common medical vocabulary

1. PULSE DEFICIT - difference between apical pulse and radial pulse
PYREXIA/FEBRILE - body temperature above normal range/fever
ARRYTHMIA - pulse with abnormal rhythm
DYSPNEA - difficult or laboured breathing
AFEBRILE - without fever
APNEA - complete absence of respirations
BRADYPNEA - abnormally slow respirations
TACHYPNEA - abnormally rapid respirations
INSPIRATION - drawing of air into the lungs
HYPERVENTILATION - very deep rapid respiration
EXPIRATION - expulsion of air from lungs
TACHYCARDIA - an abnormally high heartbeat <100 bpm
BRADYCARDIA - abnormally low pulse rate >60 bpm
AUSCULTATION - sounds produced within body
KOROTKOFF SOUNDS - sounds produced by blood within artery with every ventricle contraction
HYPOTHERMIA - body temperature below normal
SYSTOLIC - blood pressure against arterial walls when ventricles of the heart contract
DIASTOLIC - blood pressure against arterial walls when ventricles of heart are at rest
PULSE PRESSURE - difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure
ORTHOSTATIC HYPOTENSION - decrease in blood pressure related to postural changes from lying to sitting etc
HYPOTENSION - abnormally low blood pressure/ systolic less than 100mm HG
HYPERTENSION - abnormally high blood pressure/ systolic blood pressure 140+ diastolic blood pressure 90+
CRITICAL THINKING - disciplined thinking that’s clear, rational, open minded, informed by evidence
LACERATION - torn, jagged wound
SKIN TEAR - traumatic wound from friction/shearing forces (separates epidermis from dermis)

2. PENETRATING WOUND - wound > disruption of body surface > extends into underlying tissues or body cavity
ERYTHEMA - redness of skin, usually patches from irritation or injury to tissue
ABRASION - wound caused by superficial damage to skin (no deeper than epidermis)
PUNCTURE WOUND - wound caused by an object piercing skin
CLINICAL JUDGMENT - application of info based on actual observation of patient, subjective and objective >
leads to a conclusion
CONTUSION - injury (skin is not broken-bruise)
BLANCING - whitening of skin under digital pressure
PRESSURE ULCER - decubitus, lesions caused by unrelieved pressure on soft tissues (over bony prominence)
CAPILLARY REFILL - time required to refill nailed (<3sec)
BOWEL SOUNDS - sounds of peristaltic
CRACKLES - bubbling/crackling sounds (fluid in bronchioles/aveoli)
LETHARGY - lack of energy
WHEEZES - muscle sounds - by rapid air movement in narrow bronchi
DIAPHORESIS - profuse sweating
ADVENTITIOUS - abnormal breath sounds heard on auscultation
LABOURED - breathing with effort
DISTENTION - outward protuberance of abdomen
EDEMA - fluid collected in interstitial spaces
SKIN TURGOR - fullness of fold of skin when pinched up, indicating hydration of body
CYANOSIS - bluish tint to skin or mucous
PALLOR - lacking skin color
PRURITUS - itchiness
ASEPSIS - is the state of being free from disease-causing contaminants (such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and
parasites) or, preventing contact with microorganisms
CONTAMINATION - is the presence of an unwanted constituent, contaminant or impurity in a material, physical
body, natural environment, workplace, etc.

3. HEALTH-CARE ACQUIRED INFECTION - Nosocomial or latrogenic infections
MEDICAL ASEPSIS - is the state of being free from disease causing microorganisms
MICROORGANISM - is a microscopic living organism, which may be single celled or multicellular
PATHOGEN - biological agent that causes disease or illness to its host
PORTAL OF ENTRY - is the site through which micro-organisms enter the susceptible host and cause
disease/infection
PORTAL OF EXIT - is the site from where micro-organisms leave the host to enter another host and cause
disease/infection
CONFIDENTIALITY - is a set of rules or a promise that limits access or places restrictions on certain types of
information
APICAL PULSE - This is the pulse that can be heard, using a stethoscope, at the apex of the heart
PERIPHERAL PULSE - pulse recorded in the arteries (radial or pedal) in the distal portion of the limbs
ORTHOPNEA - is shortness of breath which occurs when lying flat causing the person to have to sleep propped
up in bed or sitting in a chair
HYPOXIA - deficiency in the amount of oxygen reaching the tissues