ATC Career Dev (term + def) - HOSA

2025

Ancient Medicine

Early civilizations used herbs and natural remedies for healing.

Hippocrates (460-377 BC)

'Father of Medicine' who introduced ethical standards in medicine.

Dark Ages (400-800 AD)

Emphasis on prayer and divine intervention rather than scientific medicine.

Renaissance (1350-1650 AD)

Rebirth of medical science with human dissection and printing press innovations.

Telemedicine

Use of technology to provide remote health care services.

Biotechnology

Use of biological processes for medical advancements.

Holistic Health Care

Approach that considers physical, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being.

Wellness Movement

Focus on preventive care and healthy lifestyle choices.

Hospitals

Provide specialized treatments, emergency care, and surgeries.

Long-Term Care Facilities

Cater to elderly and disabled individuals needing extended care.

Rehabilitation Centers

Offer therapy for physical and mental recovery.

Hospice Care

Provides palliative care for terminally ill patients.

Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)

Requires members to use specific providers.

Preferred Provider Organization (PPO)

Offers more provider options at higher costs.

Medicare

Federal health insurance for individuals 65+ or with disabilities.

Medicaid

State-funded insurance for low-income individuals.

Therapeutic Services

Involves patient care, e.g., nurses, physical therapists.

Diagnostic Services

Conduct tests to detect diseases, e.g., radiology technicians.

Health Informatics

Manages health data, e.g., medical coders, health administrators.

Support Services

Ensures operational efficiency, e.g., hospital maintenance staff.

Biotechnology Research and Development

Conducts medical research, e.g., biochemists.

Prefix

Appears at the beginning of a word to modify meaning (e.g., 'hypo-' means below, 'hyper-' means above).

Root Word

The core meaning of a medical term (e.g., 'cardi-' means heart).

Suffix

Appears at the end to modify meaning (e.g., '-itis' means inflammation).

BP

Blood Pressure

HR

Heart Rate

Rx

Prescription

NPO

Nothing by mouth.

Circulatory System

Pumps blood throughout the body (heart, veins, arteries).

Respiratory System

Manages breathing and oxygen exchange (lungs, trachea).

Nervous System

Controls bodily functions and responses (brain, spinal cord).

Musculoskeletal System

Supports movement (bones, muscles, ligaments).

Homeostasis

The body's ability to maintain a stable internal environment.

Bacteria

Single-celled organisms that cause infections (e.g., Streptococcus).

Viruses

Non-living particles that need a host to replicate (e.g., influenza virus).

Fungi

Includes molds and yeasts, which can cause infections (e.g., athlete's foot).

Hand Hygiene

Washing hands to prevent contamination.

Sterilization

Eliminating all microorganisms from instruments.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Gloves, masks, gowns for infection prevention.

Informed Consent

Patient agreement to a procedure after being informed of risks.

Confidentiality (HIPAA)

Protects patient health information.

Advanced Directives

Legal documents specifying a patient's medical preferences.

Autonomy

Patients have the right to make their own decisions.

Beneficence

Healthcare professionals must act in the patient's best interest.

Nonmaleficence

'Do no harm' principle in medicine.

Verbal Communication

Spoken or written messages.

Nonverbal Communication

Body language, gestures, and facial expressions.

Active Listening

Paying close attention and responding appropriately.

Clarification

Asking questions to ensure understanding.

CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation)

A lifesaving procedure for cardiac arrest.

Heimlich Maneuver

Technique for choking victims.

Control of Bleeding

Applying pressure to a wound to stop bleeding.