Medical Interventions Second Semester Exam Study Guide 2025

Vocabulary flashcards for Medical Interventions Second Semester Exam Study Guide 2025.

aging

The process of growing old, involving physical, psychological, and social changes

Alzheimer’s Disease

A progressive brain disorder that gradually destroys memory and cognitive skills.

death rattle

A gurgling or rattling sound produced by air passing through fluid in the airways of a dying person.

geriatrician

A physician who specializes in the care of elderly people.

glycation

The process in which sugar molecules bind to proteins or fats, leading to tissue damage and aging.

healthy aging

Maintaining physical, mental, and social well-being as one ages.

oxidative stress

An imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in the body, which can cause cell and tissue damage.

senescence

The condition or process of deterioration with age.

analgesic

Are over-the-counter pain relievers Ex: Aspirin & other salicylates, Ibuprofen, Ketoprofen, Naproxen sodium, Acetaminophen

depressants

Slows down the actions of the central nervous system & the heart. Causes a feeling of relaxation & sleepiness Cause damage to the brain, liver, & pancreas

drugs

Any chemicals substance that affects the body and its processes.

drug abuse

The excessive & persistent use of over the counter drugs & prescription drugs.

drug misuse

When a drug is taken in a incorrect way or manner.

enteric

Relating to the small intestine.

histamine-2 blockers

Medications that reduce stomach acid production.

hypersensitivity reactions

Describes the atomic or molecular structure of the drug Usually has the same ending if it’s of a particular type of class

stimulants

Speed up the performance of the central nervous system Stimulants raise levels of physiological or nervous activity in the body. Stimulants -increase alertness, attention and energy - elevate blood pressure, heart rate and respiration Types of Stimulants: Caffeine, Amphetamines, Cocaine, nicotine, Adderall, Ritalin

antigens

Foreign substances (usually proteins) that trigger an immune response.

autoimmune disorder

A condition in which the body's immune system attacks its own tissues or organs.

chemotaxis

Movement of immune cells toward the site of infection in response to chemical signals.

cytokines

Signaling proteins released by immune cells to regulate immunity and inflammation.

cytotoxic T cell

A T cell that kills infected or cancerous cells (also called CD8+ T cells).

helper T cell

Activates B cells and other T cells by releasing cytokines (also called CD4+ T cells).

humoral immunity

Immunity involving B cells and antibodies circulating in bodily fluids.

killer T cell

Same as cytotoxic T cell—destroys infected or abnormal cells.

memory cell

A long-living immune cell that “remembers” past infections for faster future responses.

plasma cell

A B cell that produces and releases antibodies.

antibody

Is a protein, also called an immunoglobulin (Ig), produced by B cells in response to a foreign antigen, helping the body fight off infections.

cell agglutination

Is the clumping together of cells, often caused by antibodies binding to antigens on the surface of cells.

cell mediated immunity

Involves T cells directly attacking infected or abnormal cells without using antibodies.

complement system

Is a group of proteins that work with antibodies to destroy pathogens by forming pores in their membranes.

dendritic cells

Are antigen-presenting cells that process and display antigens to T cells, initiating the adaptive immune response.

epitope

Is the specific part of an antigen that an antibody or T-cell receptor recognizes and binds to.

hematopoiesis

Is the process of forming blood cells, including all immune cells, from stem cells in the bone marrow.

specific (adaptive) immunity

Is a learned immune response tailored to specific antigens that the body remembers for faster future responses.

stem cells

Are undifferentiated cells that can develop into various specialized cell types, including immune cells.

chancres

Are firm, painless skin ulcers that appear on the genitals in the first stage of syphilis.

communicable disease

Is a contagious illness that can spread from an infected person to a non-infected person, often via direct contact or a vector.

coronary heart disease

Is caused by the narrowing of coronary arteries due to plaque buildup, which restricts blood flow to the heart.

disease

Is an abnormal condition that prevents the body from functioning normally.

non-communicable disease

Is not spread by germs from person to person and includes chronic conditions like cancer and heart disease.

rheumatic fever

Is an illness that can follow untreated strep throat and may damage heart valves.

vector

Is an agent, like a mosquito, that transmits infectious diseases from one organism to another.

beriberi

Is caused by a deficiency of vitamin B1 (thiamine) and leads to weakness and nerve damage.

kwashiorkor

Is caused by a protein deficiency and leads to swelling, liver damage, and developmental delays.

rickets

Results from a lack of vitamin D, calcium, or phosphate and causes soft, weak bones, especially in children.

scurvy

Is caused by a deficiency of vitamin C and leads to gum disease, fatigue, and poor wound healing.

abstinence

Is the practice of refraining from sexual activity and is one of the most effective ways to prevent HIV transmission.

AIDS wasting

Is a condition in which a person with AIDS experiences severe weight loss and muscle wasting due to infection.

capsid

Is the protein shell of the HIV virus that encloses its genetic material.

CD4+ count

Measures the number of CD4+ T cells in the blood and indicates the health of the immune system; a count below 200 cells/μL signifies AIDS.

glycoprotein

Are proteins with carbohydrate chains on the surface of HIV that help it bind to host cells.

oncovirus

Is a type of retrovirus that can cause cancer.

P24 antigen

Is a core protein of HIV that can be detected in blood early after infection and is used in screening tests.

retrovirus

Is a virus that stores its genetic material as RNA and replicates in host cells using reverse transcription.

reverse transcriptase

Is the enzyme used by HIV to convert its RNA into DNA inside a host cell.

thrush

Is a fungal infection (caused by Candida) that commonly affects the mouth and throat in people with weakened immune systems, like those with AIDS.

viral load

Refers to the amount of HIV in the blood and helps predict how quickly the disease may progress.

alternative medicine

Treatments that are used instead of standard medical therapies, such as herbal remedies, acupuncture, and homeopathy.

cancer

Is a group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled cell growth and the potential to spread to other parts of the body.

carcinogen

Is any substance or agent that can cause cancer, such as tobacco smoke, asbestos, or radiation.

cardiac tamponade

Is a serious medical condition where fluid builds up in the sac around the heart, preventing it from pumping effectively.

chemotherapy

Is a type of cancer treatment that uses powerful drugs to kill or stop the growth of cancer cells.

immunotherapy

Is a treatment that uses the body’s immune system to help fight cancer.

metastasis

Is the process by which cancer cells spread from the original tumor to other parts of the body.

neoplasm

Is an abnormal growth of tissue that can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).

pleural effusion

Is the buildup of excess fluid between the layers of tissue surrounding the lungs, which can occur with cancer.

radiation therapy

Uses high-energy rays (like X-rays) to kill or damage cancer cells.

remission

Is a period during which the signs and symptoms of cancer are reduced or disappear.

superior vena cava syndrome

Occurs when a tumor compresses the superior vena cava, causing swelling and breathing difficulties.

staging

Is the process of determining how much cancer is in the body and where it is located.

tumor

Is a mass of abnormal cells that can be either benign or malignant.

antibiotic

Is a drug used to kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria.

antibiotic resistance

Occurs when bacteria adapt and become unaffected by a previously effective antibiotic.

capsules

Are protective outer layers found in some bacteria that help prevent phagocytosis by immune cells.

ELISA Test

(enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) is used to detect the presence of antibodies or antigens in a sample.

flagella

Are tail-like structures that allow bacteria to move.

endotoxins

Are toxins released when Gram-negative bacteria die, causing inflammation and fever.

medical interventions

Refer to actions taken to treat or prevent illness, such as surgery, medication, or therapy.

pili

Are hair-like appendages on bacteria that help them attach to surfaces or transfer DNA.

plasmids

Are small, circular DNA molecules in bacteria that often carry antibiotic resistance genes.

transgenic bacteria

Are genetically modified to produce substances such as insulin or growth hormones.