Chapter 20

Acute Illness

An illness characterized by symptoms that have a sudden and rapid onset, are usually severe and intense, and subside after a relatively short time (6 months or less).

Audiometer

An instrument used to measure hearing acuity.

Auscultation

The process of listening to the sounds produced within the body (using a stethoscope) to detect signs of disease.

Body Mechanics

The use of the correct muscles to maintain proper balance, posture, and body alignment to accomplish a task safely and efficiently without undue strain on any muscle or joint.

Chronic Illness

An illness characterized by symptoms that persist for longer than 6 months and show little change or may worsen over time.

Clinical Diagnosis

A tentative diagnosis of a patient's condition obtained through evaluation of the health history and the physical examination, without the benefit of laboratory or diagnostic tests.

Diagnosis

The scientific method of determining and identifying a patient's condition through evaluation of health history, physical examination, and tests.

Differential Diagnosis

A determination of which of two or more diseases with similar symptoms is producing a patient's symptoms.

Inspection

The process of observing a patient visually to detect signs of disease.

Mensuration

The process of measuring a patient, such as measuring weight and height.

Palpation

The process of feeling the body with the hands to detect signs of disease, organ placement, or tenderness.

Percussion

The process of tapping the body with fingers to produce sound vibrations to determine organ size, density, and location.

Prognosis

The probable course and outcome of a patient's condition and the patient's prospects for recovery.

Risk Factor

A physical or behavioral condition that increases the probability that an individual will develop a particular condition.

Screening Test

A test performed on a large number of asymptomatic individuals for the early detection of a condition before symptoms appear.

Symptom

Any change in the body or its functioning that indicates a disease might be present.