Medical Practice Flashcards- Week 2 and Beyond

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering hematology, respiratory failure, organ dysfunction, wound care, neurological status, and gastrointestinal disorders based on lecture transcripts.

Primary Hemostasis

The initial stage of blood clotting involving collagen and the formation of a platelet plug.

RBC lifespan

The duration a Red Blood Cell stays in circulation, which is approximately $120\,\text{days}$.

Reed Sternburg cell

A specific abnormal B cell associated with Hodgkins lymphoma.

Hematopoiesis

The process of blood cell formation occurring in the red bone marrow.

D-dimer

A laboratory marker that indicates blood clots have healed.

MODS (Multi-organ dysfunction syndrome)

A progressive dysfunction of $2$ or more organ systems caused by an uncontrolled systemic response like shock or sepsis.

ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome)

A specific subtype of Acute Respiratory Failure (ARF) characterized by widespread inflammation and damage to the alveolar-capillary membrane.

ARF (Acute Respiratory Failure)

A condition where gas exchange fails, leading to inadequate oxygenation ($Hypoxemia$) or inadequate $CO_2$ removal ($Hypercapnia$).

Hypoxemia

A state of low arterial oxygen tension, defined as a $PaO_2 < 80\,\text{mmHg}$.

Hypercapnia

A state of elevated arterial carbon dioxide, defined as a $PaCO_2 > 45\,\text{mmHg}$.

Ventilation

The movement of air into and out of the lungs.

Perfusion

The volume of blood that reaches the lungs per minute.

V/Q Ratio

The ventilation-perfusion ratio, where a perfect match is expressed as $1:1$ or $VQ = 1$.

Compliance

The measure of the elasticity of the lungs and the thorax.

Normal pH range

The standard arterial blood gas value for acidity/alkalinity, which is $7.35-7.45$.

Atelectasis

The partial or complete collapse of a lung or lung segment.

Chronic Bronchitis

A condition defined by excessive mucus secretion and a productive chronic cough.

Emphysema

A condition involving the destruction of alveoli and loss of elastic recoil, often resulting in a barrel-shaped chest.

Evisceration

A critical wound complication where internal organs protrude through the surgical wound.

GCS (Glasgow Coma Scale)

A scale from $3$ to $15$ used to describe a patient's level of consciousness based on eye, verbal, and motor responses.

Delirium

An acute, reversible state of confusion caused by factors such as medication, dehydration, or electrolyte imbalances.

Dementia

A chronic and progressive condition characterized by memory loss.

Status Epilepticus

A seizure lasting longer than $5\,\text{min}$, requiring the administration of Benzodiazepine.

Infiltration

A complication where non-vesicant solution leaks into surrounding tissue, causing cool skin, pallor, and swelling.

Extravasation

A severe complication where vesicant solution leaks into tissue, causing burning, blisters, and tissue damage.

Phlebitis

Inflammation of a vein, characterized by redness, warmth, pain, and a red streak along the vein.

Jordan's Principle

A child-first principle specifically for Indigenous children.

Cirrhosis

A liver condition characterized by extensive scar tissue that causes distortion in tissues and affects detoxification.

Ulcerative Colitis (UC)

An inflammatory bowel disease that affects the lining of the rectum and colon.

Crohn's Disease

An inflammatory bowel disease that affects all layers of the GI tract and can present with a cobblestone appearance.

H. Pylori (Helicobacter Pylori)

A spiral-shaped bacteria that produces urease to neutralize stomach acid and is a common cause of Peptic Ulcer Disease.

PUD (Peptic Ulcer Disease)

Ulcer formation in the upper GI tract affecting the lining of the stomach, duodenum, or esophagus.

Epitaxis

The medical term for a nosebleed, which can be categorized as anterior or posterior.

Anorexia

A clinical symptom describing a lack of desire to eat while the physiological stimulus to eat is still present.