Reproductive Disorders Practice Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering reproductive disorders including cervical, ovarian, and prostate cancers, as well as BPH and surgical interventions like TURP and hysterectomy.

HPV types 16 and 18

The specific high-risk strains of the human papillomavirus that are responsible for most cases of cervical cancer.

Postcoital bleeding

Bleeding after sexual intercourse, considered a red-flag symptom for cervical cancer.

Pap (Papanicolaou) test

A screening procedure used during a speculum exam to look for abnormal or changed cervical cells.

HPV test

A diagnostic test that checks cervical cell scrapings for the actual viral DNA or RNA of high-risk HPV types.

Colposcopy

A follow-up procedure for an abnormal Pap test that involves a closer look at the cervix and potentially a biopsy.

Gardasil

An HPV vaccine given by intramuscular injection, ideally before the first sexual contact.

Ascites

Fluid buildup in the abdomen, which can occur as a late-stage symptom of ovarian cancer.

Tumor debulking

The surgical removal of as much of a tumor as possible, commonly performed as initial treatment for ovarian cancer.

Vaginal hysterectomy

The surgical removal of the uterus through the vagina, associated with faster recovery ($4$ weeks) and fewer complications than abdominal routes.

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT)

A hormone whose rising levels drive the growth of prostate tissue in aging men, contributing to BPH.

Nocturia

An irritative symptom of BPH characterized by waking at night to urinate because the bladder never fully empties.

Digital rectal exam (DRE)

A physical exam where a lubricated, gloved finger is used to check the prostate's size and texture through the rectum.

Hard lumpy nodules

Abnormal DRE findings that may indicate advanced prostate disease or cancer.

PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen)

A blood test used to screen for prostate cancer; values above $4.0\,ng/mL$ are considered abnormal.

TRUS (Transrectal Ultrasound)

A procedure providing detailed imaging of the prostate through the rectum, typically ordered if DRE is abnormal and PSA is high.

Finasteride (Proscar)

A medication that blocks DHT to shrink the prostate gland over time.

Tamsulosin (Flomax)

An alpha-blocker medication used to relax the bladder neck and improve urine flow in BPH patients.

TURP (Transurethral Resection of the Prostate)

The gold-standard surgery for BPH where excess tissue is shaved away using a resectoscope through the urethra.

TURP Syndrome

A condition caused by absorbing too much irrigation fluid during surgery, presenting with confusion, nervousness, and visual disturbances.

CBI (Continuous Bladder Irrigation)

The use of a triple-lumen catheter to constantly flush the bladder, preventing blood clots after a TURP.

True urine output calculation

$\text{Total output} - \text{irrigation fluid instilled} = \text{actual urine produced by the patient}$.

Radical Prostatectomy

The surgical removal of the entire prostate gland, seminal vesicles, and part of the bladder neck.

Erectile dysfunction (ED)

A major adverse outcome of radical prostatectomy that may take up to $24$ months to gradually improve.