ED terms

finger-nose-finger

specific neuro exam testing cerebellum function

Normal DTR's

deep tendon reflexes are normal (graded as 2 out of 4)

Oriented X 4

oriented to person, time, place, and situation

Pronator drift

involuntary turning the forearm inward on exam

Romberg's sign

Falling to one side when standing with feet together and eyes closed (cerebellum exam)

Strength 5/5 x 4 extremities

there is full strength for both arms and both legs

Tongue deviation

tongue pointing to one side

hemiparesis

weakness on one side of the body

ambulatory

able to walk

febrile

with fever

afebrile

without fever

Anasarca

generalized edema

Euthymic

normal, non-depressed, reasonably positive mood

cachexia

physical wasting that includes loss of weight and muscle mass

Etiology

study of the cause of disease

aphasia

inability to express oneself through speech

Differential Diagnosis (DDx)

a diagnosis of symptoms of two or more diseases by comparison

emaciate

to become extremely thin or lean; wasting

grand mal

Severe epileptic attack characterized by convulsions, stupor, and temporary loss of consciousness

malaise

Generalized discomfort or weakness

parethesia

Abnormal tactile sensation such as numbness, tingling or burning

palpable

Able to be touched or easily perceived

Sepsis

Presence of pathological microorganisms or their toxins in the blood

vertigo

Condition of dizziness

vaso-vagal

over stimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system

syncope

Loss of consciousness or faint

hyperlipidemia

elevation of cholesterol in the blood

Hyperkalemia

increased potassium level in the blood

Hypercalcemia

increased calcium level in the blood

Hypervolemia

increase in the volume of blood plasma

Hyponatremia

lower than normal level of sodium in the blood

hemorrhage

Excessive or profuse bleeding

Thrombocytopenia

abnormal decrease in platelets caused by low production of platelets in the bone marrow or increased destruction of platelets in the blood vessels, spleen, or liver

deep vein thrombosis

(DVT) blood clot that forms in the deep veins of the body, especially those in the legs or thighs

paroxysmal

describes a sudden recurrence or intensification of symptoms

Funduscopic exam

inside of the eyes as seen with ophthalmoscope

papilledema

swelling of the optic nerve noted in fundi exam

anisocoria

unequal pupil size

exophthalmos

bulging eyes, often from thyroid disease

conjunctiva

a clear mucous membrane consisting of cells and underlying basement membrane that covers the sclera (white part of the eye) and lines the inside of the eyelids

cornea

Transparent coat of the eyeball covering the iris and pupil, allowing light into the eye

fluorescein

Red, crystalline substance used in diagnostic examination of the eye to detect corneal lesions, abrasions, or foreign bodies

lacrimal

to do with tears

nystagmus

Involuntary rapid eye movements

ophthalmalgia

pain in the eye

photophobia

abnormal intolerance to light

Sclera

Dense fibrous opaque outer coat enclosing the eyeball except the part covered by the cornea, whites of the eyes

Brudzinski's sign

Neck pain elicited by flexing neck downward "chin to chest"; sign of meningitis

Carotid bruit

Turbulent blood flow heard with auscultation over the carotid artery. (Due to carotid narrowing or plaque)

JVD

jugular venous distention (CHF indicator)

Kernig's sign

Neck pain elicited by flexing hip "knee to chest"; sign of meningitis

lymphadenopathy

enlarged lymph nodes

Meningismus

stiff neck

supple

free moving, full range of motion

thryomegaly

enlarged thyroid

nuchal rigidity

stiff neck

CVA tenderness

Costo-vertebral Angle tenderness; tenderness over the kidney's; flank area

Paraspinal

along either side of the spine, but not directly over it

sciatica

compression or irritation of sciatic nerve leading to back pain radiating posteriorly behind the lower extremity

Straight leg raise

physical exam maneuver testing for the presence of sciatica

Vertebral point tenderness

Tenderness directly over the spine (vertebrae), increased likelihood of fracture

bowel sounds

Intestinal sounds heard from auscultating over the abdomen; hyperactive, hypoactive, diminished, absent, tympanitic

diffuse

Generalized; not localized to any specific location

distension

enlarged or swollen due to internal pressure; the opposite of a scaphoid abdomen

Femoral pulse deficit

pulse is either skipped or absent over the femoral artery

guarding

Tensing of abdominal wall muscles as to guard the internal organs indicative of true abdominal disease, or pushing away with hands

hepatomegaly

enlarged liver

Mass

any abdominal enlargement

McBurney's point

1/3 of the way from the ASIS (anterior superior iliac spine/crest - the hip bone) to the umbilicus. This is where the appendix is located; pain elicited indicates appendicitis

Murphy's sign

tests for tenderness over the gallbladder when pain is elicited while palpating over the gallbladder during inspiration; indicates cholecystitis

Organomegaly

enlarged organ

Peritoneal signs

rebound tenderness, guarding; indicates peritonitis which is inflammation of the peritoneal aka abdominal cavity

Prominent aortic pulsation

a larger than expected pulsating mass while palpating midline over the abdomen; indicates an aortic aneurysm

Psoas sign

physical exam maneuver where the patient feels abdominal pain when externally rotating the hip; indicates appendicitis

rebound

pain elicited upon releasing hand from abdominal palpation

rigidity

a stiff abdominal wall discovered on exam; the opposite of soft

Rovsing's sign

physical exam maneuver where pain is elicited in the RLQ upon palpation of the LLQ

splenomegaly

enlarged spleen

gravid

the state of being pregnant

para

women who have given birth to one or more viable off spring; the number of viable offspring born by a woman

hepatosplenomegaly

enlargement of the liver and spleen

ascites

abnormal accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity, most commonly as a result of chronic liver disease

Hepatic encephalopathy

loss of brain function when a damaged liver does not remove toxins from the blood

abscess

Collection of pus underneath the skin

acne

"pimples"

acne vulgaris

severe acne

alopecia

bald

atrophic

very thin skin; often seen in the elderly who suffer large skin tears from minimal injury

cyanosis

blue due to lack of oxygen

Dehiscence

the splitting apart or separation in the skin often used to described a surgical wound that re-opened I.e. "wound dehiscence"

diaphoresis

sweat

Ecchymosis

bruising

Eczematous rash

commonly used to describe a type of rash seen in autoimmune disease whereby dry, scaly and itchy skin appear

edema

skin saturated with fluid

pitting edema

Skin that is so saturated with fluid that it retains the imprint left by touching it; usually rated on a scale of 0-4

erythematous

redness

fungal rash

commonly used to describe a type of rash caused by fungus like tinea like "jock itch" aka "tinea cruris" or "athlete's foot" aka "tinea pedis"

gangrene

necrotic skin; dead skin; indicates need for amputation

Hirsute

hairy

Hyperpigmented

darker than the surrounding skin