B
A
Abduction:
To move a limb or some other body part away from the midline of the body
ABG:
An Arterial Blood Gas reading
Acetaminophen:
A nonsalicylate analgesic-anitpyretic, e.g. Tylenol
ACE:
angiotension-converting enzyme
Acidotic:
Abnormally high acidity of body fluids and tissues
Adenosine:
A drug used to help a patient with tachycardia convert to normal sinus rhythm
Agonal:
A word used to describe a major negative change in a patient's condition, usually preceeding immediate death, such as a complete cessation of breathing or a dire change in the patient's EEg or EKG
Albuterol:
A bronchodilator drug used on asthma patients and patients having bronchial spasms to dilate the broncia and improve breathing
Alzheimer's Disease:
A progressive disease with specific brain abnormalities marked by memory loss and progressive inability to function normally at even the simplest tasks
AMA:
Against Medical Advice
Amitriptyline:
A tricyclic antidepressant
Amoxicillin:
An antibiotic
AMP:
Abbreviation for Ampule, which is a sealed plastic or glass capsule containing a single dose of a drug in a sterile solution for injection
Anaphylactic Shock:
An extreme allergic reaction that usually involves heart failure, circulatory collapse, and sometimes results in death
Ancef:
A cephalosporin antibiotic
Aneurysm:
A balloonlike swelling in the wall of an artery
Angina Pectoris:
A severe acute attack of cardiac pain
Angioplasty:
Plastic surgery of blood vessels during which a balloon is passed into the artery and inflated to enlarge it and increase blood flow
Anhidrosis:
The abnormal absence of sweat
Anterior:
Word used to describe the front surface of an organ, muscle, ect.
Antivert:
A drug prescribed for nausea and dizziness
Aortic Coarctation:
A dangerous narrowing or the aorta
Aortic Rupture:
A tear in the aorta
Arterial Stick:
Insertation of an IV line into and artery
ASA:
The abreviation for acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin)
Astrocytoma:
A slowly growing tumor of the glial tissue of the brain and the spinal cord
Asystole:
A condition in which the heart no longer beats and usually cannot be restarted
Ativan:
A minor tranquilizer drug (lorazepam) used for anxiety, tension, agitation, or fatigue
Atypical Angina:
A form of angina pectoris that does not manifest the typical angina symptoms of chest pain, shortness of breath, etc..., but which ccomes on suddenly and occurs with a prediposing cause
AZT:
An antiviral drug (zidovudine) prescribed for the treatment of AIDS
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