Basic Medical Terminology

What is the process of visually observing the body for signs of illness called?

Inspection

_____ is the method used to feel the body for temperature, tenderness, texture, and underlying masses.

Palpation

What technique involves tapping the body to evaluate underlying structures?

Percussion

Listening to internal body sounds with a stethoscope is known as _________.

Auscultation

What does HR stand for in vital signs?

Heart Rate

Blood Pressure is measured in _______ over _______.

mmHg; systolic; diastolic

What does SpO2 indicate?

Oxygen Saturation in the blood.

Pallor refers to _______ skin, often suggesting anemia or poor circulation.

Pale

Bluish discoloration of lips and fingers is known as _________.

Cyanosis

What term describes yellowing of the skin or eyes?

Jaundice

The acronym PERRLA stands for _________.

Pupils Equal, Round, Reactive to Light and Accommodation.

Jugular Venous Distension (JVD) may indicate _________.

Right heart failure.

Tachycardia is defined as a heart rate of _______ beats per minute or more.

100

A heart murmur can indicate _____________ in the cardiovascular system.

Turbulent blood flow or valve issues.

Rales are crackling sounds during _________.

Inspiration.

Dyspnea refers to _________.

Difficulty or labored breathing.

Rebound tenderness suggests _________.

Peritoneal irritation.

Hypotension means __________________.

Abnormally low blood pressure.

What does CBC stand for?

Complete Blood Count.

Low hemoglobin levels in the CBC may indicate _________.

Anemia.

What does BMP stand for?

Basic Metabolic Panel.

Potassium imbalances are significant for _________.

Heart and muscle function.

The abbreviation TSH refers to ____________.

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone.

ECG is widely used to record the ________ activity of the heart.

Electrical.

What does a prolonged QT interval on an EKG indicate?

Potential dangerous arrhythmias.