PBS 2.1 Medical Concepts and Skills Review

Flashcards generated covering medical history, healthcare roles, vital sign equipment, breath/heart sounds, blood pressure categories, phlebotomy, lipid types, biomolecules, feedback loops, and microscope components.

Current History

Chief complaint, health issues, symptoms, and any treatments or tests that have occurred recently.

Previous History

Information about previous health issues, medications, vaccinations, and previous hospital stays and procedures.

Social History

Information gathered regarding living situations, occupation, school, travel, and other activities that could have a direct or indirect impact on health.

Family History

Information about close relatives that could place the patient at a higher risk of a variety of chronic conditions.

Primary Care Physician

A specialist physician trained to provide care for any health problems their patients may have.

Medical Assistant

An unlicensed caregiver that assists the medical director in doctor's offices and clinics.

Non-physician Practitioner

A healthcare provider who works under the supervision of a physician, including nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, and physician assistants.

Pediatrician

A specialist physician trained to provide medical care to infants, children, and adolescents.

Patient Liaison

An individual who works with patients and families to address needs and concerns, acting as an intermediary for the patient.

Demeanor

Outward behavior or bearing displayed by a healthcare professional.

Tact

Discretion and sensitivity in dealing with others, such as choosing words carefully when delivering bad news.

Empathy

The ability to understand and share the feelings of another person.

Pulse Oximeter

A device used to measure oxygen saturation ($SpO_2$) in the blood.

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

A nursing career requiring a High School Diploma and LPN Program education; duties include feeding, dressing, or bathing patients, and monitoring vital signs.

Registered Nurse (RN)

A nursing career requiring an Associate's degree (Bachelor's recommended); duties include monitoring condition, assessing needs, interpreting symptoms, and collaborating on care plans.

Nurse Practitioner (NP)

An advanced nursing career requiring a Master's Degree; duties include ordering/interpreting diagnostic tests, diagnosing conditions, and prescribing medications.

Tachycardia

A heart rate that is above the normal range of $60\text{--}100\text{ bpm}$.

Bradycardia

A heart rate that is below the normal range of $60\text{--}100\text{ bpm}$.

Respiratory Rate

The number of breaths taken per minute, where one breath includes both an inhale and an exhale.

Mitral Valve Regurgitation

A condition in which heart chambers do not close completely, allowing blood to leak backward across the valve.

Rales

A crackling breath sound indicating fluid in the lungs, commonly heard in conditions like pneumonia.

Rhonchi

A low-pitched, snoring-like breath sound indicating a blockage with mucus or fluid.

Wheezing

A breath sound that indicates air passages are constricting, commonly seen in asthma.

Stridor

A musical breath sound heard on inhalation that indicates a blockage in the windpipe, such as a foreign object.

Hypothermia

A condition characterized by an abnormally low body temperature below $95^{\circ}\text{F}$.

Systolic Pressure

The pressure in the arteries measured when the heart undergoes systole (contracts to push blood throughout the body).

Diastolic Pressure

The pressure in the arteries measured when the heart undergoes diastole (is at rest, allowing chambers to fill with blood).

ABCDE System

A system used to evaluate skin moles based on Asymmetry, Border, Color, Diameter, and Evolving traits.

Ophthalmoscope

A medical instrument used to examine the eyes.

Otoscope

A medical instrument used to examine the ears.

Sphygmomanometer

A medical tool consisting of an inflatable cuff and gauge used to measure blood pressure.

Erythrocyte

The scientific term for a red blood cell.

Leukocyte

The scientific term for a white blood cell.

Thrombocyte

The scientific term for a platelet.

Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL)

The type of lipoprotein responsible for transporting cholesterol to the cells.

High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL)

The type of lipoprotein responsible for removing excess cholesterol from the bloodstream and transporting it to the liver.

Saturated Fat

Fat that is solid at room temperature, such as fatty meats, lard, butter, and whole milk products.

Unsaturated Fat

Fat that is liquid at room temperature, such as plant oils, avocados, nuts, and seeds.

Positive Feedback

A process that causes a reinforcement of the original action, increasing the reaction.

Negative Feedback

A process that causes the system to stop doing the original action and either take no action or perform an opposite action.

Hyperglycemia

A state of high blood sugar.

Hypoglycemia

A state of low blood sugar.

Coarse Adjustment Knob

A microscope component that moves the stage up and down for initial focusing; never to be used with the high power objective lens.

Fine Adjustment Knob

A microscope component that moves the stage up and down slightly to fine tune the focusing of the specimen.

Diaphragm (Microscope)

A component located under the stage of a microscope that controls the size of the aperture and determines the amount of light reaching the specimen.