MGA Nursing Terminology

Angio

vessel

antagonist

Opposite of agonist, blocks or stops the effect of another substance.

antibody

A protein that acts against a specific antigen

antigen

substance that triggers an immune response

antimicrobial

an agent that destroys, resists, or prevents the development of pathogens or microbes

approximated

closed, with the wound's edges touching each other

autologous

originating within an individual

bevel

the slanted surface at the tip of a needle

bruit

blowing, swooshing sound heard through a stethoscope when an artery is partially occluded

cathartic

substance that speeds up defecation

cellulitis

Infection of skin cells

centesis

surgical puncture to remove fluid

chole

gall, bile

circumdiction

movement of a body part in a circle

contracture

fibrosis of connective tissue in the skin, fascia, muscle, or joint capsule that prevents normal mobility of the related tissue or joint

contraindicated

not recommended under these circumstances (Example includes two medications that interact with no benefit of being on both)

contusion

bruise

crepitus

a crackling or grating sound usually of bones

debride

Removal of dirt and dead tissue from a wound

decompensation

Often refers to the failure of an organ

decubitus

lying down

disphoresis

profuse sweating

diluent

A substance capable of dissolving a drug and holding it in a solution

distension

swelling

dys

Medical prefix for painful, difficult, or abnormal

dysplasia

abnormal development or growth of cells, tissues, or organs

dysuria

painful urination

ecchymosis

bruise

ectopic

outside of the normal location

effusion

A process by which gas particles pass through a tiny opening

embolus

A clot that breaks lose and travels through the bloodstream.

emia

refers to the blood, also can mean presence in blood

enteral

referring to a route of medication administration that uses the gastrointestinal tract, such as swallowing a pill

erythema

redness of the skin

eschar

dead matter that is sloughed (shed) off from the surface of the skin, especially after a burn

extension

Straightening of a joint

exudate

fluid, such as pus, that leaks out of an infected wound

fistula

abnormal passageway between two organs or between an internal organ and the body surface

gavage

process of feeding a person through a nasogastric tube

granulation

new fibrous tissue formed during wound healing

adjuvant

a substance that enhances the body's immune response to an antigen

Adverse

unfavorable

Agonist

a molecule that, by binding to a receptor site, stimulates a response (Think of agonist and activating)

Anemia

A condition in which the blood is deficient in red blood cells, in hemoglobin, or in total volume.

Antecubital

front of elbow

anterior

front of the body

anti

against

antipyretic

reduces fever (example includes tylenol)

antiseptic

substance that prevents infection

anuria

absence of urine

anthro

human

asepsis

Absence of pathogens

aspirate

inhaling fluid or foreign object into airways

atrophy

to waste away (Example: Muscle Atrophy where the muscle mass decreases)

basal

base

Benign

harmless

bi

two

broncho

Refers to bronchus or bronchia (Connect trachea/windpipe to lungs)

cachexia

a condition of physical wasting away due to the loss of weight and muscle mass that occurs in patients with diseases such as advanced cancer or AIDS

cardio

refers to the heart

caries

cavities

catabolism

Metabolic pathways that break down molecules, releasing energy.

cephalo

head

chronic

long lasting

cognitive

aware

compensation

something given to make up for something else

cyto

cell

cytosis

Means "of the cell"

dehiscence

Bursting open of a wound, especially a surgical abdominal wound

derm

skin

distal

Farther from the trunk of the body (Wrist is distal to the elbow)

diuresis

increased formation and secretion of urine

dorsal

back (think of a dorsal fin on the back of a dolphin)

dysphagia

difficulty swallowing

dysrhythmia

Abnormal heart rhythm

ectomy

surgical removal

endo

within

endogenous

Produced within the body

erythrocyte

red blood cell

evisceration

The displacement of organs outside of the body.

excoriation

a scratch mark

exogenous

Produced outside the body

expectorate

cough or spit out phlegm from the throat or lungs

febrile

fever

fecal

pertaining to feces

flexion

bending a joint

flora

microorganisms that live in human gut

gait

manner of walking

gastric

relating to the stomach

gauge

size of needle (Bigger the number the smaller the needle)

glycosuria

glucose in the urine

hema/hemo

blood

hematemesis

vomiting blood

Abduction

Movement away from the midline of the body

Acuity

Ability to hear, see or think clearly or accurately

acute

New, usually of rapid onset and of concern, opposite of chronic

adduction

Movement toward the midline of the body

adventitious

Occurring in an unusual place or manner

Afebrile

Absence of fever

Affect

to influence