PLTW 2.1

Primary Care Physician

a specialist trained to work in the front line of a healthcare system and provide care for any health problems that a patient might have

Medical Student

A student enrolled at a medical school, who is training to become a physician

Medical Assistant

Unlicensed caregiver who works primarily in doctors’ offices and clinics. They assist their medical director through a wide variety of duties

Nurse

Licensed health-care professional who is skilled in promoting and maintaining health

Medical Technican

Uses sophisticated equipment and has different responsibilities. Some work directly with patients (a phlebotomist draws blood) while others work in a lab (a histotechnician analyzes tissues)

Patient Liaison

Works with patients and their families to address needs and concerns. Acts as an intermediary between patients, their families and the hospital administration

Non-physician practionier

Health care provider who practices either in collaboration with or under the supervision of a physician. Some examples include nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, and physician assistants

Pediatrician

A specialist physician who provides medical care to infants, children, and adolescents.

medical history

A record of information about a patient’s past and current health. Includes information about the patient’s habits, lifestyle, and even the health of their family. 

chief complaint

The patient’s description of what they feel is their main health problem

physical signs

Pieces of evidence that indicate an illness that can be observed externally, such as a rash, coughing, or elevated temperature

Symptoms

Any subjective evidence of disease a patient perceives, such as aches, nausea, or fatigue. Allows the health care provider to narrow down the possible conditions that may be affecting the patient and then run tests to make a diagnosis

Diagnosis

the identification of a patient’s disease or injury

Current History

Patient’s chief complaint and any other current health issues, symptoms, and any treatments or tests the patient has recently had or is scheduled to have related to these conditions. Nutrition, allergies, medication, and health habits, such as exercise, etc.

Previous History

Includes information about any past health issues, procedures, medications, vaccinations, and previous hospital stays

Social History

Addresses aspects of the patient’s life, such as living situation, occupation, school, travel, and other activities that could have a direct or indirect impact on health

Family History

Includes medical information about the patient’s close relatives

demeanor

Outward behavior or bearing. A doctor might have a cheerful, peaceful, or friendly vibe and put the patient at ease. A doctor with an arrogant or dismissive demeanor might lose a patient’s trust

tact

Discretion and sensitivity in dealing with others. A doctor might exhibit it when they choose their words carefully so as to not upset a patient when they must deliver bad news

empathy

The ability to understand and share the feelings of another person

Homeostasis

the maintenance of stable internal physiological conditions (such as body temperature or the pH of blood), which enables the optimal functioning of an organism

triage

the sorting and prioritization of patients based on the urgency of their need for care

Pulse

Number of heart beats in one minute

Beats per minute (bpm)

How is pulse measured? 

Respiratory Rate

Number of breaths taken per minute (one breath includes both an inhale and an exhale)

Breaths per minute (bpm)

How is respiratory rate measured?

Blood Pressure

The force of blood moving through blood vessels

Millimeters of mercury (mm Hg)

How do you measure blood pressure?

sphygmomanometer

What do you use to measure blood pressure?

Height

Measure of how tall a person is from top of head to bottom of feet

Weight

The amount a person weighs

BMI

A measure of body fat that is the ratio of weight of the body to its height

Lung/Breathing Sounds

The sound and clarity of breaths

Oxygen Saturation

The amount of oxygen in the blood

Body Temperature

The degree of heat of a body

Underweight

Less than 18.5 BMI

Healthy Weight

18.5 - 24.9 BMI

Overweight

25 - 29.9 BMI

Obese

30 or greater BMI

Normal temperature

97.8 to 99 °F

Fever

100 °F and above

hypothermia

below 95 °F

Risks of hypothermia

a serious condition that affects how your organs and body systems work and can eventually lead to death

On the wrist

Where is the radial artery found?

Where jaw and neck meet

Where is the carotid artery found?

60–100 beats per minute (bpm)

Normal pulse

12–20 breaths per minute

Normal respiratory rate

95-99%

Normal oxygen saturation

below 90%

Urgent oxygen saturation

systolic pressure

how much pressure the heart creates in the arteries when the left ventricle contracts to pump blood out to the body

diastolic pressure

force of blood in the arteries when the heart relaxes between beats

Less than 120/less than 180

Normal blood pressure

Cornea

Outermost layer of the eye that is clear and shaped by like a dome

Function of cornea

Helps to shield the rest of the eye: protects from germs, dust, and other harmful matter

Pupil, lense

Light travels through the cornea and are filtered through the ____ to the _____

opthalmoscope

Tool used for eye exams

Retina

turns the light into nerve signals the brain can understand

Symptoms of strep throat

Severe sore throat, painful swallowing, red and inflamed tonsils and uvula, fever, body aches, and swollen lymph nodes

Symptoms of tonsilitis

Inflammation of the tonsils, red tonsils, white or yellow patches over the tonsils, sore throat, difficulty swallowing, headache, and fever

Lymph

a clear fluid that contains a high concentration of white blood cells and plays an important role in our immune response

Cancer

a disease caused when the cells of the body divide uncontrollably

Dermatologists

medical doctors who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of skin conditions

A (Asymmetry)

One half of the mole does not match the shape of the other half 

B (Border)

The edges of the mole are irregular or jagged 

C (Color)

The mole is not one uniform color, but shows different colors or shades throughout 

D (Diameter)

The diameter of the mole is larger than a pencil eraser 

E (Evolving)

The mole appears to be changing (shape, color, size) over time 

Mitral valve regurgitation

Backflow of blood from the left ventricle into the left atrium

clear

A clear woosh of air with each inhalation and exhalation

wheezing

A high-pitched whistling sound caused by narrowed airways; can sometimes be heard without a stethoscope

crackles (rales)

Short and intermittent clicking, rattling, or popping sounds heard during inhalation when air is forced through an airway narrowed by fluid

stridor

Harsh, shrill sound, similar to wheezing, usually heard closest to the back of the neck, as it is caused by a partially obstructed windpipe

rhonchi

A snore-like sound heard when airways are partially obstructed

Outer ear

Collects sound waves and directs them into the ear canal toward the eardrum

Middle ear

Contains tiny bones that vibrate to carry sound from the eardrum to the inner ear

Inner ear

Turns sound vibrations into nerve signals; helps balance

Outer ear infection

When bacteria grow in the ear canal or water builds up

Middle ear infection

Occurs when fluid and bacteria build up behind the eardrum, causing pain and pressure

Inner ear infection

Infection that affects balance and can lead to dizziness, nausea, and hearing loss

Erythrocytes

hemoglobin-rich red blood cells that transport oxygen through the body; don’t have a nucleus

Leukocytes

one of the many cells in the blood that lack hemoglobin but have a nucleus and are active in the immune response

Thrombocytes

a minute, colorless, anucleate disk-like body of mammalian blood that assists in blood clotting

Plasma

the pale yellow, liquid portion of blood that consists of water and dissolved substances, including sugars, lipids, metabolic waste products, amino acids, hormones, and vitamins

Phlebotomist 

trained to draw blood from patients who require testing as well as blood donors

hemoglobin

The oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells

hematocrit

The proportion of red blood cells in the blood

Cholestoral

a waxy substance that is naturally produced in the liver and is also absorbed from food as it passes through the intestines

Function of cholestoral

a key component in the structure of cell membranes and is also used to make essential molecules such as hormones and vitamins

low-density lipoprotein

Type of lipoprotein responsible for transporting cholesterol to the cells

high-density lipoprotein

Type of lipoprotein responsible for removing excess cholesterol from the blood stream and transporting it to the liver

metabolism

the chemical reaction processes of breaking down molecules for energy and of using simple building blocks to build up more complex molecules needed for growth and repair

Glucose

a simple sugar that the body uses for energy

High, glucose

___ levels of ____ in the blood may indicate risk for diabetes.

Electrolytes

minerals found in your blood, urine, and other tissues

Function of electrolytes

help keep a water balance in the body, move nutrients into cells and wastes out, and make sure that your nerves, brain, muscles, and heart function properly

BUN and creatine

waste products filtered out of blood by the kidneys. Levels give an indication of how well the kidneys are functioning

Referrals

written order from a primary care doctor for a patient to see a specialist or to get a particular medical service

Type 1 diabetes

a form of diabetes that usually develops during childhood or adolescence that is characterized by a severe deficiency of insulin, leading to high blood glucose levels

Carbohydrates

Compounds, such as sugar, starch, and cellulose. Found in foods and living tissues. They are a primary source of energy for cells.

Lipids

including fats, phospholipids, and steroids that are insoluble in water. They are a secondary source of energy for our cells.