Clinical Skills Vocab- Abcd

Front 1

that which draws something in the direction away from the midline. The opposite of adductor

Back 1

abductor

Front 2

the removal of a part of the body, growth, or noxious substance

Back 2

ablation

Front 3

a circumscribed collection of pus, “a pus pocket.”

Back 3

abscess

Front 4

failure to relax; referring especially to visceral openings, i.e., esophagus

Back 4

achalasia

Front 5

a disorder marked by a progressive enlargement of the head, face, hands and feet, and thorax due to the excessive secretion of growth hormone

Back 5

acromegaly

Front 6

rapid onset; having a short course

Back 6

acute

Front 7

that which draws something toward the midline. Opposite of abductor

Back 7

adductor

Front 8

an ordinarily benign neoplasm or growth of epithelial tissue, usually well circumscribed. The tumor cells form at glands or gland-like structures

Back 8

adenoma

Front 9

fatty; relating to fat

Back 9

adipose

Front 10

the resistance to flow encountered in the systemic circulation

Back 10

afterload

Front 11

absence; failure of formation of any part

Back 11

agenesis

Front 12

condition characterized by pronounced reduction in the number of white blood cells specifically polymorphonuclear leukocytes, i.e., segs and bands

Back 12

agranulocytosis

Front 13

absence or loss of the power of voluntary motion; immobility

Back 13

akinesia

Front 14

absence of the sense of the perception of movement

Back 14

akinesthesia

Front 15

loss of the power to grasp the meaning of written or printed words and sentences

Back 15

alexia

Front 16

abnormally high alkali (bicarbonate) in the blood or other body fluids causing an increase pH

Back 16

alkalosis

Front 17

baldness or loss of hair

Back 17

alopecia

Front 18

blindness, especially that occurring without apparent change in the eye itself

Back 18

amaurosis

Front 19

absence of menses, “no period.”

Back 19

amenorrhea

Front 20

transabdominal aspiration of fluid from the amniotic sack during pregnancy

Back 20

amniocentesis

Front 21

relief of pain

Back 21

analgesia

Front 22

a significant allergic reaction following exposure to antigen in a subject previously sensitized to that specific antigen. This generally occurs very rapidly after exposure and often is accompanied by swelling, breathing difficulties, hypotension

Back 22

anaphylaxis

Front 23

a condition in which the number of red blood cells are less than normal. Often measured with a low hemoglobin or hematocrit (the low blood)

Back 23

anemia

Front 24

marked defective development of the brain and bony structure usually with only rudimentary brain stem present. Generally not compatible with life

Back 24

anencephaly

Front 25

literally, strangulation of the chest; a paroxysmal, constricting substernal pain of brief duration, which frequently accompanies myocardial ischemia

Back 25

angina pectoris

Front 26

narrowing of the angle formed inside the lateral aspects of the anterior chamber of the eye where the aqueous humor drains

Back 26

angle closure

Front 27

loss of appetite

Back 27

anorexia

Front 28

absence of oxygen in the blood or tissues

Back 28

anoxia

Front 29

period in pregnancy from the time of conception until the onset of labor (prenatal)

Back 29

antenatal

Front 30

patient/family counseling which includes information, advice, and suggestions about expected health-related life occurrences, health maintenance, and preventive plans

Back 30

anticipatory guidance

Front 31

a foreign protein that can cause an allergic reaction in a sensitized host

Back 31

antigen

Front 32

absence of the act of urination

Back 32

anuresis

Front 33

impaired or absence communication by speech, writing, or signs due to brain disfunction in the dominate hemisphere

Back 33

aphasia

Front 34

absence of breathing

Back 34

apnea

Front 35

accumulation of serous fluid in the peritoneal cavity

Back 35

ascites

Front 36

a loss of the power of motor coordination

Back 36

ataxia

Front 37

compressed lung tissue with collapsed alveolar air spaces

Back 37

atelectasis

Front 38

mild or noncancerous

Back 38

benign

Front 39

used in fetal ultrasounds. Refers to the greatest transverse diameter of the head which extends from one parietal boss to the other

Back 39

biparietal diameter

Front 40

inflammation of the eyelids

Back 40

blepharitis

Front 41

weight in kilograms divided by the height in meters squared

Back 41

body mass index (BMI)

Front 42

a slow heartbeat generally defined as a rate under 60 beats/minute

Back 42

bradycardia

Front 43

appropriate shortness of breath, e.g., following heavy exercise

Back 43

breathlessness

Front 44

an abnormal dilatation of the bronchus or the bronchial tubes

Back 44

bronchiectasis

Front 45

sound produced by disturbance in laminar blood flow through an artery

Back 45

bruit

Front 46

a closed sack lined with a synovial type membrane containing fluid usually found in areas of friction, i.e., where a tendon passes over a bone

Back 46

bursa

Front 47

generally lack of nutrition and wasting

Back 47

cachexia

Front 48

a stone-like concretion usually composed of salts of inorganic and organic acids or other material such as cholesterol (a stone)

Back 48

calculus

Front 49

malignant neoplasm derived from epithelial tissue

Back 49

carcinoma

Front 50

destruction or necrosis of teeth

Back 50

caries

Front 51

necrosis in which the necrotic tissues resemble cheese. Contains a mixture of protein and fat. Occurs particularly in reference to tuberculosis

Back 51

caseation

Front 52

persistent severe burning sensation of the skin; usually involves injury to the sensory fibers of the peripheral nerve

Back 52

causalgia

Front 53

chronic inflammatory granuloma in the tarsus of the eyelid due to the inflammation of the meibomian gland

Back 53

chalazion

Front 54

a disorder characterized by irregular spasmodic involuntary movement of limbs and facial muscles

Back 54

chorea

Front 55

a condition that develops slowly and persists over time

Back 55

chronic

Front 56

progressive disease of the liver with fibrosis and damage to the prankmul cells

Back 56

cirrhosis

Front 57

perimenopausal time of a woman’s life “the change.”

Back 57

climacteric

Front 58

a form of movement marked by contractions and relaxations of the muscle in rapid succession.

Back 58

clonus

Front 59

vomitus of coffee ground appearing particles that represents a upper gastrointestinal bleed that has occurred slowly enough for the gastric acid to denature the blood.

Back 59

coffee ground emesis

Front 60

spasmodic pains in the abdomen. Generally described as spasms and is usually secondary to some degree of obstruction of a hollow organ.

Back 60

colic

Front 61

inflammation of the large bowel.

Back 61

colitis

Front 62

any alteration in mental status induced by trauma.

Back 62

concussion

Front 63

the making-up of tales in a fluid fashion with no regard to facts or the question put forward. Generally seen in alcoholic CNS disease.

Back 63

confabulation

Front 64

bleeding and damage in the soft tissues, resulting from a direct blow injury.

Back 64

contusion

Front 65

crackling sound or sensation as would be produced by the rubbing together of irregular surfaces.

Back 65

crepitation

Front 66

a blind pouch or tubular cavity closed at one end

Back 66

cul-de-sac

Front 67

a scraping of the interior lining of a cavity, i.e., “D&C.”

Back 67

curettage

Front 68

a dark blue or purplish discoloration of the skin or mucus membrane secondary to deficiency of oxygenation to the blood.

Back 68

cyanosis

Front 69

inflammation of a bladder, i.e., “bladder infection.”

Back 69

cystitis

Front 70

gradual deterioration of normal cells and body functions.

Back 70

degeneration

Front 71

a bursting open, splitting, or gaping.

Back 71

dehiscence

Front 72

extreme promental excitement with confused and unconnected ideas often with illusions or hallucinations

Back 72

delirium

Front 73

a false belief or wrong judgement.

Back 73

delusion

Front 74

a general mental deterioration due to organic or psychological factors, i.e., Alzheimer’s Disease (old-timer’s disease).

Back 74

dementia

Front 75

mood disorder characterized by sadness and inability to experience pleasure.

Back 75

depression

Front 76

inflammation of the skin.

Back 76

dermatitis

Front 77

reduction of allergic sensitivity to a specific antigen, i.e., allergy shots

Back 77

desensitization

Front 78

determination of the presence of a disease based on an evaluation of symptoms, signs, and test findings.

Back 78

diagnosis

Front 79

stiffening or poor relaxation of the left ventricle which causes inefficient fillings.

Back 79

diastolic dysfunction

Front 80

(in obstetric terms) is the enlargement of the transverse diameter of the cervical opening. In the non-pregnancy patient, it is less than 5mm; at complete dilation in labor, it is 10cm.

Back 80

dilation

Front 81

in reference to the aorta, dissection occurs when the intimal layer of the vessel splits apart from the deeper muscle layers and blood flows into the tears apart the layers.

Back 81

dissection

Front 82

situated away from the center of the body or from the point of origin, i.e., the farthest away part (versus proximal).

Back 82

distal

Front 83

swelling or stretching.

Back 83

distention

Front 84

small pouches usually found extending from the wall of the colon.

Back 84

diverticula

Front 85

the posterior or back part.

Back 85

dorsum

Front 86

alternately moving a limb in the opposite direction, i.e., rapidly alternating movements.

Back 86

dysdiadochokinesia

Front 87

a disease marked by frequent watery stools often with blood and mucus and characterized by pain, tenesmus, fever and dehydration

Back 87

dysentery

Front 88

difficulty in performing voluntary movements.

Back 88

dyskinesia

Front 89

defective bone formation.

Back 89

dysostosis

Front 90

pain in the sexual act.

Back 90

dyspareunia

Front 91

indigestion or upset stomach.

Back 91

dyspepsia

Front 92

difficulty in swallowing.

Back 92

dysphagia

Front 93

hoarseness or difficulty or pain in speaking.

Back 93

dysphonia

Front 94

feeling of unpleasantness or discomfort.

Back 94

dysphoria

Front 95

abnormal tissue development, i.e., cervical dysplasia on pap test.

Back 95

dysplasia

Front 96

shortness of breath, “short-winded.”

Back 96

dyspnea

Front 97

difficult childbirth.

Back 97

dystocia

Front 98

painful urination.

Back 98

dysuria