from the heart to check for different conditions |
| hypertension | High blood pressure |
| ischemia | Inadequate blood supply to the heart muscles, or other organ; narrowing of an artery due to disease |
| MI | Acronym for Myocardial Infarction (heart attack) |
| myocardial infarction | Heart attack |
| occlusion | Blockage |
| pericarditis | Inflammation of the membrane around the heart |
| pericardium | Membrane around the heart |
| stent | Small mesh tube placed in an artery to hold it open |
| tachycardia | Rapid heart rate (more than 100 bpm at rest) |
| thoracic cavity | Chest cavity space that contains the heart and lungs |
| CBC | Acronym for Complete Blood Count, the kitchen sink of blood tests |
| anemia | Blood disorder with lack of red blood cells in the blood, causing weakness and SOB. Types: sickle cell, aplastic, pernicious, iron deficiency, etc |
| Asphyxia/ asphyxiation | Condition arising when the body doesn’t get oxygen, causing unconsciousness or death (suffocation, strangulation, drowning) |
| BP | Acronym for Blood Pressure |
| capillary | Smallest blood vessel in the lungs where oxygen is exchanged |
| cerebral vascular accident | Stroke |
| CVA | Acronym for Cerebral Vascular Accident (stroke) |
| DVT | Acronym for Deep Vein Thrombosis, a blood clot usually in the leg |
| edema | Swelling |
| embolism | Blood clot that has traveled and blocks an artery or vein; pulmonary embolism can be fatal, sx sudden SOB |
| epistaxis | Nosebleed |
| erythrocyte | Red blood cell |
| hematoma | Bruise |
| hematuria | Blood in the urine |
| hemorrhage | Excessive bleeding; bleeding out |
| HTN | Acronym for Hypertension (high blood pressure) |
| hypodermic | Beneath or under the skin (e.g., needle injection) |
| lymphatic system | System made up of vessels, tissues and organs that help maintain fluid balance in the body; also part of immune system |
| lymphedema | Swelling caused by blocked lymph drainage |
| lymphocyte | White blood cell |
| orthostatic hypotension | Dizziness when standing due to drop in blood pressure when standing |
| phlebitis | Inflammation of a vein |
| phlebotomist | Professional who draws blood |
| plasma | Liquid portion of the blood |
| platelet | Blood cells that form clots to stop or prevent bleeding |
| septicemia | Sepsis, an infection in the blood; blood poisoning |
| syncope | Fainting |
| thrombus | Blood clot situated in an artery or vein |
| TIA | Acronym for Transient ischemic attack, or mini-stroke |
| venipuncture | Blood draw |
| GI | Acronym for Gastrointestinal |
| ascites | Fluid collecting in the abdomen – causes pain, swelling, nausea and vomiting |
| borborygmus | Rumbling or gurgling bowel sounds |
| calculi | Stones, often in the kidney or gallbladder |
| colitis | Inflammation of the colon |
| colonoscopy | Scope into the colon |
| colostomy | Opening into the colon to the outside, usually have a bag to collect fecal matter |
| Crohn's disease | Inflammatory bowel disease that causes chronic inflammation |
| diverticulitis | Inflammation caused by infection of small pouches in the intestines |
| dysphagia | Difficulty swallowing |
| aphasia | Difficulty speaking |
| emesis basin | Barf pan |
| endoscopy | Scope into the upper GI tract – down the throat and into the esophagus |
| esophagus | Food tube between throat and stomach |
| gastrectomy | Removal of the stomach |
| gastritis | Inflammation of the stomach |
| gastroenteritis | Inflammation of the stomach and intestines |
| gastroenterologist | Doctor who studies the GI system (esophagus, stomach, intestines, liver, bile ducts, pancreas and gallbladder) |
| GERD | Acronym for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease |
| IBS | Acronym for Irritable Bowel Syndrome, a chronic condition of constipation and diarrhea |
| laparoscopy | Scope into the abdomen |
| larynx | Voice box |
| peritonitis | Inflammation of the lining of belly or abdomen |
| pharynx | Throat |
| polyp | Non-cancerous growth from a mucous membrane, such as in the intestines. Can develop into cancer |
| proctologist | Doctor who specializes in colon and rectal issues |
| ulcer | Sores in the lining of the stomach |
| pulmonary | Pertaining to the lungs |
| apnea | Period of not breathing (i.e., sleep apnea) |
| costochondritis | Inflammation of the ribs and cartilage |
| DOE | Acronym for Dyspnea On Exertion, which is difficult breathing that worsen with exertion |
| dyspnea | Shortness of breath |
| emphysema | Lung disease that makes it hard to breathe – cough, sputum production, wheezing |
| Pleuritis/pleurisy | Inflammation of the lining of the lungs and chest cavity; painful |
| pneumonia | Infection in the lungs (PNA) |
| pulmonary edema | Fluid build-up in the lungs |
| pulmonologist | Doctor who specializes in the respiratory system |
| sarcoidosis | Auto-immune disease in which granules form in the body, most commonly the lungs and lymph nodes |
| SOB | Acronym for Shortness of Breath |
| sputum | Mucus or phlegm expelled from the lungs |
| trachea | Windpipe |
| tracheotomy | Opening into the windpipe |
| cephalic | Pertaining to the head |
| hemiplegia | Paralysis on one side of the body |
| meningitis | Inflammation of the lining of the nerves |
| shingles | Type of herpes infection that causes painful rash or blisters on the skin |
| O2 | Oxygen |
| Neuralgia | Nerve pain |
| Parkinson’s Disease | Movement disorder in which brain doesn’t produce enough dopamine |
| Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis | Acronymn ALS (also called Lou Gehrig’s Disease), a neurological progressive disease that affects the motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord |
| cirrhosis | Chronic liver disease, usually the result of alcoholism or hepatitis |
| HBV | Acronym for Hepatitis B, a highly infectious inflammation of the liver |
| HCV | Acronym for Hepatitis C (now curable) |
| hepatitis | Inflammation of the liver – types A - E |
| hepatomegaly | Enlargement of the liver |
| jaundice | Yellowing of skin and eyes caused by excess bilirubin, liver disease |
| alopecia | Abnormal Hair loss, baldness |
| cellulitis | Bacterial infection (staph or strep) of the skin |
| debridement | Scraping or excising dead tissue so new tissue can grow |
| decubitus ulcer | Bed sore, pressure ulcer |
| dermatitis | Inflammation of the skin |
| epidermis | The outer layer of the skin |
| epithelial | Tissue cells covering the skin and organs |
| gangrene | Dead or rotting tissue or skin |
| IM | Acronym for Intramuscular, as in an injection that is received through the muscle |
| necrosis | Dead tissue |
| nevus | Mole |
| pruritis | Intense itching, often a result of diabetes or other conditions |
| rhinoplasty | Nose job |
| transdermal | Through the skin, i.e. medication delivered through the skin like a patch |
| arthralgia | Pain in a joint |
| arthritis | Inflammation and stiffness of joints |
| arthroscopy | Procedure to visualize and treat problems in a joint |
| axillary | Underarm area |
| BKA | Acronym for Below the Knee Amputation |
| cartilage | Strong flexible connective tissue that protects joints and bones – often found at the ends of bones |
| cervical | Referring to the top section of the spine, or also to the cervix , the lower part of uterus |
| coccyx | Tail bone, or last part of the spine |
| femur | Longest leg bone in thigh |
| kyphosis | Spinal disorder in which the there is an excessive curve of the upper back |
| laminectomy | A surgical operation to remove the back of one or more vertebrae, usually to give access to the spinal cord or to relieve pressure on nerves |
| ligaments | a short band of tissue that connects bones to bones |
| lumbar | Lower region of the back/spine |
| metacarpals | Bones in the wrist |
| orthopedist | Medical specialty focused on injuries and diseases affecting the musculoskeletal system |
| osteoporosis | Medical condition in which the bones become brittle and fragile; decreased bone mass |
| podiatrist | Doctor specializing in the foot and ankle |
| rheumatologist | Doctor specializing in arthritis and other immune-related diseases and conditions |
| sacral | The next to the lowest part of the spinal column – fused bones |
| spondylitis | Inflammation of the joints in the spine and lower back |
| tendons | Flexible but inelastic cord of tissue attaching muscles to bones |
| thoracic | Second section of the spine or the chest cavity |
| BPH | Acronym for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, a noncancerous enlargement of the prostate gland that obstructs the flow of urine |
| cervical | Pertaining to the cervix |
| endometriosis | Condition resulting from the appearance of endometrial tissue outside the uterus and causing pelvic pain |
| HPV | Acronym for Human Papillomavirus, the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI). Many don't develop symptoms but can still infect others through sexual contact. Sxs include warts on the genitals or surrounding skin. Gardasil =vaccine |
| hysterectomy | Removal of the uterus |
| mastitis | Inflammation of the breast tissues often caused by an infection. Common in breast feeding persons. |
| neonatal | Newborn |
| oophorectomy | Removal of the ovaries |
| orchidectomy | Removal of one or both testicles |
| peritoneum | Membrane in the abdomen that lines the abdominal cavity and holds all the organs in place |
| postpartum | After birth |
| catheter | A flexible tube inserted into the body, such as a urinary tract. Multiple uses for these tubes in procedures. |
| cholecystectomy | Removal of the gall bladder |
| cystalgia | Pain in the bladder |
| cystectomy | Removal of the bladder |
| cystitis | Inflammation of the bladder |
| cystostomy | A surgical opening into the bladder; when a tube is inserted so that urine can drain |
| diuretic | Water pill, medication for urinary retention, makes you pee |
| ESRD | Acronym for End Stage Renal Disease |
| hemodialysis | Kidney dialysis, a treatment that filters wastes and water from the blood. Used when kidneys are no longer healthy enough to do this work. |
| nephrectomy | Removal of a kidney |
| Graves disease | an autoimmune disorder that causes the thyroid gland to produce too much thyroid hormone |
| hyperthyroidism | Overactive thyroid. Speeds up the body's metabolism, which can cause many symptoms, such as weight loss, hand tremors, and rapid or irregular heartbeat. |
| hypoglycemia | hypoglycemia |
| IDDM | Acronym for Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus, also called Type 1 |
| NIDDM | Acronym for Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus, also known as Type 2 |
| pancreas | An organ with dual roles. In the digestive system (exocrine ), it produces enzymes that help to digest food, particularly protein. In the endocrine system, it makes the hormone insulin, which helps to control blood sugar levels. |
| polydipsia | Excessive thirst, a sign of diabetes |
| polyuria | Excessive urination, a sign of diabetes |
| hyperglycemia | High blood sugar |
| adenoma | Benign tumor in a gland, like the pituitary |
| benign | Non-cancerous |
| biopsy | Procedure to remove cells to see if they are cancerous |
| Bx | Abbreviation for Biopsy |
| CA | Abbreviation for Cancer |
| carcinoma | Cancer that begins in the skin or the tissue that covers body organs. Most common type and includes breast, pancreas |
| dysplasia | Abnormal cells |
| glioblastoma | Malignant tumor affecting the brain or spine. Spreads rapidly often creating pressure. 5-yr survival rate is 7% |
| leukemia | Cancer of the boy’s blood-forming tissues, including the bone marrow and the lymphatic system |
| malignant | Cancerous |
| melanoma | Most dangerous type of skin cancer |
| metastasis | Spreading of cancer |
| Myeloma or multiple myeloma | Cancer of the plasma cells in bone marrow |
| oncologist | Doctor specializing in cancer |
| oncology | Area of study of cancer |
| osteomyelitis | Infection in the bone caused by bacteria that is serious. |
| palliative | Comfort care, focuses on symptom management not cure |
| pathologist | Doctor who specializes in studying disease, tissues and samples for diagnostic purposes |
| PCA pump | Acronym for Patient Controlled Analgesia pump, which gives pain meds on demand |
| sarcoma | Cancer that starts in connective and supportive tissue, such as muscle, bone, and cartilage |
| Stage 0 cancer | Cancer stage that is precancerous and non-invasive. Also known as “carcinoma in situ,” or cancer that is only present in the cells where it started. It has not spread to any nearby tissues. |
| Stage 1 Cancer | Cancer stage in which tumor is usually small and has just begun growing into nearby tissues, but its invasion does not have much depth. The tumor(s) have not spread to nearby lymph nodes or major organs. |
| Stage 2 Cancer | Cancer stage in which tumors are larger, have grown into nearby tissue, and have potentially spread into the lymph nodes. |
| Stage 3 Cancer | Cancer stage that is more advanced and aggressive than Stage II. |
| Stage 4 Cancer | This is the highest stage of cancer. These cancers have metastasized, or spread to distant parts of the body. |
| Lisinopril | Medication to treat blood pressure |
| Metoprolol (brand Toprol) | Medication to treat high blood pressure, CAD |
| Atorvastatin (brand Lipitor) | Medication to treat high cholesterol |
| Levothyroxine (brand Synthroid) | Medication to treat thyroid |
| Albuterol (brand Ventolin) | Medication, a bronchodilator |
| esomprazole (brand Nexium) | Medication to reduce stomach acid |
| Omeprazole (brand Prilosec) | Medication to treat heartburn, a stomach acid reducer |
| escitalopram (brand Lexapro) | Medication to treat depression |
| duloxetine (brand Cymbalta) | Medication to treat depression and pain |
| Fluoxetine (brand Prozac) | An anti-depressant medication |
| Trazadone | Medication to treat depression, sleep issues |
| lorazepam (brand Ativan) | Medication to treat anxiety |
| alprazolam (brand Xanax) | Medication to treat anxiety |
| amoxicillin | An antibiotic (medication) |
| methylphenidate (brands Ritalin, Concerta, others) | Medication to treat ADHD |
| azithromycin (brands Z-Pak and Zithromax) | Antibiotic (medication) |
| warfarin (brand Coumadin) | Anticoagulant medication |
| hydrocodone (brands Vicodin, Lortab, Norco) | Medication to treat pain |
| meloxicam (brand Mobic) | Medication to treat pain |
| hydrocodone, oxycodone (brand OxyContin) | Medication to treat pain |
| fentanyl patch (brand Duragesic patch) | Medication to treat pain |
| hydromorphone (brand Dilaudid) | Medication to treat pain |
| acetaminophen (brand Tylenol) | Medication to treat pain |
| tramadol (brand Ultram) | Medication to treat pain |
| prednisone | a steroid medication to treat inflammation |
| gabapentin (brand Neurontin) | Medication to treat seizures and nerve pain |
| glucophage (brand metformin) | Medication to treat type 2 diabetes |
| furosemide (brand Lasix) | A diuretic, water pill for HTN and fluid retention |
| ondansetron (brand Zofran) | An anti-nausea medication |
| alimentation | Feeding, nutrition |
| AMA discharge | Against Medical Advice discharge |
| analgesic | Pain relieving (medication or treatment) |
| atrophy | Decrease in size or function |
| autopsy | Postmortem (after death) examination to determine the cause of death or extent of disease |
| bariatric | The branch of medicine that studies and treats obesity |
| bilateral | Both sides |
| Bx | Abbreviation for biopsy |
| cephalic | Pertaining to the head |
| cyanosis | a bluish discoloration of the skin resulting from poor circulation or inadequate oxygenation of the blood |
| diaphoresis | sweating |
| ETOH | alcohol |
| excision | Surgical removal of tissue |
| Fx | fracture |
| geriatrician | Doctor who specializes in older adults and aging |
| GSW | Gun Shot Wound |
| H & P | History and Physical (assessment by provider) |
| HA or H/A | Headache |
| HOH | Hard of hearing |
| Hx | History |
| hypochondriac | Person who is abnormally worried about their health |
| inguinal | Pertaining to the groin |
| laparoscopy | Scope into the abdomen |
| MRSA | Antibiotic resistant staph infection (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) |
| NKA | No Known Allergies |
| nosocomial infection | Hospital-acquired infection |
| NPO | Nothing by mouth (patient should not eat or drink) |
| O2 | oxygen |
| otalgia | Ear pain |
| otolaryngologist | Ear, nose and throat doctor |
| PRN | As needed |
| r/o | rule out |
| resection | The surgical removal of part of an organ or structure |
| ROM | Range of motion |
| Rx | Prescription |
| shock | Critical condition of suddenly having loss of blood flow |
| STAT | immediately |
| Sx | symptoms |
| tinnitus | Ringing in the ears |
| Tx | treatment |
| ultrasound | an imaging method that uses sound waves to produce images of structures within your body |
| VRE | Antibiotic resistant infection (vancomycin-resistant enterococcus bacteria) |
| WNL | Within normal limits |
| Bid, tid, qd, qhs, q2h | Twice a day, three times a day, every day, at night, every two hours |
Created by:
jb56
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