Medical 2 Exam

acute abdomen

a condition of sudden onset of pain within the abdomen, usually indicating peritonitis; immediate medical or surgical treatment is neessary

appendicitis

inflammation or infection of the appendix

cholecystitis

inflammation of the gallbladder

cirrhosis

a chronic and progressive disease in which normal liver cells are replaced by fibrotic scar tissue

cystitis

inflammation of the bladder

diverticula

pouches that bulge out through weak places in the wall of the colon

diverticulitis

inflammation in small pockets at weak areas in the muscle walls of the intestines

diverticulosis

a condition in which diverticula develop in the colon

emesis

vomiting

gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

a condition in which the sphincter between the esophagus and the stomach opens, allowing stomach acid to move up into the esophagus, usually resulting in a burning sensation within the chest; also called acid reflux

guarding

involuntary muscle contractions (spasm) of the abdominal wall; an effort to protect the inflamed abdomen

hematemesis

vomiting blood

hernia

the protrusion of an organ or tissue through an abnormal body opening

ileus

paralysis of the bowl, arising from any one of several causes; stops contractions that move material through the intestine

kidney stones

solid crystalline masses formed in the kidney. resulting from an excess of insoluble salts or uric acid crystallizing in the urine; may become trapped anywhere along the urinary tract

melena

black, foul-smelling, tarry stool containing digested blood

pancreatitis

inflammation of the pancreas

peritoneum

the membrane lining the abdominal cavity (parietal peritoneum) and covering the abdominal organs (visceral peritoneum)

peritonitis

inflammation of the peritoneum

referred pain

pain felt in an area of the body other than the area where the cause of pain is located

strangulation

complete obstruction of blood circulation in a given organ as a result of compression or entrapment; an emergency situation causing death of tissue

uremia

severe kidney failure resulting in the buildup of waste products within the blood. eventually, brain functions will be impaired

urinary tract infection (UTI)

an infection, usually of the lower urinary tract (urethra and bladder), that occurs when normal flora bacteria enter the urethra and grow

acidosis

the buildup of excess acid in the blood or body tissues that can result from a primary illness

anemia

a condition in which the blood contains an abnormally low number of red cells, resulting in a decreased ability to transport oxygen throughout the body via the bloodstream

diabetes mellitus

a metabolic disorder in which the ability to metabolize carbohydrates (sugars) is impaired, usually because of a lack of insulin

diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)

a form of hyperglycemia in uncontrolled diabetes in which certain acids accumulate when insulin is not available

endocrine glands

glands that secrete or release chemicals that are used inside the body

endocrine system

the complex message and control system that integrates many body functions, including the release of hormones

glucose

one of the basic sugars; it is the primary fuel, in conjunction with oxygen, for cellular metabolism

hemotology

the sutdy and prevention of blood-related disorders

hemophilia

a heredity condition in which the patient lacks one or more of the blood’s normal clotting factors

hormones

substances formed in specialized organ or glands and carried to another organ or group of cells in the same organism; they regulate many body functions, including metabolism, growth, and body temperature

hyperglycemia

an abnormally high blood glucose level

hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS)

a life-threatening condition resulting from high blood glucose that typically occurs in odler adults and that causes altered mental status, dehydration, and organ damage; formerly called hyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketotic syndrome

hypoglycemia

an abnormally low blood glucose level

insulin

a hormone produced by the islets of langerhans (endocrine glands located throughout the pancreas) that enables glucose in the blood to enter cells; used in synthetic form to treat and control diabetes mellitus

Kussmaul respirations

deep, rapid breathing; usually the result of an accumulation of certain acids when insulin is not available in the body

polydipsia

excessive thirst that persists for long periods despite reasonable fluid intake; often the result of excessive urination

polyphagia

excessive eating; in diabetes, this can result from the wasting of glucose in the urine

polyuria

the passage of an unusually large volume of urine in a given period; in diabetes, this can result from the wasting of glucose in the urine

sickle cell disease

a hereditary disease that causes normal, round red blood cells to become oblong, or sickle shaped

symptomatic hyperglycemia

a hyperglycemic state resulting from several problems, including ketoacidosis, dehydration because of excessive urination, and hyperglycemia

symptomatic hypoglycemia

severe hypoglycemia resulting in changes in mental status

thrombophilia

a tendency toward the development of blood clots as a result of an abnormality of the system of coagulation

thrombosis

a blood clot, either in the arterial or venous system

type 1 diabetes

an autoimmune disorder in which the individual’s immune system produces antibodies to the pancreatic beta cells, and therefore the pancreas cannot produce insulin; onset in early childhood is common

type 2 diabetes

a condition in which insulin resistance develops in response to increased blood glucose levels; can be managed by exercise and diet modification, but is often managed by medications

vasoocclusive crisis

ischemia and pain caused by sickle-shaped red blood cells that obstruct blood flow to a portion of the body

allergen

a substance that causes an allergic reaction

allergic reaction

the body’s exaggerated immune response to an internal or surface agent

anaphylaxis

an extreme, life-threatening, systemic allergic reaction that may include shock and respiratory failure

angioedema

localized areas of swelling beneath the skin, often around the eyes and lips, but can also involve other body areas

envenomation

the act of injecting venom

epinephrine

a substance produced by the body (commonly called adrenaline), and a drug produced by pharmaceutical companies that increases pulse rate and blood pressure; the drug of choice for an anaphylactic reaction

histamines

chemical substances released by the immune system in allergic reactions that are responsible for many of the symptoms of anaphylaxis, such as vasodilation

immune response

the body’s response to a substance perceived by the body as foreign

immune system

the body system that includes all of the structures and processes designed to mount a defense against foreign substances and disease-causing agents

immunology

the study of the body’s immune system

leukotrienes

chemical substances that contribute to anaphylaxis; released by the immune system in allergic reactions

urticaria

small areas of generalized itching and/or burning that appear as multiple raised areas on the skin; also known as hives

wheal

a raised, swollen, well-defined area on the skin resulting from an insect bite or allergic reaction

addiction

a state of overwhelming obsession or physical need to continue the use of a substance

antidote

a substance that is used to neutralize or counteract a poison

delirium tremens (DTs)

a severe withdrawal syndrome seen in alcoholics who are deprived of ethyl alcohol; characterized by restlessness, fever, sweating, disorientation, agitation, and seizures; can be fatal if untreated

emesis

vomiting

hallucinogen

an agent that produces false perceptions in any one of the five senses

hematemesis

vomiting blood

hypnotic

a sleep-inducing effect or agent

ingestion

swallowing; taking a substance by mouth

opioid

a synthetically produced medication, drug, or agent that acts as a central nervous system depressant and produces insensibility or stupor; used to relieve pain

overdose

an excessive quantity of a drug that, when taken or administered, can have toxic or lethal consequences

poison

a substance whose chemical action could damage structures or impair function when introduced into the body

polypharmacy

the use of multiple medications on a regular basis

safety data sheet (SDS)

a form, provided by manufacturers and compounders (blenders) of chemicals, containing information about chemical composition, physical and chemical properties, health and safety hazards, emergency response, and waste of disposal of a specific material; formerly known as a material safety data sheet (MSDS)

sedative

a substance that decreases activity and excitement

stimulant

an agent that produces an excited state

substance misuse

the use of any substance in a manner other than its intended design to produce a desired effect

tolerance

the need for increasing amounts of a drug to obtain the same effect

toxicology

the study of toxic or poisonous substances

toxidrome

a collection of signs and symptoms associated with a class of poison; aids in the identification of certain toxins

toxin

a poison or harmful substance

altered mental status

a change in the way a person thinks and behaves that may signal disease in the central nervous system or elsewhere in the body

behavior

the way in which individuals interact with their environment

behavioral health emergency

a situation in which a person’s behavior poses a threat to themselves or others or prevents them from caring for themselves or functioning effectively in their community

bipolar disorder

a type of mental illness characterized by alternating periods of depression and manic episodes

delirium

an acute state of confusion, which occurs suddenly and may fluctuate over short periods. rather than a disease itself, it is a sign of any number of underlying problems

delusions

false beliefs that persist despite incontrovertible evidence to the contrary

dementia

a slow, progressive decline in cognitive function that impairs memory function and leads to behavior change

depression

a persistent mood of sadness, despair, and discouragement; may be a symptom of many different mental and physical disorders, or may be a disorder on its own

hallucinations

false perceptions involving the sense of sight, sounds, taste, smell, or touch

manic episode

a period of markedly elevated mood and increased activity and energy levels, often lasting a week or longer

mental illness

a chronic health condition involving changes in behavior, thinking, and/or emotion, which significantly interferes with the patient’s ability to function in daily life

mobile integrated health care (MIH)

a method of delivering health care that involves providing care within the community rather than at a physician’s office or hospital

positional asphyxia

restriction of chest wall movements and/or airway obstruction; can rapidly lead to sudden death

posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

a delayed reaction to a prior incident. often the result of one or more conditions concerning the incident, and may relate to an incident that involved physical harm or the threat of physical harm

psychiatric disorder

an illness with psychological or behavioral symptoms and/or impairment in functioning caused by a social, psychological, genetic, physical, chemical, or biologic disturbance

psychosis

a mental disorder characterized by the loss of contact with reality; may be evidenced by hallucinations and/or delusions

schizophrenia

a complex, difficult-to-identify mental disorder whose onset typically occurs during early adulthood. symptoms typically become more prominent over time and include delusions, hallucinations, a lack of interest in pleasure, and erratic speech

substance use disorders (SUDs)

chronic, treatable medical conditions characterized by the uncontrolled use of substances such as alcohol, opioids, stimulants, or other drugs, despite harmful consequences