Med Term Unit 1 Descriptive Vocab

acute

rapid onset; severe symptoms

autoimmune

abnormal condition where body produces antibodies that attack itself

benign

non-recurring, nonmalignant cancer cells

chronic

illness of long duration and slow progression

congential

present at birth

convalescence

gradual recovery after injury or illness

debilitating

a weakening or fatiguing effect

endemic

a disease evident in a specific population

endogenous

condition that originates within the body; i.e., diabetes, circulatory disorders

epidemic

sudden, widespread outbreak

exogenous

condition that originates outside the body; i.e., trauma, infection

genetic

inherited

hypersensitivity

allergy; body's immune response is exaggerated

idiopathic

of unknown origin

auscultation

use of stethoscope to listen to internal sounds

signs

objective; observed and noted

symptoms

patient's awareness of abnormalities or discomfort

palpation

application of pressure to the skin to check for internal abnormalities

percussion

tapping surface of body to produce vibrating sounds; helps determine size of organs

olfaction

use of sense of smell to detect abnormalities

manifestation

clinical presentation of disease

observation

healthcare workers begin asking questions and observing signs and symptoms

diagnosis

identification of health condition

prognosis

prediction of probable outcome of disease or condition

immunological

reaction between an antigen and antibody

infectious

capable of causing an infection

inflammatory

redness, heat, inflammation, swelling

ischemic

temporary decrease in blood flow to organ or tissue

malignant

cancers that tend to spread and become life-threatening

metabolic

interferes with normal metabolism

neoplastic

a new, abnormal growth

nosocomial

infection acquired in a hospital setting; patient did not have the infection when they entered host

nutritional

relating to chemical processes in the body

opportunistic

pathogen causes illness because the immune system is weakened; i.e. AIDS

syndrome

signs or symptoms that occur together as part of the disease process

terminal

no treatments or cure; fatal

iatrogenic

disease that results from medical intervention; i.e, chemotherapy nausea, vomiting, hair loss

inspection

examining for symptoms