Nursing Medical Terminology
Acute
a sudden and severe onset of symptoms or illness
Anesthesia
loss of sensation or feeling, usually achieved through medication
Anticoagulant
a medication that prevents blood clots
Arrhythmia
an irregular heartbeat
Artery
a blood vessel that carries oxygenated blood from the heart to other parts of the body
Catheter
a flexible tube inserted into the body to remove or deliver fluids
Chronic
a condition or disease that is long-lasting or recurrent
Diastolic
the lower number in a blood pressure reading that indicates the pressure in the arteries when the heart is resting
Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
a test that measures the electrical activity of the heart
Embolism
a blockage in a blood vessel, usually caused by a blood clot or other debris
Hemoglobin
a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body
Hypertension
high blood pressure
Inflammation
a localized response to injury or infection that is characterized by redness, swelling, and warmth
Intravenous (IV)
a method of delivering fluids or medication directly into a vein
Ischemia
a lack of blood flow to an area of the body, usually caused by a blockage in a blood vessel
Myocardial infarction (MI)
commonly known as a heart attack, occurs when blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked, causing damage to the heart muscle
Palliative care
specialized medical care for people with serious illnesses that focuses on providing relief from symptoms and improving quality of life
Prophylaxis
a preventative treatment used to protect against a particular disease or infection
Systolic
the higher number in blood pressure reading that indicates the pressure in the arteries when the heart is contracting
Thrombosis
the formation of a blood clot inside a blood vessel
Tracheostomy
a surgical procedure in which opening is made in the neck and a tube is inserted into the windpipe to help with breathing
Urinary incontinence
a loss of bladder control, resulting in the accidental release of urine
Ventilation
the process of breathing, or the mechanical assistance of breathing, in patients who are unable to breath on their own
Wound debridement
the removal of dead or damaged tissue from a wound to promote healing
Abdomen
part of the body that contains the stomach, intestines, and other organs