Medications, Procedures, Standard Medical Abbreviations, and Prefixes

Vocabulary flashcards generated directly from the study notes covering patient status, conditions, equipment, medication administration terms, diagnostic and surgical procedures, standard medical abbreviations, and medical prefixes.

Acute

sudden/severe issue; needs immediate care

Critical

vital signs are outside normal range; may be unconscious

Inpatient

admitted to the hospital

Observation

temporarily monitored in hospital while deciding admission/discharge

Outpatient

not admitted overnight

Bradycardia

slow heart rate, usually <60 bpm

Ischemia

lack of blood flow to an organ

Sepsis

serious body response to severe infection

Myocardial infarction (MI)

heart attack

Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA)

stroke

Hypertension

high blood pressure

Hypotension

low blood pressure

Atrial fibrillation

irregular heartbeat

Angina

chest pain due to reduced blood flow to heart

Thrombosis

blood clot inside a blood vessel

Embolus

obstruction blocking blood flow

Edema

swelling from fluid buildup

Cyanosis

bluish skin from lack of oxygen

Aneurysm

bulge/weakness in artery wall

Aortic dissection

tear in inner layer of aorta

Tension pneumothorax

collapsed lung caused by air leaking into chest space

Pericardial effusion

blood/fluid around the heart

Benign

not cancerous

Malignant

cancerous

Chronic

persistent/recurring condition

Cancer

uncontrolled growth/spread of abnormal cells

Normal sinus rhythm

normal heartbeat pattern

Tumor

swelling or mass

Fracture

broken bone

Contusion

bruise

Abrasion

scrape on skin

Abscess

pus-filled pocket, usually from infection

Biopsy

tissue sample for testing

Diagnosis

identification of a disease/condition

Endoscope

flexible tube with camera used to look inside the body

Foley

catheter used to drain the bladder

Fluoroscope

X-ray machine that can show moving images

Stethoscope

used to listen to breathing and heartbeat

IV

medication/fluid given through a vein

Epidural

injection used for pain relief

Sublingual

medication placed under the tongue

Nocte

at night

Mane

in the morning

OD

once daily

BDS

twice daily

TDS

three times daily

QDS

four times daily

PRN

as needed

PR

per rectum

PO

by mouth/orally

IV push

rapid medication injection through IV

NS

normal saline

Lumbar puncture

withdrawal of cerebrospinal fluid using a needle

Intubation

insertion of tube to assist breathing

Central line

catheter placed in a large vein

Blood culture

test for bacteria/fungi in blood

Blood gas

checks oxygen, carbon dioxide, pH, etc.

Pulse ox

measures oxygen saturation

Dialysis

filters blood when kidneys fail

Venipuncture

drawing blood from a vein

Ultrasound

imaging using sound waves

Laparotomy

surgery involving an abdominal incision

Sternotomy

opening the breastbone

Thoracotomy

surgery involving the chest cavity

Tox screen

test for drugs/toxins

C-section

cesarean section

Blood pressure

measures pressure/circulation of blood

Bowel disimpaction

removal of hardened fecal matter

Blood swab

blood sample taken with cotton-tipped stick

ALOC

Acute Loss of Consciousness

ASA

Acetylsalicylic Acid / aspirin

BMI

Body Mass Index

BP

Blood Pressure

BLS

Basic Life Support

CAT scan

Computerized Axial Tomography

CHF

Congestive Heart Failure

CPR

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

DNR

Do Not Resuscitate

DOA

Dead on Arrival

ED/ER

Emergency Department / Emergency Room

EEG

measures brain activity

EKG/ECG

Electrocardiogram

EMS

Emergency Medical Services

HR

Heart Rate

KUB

Kidney, Ureter, Bladder X-ray

LFT

Liver Function Test

MRI

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

NICU

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

NSAID

Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug

OR

Operating Room

OT

Occupational Therapy

Psych

Psychiatry/Psychiatric ward

PT

Physical Therapy

Rx

Prescription

U/A

Urinalysis

A-/An-

without/lacking

Anti-

against

Auto-

self

Bio-

life

Chem/o-

chemistry