BMS Unit 2 .1 Vocabulary

murmur

abnormal swishing sound caused by improper closure of the heart valves

otoscope

instrument used for visual examination of the ear

tonsils

masses of lymphatic tissue in the back of the throat

medical student

person who studies to be a doctor

medical assistant

helps physicians examine and treat patients and performs tasks to keep offices running smoothly

pediatrician

children's doctor

medical history

complete and comprehensive information about your immunizations and any health problems you have had to date

chief complaint

the main reason for the patient's visit

symptom

subjective evidence of a disease, such as pain or a headache

diagnosis

Identification of an injury or disease

demeanor

behavior; manner of conducting oneself

tact

skill in dealing with people in difficult situations

empathy

the ability to understand and share the feelings of another

vital signs

Measurements of the body's most basic functions and useful in detecting or monitoring medical problems.

Homeostasis

A tendency to maintain a balanced or constant internal state; the regulation of any aspect of body chemistry, such as blood glucose, around a particular level

pulse

Beat of the heart as felt through the walls of the arteries.

respiratory rate

number of breaths per minute

blood pressure

the pressure that is exerted by the blood against the walls of blood vessels

Triage

Process used to determine the priority of treatment for patients according to the severity of a patient's condition and likelihood of benefit from the treatment

sphygmomanometer

instrument to measure blood pressure

systolic pressure

Blood pressure in the arteries during contraction of the ventricles.

diastolic pressure

occurs when the ventricles are relaxed; the lowest pressure against the walls of an artery

ophthalmoscope

instrument used to examine the interior of the eye

lymph

watery fluid

Cancer

A disease in which some body cells grow and divide uncontrollably, damaging the parts of the body around them.

Mitral valve regurgitation

A backflow of blood caused by failure of the heart's mitral valve to close tightly.

gait

manner of walking

reflex

a simple, automatic response to a sensory stimulus, such as the knee-jerk response

pupillary response

procedure to test that the pupils constrict briskly and equally in response to a bright light

peripheral vision

ability to see objects as they come into the outer edges of the visual field

Erythrocytes

red blood cells

Leukocytes

white blood cells

Thrombocytes

platelets

Plasma

Fluid portion of blood

Phlebotomist

specialist in drawing blood

median cubital vein

vein anterior to the elbow, used in blood draw

Blood borne pathogens

Disease-causing organisms transferred through contact with blood or other body fluids

Anemia

A condition in which the blood is deficient in red blood cells, in hemoglobin, or in total volume.

Cholesterol

A lipid that forms an essential component of animal cell membranes and acts as a precursor molecule for the synthesis of other biologically important steroids.

risk factors

Actions or behaviors that represent a potential health threat

plaque

A deposit of fatty material on the inner lining of an arterial wall

Metabolism

All of the chemical reactions that occur within an organism

hormone

Chemical messengers, mostly those manufactured by the endocrine glands, that are produced in one tissue and affect another

Telehealth

Use of technology to deliver health-related services and information, including telemedicine

Biomolecules

organic molecules which combine to form living organisms; includes carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids

chemical reactions

the making and breaking of chemical bonds, leading to changes in the composition of matter

Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)

compound used by cells to store and release energy

Insulin

Hormone produced by the pancreas that helps to decrease blood sugar.

Glucagon

A protein hormone secreted by pancreatic endocrine cells that raises blood glucose levels; an antagonistic hormone to insulin.

Glycogen

Storage form of glucose

Pancreas

Organ that regulates the level of sugar in the blood

liver

Organ that stores glucose

Carbohydrates

composed of starches and sugars

Lipids

fats and oils

Protein

composed of amino acids.

nucleic acids

composed of nucleotides; DNA and RNA

positive feedback

Feedback that tends to magnify (amplify) a process or increase its output.

negative feedback

A primary mechanism of homeostasis, whereby a change in a physiological variable that is being monitored triggers a response that counteracts (opposite) the initial response.

HIPAA

Health Information Portability and Accountability Act; Protects privacy of patients

chronic condition

any disease or condition that lasts a long time (usually longer than six months). It usually can't be cured and therefore requires ongoing treatment and management. Examples include arthritis and asthma.

acute condition

rapid onset, a severe course, and a relatively short duration

primary care physician

a regular doctor who provides checkups, screenings, treatments, and prescriptions

non physician practitioners

clinical professionals who practice in many of the areas similar to those in which physicians practice, but do not have an MD or DO degree

medical technician

uses sophisticated equipment and a variety of duties. Sometimes works with patients and sometimes in the lab

patient liaison

works with patients and their families to address needs and concerns. Acts as an intermediate between patients and hospital administration.