abdominal aortic aneurysm

(swelling of the aorta, which supplies blood to the abdomen, pelvis, and legs)

apnea & bradycardia

(shortness of breath, rapid breathing, slow heart rate)

arterial blood gases

(a measure of respiratory function)

anterior cerebral artery

(supplies the frontal, pre-frontal and supplementary motor cortex, as well as parts of the primary motor and primary sensory cortex)

adrenocorticotropic hormone

(regulates cortisol levels)

atrial fibrillation

(irregular/fast heartbeat, 'flutter')

albumin

(a measure of nutritional status)

against medical advice

(they tried to make me go to rehab, but I said no no no)

adult onset diabetes mellitus

(type 2, symptoms are excess thirst, constant hunger, frequent urination; can lead to heart disease or stroke)

anteroposterior

(anterior-posterior, front to back)

acute respiratory distress syndrome

(lung inflamation, Tx often requires a vent)

arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease

(stiffened blood vessels)

arteriovenous malformation

(spaghetti-looking veins)

benign prostatic hypertrophy

(enlarged prostate)

blood urea nitrogen

(a measure of kidney function)

−

C

carcinoma

(cancer)

coronary artery bypass graft

(improves blood flow in patients with heart disease by bypassing the blocked artery)

coronary artery disease

(narrowing of the blood vessels)

complete blood count

(used to diagnose infections, allergies, blood disorders)

clubbing, cyanosis, edema

(enlargement of extremities, bluish coloring, inflamation)

closed head injury

(a closed TBI)

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

(lung disease; ex: bronchitis, emphysema, asthma)

continuous positive airway pressure

(respiratory support)

creatinine phosphokinase

(enzyme in brain, heart, skeletal muscle; used to diagnose heart attack or muscle diseases

Dobhoff tube

(small, flexible nasogastric feeding tube)

dyspnea on exertion

(shortness of breath with activity)

deep tendon reflex

(a brisk muscle contraction is normal)

deep vein thrombosis

(blood clot deep in the body)

ECG

or

EKG

end stage renal disease

(kidney failure)

forced expiratory volume

(somewhat predictive of bolus clearance ability)

internal carotid artery

(supplies the brain)

intracranial hemorrhage

(bleeding inside the skull)

IgA

IgE

IgG

immunoglobin A, E, G

(medications for immunodeficiency)

I & O

or

I/O

intermittent positive pressure breathing

(lower level respiratory support)

kilocalories

(colloquially called calories)

left lower lobe

(related to lung function)

lumbar puncture

(aka spinal tap, collects CSF to diagnose meningitis, subarachnoid hemorrhage, etc.)

middle cerebral artery

(supplies blood to the cerebrum)

myocardial infarction

(heart attack)

medical intensive care unit

(pre-surgery)

milk of magnesia

(anti-constipation aid)

Multiple Sclerosis

or

mental status

no acute distress

(indication of relative stability)

normal cephalic atraumatic

(head not injured)

non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug

(ex: ibuprofen, acetaminophen)

—

p

percussion & auscultation

(tapping to listen to the lungs)

posterior communicating artery

(lower Circle of Willis, often the site of aneurysms)

positive end expiratory pressure

(the pressure level in the lungs after exhalation)

percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy

(bypasses mouth)

peripheral vascular disease

(large arteries in extremities are blocked)

right lower lobe

(related to the heart)

—

s

subarachnoid hemorrhage

(bleeding in the subarachnoid space above the brain)

subacute bacterial endocarditis

(heart tissue infection)

squamous cell carcinoma

(epidermis/skin cancer)

subdural hematoma

(blood pooling on the surface of the brain)

systemic lupus erythematosus

(chronic inflamation)

split thickness skin graft

(dermis + epidermis)

total parenteral nutrition

(IV feeding only)

transurethral resection of the prostate

(surgery for enlarged prostate)