Intro to Biomedical Sciences Unit 2.1.1-2.1.4

Medical Student

A student enrolled at a medical school, who is training to become a physician.

Medical assistant

Unlicensed caregiver who works primarily in doctors’ offices and clinics. They assist their medical director through a wide variety of duties.

Nurse

Licensed health-care professional who is skilled in promoting and maintaining health.

Medical Technician

Uses sophisticated equipment and has different responsibilities. Some work directly with patients (a phlebotomist draws blood) while others work in a lab (a histotechnician analyzes tissues).

Patient liason

Works with patients and their families to address needs and concerns. Acts as an intermediary between patients, their families and the hospital administration.

Non-physician practitioner

Health care provider who practices either in collaboration with or under the supervision of a physician. Some examples include nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, and physician assistants.

Primary care physician

A specialist physician trained to work in the front line of a healthcare system and provide care for any health problems that a patient might have.

Pediatrition

A specialist physician who provides medical care to infants, children, and adolescents.

medical history

A record of information about a patient’s past and current health. Includes information about the patient’s habits, lifestyle, and even the health of their family.

chief complaint

The patient’s description of what they feel is their main health problem.

physical signs

Pieces of evidence that indicate an illness that can be observed externally, such as a rash, coughing, or elevated temperature.

symptoms

Any subjective evidence of disease a patient perceives, such as aches, nausea, or fatigue.

diagnosis

the identification of a patient’s disease or injury.

demeanor

Outward behavior or bearing.

tact

Discretion and sensitivity in dealing with others.

empathy

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

vital signs

measurements of some of the body’s basic functions.

homeostasis

the way the body sustains a stable internal environment

triage

determining who is most in need of urgent care.

pulse

Number of heart beats in one minute.

Respiratory Rate

number of breaths taken per minute (one breath includes both an inhale and an exhale).

blood pressure

The force of blood moving through blood vessels.

Height

Measure of how tall a person is from top of head to bottom of feet.

weight

The amount a person weighs.

Body Mass Index (BMI)

A measure of body fat that is the ratio of weight of the body to its height

Lung/Breathing Sounds

The sound and clarity of breaths.

Oxygen Saturation

The amount of oxygen in the blood.

Body Temperature

The degree of heat of a body.

thermometer

takes temperature

pulse oximeter

measures oxygen saturation

systolic pressure

the pressure generated in the arteries by the heart's left ventricle

diastolic pressure

the pressure in the arteries between heartbeats, when the heart is relaxed

sphygmomanometer

blood pressure cuff

stethoscope

listens to shit like ur heart and lungs

hypertension

Chronic high blood pressure

corneal abrasion

a cut on the cornea

ophthalmoscope

handheld device used to examine the eye

otoscope

a tool with a light and magnifying glass, to look inside the ear and nose

tonsils

a pair of small masses at the back of the throat

ABCs of skin

a system to identify skin cancer

A of the skin ABCs

Asymmetry

B of the skin ABCs

Border

C of the skin ABCs

Color

D of the skin ABCs

Diameter

E of the skin ABCs

Evolving

Heart murmur

extra sound with a heart beat

clear lung sound

A clear woosh of air with each inhalation and exhalation.

wheezing

A high-pitched whistling sound caused by narrowed airways; can sometimes be heard without a stethoscope.

crackles (rales)

Short and intermittent clicking, rattling, or popping sounds heard during inhalation when air is forced through an airway narrowed by fluid.

stridor

Harsh, shrill sound, similar to wheezing, usually heard closest to the back of the neck, as it is caused by a partially obstructed windpipe.

rhonchi

A snore-like sound heard when airways are partially obstructed.

white blood cells (WBC)

The five types of cells that the body uses to fight infection and injury and maintain our health.

red blood cells (RBC)

The cells that transport oxygen around the body.

hemoglobin (HB/Hgb)

The oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells.

hematocrit (HCT)

The proportion of red blood cells in the blood.

platelets

The cell fragments that assist with clotting.

low-density lipoprotein (LDL)

responsible for transporting cholesterol to the cells. (bad)

high-density lipoprotein (HDL)

responsible for removing excess cholesterol from the blood stream and transporting it to the liver. (good)

plasma

the fluid part of blood

metabolism

all of the chemical reactions and operations going on inside the body

hormones

chemical signals that help communicate information inside your body.

electrolytes

minerals found in your blood, urine, and other tissues.

glucose

simple sugar that the body uses for energy

Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine

waste products filtered out of blood by the kidneys.

biomarkers

signals in the blood that may indicate risk for disease or the presence of disease or injury.

referral

a written order from a primary care doctor for a patient to see a specialist or to get a particular medical service

erythrocyte

scientific name for red blood cell

leukocytes

scientific name for white blood cell

thrombocytes

platelets scientific name