Medical Terminology and Phlebotomy Basics

Vocabulary flashcards covering medical roots, prefixes, suffixes, systemic anatomy, phlebotomy, and laboratory terminology based on the UCLA Center for Prehospital Care transcript.

Medical Terminology

Special vocabulary of scientific and technical terms used in the healthcare field.

Word root

A word or word element that expresses the basic meaning, typically indicating a tissue, organ, body system, color, condition, substance, or structure.

Hemat

Word root meaning blood.

Derm

Word root meaning skin.

Gluc

Word root meaning glucose.

Phleb

Word root meaning vein.

Thromb

Word root meaning clot.

Prefix

Word element coming before a word root that modifies its meaning by adding information regarding presence, absence, location, number, or size.

Hypo-

Prefix meaning deficient, low, or lower-than-normal.

A-

Prefix meaning without.

Bi-

Prefix meaning two.

Hyper-

Prefix meaning excessive, high, or higher-than-normal.

Suffix

A word ending that comes after a word root and changes or adds to the meaning of the word root.

-logy

Suffix meaning study of.

-cyte

Suffix meaning cell.

-lysis

Suffix meaning breakdown or destruction.

-tomy

Suffix meaning cutting or incision.

Combining vowel

A vowel added between two word roots or a word root and a suffix to make pronunciation easier.

Combining form

A word root combined with a vowel.

Hepatitis

Inflammation of the liver.

Cytology

The study of cells.

Phlebitis

Inflammation of a vein.

Neuropathy

Disease of the nervous system.

Hyperthyroidism

Condition in which the thyroid gland is overactive and produces too much thyroid hormone, leading to high levels of thyroid hormone in the blood.

Hypothyroidism

Condition in which the thyroid gland is underactive and does not produce enough thyroid hormone, leading to low levels of thyroid hormone in the blood.

Hematology

Study of the blood.

Phlebotomy

Incision or cutting of a vein for clinical diagnostic reasons.

Circulatory system

System composed of the heart, blood vessels, and blood.

Atria

Upper chambers of the heart.

Ventricles

Lower chambers of the heart.

Arteries

Blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood away from the heart.

Aorta

Largest artery in the body.

Arterioles

Smallest branches of arteries.

Veins

Blood vessels that carry deoxygenated blood towards the heart.

Venules

Smaller branches of veins.

Capillaries

Microscopic, unicellular blood vessels linking arterioles to venules.

Culture and Sensitivity (C&S)

Test to identify the microorganism and the antibiotic most effective for treatment.

Bacteremia

Presence of bacteria in blood.

Blood culture

Test to identify bacterial infection in blood.

O&P

Abbreviation for Ova and parasites.

Septicemia

Presence of bacterial toxins in the blood.

Disinfectant

Chemical used to kill pathogenic microorganisms on non-living surfaces.

Nosocomial infection

Infection acquired after admission into a healthcare facility, also known as Healthcare Associated Infection (HAI).

ABO blood group system

Classification of RBC antigens that determines a person's blood type.

Autologous transfusion

Procedure in which a patient donates their own blood for later use.

Cross-match

Exposure of donor's blood to patient's blood to see if they are compatible.

Rh factor

Categorizing blood according to the presence or absence of the Rh antigen.

Antecubital (AC) fossa

A shallow depression located anteriorly, slightly below the bend of the elbow, containing major veins for venipuncture.

Median cubital vein

First choice vein for venipuncture, located near the center of the antecubital fossa.

Cephalic vein

Second choice vein for venipuncture, located on the lateral aspect of the antecubital fossa.

Basilic vein

Third choice vein for venipuncture, located on the medial aspect of the antecubital fossa.

Palpate

To examine by touch or feel to determine depth, size, and direction of a vein.

Hematoma

Localized leakage of blood into tissues, which is the most common complication of phlebotomy.

Evacuated Tube System (ETS)

Most common, efficient, and CLSI-preferred straight method for collecting blood.

Butterfly system

Winged-infusion set used for collecting blood from small and difficult veins.

Gauge

Refers to the size (diameter) of the internal bore of a needle, where a smaller number indicates a larger opening.

Erythrocytes

Technical term for red blood cells (RBCs).

Hematocrit

Concentration of erythrocytes expressed in a percentage, also called packed cell volume (PCV).

Hemoglobin

Iron-containing protein in erythrocytes that carries $O_2$ and $CO_2$.

Thrombocytes

Technical term for platelets, which are blood cells that aid in blood clot formation.

Leukocytes

Technical term for white blood cells (WBCs).

Plasma

Clear, pale-yellow liquid portion of blood composed of $91\%$ water and $9\%$ solutes, making up $55\%$ of whole blood.

Formed elements

Cellular component of blood (erythrocytes, leukocytes, thrombocytes) making up $45\%$ of whole blood.

Coagulation factors

Proteins in blood that help form blood clots to stop bleeding.

Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)

Anticoagulant in lavender tubes that prevents blood from clotting by binding calcium.

Heparin

Anticoagulant in green tubes that prevents blood clotting by inactivating thrombin.

Serum

Liquid part of blood obtained after coagulation, which does not contain clotting factors.

Bleeding time

Test performed to assess platelet plug formation in capillaries.

Differential

Test that measures the amount of each type of white blood cell (WBC) in a complete blood count.

Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)

Test measuring the amount of urea in blood to evaluate kidney function.

Lipemic

Cloudy or milky appearance of serum due to excessive lipid content.

Post-prandial glucose test

Glucose test performed after ingestion of a meal.

Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM)

Testing performed to measure the concentration of a drug or medication in the patient's system.

Coagulation

Phase in the blood clotting sequence when clotting factors interact to form a fibrin meshwork.

Hemostatic process

Sum of all processes that stop bleeding, controlled by coordination of the vascular system, platelets, and coagulation factors.

Thrombus

Blood clot located within the cardiovascular system.

Basal state

Patient's condition early in the morning, $12\,\text{hours}$ after last ingestion of food (fasting).

Ambulatory care

Health care services delivered in an outpatient (non-hospital) setting.

Fistula

An artificial shunt or passage created by fusing a vein and artery together, used in the arm for dialysis patients.

Hemolysis

Rupture (lysis) or destruction of erythrocytes.

Hemostasis

Process by which the body stops the leakage of blood from the vascular system after injury.

Hemoconcentration

Condition in which plasma enters the tissues, resulting in a higher-than-normal concentration of cellular components of blood, often caused by leaving a tourniquet on for longer than $1\,\text{minute}$.

Preanalytical phase

Phase of diagnostic process when tests are ordered and specimens are collected and prepared for testing.

Point of care testing

Laboratory tests performed directly at the patient's bedside.

Reference range

Range of normal values provided for each lab test.

Critical value

Laboratory test result indicating a life-threatening condition.