Allied Health

Seizure

Convulsion; sudden uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain

Convulsion

Violent muscle contractions caused by abnormal brain activity

Labor and delivery

Process of childbirth including contractions and birth

leuco-, leuko-

White

-kinesis

Movement

abdomin/o

Abdomen; abdominal wall

-logy

Study of; science of

D/C

Discontinue or discharge

dys-

Bad; painful; difficult; abnormal

Dilute

To make weaker by adding liquid

Dissolve

To break down into solution

DRG

Diagnostic related group

ADLs

Activities of daily living

AIDS

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

bronch/o

Bronchus

bucc-

Cheek

Biopsy

Removal of tissue for examination

DNR

Do Not Resuscitate

DNI

Do Not Intubate

Advance Directive

Legal document stating patient medical wishes

Living Trust

Legal document assigning decision-making authority

PPE

Personal Protective Equipment

Gloves

Protect hands from contamination

Mask

Protects mouth and nose from airborne particles

Gown

Protects clothing and skin

Face shield

Protects face and eyes

Goggles

Eye protection

HIPAA

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act

PHI

Protected Health Information

Confidentiality

Keeping patient information private

Informed Consent

Permission given after understanding procedure

Ethics

Moral principles guiding behavior

Law

Rules enforced by government

MSDS

Material Safety Data Sheet

Anterior

Front of the body

Posterior

Back of the body

Superior

Above

Inferior

Below

Medial

Toward the midline

Lateral

Away from the midline

Sagittal Plane

Divides body into left and right

Frontal Plane

Divides body into front and back

Transverse Plane

Divides body into upper and lower

Autoclave

Sterilizes equipment using heat and pressure

EKG Machine

Records heart electrical activity

Blood Pressure Cuff

Measures blood pressure

Scale

Measures weight

Centrifuge

Separates substances by spinning

Active Listening

Paying full attention to patient

Empathy

Understanding patient feelings

Remain Calm

Key skill when handling difficult calls

Escalate Call

Get supervisor if needed

Professional Tone

Respectful communication

CMAA

Certified Medical Administrative Assistant

Scheduling

Appointments management

Insurance Verification

Confirm patient coverage

Patient Communication

Interacting with patients

Anatomy

Study of body structure

Physiology

Study of body function

Cardiovascular System

Heart and blood vessels

Respiratory System

Breathing and gas exchange

Digestive System

Food breakdown and absorption

Nervous System

Controls body responses

Muscular System

Movement and strength

Skeletal System

Support and protection

m

minim

MA

medical assistant

Mat

maternity

MD

medical doctor; muscular dystrophy; myocardial disease

Med

medical; medicine

Mg

magnesium

MI

myocardial infarction (heart attack)

min

minute

mL, ml

milliliter

MLT

medical laboratory technician

mm

millimeter

MN

midnight

mod

moderate

MRI

magnetic resonance imaging

MT

medical technologist

macro-

large

mal-

bad; abnormal; poor; disordered

malac- (ia)

softening of tissue

mamm- (o)

breast; mammary glands

-mania

insanity; mental disorder

mast- (o)

breast

med- (i,o)

middle; midline

-megaly, mega-

large; enlarged

melan- (o)

black

mening- (o)

membranes covering brain and spinal cord