Medical Terminology and Concepts Review

This flashcard set reviews key medical vocabulary and concepts derived from comprehensive lecture notes. Each flashcard provides a quick reference to essential definitions and terms that are crucial for the understanding of medical topics.

Syringomyelia

A disorder characterized by the formation of a cyst (syrinx) within the spinal cord.

Seizures

Sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbances in the brain, leading to changes in behavior, movements, feelings, or consciousness.

A septic shock that doesn't respond to fluids

A life-threatening condition characterized by low blood pressure and organ dysfunction due to infection, resistant to initial fluid resuscitation.

Cardiovascular pharmacology

Study of drugs that affect the heart and blood vessels, including their mechanisms, effects, and therapeutic uses.

Stable angina

Chest pain or discomfort that occurs with activity or stress, caused by reduced blood flow to the heart.

Unstable angina

Chest pain or discomfort that occurs unexpectedly and poses a higher risk of heart attack.

MONA C BASH

A mnemonic for the initial treatment of myocardial infarction: Morphine, Oxygen, Nitrates, Aspirin (ASA), Clopidogrel, Beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, Statins, Heparin.

Troponin elevations

An increase in troponin levels in the blood, indicating heart muscle injury.

TIMI score

A scoring system used to predict the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with unstable angina or NSTEMI.

CABG

Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting; a surgical procedure to improve blood flow to the heart.

Prinzmetal angina

Chest pain due to coronary artery spasm, often occurring at rest, typically relieved by nitroglycerin.

Coronary vasospasm

Temporary tightening (spasm) of the muscles within the coronary arteries, which can lead to angina.

Calcium Channel Blockers (CCB)

Medications that inhibit the entry of calcium into cardiac and smooth muscle cells, reducing heart rate and blood pressure.

Inferior MI

A myocardial infarction that affects the inferior wall of the heart, typically associated with leads II, III, and aVF.

Cardiogenic shock

A condition in which the heart fails to pump adequately, leading to inadequate blood flow to the body's organs.

Atropine

A medication used to increase heart rate in cases of bradycardia.

Decreased mortality in myocardial infarction

Management strategies include the use of aspirin, beta-blockers, and ace inhibitors.

Dresseler syndrome

An autoimmune condition that occurs post-myocardial infarction, leading to pericarditis.

Restrictive cardiomyopathy

A condition where the walls of the heart are rigid, leading to impaired filling of the ventricles.

Hemochromatosis

A genetic disorder causing excessive absorption of iron, leading to iron overload.

Amyloidosis

A disease resulting from protein aggregation, leading to organ dysfunction.

Sarcoidosis

An inflammatory disease characterized by the formation of granulomas in various organs.

Diastolic heart failure

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF); the heart muscle doesn't relax properly, leading to insufficient filling.

Chronic Heart Failure (CHF) medications

Medications that reduce mortality include ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, and spironolactone.

Metformin contraindications

Metformin is contraindicated in patients with congestive heart failure and renal disease due to the risk of lactic acidosis.

Decompensating heart failure treatment

Treatment includes Nitrates, Oxygen, Loop diuretics, Inotropes, and positioning (NO LIP).

SVT (Supraventricular Tachycardia)

A rapid heartbeat originating above the heart's ventricles, characterized by narrow QRS complexes.

VT (Ventricular Tachycardia)

A rapid heartbeat originating from the ventricles, characterized by wide, bizarre QRS complexes.

Vfib (Ventricular Fibrillation)

A life-threatening arrhythmia characterized by ineffective quivering of the ventricles.

Pulseless electrical activity (PEA)

A clinical condition where there is electrical activity in the heart without effective contraction.

Torsades de pointes treatment

Treatment involves intravenous magnesium to stabilize cardiac membranes.

Constrictive pericarditis

A condition characterized by thickening and loss of elasticity of the pericardial sac, often caused by infections such as TB.

Acute pericarditis main cause

Typically caused by viral infections, such as coxsackievirus.

Cardiac tamponade

A condition in which fluid accumulates in the pericardial space, leading to reduced heart function.

Kuzma sign

A clinical sign associated with cardiac tamponade involving pulsus paradoxus.

Tricuspid valve

Valvular structure associated with intravenous drug use and carcinoid syndrome.

Carcinoid syndrome

A condition caused by serotonin-secreting tumors, usually found in the gastrointestinal tract.

Holosystolic murmur

A heart sound occurring throughout systole, often associated with mitral or tricuspid regurgitation.

Aortic stenosis

Narrowing of the aortic valve, often due to age-related calcification.

Hypertensive emergency

Severely elevated blood pressure resulting in organ damage.

Type B aortic dissection

Dissection that begins distal to the left subclavian artery.

Peripheral vascular disease (PVD)

A circulatory condition characterized by reduced blood flow to the limbs.

ABI (Ankle-Brachial Index)

A simple test that compares the blood pressure in the ankle with the blood pressure in the arm.

Claudication

Pain in the legs due to inadequate blood flow, typically occurring during exercise.

Acute limb ischemia

A sudden decrease in blood flow to a limb, threatening viability.

Leriche syndrome

A condition caused by atherosclerosis at the aortic bifurcation, presenting with bilateral leg pain.

Pulmonary embolism (PE) treatment

Initial treatment involves anticoagulation with heparin.

LMWH (Low Molecular Weight Heparin) contraindications

Contraindicated in renal disease due to increased risk of bleeding.

Venous insufficiency

A condition where veins have difficulty sending blood from the legs back to the heart.

Neurological shock

A state of decreased cardiac output and tissue perfusion due to an injury in the brain.

Long QT Syndrome

A cardiac disorder characterized by prolonged repolarization of the heart's electrical cycle.

Embolization

The process of occluding a blood vessel, typically due to a clot.

COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)

A progressive lung disease that causes breathing difficulties.

Chronic bronchitis

A form of COPD characterized by chronic cough and mucus production.

Emphysema

A form of COPD characterized by damage to the air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs.

Hyperresonance

A physical examination sound indicating overinflation of the lungs.

Crackles

Abnormal lung sounds usually indicating fluid in the airways.

Wheezes

High-pitched breathing sounds caused by narrowed airways.

COPD mortality reduction

Quitting smoking and using home oxygen are key interventions.

Exacerbation of COPD

A worsening of symptoms, often requiring hospitalization and antibiotics.

Aspiration pneumonia

An infection that occurs when food or liquid is inhaled into the lungs.

Tension pneumothorax

A life-threatening condition where air trapped in the pleural space collapses the lung.

Interstitial lung disease

A group of lung disorders causing progressive scarring of lung tissue.

Asbestosis

A lung disease resulting from the inhalation of asbestos fibers.

Mesothelioma

A malignant tumor associated primarily with asbestos exposure.

Silicosis

A lung disease caused by inhalation of silica dust.

Sarcoidosis favoring upper lobes

Inflammatory disease characterized by granulomas primarily in the lungs.

Lower lobe pneumonia cause

Streptococcus pneumoniae is typically the causative agent.

PCO2 in ventilation

High tidal volume and increased respiratory rate result in reduced PCO2.

PaO2 and FIO2 relationship

Increased fractional inspired oxygen (FIO2) leads to higher partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2).

ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome)

A severe lung condition characterized by rapid onset of widespread inflammation in the lungs.

Pulmonary hypertension

Elevated blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries.

DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) prevention

Common in cancer patients; treated with low molecular weight heparin.

CMV pneumonia

A viral infection common in immunocompromised patients like those with AIDS.

Hydrostatic pressure effect on edema

An increase in hydrostatic pressure leads to fluid movement out of vessels and into interstitial space.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) inheritance

An autosomal recessive disorder typically leading to lung infections and digestive problems.

Goodpasture syndrome

An autoimmune disease affecting kidneys and lungs characterized by linear IgG deposits.

Glycogen storage diseases

A group of hereditary disorders characterized by abnormal storage and breakdown of glycogen.

Diabetic monitoring

Monitoring glycemic control is essential in managing diabetes.

Acute mesenteric ischemia

A sudden decrease in blood flow to the intestines, causing severe abdominal pain.

Diverticulitis

Inflammation or infection of small pouches that can form in the walls of the colon.

Hepatic adenoma

A benign liver tumor associated with oral contraceptive use.

Hydatid liver cysts

Cysts in the liver caused by the Echinococcus tapeworm.

Pyogenic liver abscess

An abscess in the liver often linked to infections ascending from the biliary tract.

Amoebic liver abscess

Liver abscess caused by Entamoeba histolytica; associated with travel history and dysentery.

Ascaris lumbricoides

A large intestinal roundworm that can cause obstruction.

Clonorchis sinensis

A Chinese liver fluke often associated with eating contaminated fish.

Diphyllobothrium latum

A fish tapeworm that can cause vitamin B12 deficiency.

Niemann-Pick disease

A lysosomal storage disorder characterized by sphingomyelin accumulation.

Tay-Sachs disease

A genetic disorder resulting from Hexosaminidase A deficiency, leading to ganglioside accumulation.

Complete deficiency of glucuronyl transferase

Causes Crigler-Najjar syndrome, characterized by severe jaundice.

Cholelithiasis

Gallstones forming in the gallbladder.

Cholecystitis symptoms

Symptoms include fever, right upper quadrant pain, and signs of inflammation.

Choledocholithiasis

The presence of gallstones in the common bile duct.

Acute pancreatitis diagnosis

Frequently diagnosed with ultrasound or CT imaging.

Grey-Turner sign

Flank bruising associated with hemorrhagic pancreatitis.

Gallstone ileus

Intestinal obstruction caused by a gallstone moving into the bowel.

Acalculous cholecystitis

Inflammation of the gallbladder without gallstones, typically seen in critical illness.

Primary sclerosing cholangitis

Chronic liver disease characterized by bile duct inflammation and strictures.

Primary biliary cholangitis

Autoimmune disorder affecting the bile ducts causing cholestasis.