Chapter 15 words - Diagnostic Procedures, Pharmacology, and Complementary Medicine

acetaminophen

analgesic that reduces pain and fever but does not reduce inflammation

acupuncture

a traditional Chinese medical practice using very thin acupuncture needles inserted into specific points of the body to restore the flow of qi

adherence

also called compliance; the patient’s consistency and accuracy in following the regimen prescribed by a physician or other health care professional

albuminuria

the presence of the protein albumin in the urine

analgesic

refers to the class of drugs that relieve pain without affecting consciousness

antipyretic

medication administered to prevent or reduce fever

arthrocentesis

surgical puncture of the joint space to remove synovial fluid for analysis to determine the cause of pain or swelling in a joint

auscultation

listening for sounds within the body, usually performed with a stethoscope

bacteriuria

the presence of bacteria in the urine

bruit

an abnormal sound or murmur heard during auscultation of an artery

calciuria

the presence of calcium in the urine

computed tomography

a scan that uses a thin, fanshaped x-ray beam that rotates around the patient to produce multiple cross-sectional views of the body

contraindication

a factor in the patient’s condition that makes the use of a medication or specific treatment dangerous or ill advised

creatinuria

an increased concentration of creatinine in the urine

echocardiography

an ultrasonic diagnostic procedure used to evaluate the structures and motion of the heart

endoscope

a small, flexible tube with a light and a lens on the end

fluoroscopy

the visualization of body parts in motion by projecting x-ray images on a luminous fluorescent screen

glycosuria

the presence of glucose in the urine

hematocrit

a blood test that measures the percentage, by volume, of a blood sample occupied by red cells; this test is used to diagnose abnormal states of hydration

hematuria

the presence of blood in the urine

hyperthermia

an extremely high body temperature

hypothermia

an abnormally low body temperature

idiosyncratic reaction

an unexpected reaction to a drug that is peculiar to the individual

interventional radiology

the use of radiographic imaging to guide a procedure or confirm placement of an inserted object

intradermal injection

the administration of medication by injection into the middle layers of the skin

intramuscular injection

the administration of medication by injection directly into muscle tissue

intravenous injection

the administration of medication by injection directly into a vein

ketonuria

the presence of ketones in the urine

laparoscopy

visual examination of the interior of the abdomen with the use of a laparoscope

lithotomy position

an examination position in which the patient is lying on the back, face up, with the legs and feet raised and supported in stirrups

magnetic resonance imaging

an imaging technique that uses a combination of radio waves and a strong magnetic field to create signals that are sent to a computer and converted into images of any plane through the body

opthalmoscope

an instrument used to examine the interior of the eye

otoscope

an instrument used to visually examine the external ear canal and tympanic membrane

palliative

a substance that eases the pain or severity of a disease but does not cure it

parenteral

taken into the body or administered in a manner other than through the digestive tract

percussion

a diagnostic procedure designed to determine the density of a body part by the sound produced by tapping the surface with the fingers

perfusion

the flow of blood through an organ

pericardiocentesis

the puncture of the pericardial sac for the purpose of removing fluid

phlebotomy

the puncture of a vein for the purpose of drawing blood

placebo

an inactive substance, such as a sugar pill or liquid, that is administered only for its suggestive effects

positron emission tomography

an imaging technique that combines computed tomography with radionuclide tracers, usually inserted into a vein, to produce enhanced images of selected body organs or areas

prone position

a position in which the patient lies face down on the abdomen

proteinuria

the presence of an abnormal amount of protein in the urine

pyuria

the presence of pus in the urine

radiolucent

the substance, such as air or nitrogen gas, allow x-rays to pass through and appears black or dark gray on the resulting film

radioplaque

a substance that does not allow x-rays to pass through and appears white or light gray on the resulting film

rales

abnormal crackle-like lung sounds heard through a stethoscope during inspiration

recumbent

any position in which the patient is lying down

rhonchi

a coarse, rattling sound somewhat like snoring, usually caused by secretions in the bronchial airways

Sims’ position

an examination position in which the patient is lying on the left side with the right knee and thigh drawn up with the left arm placed along the back

single photon emission computed tomography

a type of nuclear imaging test that produces 3D computer-reconstructed images showing perfusion through tissues and organs

speculum

an instrument used to enlarge the opening of any canal to facilitate inspection of its interior

sphygmomanometer

instrument used to measure the force of blood against the walls of the arteries (blood pressure)

stethoscope

an instrument used to listen to sounds within the body

stridor

an abnormal, high-pitched, musical breathing sound caused by a blockage in the throat or larynx

subcutaneous injection

the administration of medication by injection into the fatty layer just below the skin

transdermal

the administration of medication through the unbroken skin so that it is absorbed continuously to produce a systemic effect

transesophageal echocardiography

an ultrasonic imaging technique that is performed from inside the esophagus to evaluate heart structures

ultrasonography

the imaging of deep body structures by recording the echoes of sound wave pulses that are above the range of human hearing; also known as ultrasound

urinalysis

the examination of the physical and chemical properties of urine to determine the presence of abnormal elements