P2 (7)

medical diagnosis

the determination of the nature and cause of an illness

physical examination

includes a review of all systems and observation of any signs of illness

inspection

visual examination

palpation

touching the surface of the body with the hands or fingers

percussion

tapping the body and listening to the sounds produced

auscultation

listening to body sounds with a stethoscope

Vital signs (VS)

measurements that reflect basic functions necessary to maintain life

systolic pressure

heart is contracting

diastolic pressure

heart is relaxing

imaging techniques

the use of various physical forces to produce visual images of the body

cineradiography

making of a motion picture of successive images appearing on a fluoroscopic screen

Computed Tomography (CT)

• use of a computer to generate an image from a large number of x-rays passed at different angles through the body

• a three-dimensional picture of a cross-section of the body is obtained

• reveals more about soft tissues than does simple radiography

fluoroscopy

• use of x-rays to examine deep structures

• the shadows cast by x-rays passed through the body are observed on a fluorescent screen

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

production of images through the use of a magnetic field and radio waves

Positron Emission Tomography (PET)

• production of sectional body images by administration of a natural substance, such as glucose

• used to follow blood flow through an organ and to measure metabolic activity within an organ, such as the brain, under different conditions

radiography

rays passed through the body to make a visual record (radiograph) of internal structures on specially sensitized film

scintigraphy

production of an image of the distribution of radioactivity in tissues after internal administration of a radioactive substance (radionuclide

scintiscan

record produced by the scintigraphy

scintillation camera

images obtained of scintigraphy

Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT)

scintigraphic technique that permits visualization of the cross-sectional distribution of a radioisotope

ultrasonography

• generation of a visual image from the echoes of high-frequency sound waves traveling back from different tissues

• also called sonography and echography

bougie

slender, flexible instrument for exploring and dilating tubes

cannula

tube enclosing a trocar that allows escape of fluid or air after removal of the trocar

clamp

instrument used to compress tissue

curet (curette)

spoon-shaped instrument for removing material from the wall of a cavity or other surface

elevator

instrument for lifting tissue or bone

forceps

instrument for holding or extracting

gigli saw

flexible wire saw

hemostat

small clamp for stopping blood flow from a vessel

rasp

surgical file

retractor

instrument used to maintain exposure by separating a wound and holding back organs or tissues

rongeur

gouge forceps

scalpel

surgical knife with a sharp blade

scissors

a cutting instrument with two opposing blades

sound

instrument for exploring a cavity or canal

trocar

sharp pointed instrument contained in a cannula used to puncture a cavity

anesthesia

Loss of the ability to feel pain, as by administration of a drug

biopsy

Removal of a small amount of tissue for microscopic examination

cautery

Destruction of tissue by a damaging agent, such as a harmful chemical, heat, or electric current (electrocautery)

chemotherapy

The use of chemicals to treat disease

endoscope

An instrument for examining the inside of an organ or cavity through a body opening or small incision

excision

Removal by cutting

fixation

Holding or fastening a structure in a fixed position

grading

A method for evaluating a tumor based on microscopic examination of the cells

immunotherapy

Treatment that involves stimulation or suppression of the immune system, either specifically or nonspecifically

incision

• A cut, as for surgery

• the act of cutting

inspection

Visual examination of the body

laser

A device that transforms light into a beam of intense heat and power

opthalmoscope

An instrument for examining the interior of the eye

otoscope

Instrument used to examine the ears

palliative

a treatment that provides relief but not cure

prognosis

Prediction of the course and outcome of a disease

radiography

Use of x-rays passed through the body to make a visual record (radiograph) of internal structures on specially sensitized film

radionuclide

• A substance that gives off radiation

• also called radioisotope or radiopharmaceutical

remission

• A lessening of the symptoms of a disease

• the period during which this decrease occurs or the period when no sign of a disease exists

sign

an objective evidence of disease that can be observed or tested

sphygmomanometer

instrument for measuring blood pressure

staging

The process of classifying malignant tumors for diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis

stethoscope

An instrument used for listening to sounds produced within the body

surgery

A method for treating disease or injury by manual operations

suture

To unite parts by stitching them together

symptom

indicators of disease that the patient is experiencing

therapy

• Treatment

• intervention

acupuncture

inserting thin needles into the body at specific points to relieve pain, induce anesthesia, or promote healing

biofeedback

a mind-body technique that uses instruments to help you control certain bodily functions

chiropractic

manually adjusting the spine and other parts of the body

homeopathy

A philosophy of treating disease by administering drugs in highly diluted form along with promoting healthy life habits and a healthy environment

naturopathy

helping people to heal themselves by developing healthy lifestyles, naturopaths may use some of the methods of conventional medicine

osteopathy

treatment of medical disorders through manipulation and massage of the bones, joints, and muscles.

aerobic

requiring air (oxygen)

aer/o

air, gas (root)

bar/o

pressure (root)

barotrauma

injury caused by pressure

chrom/o, chromat/o

color, stain (root)

achromatous

lacking color

chron/o

time (root)

synchronous

occurring at the same time

cry/o

cold (root)

cryoprobe

-instrument used to apply extreme cold

electr/o

electricity (root)

electrolysis

destruction (-lysis) by means of electric current

erg/o

work (root)

synergistic

working together with increased effect, such as certain drugs in combination

phon/o

sound, voice (root)

phonograph

instrument used to reproduce sound

phot/o

light (root)

photography

using light to record an image on light-sensitive paper

radi/o

radiation, x-ray (root)

radioactive

giving off radiation

son/o

sound (root)

ultrasonic

pertaining to high-frequency sound waves (beyond human hearing)

therm/o

heat, temperature (root)

hypothermia

abnormally low body temperature

asynchronous

not occurring at the same time

hypobaric

pertaining to decreased pressure

chromophilic

attracting color (stain)

hyperthermia

abnormally high body temperature

radiology

study and use of radiation

cryalgesia

pain caused by cold

phonetics

the study of sound