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*i'm SO almost done!*
Abduction- to move a limb or some other body part away from the medial part of the body
ABG- arterial blood gas- blood is drawn and tested for oxygen content. This tells doctors whether or not the patient is getting enough oxygen in their blood
Acetaminophen- a non-salicylate analgesic-antipyretic (Tylenol)
ACE- angiotension converting enzyme
ACLS- advanced cardiac life support; includes electricity and drugs for life threatening arrhythmias
Acute- sudden, intense flare-up
Acute MI- Acute Monetary Insufficiency
Adduction- to move a limb or some other body part towards the medial part of the body
Adenosine- a drug used to stabilize heart rhythms
Albuterol- a bronchodilator used on asthma patients and patients having bronchial spasms to dilate the bronchia and improve breathing
ALOC- abbreviation for Acute loss of consciousness
Alzheimer's Disease- a progressive disease where the patients brain has abnormalities and the patient suffers memory loss and progressive inability to function normally, even at simple tasks.
AMA- against medical advice or American Medical Association
Ambu Bag- handheld squeeze bag attached to a face mask (the thing that you use to "bag" someone)
Anaphylactic Shock- an extreme allergic reaction that usually involves heart failure, circulatory collapse, severe asthma-like breathing, may result in death
Ancef- a cephalosporin antibiotic
Anemia- chronically low hematocrit
Aneurysm- a balloon like swelling in the wall of an artery (most commonly in the brain or stomach)
Angina- a temporary blockage in the coronary artery, very painful, but the pain goes away after a while- until next time
Angioplasty- a surgical procedure in which a small catheter with a balloon tip is threaded into the coronary artery. The balloon is inflated to re-expand the clotted artery
Anterior- word used to describe the front surface of an organ or muscle
Aortic Dissection- a tear in the aorta
Aortic Rupture- when the aorta bursts
Arterial Stick- when an IV line is inserted in an artery
Arrhythmia- when the beat of a heart is no longer originating from the sinus node, the rhythm is abnormal
ASA- abbreviation for acetylsalicylic acid (Asprin)
Asystole- a condition in which the heart no longer beats and usually can not be restarted, resulting in death.
Ativan- a minor tranquilizer drug used for anxiety, tension, agitation or fatigue
Atropine- a drug used to increase heart rate
AWOL- Absent With Out Leave (someone leaves without permission)
Bactrim- an antibacterial agent especially useful for urinary tract infections
Bagging- manual respiration for a patient having breathing problems that uses an Ambu bag
BAT- an abbreviation for Blunt Abdominal Trauma
Betadine- povidone iodine, a preparation used as a surgical scrub that is available in liquid and aerosol forms
Bi-Polar- a disease (aka Manic Depression) where the patient suffers from severe mood swings and depression
Bilateral Hemothorax- blood in both sides of the pleura, the membrane covering the lung
Blood Culture- incubating a blood sample so that suspected infections can multiply and then be identified
Blood Gas- a test to determine the gas phase components of blood; including oxygen, carbon dioxide, PH balance, etc.
Blood Pressure- a measure of how well blood circulates through your arteries, listed in the format of the systolic pressure over the diastolic pressure. Normal blood pressure is about 120/80
Blood Swab- a sample taken with a cotton-tipped stick
Blown- a dilated pupil
BLS- abbreviation for Basic Life Support; this includes CPR
Bolus- a large dose of drug that is given at the beginning of treatment to raise blood-level concentrations to a therapeutic level
Bounce back- a patient who returns to the ER with the same complaint shortly after being released
Bowel Dissipation- manual removal of fecal matter from a patient's rectum
BP- abbreviation for Blood Pressure
Brady cardiac- a slowing of the heart rate to less than 50 beats per minute
Breath Sounds- the sounds heard through a stethoscope placed on the chest over a lung
BUN- abbreviation for blood urea nitrogen
C-section- short for cesarean section, which is the surgical delivery of a baby through the abdominal wall
C-spine- short for cervical spine, or the neck
Calcium oxalate stone- a kidney stone
Calyx- a cup shaped part of the kidney
Cardiomyopathy- a disorder of the heart muscle that can be fatal
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)- When someone goes into cardiac arrest, you give chest compressions and breaths to keep a person alive until their heart can be defibrillated (Cardio- heart, Pulmonary- lungs)
Carotid pulse- the pulse on the neck, beside the esophagus
CAT scan- Computerized Axial Tomography (a big machine that takes a computerized "x-ray")
CBC- abbreviation for complete blood count; combining diagnostic evaluations of red blood cell count, white blood cell count, erythrocyte indices, hematocrit and a differential blood count
CC- abbreviation for cubic centimeters or Chief Complaint
Cellulitis- a skin infection
Central Line- the central location in the circulations of the vein used, usually the internal jugular and subclavian veins in the neck or the femoral veins in the groin. This sends more fluids into the body.
Cephalosporin- an antibiotic
Chem7- a battery of blood chemistry tests; the 7 parts of a chem7 are: sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate, blood urea nitrogen, creatine and glucose
Chest Film- a chest x-ray
CHF- abbreviation for congestive heart failure- see pulmonary edema
Code Brown- a term used when a patient doesn't make it to the bathroom in time
Compazine- a drug prescribed for severe nausea, and vomiting and also for treatment of psychotic disorders and anxiety
COPD- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Cordotomy- surgical severing of the nerves in the spinal cord to relieve intractable pain in the pelvis and lower limbs
Crasher- a person who passes out in the ER, often not a patient but a family member
Cricothyroidotomy- a procedure used to surgically establish an airway in the patients throat when intubation isn't possible because of swelling or bleeding
Crispy Critter- irreverent ER slang for a seriously burned patient
CT Scan- same as a CAT Scan
Cystic Fibrosis- a lung disease that causes the production of thick mucus in the lungs, making it hard to breathe
Darvocet- a drug prescribed for pain
DB- an ER abbreviation for a Dead Body
Dead Shovel- an ER abbreviation for a fat man who dies while shoveling snow
Debridement- cleaning an open wound by removing foreign material and dead tissue
Deep Vein Thrombosis- a blood clot in a deep vein
Defibrillation- the cessation of fibrillation of the cardiac muscle and restoration of normal rhythm
Delusional- having an irrational belief that can not be changed by a rational argument, often found in schizophrenia and manic-depressive patients
Demerol- a synthetic analgesic often used as a substitute for morphine (helps relieve pain)
Diagnosis- determining what's wrong with a patient by using the patient's symptoms, test results and medical background
Dialysis- the procedure to filter blood for patients with kidney failure, also to remove absorbed toxins from overdosing and poisoning
Diaphoresis- sweating during a heart attack
Diastolic- pressure during the relaxing of the heart
DIC- abbreviation for disseminated intravascular coagulation (no blood is clotting). ER personnel may also interpret it to mean Death Is Coming, since DIC usually means death is imminent
Digitalis- a drug for congestive heart failure
Dilantin- a drug used to prevent seizures
Disaster Protocol Color Coding- color tags are given to triage patients in a mass casualty event- Green: walking wounded, Yellow: urgent, Red: Critical, Black is DOA (Dead On Arrival)
Distal Pulse- the pulse farthest from the heart
Diuresis- an increase in the production of urine
DNR- the abbreviation for Do Not Resuscitate, meaning that the patient has signed on a form that if drastic measures (usually intubation) are needed to save their lives, they don't want it
DOA- abbreviation for Dead On Arrival
Dopamine- a drug used during surgery to increase cardiac output and renal blood flow
Dyspnea- shortness of breath
ECG- electrocardiogram, used to measure heart activity
EEG- electroenophalogram, used to measure brain activity
EKG- same thing as ECG
Eclampsia- a serious condition affecting pregnant women in which the entire body is affected by convulsions, the patient usually goes into a coma
Etopic Pregnancy- the development of the fetus (baby) in the fallopian tube instead of the womb
Edema- excessive accumulation of fluid
Electrolyte Analysis- tests the basic chemicals in the body; sodium, potassium, bicarbonate and chloride
Embolus- a blood clot
EMS- abbreviation for Emergency Medical Services (ambulances, etc.)
EMT- abbreviation for Emergency Medical Technician (medical staff inside the ambulances)
Endocarditis- inflammation of cardiac tissue, usually caused by a bacterial infection
Endoscope- a long flexible tube with special lighting
EPL- adrenaline used to make the heart beat faster
Epidermis- the outer layer of skin
Epidural- an injection through a catheter of a local anesthetic to relieve pain during labor, usually injected in the lumbar of the spine
ETA- abbreviation for Estimated Time of Arrival
Feldene- a non-steroidal anti-flammatory drug prescribed for arthritis and other forms of bone inflammation
Fetal Distress- describing critical conditions that are threatening the live delivery of a fetus
FHT- abbreviation for fetal heart tones
Fibrillation- and uncoordinated, quivering of the heart muscle resulting in an irregular pulse
First-degree Burn- a burn affecting the outer layer of skin (epidermis) only. The color of the burn is red, capillary refill is present, it heals in five to ten days with no scarring
Flexion- movement that increases the angle of a joint
Fluoroscope- an x-ray machine
Focused H and P- a history and physical examination. It looks at the patients history to help make a diagnosis. Also, the patient is physically examined and then talked to regarding to their complaint. The focused means that only the area of complaint is examined
Foley- a foley (indwelling) catheter. This is a thin flexible tube inserted into the urethra in order to drain the bladder
Gastric Lavage- irrigation of the stomach when poisoning or bleeding is suspected, or to remove ingested toxins before they enter the blood stream
Gentamicin- an antibiotic
GGFI- abbreviation for Grandpa's Got a Fever, which is shorthand for a battery of tests performed when an elderly man presents with a fever of unknown origin. Tests include are a CBC, Chem7, Chest Film, U/A and blood cultures
Glasgow Coma Scale- used to quickly determine the status and degree of injury to a trauma victim to the head
Glove Up and Dig In- an ER term for Bowel Dissipation
Gomer- term used in the ER meaning Get Out of My Emergency Room
Gorked- an ER term meaning unconscious
Granuloma- a tumor
GSW- abbreviation for Gun Shot Wound
H and P- the initial evaluation and examination of a patient
Haldol- a drug used for psychotic disorders, tourette's syndrome, and hyperactivity in children
Heart/Lung Bypass- using a machine to breathe and circulate blood for a patient
Heimlich Maneuver- a first-aid measure used to dislodge something caught in someone's throat that is obstructing breathing
Hematocrit- the proportion, by volume, of red blood cells in a CBC
Hemorrhage- the dramatic sudden loss of blood
Hemoper fusion- dialysis of the blood to remove foreign substances (poison or drugs)
Hemopneumothroax- blood and air in the pleura. Also called a collapsed lung
Heparin- a blood anticoagulant
Hydralazine- a synthetic compound that lowers blood pressure
Hyperglycemia- high values of glucose in the blood
Hypertension- abnormally low blood pressure
Infarction- what doctors call a heart attack
Infiltrate- an abnormal substance (e.g. a cancer cell) in a tissue or organ
Intubation- the insertion of a tube in the esophagus to help an unconscious patient breathe
IV- abbreviation for intravenous, meaning through the vein
IV Push- injecting medication rapidly into a vein to hit the blood system all at once
Jaundice- the skin, whites of the eyes, and mucous membranes turn yellow due to an increase of bile in the pigments in blood which spill out into the tissues.
Jungle Fever- Malaria
KUB- short for kidney, ureter and bladder tests
Lac- abbreviation for laceration
Laparotomy- any surgery needing an incision in the abdominal wall
Laryngoscope- an instrument for examining the larynx, also to visualize vocal cords for an intubation
Larynx- the voice box
LOL- abbreviation for Little Old Lady
Lithium- a drug commonly used to treat manic-depressive illness
Lumbar Puncture- the withdrawal of cerebrospinal fluid through a hollow needle inserted between the vertebrae. Also called a spinal tap
Macrodantin- a drug used to prevent and treat urinary tract infections
Medial- towards the midline of the body
Meds- short for medication
Meningitis- an inflammation of the ménages, the membranes around the brain and spinal cord
Meperedine- chemical name for Demerol
Metacarpal Fracture- a fracture of one of the bones that form part of the hand between the wrist and fingers
mg- abbreviation for milligrams
MI- abbreviation for myocardial infarction (a heart attack)
MRI- abbreviation for Magnetic Resonance Imaging, imaging done by a computer using a strong magnetic field and radio frequencies
MVA- abbreviation for Motor Vehicle Accident
Myocardial Infarction- destruction of heart tissue resulting from obstruction of the blood supply to the heart muscle
Narcan- a drug used to counteract drug overdose
Necrotic- dead
NG Tube- abbreviation for a nasogastric tube
NICU- abbreviation for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (the ICU for babies)
Nitro Drip- an IV infusion of nitroglycerin
Nitroglycerine- an intiagonal agent
Normal Sinus Rhythm- normal heart rate
Nosocomial Infections- an infection contracted from the hospital
NS- abbreviation for normal saline solution
O neg- type O, Rhesus negative blood. Any human can receive this type of blood without complication
Orbital Fracture- a fracture of the bony socket that holds the eyeball
Osteosarcoma- Bone Cancer
Otitis Media- an infection in the middle of the ear
Palp- this refers to blood pressure taken under emergency conditions when listening for the systolic and diastolic pressures with a stethoscope is impossible. The pressure is then taken by feeling (palpation) the pulse
Pancreatitis- chronic or acute inflammation of the pancreas
Pancreatony- surgical removal of the pancreas
Papilledema- edema of the optic disk, often indicative of increased intracranial pressure
Paresis- partial or slight paralysis
Path Urine- urinalysis
Pavulon- trade name for the muscle relaxant pancuronium bromide
Pedal- related to the foot
Perfed Appy- when an infected appendix bursts and leaks into the gut
Pericardial Centesis- the draining of fluid from the pericardium
Pericardial Effusion- blood or fluid leaking into the pericardium
Pericardium- the sac that envelopes the heart
Peritoneum- a transplant membrane enclosing the abdominal cavity
PID- short for Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Pitocin- used to increase uterine contractions and is used to induce labor
Placental Abruption- the placenta separates from the lining of the womb too early, resulting in pain and bleeding
Platelets- components of blood designed to form clots from leaking arteries and veins
Pleura- lining around the lungs
Preeclampsia- the physical condition of a pregnant woman prior to Eclampsia. Symptoms include high blood pressure, persistent proteinuria (protein in the urine) and edema.
Preemie- a baby that is born before it is full term, usually weighing less than five and a half pounds
Ptosis- drooping of the eyelid
Pulmonary Edema- fluid in the lungs
Pulmonary Embolism- a blood clot in the lungs
Pulsatile- beating, as in a Pulsatile mass
Pulse- a pulsating artery that gives evidence that the heart is beating
Puls/ox- pulse oximetry, a measure of the saturation of hemoglobin by oxygen, or how well the person is breathing
Pulsus Paradoxus- a condition in which the pulse pressure declines during respiratory inspiration
PVCs- premature cardiac ventricular contractions
:( none yet :(
Rape Kit- used on rape victims to collect hair, sperm and blood samples, as well as the official reporting forms
Rapid Infuser- a device that transports blood into the system at a fast rate to help prevent a lack of blood in the system (hypohemia)
Reflux- moving backward in the esophagus
Renogram- x-ray of the kidneys
Respirations- breathing, the act of inhaling and exhaling
Ringers Solution- a mix of potassium, salt and calcium boiled in water used to treat dehydration
Saline Solution- a blood volume solution made of salt and water, a temporary substitute for lost blood
Schizophrenia- a mental disorder that involves hallucinations, delusions and disintegration of the thought process
Scoop and Run- used by EMTs and ER personnel for a situation where no treatment is possible at an accident scene and all they can do is "scoop" up the victim and "run" with them to the ER
Sepsis- a very severe infection
Shock- a circulatory disturbance marked by a drop in blood pressure, rapid pulse, clammy skin and a rapid heart rate
Solu-medrol- a powerful steroid
Spinal Tap- the withdrawal of cerebrospinal fluid through a hollow needle inserted between the vertebrae. Also called a Lumbar Puncture
Spleen- helps filter blood of bacteria and impurities
Splenectomy- surgically removing the spleen
Statis- the slowing of blood flow
Stat- immediately
STD- short for Sexually Transmitted Disease
Sternotomy- surgical opening of the breast bone
Stomach Pumping- a large tube called an Ewald is inserted into the stomach, through the esophagus, the contents of the stomach are sucked out and the stomach is flushed with clear water, charcoal and a cathartic
Stridor- what breathing sounds like when the larynx or trachea is obstructed
Subdural- outside the brain
Sublingual- a medication that is taken by dissolving under the tongue
Systolic- pressure during the contraction of the heart systolic murmur- a cardiac murmur that occurs between the first and second heart sounds
Tachycardia- an extremely rapid heart rate, usually signified by a pulse over 100 beats per minute
Tamoxifen- the chemotherapy drug of choice for postmenopausal metastasis breast cancer
Tension Pneumothorax- a collapsed lung
Thoracotomy- surgery on the thoracic (chest cavity)
Thorazine- a drug that is a sedative, antimetic, antispasmodic, and a hypotensice.
Thrombosis- a blood clot
Tox Screen- toxicological analysis of the blood, ordered when a drug overdose is suspected and the drugs need to be identified
TPA- abbreviation for tissue plasminogen activator, used to break up blood clots during a heart attack
Tracheal Shift- a physical shift of the windpipe due to trauma
Trauma Center- an emergency room with a trauma surgeon on duty
Triage- the system of prioritizing patients in an emergency room
TUBE- Short for Totally Unnecessary Breast Exam <--- (JUST for Sarah)
Type and Crossmatch- blood typing to identify a patients blood type
U/A- urinalysis, used to look for kidney failure, diabetes, bladder or kidney infections
Ultrasound- a test similar to an x-ray, but it uses sound waves
Unstable Angina- angina in which the cardiac pain has changed patterns
UTI- abbreviation for Urinary Tract Infection
Venipuncture- drawing blood from a vein
Vitamin H- what ER personnel call haldol
V-fib- ventricular fibrillation
V-tach- ventricular Tachycardia (extremely rapid heart rate)
WBC- abbreviation for White Blood Cell Count, used to determine the amount of white blood cells in the body
Wheezer- a patient with asthma or trouble breathing
Whipple- a procedure where the distal stomach, gallbladder and duodenum are usually taken out and they leave a little of the distal pancreas behind
*Disclaimer-ish thingy: I am not a doctor or nurse nor do I know much about medicine, so I have researched some terms on the internet and put them here. Hopefully they are accurate.*