PLTW Biomedical Sciences - 2.1

diagnosis

process of determining whether a presenting problem meets the established criteria for a specific psychological disorder

blood pressure

Pressure exerted by the blood upon the walls of the blood vessels, especially arteries, usually measured by means of a sphygmomanometer and expressed in millimeters of mercury.

Homeostasis

process by which organisms maintain a relatively stable internal environment

pulse

The rhythmic expansion and recoil of arteries resulting from heart contraction; can be felt from the outside of the body.

respiratory rate

the number of breaths taken in one minute

triage

the medical screening of patients to determine their relative priority of need and the proper place of treatment

vital signs

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

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.

Erythrocytes

red blood cells

High-density lipoprotein (HDL)

blood fat that helps transport cholesterol out of the arteries, thereby protecting against heart disease

hormone

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

low-density lipoprotein (LDL)

blood fat that transports cholesterol to organs and tissues; excess amounts result in the accumulation of fatty deposits on artery walls

Leukocytes

white blood cells

Metabolism

the combination of chemical reactions through which an organism builds up or breaks down materials

plasma

liquid portion of blood

risk factor

anything that increases the likelihood of injury, disease, or other health problems

Thrombocytes

platelets

Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)

one of the principal chemical compounds that living things use to store and release energy

Biomolecules

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

Carbohydrates

the starches and sugars present in foods

chemical reaction

the process by which one or more substances change to produce one or more different substances

Glucagon

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

Insulin

A hormone produced by the pancreas or taken as a medication by many diabetics

positive feedback

A type of regulation that responds to a change in conditions by initiating responses that will amplify the change. Takes organism away from a steady state.

type 1 diabetes

Diabetes of a form that usually develops during childhood or adolescence and is characterized by a severe deficiency of insulin, leading to high blood glucose levels.

type 2 diabetes

Diabetes of a form that develops especially in adults and most often obese individuals and that is characterized by high blood glucose resulting from impaired insulin utilization coupled with the body's inability to compensate with increased insulin production.

HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)

a federal law that required the creation of national standards to protect sensitive patient health information from being disclosed without the patient's consent or knowledge

Telehealth

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

negative feedback

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

carotid pulse site

neck

radial pulse site

wrist

sphygmomanometer

instrument to measure blood pressure

otoscope

instrument used for visual examination of the ear

Pulse oximeter

External monitor that measures the oxygen saturation level in the blood

thermometer

An instrument used to measure temperature

Registered Nurse (RN)

a licensed professional who has completed 2 to 4 years of nursing education and has completed the examination for licensure

Nurse Practitioner

a nurse with graduate training who often works as a primary care provider

licensed practical nurse

a nurse who has completed a 1-year nursing program and has passed a licensing test

chief complaint

in emergency medicine, the reason EMS was called, usually in the patient's own words

Symptoms

Subjective characteristics of disease felt only by the patient

physical signs

excessive worry about illness, frequent illness, exhaustion, overuse of medicines, physical ailments, and complaints

primary care physician

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

medical history

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

oxygen saturation

a clinical measurement of the percentage of hemoglobin that is bound with oxygen in the blood

Body Mass Index (BMI)

A measure of body fat that is the ratio of the weight of the body in kilograms to the square of its height in meters.

ophthalmascope

a lighted instrument used to examine the eyes

ABCDE system

asymmetry, border irregularity, color changes, diameter, evolving

stethoscope

a medical instrument for listening to the sounds generated inside the body

high HDL and low LDL

Which is the healthiest ratio?

telehealth

healing at a distance

Proteins

last resort of energy

carbohydrates

primary source of energy

lipids

secondary source of energy

nucleic acids

not a source of energy

medical assistant

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

medical student

person who studies to be a doctor

patient liaison

acts as an intermediary between patients, families, and the hospital administration.

pediatrician

physician specializing in the treatment of babies and children

demeanor

Outward behavior or bearing. A doctor might have a cheerful, peaceful, or friendly demeanor and put the patient at ease. A doctor with an arrogant or dismissive demeanor might lose a patient's trust.

tact

Discretion and sensitivity in dealing with others. A doctor might exhibit tact when they choose their words carefully so as to not upset a patient when they must deliver bad news.

empathy

The ability to understand and share the feelings of another person.