Anatomy & Directional Terms
The term describes a body part closer to the trunk or nearer to the point of attachment of an extremity.
What is proximal?
This is the foundational component of a medical word, conveying the essential meaning.
What is the word root (or root word)?
The medical term for labored breathing.
What is dyspnea?
The acronym used to test a patient's responsiveness
AVPU
Reasons or conditions why a medication would either harm the patient or have no positive effect.
What are contraindications?
The position in which the body lies face down.
What is the prone position?
The part of a medical term that occurs before the word root and usually describes location or intensity.
What is the prefix?
An interruption of blood flow to an area within the brain that results in the loss of brain function.
What is a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) or stroke?
The standard mnemonic used to structure a brief history when assessing a medical or trauma patient.
What is SAMPLE history?
A simple, clear, nonproprietary name for a medication that is not capitalized.
What is the generic name?
This plane divides the body horizontally into top and bottom sections.
What is the transverse (axial) plane?
When breaking down a term to define it, you should begin your analysis with this word component.
What is the suffix?
A localized enlargement of an artery caused by a weakening of the artery wall.
What is an aneurysm?
This standard scoring system is used to assess a newborn's status
APGAR
This medication is used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose
What is Narcan? Or Naloxone?
The anatomical structure in the upper airway that marks where the upper airway ends and the lower airway begins.
What is the larynx?
In the medical term dysuria, this prefix means "difficult, painful, or abnormal."
What is dys-?
The stage of shock where the sympathetic nervous system is activated, stimulating vessels and the heart to restore blood pressure.
What is compensatory shock?
The mnemonic summarizing the major reversible causes of Altered Mental Status (AMS), often used in neurologic emergencies in pediatric patients
AEIOU-TIPS
This type of adverse effect is undesirable but poses little risk to the patient, contrasting with untoward effects which are harmful.
What are unintended effects?
This body surface refers to the belly side of the body, also commonly known as the anterior.
What is ventral?
This color word root, meaning "white"
What is leuk/o?
Inflammation or infection of a small intestinal structure commonly causes RLQ pain.
What is appendicitis?
In musculoskeletal assessment, checking for this mnemonic ensures you evaluate circulation and sensation beyond the injury site.
What is PMS?
This highly toxic, colorless, flammable gas, which has a distinctive rotten-egg odor
What is Hydrogen-Sulfide?