DEFINITIONS

A
Adenocarcinoma a malignant tumor formed from glandular structures
in epithelial tissue.

Adventitious sounds sounds heard on auscultation of abnormal

lungs

Adrenal insufficiency is a condition in which the adrenal glands do

not produce adequate amounts of steroid hormones, primarily cortisol;
but may also include impaired production of aldosterone (a
mineralocorticoid), which regulates sodium conservation, potassium
secretion, and water retention.

Anemia a condition in which there is a deficiency of red cells or of

haemoglobin in the blood, resulting in pallor and weariness.

Apical Fibrosis
Apnoea
Ascites the accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity, causing
abdominal swelling.

Asystole Total absence of ventricular electrical activity. Occasionally P

waves can be seen. No ventricular contraction occurs because
depolarization does not occur. Pts are unresponsive, pulseless and
apnoetic. This is a lethal arrhythmia that requires immediate treatment.
The prognosis of a pt with asystole is extremely poor.

Atelectasis: partial collapse or incomplete inflation of the lung.

Atrial Flutter (AFL) is a common abnormal heart rhythm, similar to
atrial fibrillation, the most common abnormal heart rhythm. Both
conditions are types of supraventricular (above the ventricles)
tachycardia (rapid heart beat)

Arrhythmia: a condition in which the heart beats with an irregular or

abnormal rhythm.

Arterial Oxygen Saturation (SaO2): the actual amount of oxygen

bound to haemoglobin divided by the capacity of haemoglobin for

DEFINITIONS
binding oxygen. This is measured by co-oximetry. Available only in
an arterial blood sample.

B
Bariatrics is the branch of medicine that deals with the causes,
prevention, and treatment of obesity.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia is an enlarged prostate gland. The

prostate gland surrounds the urethra, the tube that carries urine from
the bladder out of the body. As the prostate gets bigger, it may squeeze
or partly block the urethra.

Bibasilar pulmonary crackles are crackles apparently originating in

or near the base of the lung. Bibasal or bibasilar crackles refer to
crackles at the bases of both the left and right lungs.

Breakthrough pain is defined as pain that occurs between

regularly scheduled doses of pain medication.
Bradykinin a compound released in the blood in some circumstances
which causes contraction of smooth muscle and dilation of blood
vessels. It is a peptide with nine amino-acid residues.

Bradycardia abnormally slow heart action

C
Cardiocentesis
Cardiomegaly abnormal enlargement of the heart.
Cardiac defibrillation Depolarizes the cells of the myocardium to
allow the SA node to resume pacemaker function.

Cellulitis: a common, potentially serious bacterial skin infection.

Appears as a swollen, red area of skin that feels hot and tender, and it
may spread rapidly. Skin on lower legs is most commonly affected,
though cellulitis can occur anywhere on your body or face

Chemoreceptor a sensory cell or organ responsive to chemical

stimuli.

DEFINITIONS
Cirrhosis a chronic disease of the liver marked by degeneration of
cells, inflammation, and fibrous thickening of tissue. It is typically a
result of alcoholism or hepatitis.

Colon Polyp A colon polyp is a small clump of cells that forms on the
lining of the colon. Most colon polyps are harmless. But over time, some
colon polyps can develop into colon cancer, which is often fatal when
found in its later stages.

Compensation: the process of counterbalancing any defect in body

structure or function.

Compliance
Colloid: a homogeneous non-crystalline substance consisting of large
molecules or ultramicroscopic particles of one substance dispersed through a
second substance. Colloids include gels, sols, and emulsions; the particles do
not settle, and cannot be separated out by ordinary filtering or centrifuging like
those in a suspension. Cannot pass through a semi-permeable membrane

Cor Pulmonale abnormal enlargement of the right side of the heart as

a result of disease of the lungs or the pulmonary blood vessels.

Chronic Lung Disease (CLD) can be diagnosed if an infant has a

requirement for supplemental oxygen or CPAP at 28 days of life or
at 36 weeks of gestation to maintain an oxygen saturation of 90%
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) refers to a
group of lung diseases that block airflow and make breathing
difficult. Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are the two most
common conditions that make up COPD.
Circulatory system: The circulatory system is a vast network of
organs and vessels that is responsible for the flow of blood,
nutrients, oxygen and other gases, and hormones to and from
cells.
Creatinine A chemical waste molecule that is generated from muscle
metabolism. Creatinine is produced from creatine, a molecule of major
importance for energy production in muscles. Approximately 2% of the
body's creatine is converted to creatinine every day. Creatinine is
transported through the bloodstream to the kidneys. The kidneys filter

DEFINITIONS
out most of the creatinine and dispose of it in the urine.

Cancer + Sweating?
Crystalloid: a substance that, when dissolved, forms a true solution rather
than a colloid and is able to pass through a semipermeable membrane. The
most commonly used crystalloid fluid is normal saline, a solution of sodium
chloride at 0.9% concentration, which is close to the concentration in the
blood (isotonic). Ringer's lactate or Ringer's acetate is another isotonic
solution often used for large-volume fluid replacement.

D
Diabetes Insipidus a rare form of diabetes caused by a deficiency of
the pituitary hormone vasopressin, which regulates kidney function.

Diffusion: the movement of substance from a high to low

concentration
Dyspnoea difficult or laboured breathing.

E
Edema: a condition characterized by an excess of watery fluid
collecting in the cavities or tissues of the body.
Elastic recoil is the rebound of the lungs after having been stretched
by inhalation, or rather, the ease with which the lung rebounds. With
inhalation, the inter-pleural pressure (the pressure within the pleural
cavity) of the lungs decreases.

Endotracheal tube a tube inserted (as through the nose or mouth)

into the trachea to maintain an unobstructed passageway especially to
deliver oxygen or anesthesia to the lungscalled also breathing tube.

Extrapyramidal side effects Antipsychotic medications commonly

produce extrapyramidal symptoms as side effects. The extrapyramidal
symptoms include acute dyskinesias and dystonic reactions, tardive
dyskinesia, Parkinsonism, akinesia, akathisia, and neuroleptic
malignant syndrome.

DEFINITIONS
F
Flank pain refers to pain or discomfort in your upper abdomen or
back. It is located below the ribs and above the pelvis and on the
side. Flank pain basically refers to pain in your side and back.
Usually, the pain is worse on one side of your body
Fremitus is a vibration transmitted through the body.

G
Glycosuria a condition characterized by an excess of sugar in the
urine typically associated with diabetes or kidney disease.

Goodpastures syndrome (GPS; also known as Goodpasture's

disease, anti-glomerular basement antibody disease, or anti-GBM
disease) is a rare autoimmune disease in which antibodies attack the
basement membrane in lungs and kidneys, leading to bleeding from the
lungs and to kidney failure

H
Hematemesis vomiting of blood
Haemoptysis coughing up blood
HEART:
- dilation R) side:
Heterogenous
Histamine a compound which is released by cells in response to injury
and in allergic and inflammatory reactions, causing contraction of
smooth muscle and dilation of capillaries.

Huntingtons Disease: a hereditary disease marked by degeneration

of the brain cells and causing chorea and progressive dementia.

Hydronephrosis: distention of the renal calyces and pelvis with urine

as a result of obstruction of the outflow of urine distal to the renal pelvis.
Analogously, hydroureter is defined as a dilation of the ureter.

DEFINITIONS
Hypercalcemia
Hyperoxia is when there is excess oxygen in arterial blood; a
PaO2 above 80mmHg has been associated with an increased risk
of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP)
Hypovolaemia is a condition in which the calcium level in your blood
is above normal. Too much calcium in your blood can weaken your
bones, create kidney stones, and interfere with the way your heart and
brain works.

Hypoxaemia decreased oxygen tension in arterial blood (PaO2) of

less than 45mmHg
Hypoxia is a condition where insufficient oxygen is available to
meet the needs of tissues and organs
Hypercapnic respiratory failure refers to a partial pressure of
CO2 in arterial blood (PaCO2) of more than 50mmHg. Patients
with severe COPD and obesity hypoventilation syndrome are at
risk of developing hypercapnia and respiratory failure.
Hyperkalaemia s the medical term that describes a potassium level in
your blood that's higher than normal. Potassium is a nutrient that is
critical to the function of nerve and muscle cells, including those in your
heart. Your blood potassium level is normally 3.6 to 5.2 millimoles per
liter (mmol/L).

Hypokalaemia deficiency of potassium in the bloodstream.

I
Indwelling urinary catheter

J
The jugular venous pressure (JVP, sometimes referred to as
jugular venous pulse) is the indirectly observed pressure over the
venous system via visualization of the internal jugular vein. It can

DEFINITIONS
be useful in the differentiation of different forms of heart and lung
disease.

K
L
Lactic acidosis is a physiological condition characterized by low pH in
body tissues and blood (acidosis) accompanied by the buildup of
lactate, especially L-lactate, and is considered a distinct form of
metabolic acidosis.

Low flow oxygen: <500ml / minute (0.5L)

Linitus Plastica
Lymphedema
Lymphadenopathy

M
Malaena the production of dark sticky faeces containing partly digested
blood, as a result of internal bleeding or the swallowing of blood.

Metabolic disorder is a cluster of conditions increased blood

pressure, a high blood sugar level, excess body fat around the waist
and abnormal cholesterol levels that occur together, increasing your
risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

Multiple Myeloma is a cancer that forms in a type of white blood cell

called a plasma cell. Plasma cells help you fight infections by making
antibodies that recognize and attack germs. Multiple myeloma causes
cancer cells to accumulate in the bone marrow, where they crowd out
healthy blood cells.

Multiple Sclerosis a chronic, typically progressive disease involving

damage to the sheaths of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord,
whose symptoms may include numbness, impairment of speech and of
muscular coordination, blurred vision, and severe fatigue.

DEFINITIONS
N
O
Oliguria the production of abnormally small amounts of urine.
Osmosis a process by which molecules of a solvent tend to pass
through a semipermeable membrane from a less concentrated solution
into a more concentrated one.

Oxygen therapy: Oxygen administered at concentrations greater

than room air (21%), to treat or prevent hypoxemia, thereby
preventing tissue hypoxia
Oxygen toxicity: damage to the lungs resulting from high
exposure to high concentrations of oxygen for long periods. This
may result in inflammatory changes

P
Pancreatitis: inflammation of pancreas
Peritonitis: inflammation of the peritoneum, typically caused by
bacterial infection either via the blood or after rupture of an abdominal
organ.

Pleural pain
Pleurodesis is a medical procedure in which the pleural space is
artificially obliterated. It involves the adhesion of the two pleurae

Pneumonia Sepsis
Pressure injury
Prolapse

DEFINITIONS
Q
R
Radiotherapy: the treatment of disease, especially cancer, using Xrays or similar forms of radiation.

Renal colic is a type of abdominal pain commonly caused by kidney

stones.

Retinopathy of prematurity
Retroperitoneal Spindle Cell Carcinoma
Respiratory failure
Rhabdomyolysis
Ronchi

S
Semi-fowlers position
Shunting
Surfactant
Spacing:Supine position is a position of the body: lying with the face up, as
opposed to the prone position, which is face down, sometimes with the
hands behind the head or neck.

Stroke Volume (SV) is the amount of blood pumped out of the heart
(left ventricle - to the body) during each contraction measured in
mL/beat (millilitres per beat).

DEFINITIONS
Syringe Driver
SpO2 is the saturation of blood with oxygen measured by
percutaneous pulse oximetry

T
Tachy
Tachypnea: abnormally rapid breathing
Tension pneumothorax: the progressive build-up of air within the
pleural space, usually due to a lung laceration which allows air to
escape into the pleural space but not to return.

Terminal Restlessness
Thrombosis local coagulation or clotting of the blood in a part of the
circulatory system.

Tidal volume is the lung volume representing the normal volume of air
displaced between normal inhalation and exhalation when extra effort is
not applied. In a healthy, young adult, tidal volume is approximately 500
mL per inspiration or 7 mL/kg of body mass.

Transient Ischemic Attack a brief episode of neurological

dysfunction resulting from an interruption in the blood supply to the
brain or the eye, sometimes as a precursor of a stroke

Tracheostomy an incision in the windpipe made to relieve an

obstruction to breathing. A tube is usually placed through this opening to
provide an airway and to remove secretions from the lungs. This tube is
called a tracheostomy tube or trach tube.
Trismus spasm of the jaw muscles, causing the mouth to remain tightly
closed, typically as a symptom of tetanus.

U
Urinary retention Urinary retention is defined as the inability to
completely or partially empty the bladder. Suffering from urinary

DEFINITIONS
retention means you may be unable to start urination, or if you are able
to start, you cant fully empty your bladder. Symptoms of urinary retention

may include:
Difficulty starting to urinate
Difficulty fully emptying the bladder
Weak dribble or stream of urine
Loss of small amounts of urine during the day
Inability to feel when bladder is full
Increased abdominal pressure
Lack of urge to urinate
Strained efforts to push urine out of the bladder
Frequent urination
Nocturia (waking up more than two times at night to urinate)
Causes
There are two general types of urinary retention: obstructive and nonobstructive. If there is an obstruction (for example, kidney stones), urine
cannot flow freely through the urinary track. Non-obstructive causes include a
weak bladder muscle and nerve problems that interfere with signals between
the brain and the bladder. If the nerves arent working properly, the brain may
not get the message that the bladder is full.Some of the most common causes
of non-obstructive urinary retention are:

Stroke
Vaginal childbirth
Pelvic injury or trauma
Impaired muscle or nerve function due to medication or anesthesia
Accidents that injure the brain or spinal cord
Obstructive retention may result from:

Cancer
Kidney or bladder stones
Enlarged prostate (BPH) in men

V
Vascular Congestion
Ventilation
Vertigo: a sensation of whirling and loss of balance, associated
particularly with looking down from a great height, or caused by disease
affecting the inner ear or the vestibular nerve; giddiness.

DEFINITIONS
W
Wegener Granulomatosis An uncommon type of inflammation of
small arteries and veins (vasculitis) that classically involves the vessels
supplying the tissues of the lungs, nasal passages (sinuses), and
kidneys. Wegener's granulomatosis usually affects young or middleaged adults.

Wheezes

X
Y
Z

DEFINITIONS