Nursing Flashcards: Medical Terms and Body Positioning

Flashcards covering medical terms and body positioning used in nursing.

hyper-

high / above normal

hypo-

low / below normal

brady-

slow

tachy-

fast

dys-

painful / difficult

peri-

around

endo-

inside

sub-

below

inter-

between

epi-

upon / above

-itis

inflammation

-ectomy

surgical removal

-otomy

cut into

-ostomy

opening created

-algia

pain

-emia

blood condition

-pathy

disease

-gram

record/image

-graphy

process of recording

-lysis

breakdown

-megaly

enlargement

-scopy

visual exam

-plasty

surgical repair

-rrhea

flow/discharge

-osis

abnormal condition

hypertension

high blood pressure

hypotension

low blood pressure

tachycardia

fast heart rate

bradycardia

slow heart rate

tachypnea

fast breathing

bradypnea

slow breathing

dyspnea

difficulty breathing

cyanosis

blue skin from low O2

edema

fluid swelling

anemia

low RBC

leukocytosis

high WBC

thrombocytopenia

low platelets

hyperglycemia

high blood sugar

hypoglycemia

low blood sugar

hematuria

blood in urine

myocardial infarction

heart attack

stroke (CVA)

brain blood flow blockage

COPD

chronic lung disease

CHF

heart failure

UTI

urinary infection

NPO

nothing by mouth

PRN

as needed

STAT

immediately

BID

twice daily

TID

three times daily

QID

four times daily

QD

once daily

AC

before meals

PC

after meals

HS

at bedtime

IV

intravenous

IM

intramuscular

SQ

subcutaneous

PO

by mouth

CC

mL volume

PERRLA

pupil response test

LOC

level of consciousness

A&O; x4

person, place, time, situation

auscultation

listening with stethoscope

palpation

touch exam

percussion

tapping body

inspection

visual exam

supine position

lying on back face up

prone position

lying on stomach

lateral position

lying on side

Fowler's position

semi-sitting upright

high Fowler's

sitting fully upright 60-90°

low Fowler's

30-45° elevation

semi-Fowler's

about 30°-45°

Trendelenburg

head down, feet up

reverse Trendelenburg

head up, feet down

lithotomy

on back legs raised

Sims position

side lying, left side preferred

orthopneic

leaning forward sitting

asepsis

no infection

sepsis

infection in blood

hypoxia

low oxygen

hypercapnia

high CO2

apnea

no breathing

bradyarrhythmia

slow irregular rhythm

tachyarrhythmia

fast irregular rhythm

necrosis

tissue death

ischemia

low blood flow

embolism

traveling clot

thrombosis

stationary clot

catheter

tube into body

intubation

tube into airway

ventilation

breathing support

oxygenation

oxygen delivery

suctioning

removing secretions

sterile

no microorganisms

contamination

presence of germs

inflammation

body immune response