Pediatric/Geriatric Medical Terminology

neonates

birth through the first 28 days of life

infants

29 days to less than 2 years

children

2 years to less than 12 years

adolescents

aged 12 through 21

BEERs criteria

a list of potentially harmful medications or medications with side effects that outweigh the benefit of taking the medication

homeostenosis

the age-related narrowing of physiologic reserve across organ systems reducing the ability to maintain homeostasis under stress

frailty

a clinical syndrome of decreased physiologic reserve and increased vulnerability to stressors due to cumulative multisystem decline

sarcopenia

progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength associated with aging contributing to disability and frailty

polypharmacy

the concurrent use of multiple medications often leading to adverse drug events prescribing cascades and increased frailty risk

prescribing cascade

when an adverse drug event is misinterpreted as a new medical condition, leading to the addition of another medication

orthostatic hypotension

a drop in blood pressure upon standing due to impaired baroreceptor response common in aging and worsened by medications

detrusor hyperreflexia

overactivity of the bladder detrusor muscle leading to urge incontinence

neuroleptic sensitivity

exaggerated adverse reactions to antipsychotics especially in Lewy Body Dementia including rigidity, confusion, and autonomic instability

terminal delirium

a form of delirium occurring near end of life characterized by agitation hallucinations and restlessness

palliative sedation

the monitored use of medications to intentionally reduce consciousness to relieve refractory suffering at end of life

Cheyne-Stokes respiration

a cyclic breathing pattern with periods of apnea alternating with hyperventilation often seen in the dying process

amnesia

loss of memory

anemia

a deficiency of red blood cells or hemoglobin

anticholinergic

inhibiting the action of acetylcholine

arthralgia

joint pain

bioavailability

the proportion (expressed as a percentage) of a drug that enters into the systemic circulation and is available to exert its biological action

bradypnea

abnormally slow breathing

bronchiolitis

a viral infection that affects the lower respiratory tract of infants and young children under 24 months of age

bronchitis

an inflammation of the trachea and bronchi, usually caused by a viral infection

bronchodilator

a class of medications commonly used to expand or widen the bronchial tubes to open airways

bronchospasm

a contraction of the bronchial tubes, resulting in a narrowed airway and difficulty breathing

cataract

a cloudiness covering the lens in the eye, caused by a breakdown of proteins and resulting in blurred vision

cyanosis

a bluish or purplish discoloration (as of skin) due to deficient oxygenation of the blood

delirium

an acute fluctuating disturbance in attention and cognition often reversible and triggered by medical illness or drugs

dementia

memory loss and difficulty with thinking, problem-solving, and language that interferes with daily life

dyspnea

difficulty breathing/ shortness of breath

gynecomastia

breast enlargement in men due to a non-cancerous growth in breast tissue

meningitis

inflammation of the meninges which are membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord

NC

nasal cannula

NICU

neonatal intensive care unit

nosocomial

originating in a hospital

orthopnea

shortness of breath when lying flat

pallor

pale skin color

PK

pharmacokinetics

stridor

one of the fire adventitious sounds that may be heard during lung auscultation. continuous, high pitched, whistling/squeaking sound heard during inspiration, that occurs when the upper airways are partially blocked. it is most commonly associated with acute disorders, such as croup or foreign body aspiration