medical assisting

Hyponatremia

Low Na (sodium) in the blood

Prozac

Antipsychotic

Coumadin (warfarin)

Anticoagulant (blood thinner)

Hypocalcemia

Low calcium in the blood

Talips

Congenital deformity of feet

Polyp

Abnormal growth in tissue lining

Orthropnea

Difficulty breathing while lying flat

Lipoma

Collection of fatty tissue as a tumor

atheroma

Buildup of fat deposits on inner lining of arteries.

Cholecystitis

Inflammation of the gallbladder

Cholangitis

Inflammation of the bile ducts, the tubes that carry the bile from the liver to the gallbladder and intestines

4 physical examination methods

Auscultation

Palpitation

Inspection

Percussion

Epistaxis

Nose bleed

Diaphoresis

Excessive sweating

Alimentary canal

The passage in which food passes through the body from the mouth to anus

Prolactin

Hormone that regulates lactation and breast development

Sputum

fluid from the lungs that people cough up

ergonomics

The design and arrangement of objects so that people interact with them most efficiently and safely

Osmosis

The diffusion of water through a semipermeable membrane

Filtration

A process that separates substances by forcing them through a membrane

AAROM

active assisted range of motion

abd

abdomen

ABR

absolute bed rest

ac, a.c.

before meals

AD

Alzheimer’s disease

ADC

AIDS dementia complex

ad lib

as desired

ADLs

activities of daily living

adm.

admission

AED

Automated external defibrillator

AHA

American heart association

AIDS

acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

AIIR

airborne infection isolation room

AKA

above-knee amputation, also known as

am, AM

morning

AMA

against medical advice, American Medical Association

amb

ambulate, ambulatory

AMD

age-related macular degeneration

amt

amount

ANS

autonomic nervous system

ant.

anterior

a.p., AP

apical pulse

approx.

approximately

AROM

active range of motion

ASAP

as soon as possible

as tol

as tolerated

A, T, D

admission, transfer, and discharge

ax

axillary

BKA

below-knee amputation

bld

blood

BM

bowel movement

BPH

benign prostatic hypertrophy

BR

bedrest

BRP

bathroom privileges

BSC

bed side commode

BSE

breast self-examination

C

centigrade, celsius

Ć

with

ā

before

Ca/CA

calcium, cancer, carcinoma

CAD

Coronary artery disease

cal

calorie

cath.

catheter

CBC

complete blood count

CBI

continuous bladder irrigation

CBR

complete bed rest

CCMS

clean-catch midstream

CDC

centers for disease control and prevention

CDE

certified diabetes educator

c.diff

clostridioides difficile

CEP

competency evaluation (testing) programs

CEU

continuing education unit

CHD

Coronary heart disease

CHF

congestive heart failure

Chol

Cholesterol

ck

Check

cl liq

Clear liquid

CMS

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

CNP

Certified nurse practitioner

CNS

Central nervous system

c/o

Complains of, in care of

COLD

Chronic obstructive lung disease

CPM

Continuous passive motion

CRF

Chronic renal failure

C.S.

Central supply

CSF

Cerebrospinal fluid

CVP

Central venous pressure

CVS

Cardiovascular system

CXR

Chest x-ray

DAT

Diet as tolerated

DJD

Degenerative joint disease

DKA

Diabetic Ketoacidosis

DO

Doctor of osteopathy

DOA

Dead on arrival

DON

Director of nursing

DRG

Diagnostic related group

drsg

Dressing

DVT

Deep vein thrombosis

ECG, EKG

Electrocardiogram

EENT

eye, ear, nose, and throat