Basic Concepts and General Vocabulary Study Guide
Foundations and Historical Medical Concepts
Amulet: A small item worn or carried to ward off evil, illness, harm.
Trephination/Trepanation: The surgical method of drilling holes into the skull.
Trephine: A surgical instrument with a circular-shaped blade.
Mummification: Preservation of a dead body.
Ayurveda: "Science of life"; health maintenance, not disease treatment.
General Clinical Terminology and Body Mechanics
Anatomy: The study of the structure of body parts and their relationship to other body parts.
Physiology: The study of the functional aspects of body parts.
Lesion: A wound or other abnormality of body tissue.
Fracture: Broken.
Pulse: The vibration of an artery caused by pressure produced when the heart beats.
Diagnosis: Identification of a disease or clinical condition.
Diagnostic: This term pertains to diagnosis.
Prognosis: A prediction of the outcome of a clinical condition such as disease or injury.
Prognostic: Pertains to prognosis: a prediction of outcome of a clinical condition such as disease or injury.
Acute condition: A condition that arose abruptly.
Chronic / Chronic condition: A condition that persists over time.
Communicable: Transmissible; contagious.
Hygiene: Promotion of health and preventing disease through cleanliness.
Sanitation: Maintaining a healthy environment by reducing the amount of disease-producing microorganisms.
Microbiology, Immunology, and Infectious Disease
Microorganism / Microbes: An organism that cannot be seen with the unaided eye.
Bacteria/Bacterium: Single-celled microorganisms that lack a nucleus. "Bacteria" is the plural form; "Bacterium" is the singular form.
Protozoa: A single-celled organism that contains a nucleus.
Pathogens: Microorganisms or infectious agents capable of causing disease.
Infectious agent: Agents capable of infection.
Endemic: Indigenous to a location or population.
Epidemic: A disease that rapidly spreads in a demographic segment of a population.
Pandemic: Pertaining to the population of people or worldwide.
Mortality: The death rate.
Malaria: A blood parasite transmitted to humans by the bite of a specific species of mosquito.
Quinine: Medication used to treat malaria.
Vaccination: The injection of killed or altered microorganisms aimed at stimulating immunity.
Vaccine: Altered or killed microorganisms prepared for administration to stimulate immunity.
Antibiotics: Agent used to inhibit or kill microorganisms that cause infection.
Antiseptic: A substance used to inhibit microorganisms from surviving and/or multiplying.
Immunology: The study of the immune system.
Medical Specialties and Disciplines
Anesthesiology: A division of medicine focused on the administration of medication to prevent feeling (such as pain) during surgery.
Cardiology: A division of medicine that is interested in the study of the heart.
Dermatology: A division of medicine focused on the skin.
Endocrinology: A division of medicine focused on the endocrine system.
Internal medicine: A division of medicine focused on the internal organs.
Neurology: A division of medicine focused on the nervous system.
Obstetrics: A division of medicine focused on pregnancy and childbirth.
Oncology: A division of medicine focused on patients who have cancer.
Ophthalmology: A division of medicine focused on the eye.
Pathology: A division of medicine focused on disease as exhibited by use of autopsy, laboratory methods, and tests.
Pediatrics: A division of medicine focused on children.
Radiology: A division of medicine focused on the use of radiant energy to diagnose and treat disease.
Rheumatology: A division of medicine focused on the connective tissue of the body.
Urology: A division of medicine focused on the urinary system of males and females as well as the male reproductive organs.
Surgery: A division of medicine focused on the use of operative procedures for diagnosis and treatment.
Neurosurgery: Concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, and surgical treatment of disorders of the nervous system.
Medical Procedures, Tools, and Treatments
Anesthetic: A medication or agent used to block sensations such as pain.
Cocaine: An addictive drug that has been used medically as a local anesthetic.
Acupuncture: Procedures involving stimulation of points on the body: one technique involves penetrating skin with metallic needles.
Blood transfusion: Procedures involving stimulation of points on the body: one technique involves penetrating skin with metallic needles. (Note: Transcript definition matches Acupuncture).
Caesarean section: A surgical procedure to remove a baby via the abdomen.
Dissection: Cutting of tissue for visual inspection.
Excision: Cutting out.
Extraction: Removal.
Lithotomy: To cut out a stone (e.g. a stone in the urinary tract).
Tonsillectomy: Surgical removal of the tonsils.
Plastic Surgery: A division of medicine that modifies or restores visual structures of the body.
Rhinoplasty: A form of plastic surgery which focuses on the nose.
Reconstructive surgery: Surgery and followup treatment needed to correct or improve a part of the body because of birth defects, accidents, injuries, or medical conditions.
Chemotherapy: A treatment for cancer.
Dialysis: A treatment for removing wastes from the body.
Organ transplant: Moving an organ from one body to another.
Autopsy: An examination of a dead person's body to determine the cause of death.
Stethoscope: A medical instrument used for listening to the heart or lungs.
Thermometer: An instrument used for measuring temperature.
Syringe: A medical instrument used for injecting or withdrawing fluid.
Hypodermic: Below the skin.
Computerized tomography (CT): Special X-ray equipment to create detailed pictures of inside the body.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): The use of radio waves and a magnetic field to see the inside of the body.
Mammogram: An X-ray of the breast to look for cancer.
Alternative and Integrative Medicine
Alternative medicine: Non-mainstream medical practice is used instead of conventional medical practice.
Complementary medicine: When mainstream (conventional) medicine is used with non-mainstream practice.
Integrative medicine: Bringing mainstream medicine and complementary practice together in a coordinated way.
Chiropractic manipulation: Therapy that focuses on the mechanical manipulation of the spine.
Osteopathic manipulation: Diagnosis and treatment by use of pressure from hands to move areas such as muscles and joints.
Homeopathy: Alternative medicine philosophy that disease can be cured by a substance that produces similar symptoms in healthy people.
Healing touch (Reiki): Eastern healing technique known as Reiki where hands placed lightly on or above the patient is thought to facilitate healing.
Hypnotherapy: Treatment using hypnosis.
Moxibustion: A type of heat treatment that involves the burning of dried leaves of the mugwort plant and holding near the skin.
Tai chi: Mind and body practice featuring postures and movements with mental focus, breathing, and relaxation.
Yoga: A mind and body technique that stresses postures, breathing techniques, and meditation.
Meditation: A technique used for relaxation and stress relief.
Relaxation techniques: Practices used to produce the body's natural relaxation response.
Probiotics: A substance that promotes the growth of beneficial microorganisms.
Anatomy-Specific Terms and Disorders
Eustachian tube: The tube that connects the throat to the middle ear cavity.
Fallopian tubes: Tube that runs from the ovary to the uterus.
Tumor: An uncontrolled growth of cells.
Cancer: An uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells.
Alzheimer's: A disease that affects the brain causing dementia.
Dementia / Senility: A mental disorder that included deterioration of intellect, memory loss, and loss of judgment.
Appendicitis: An appendix that is inflamed.
Diabetes / Diabetes mellitus: A disease characterized by faulty carbohydrate metabolism due to deficient amounts of insulin.
Hypertension: High blood pressure.
Coronary artery disease: When the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle become hardened and narrowed, causing less blood to flow to the heart.
Congestive heart failure: A condition in which the heart can't pump enough blood to meet the body's needs.
Renal failure: A medical condition in which the kidneys do not function properly.
Asthma: A respiratory disorder characterized by wheezing, coughing, and production of secretions.
COPD: A progressive disease that makes it hard to breathe.
Scurvy: Disease attributed to ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) deficiency.
Healthcare Systems, Facilities, and Professionals
Academic medical (teaching) hospitals: A college medical school that is usually part of an academic medical center.
Community hospitals: Non-governmental, general hospitals that are available to the public for inpatient acute care treatment.
Managed care consortium hospitals / hospital: A private acute care hospital that provides the same basic services as those provided by community hospitals.
Clinicians: A doctor who treats patients.
Pharmacist: A health care professional who dispense drugs/medications.
Ancillary service providers: Services used for diagnosis and treatment.
Dental office: The treatment and prevention of conditions associated with teeth.
Inpatient: Patient care requiring 24 hours or longer.
Outpatient (Ambulatory Health Care): Patient care provided in less than 24 hours.
Hospice: Specialized health care designed to serve patients who are dying.
Skilled nursing facilities: Skilled nursing care and rehabilitation services provided on a continuous, daily basis in a skilled nursing facility. Examples include physical therapy or intravenous injection given by a registered nurse or doctor.
Rehabilitation services: Health care services that help patients keep, get back or improve skills and functioning for daily living lost due to being sick, hurt, or disabled (e.g., physical, occupational, speech-language therapy).
Primary care: The patient's entry point for health care services.
Secondary care: Treatment by specialists to whom a patient has been referred by a primary care provider.
Tertiary care: Health care delivered by specialists who work for a facility that performs specialty health care research, development, and treatment.
Urgent care: Care for an illness, injury, or condition serious enough that a reasonable person would seek care right away, but not severe enough to require emergency room care.
Interdisciplinary teams: Combining different health disciplines such as nursing, medical laboratory, and pharmacy professionals.
Palliative care: Managing side effects of treatment, pain, and loss of abilities.
Telemedicine: Diagnosis and treatment provided remotely via telecommunications.
Administration, Insurance, and Law
For-profit systems: Organization that distributes surplus funds to shareholders or owners.
Non-profit systems: An organization that usually exists for charitable or education reasons; profits are reinvested into the organization's goals.
Health maintenance organization (HMO): Control costs with the use of gatekeepers, preventative care, and utilization review.
Gatekeeper: Health providers that control access to health care.
Referral: A written order from a primary care doctor to see a specialist; often required by HMOs for the plan to pay for services.
Fee for service: When health care providers are paid for each service provided.
Capitation: The annual fee paid to a physician or group of physicians for each participant in a health plan.
Premium: A payment that a policyholder must pay for insurance coverage.
Deductible: The portion of a claim under an insurance policy that the insured must pay before the insurance company starts payments.
Out of pocket expense: Expenses that are not covered or are only partially covered by insurance.
Means tested: When a patient meets certain income and asset levels to qualify for health care coverage.
Pre-existing condition: A condition occurring before insurance goes into effect.
Pharmaceutical: Pertaining to drugs used in treatment.
Dispenses: The transfer of the prescription drug to the patient.
Prescription: A doctor's order (ordering medication, treatment).
Over the counter: Health-related products that do not require a physician's prescription.
Utilization review: Analysis and review of health care components to identify and solve deficiencies in quality as well as overuse or underuse of treatments.
Accredit: Ensures that requirements are met.
Certification: An analysis and authorization of the use of medical resources at a medical facility for purposes of cost control.
Legislation: Making or enacting laws.
Diversity and Cultural Competency
Culture: A pattern of learned beliefs and behaviors that are shared by individuals of a group.
Cultural Competency: The ability of healthcare providers to work effectively with colleagues and patients in cross-cultural situations.
Internal dimensions of diversity / Primary dimensions of diversity: Core elements with which humans are born, such as race.
External dimensions of diversity / Secondary dimensions of diversity: A person's life experiences and choices such as religion, education, and marital status.
Race: The shared physical attributes of a group.
Ethnicity: The common heritage shared by a group.
Ethnocentrism: The belief that one's cultural beliefs, behaviors, and values are inherently superior.
Ethnorelativism: A perceptual filter in which one views different cultural beliefs, behaviors, and values as equally valid.
Collectivism: Focus on the group's needs and interests; individuals look after one another; decision making is by consensus.
Individualism: Decisions are moral when they promote the individual's long-term interests.
Stereotypes: Widely held viewpoints and/or assumptions regarding all members of a group.
Preconception: A viewpoint that is formed before knowing or experiencing something directly.
Prejudice: The formation of opinions of others based on preconceptions of a group, instead of being based on fact or reason.
Infection Control and Safety Controls
Standard precautions: The minimum infection prevention measures that apply to all patient care, regardless of suspected or confirmed infection status.
Droplet route: Spreading aerosols containing organisms or infectious agents typically by coughing, sneezing, and talking.
Bloodborne pathogens: Infectious microorganisms or agents in human blood that can cause disease in humans.
Engineering controls: Controls that isolate or remove the bloodborne pathogens hazard from the workplace.
Work practice controls: Controls that reduce the likelihood of exposure by altering the manner in which a task is performed.
Customer: The person receiving the service.
Service: The work performed.
Contextual norms: The accepted behavior and attitudes of those in the healthcare organization regarding dress, demeanor, etc.
Health Information Technology and Computing
Computer chassis: A case to house and protect the computer.
Mother board: The computer's main circuit board.
Central processing unit (CPU): A chip that receives direction from hardware and software.
Slots: Receptacles in the motherboard for plugging in expansion boards (e.g., memory modules, wireless-access cards).
Ports: Interfaces for connecting input, output, storage, and communication devices.
Buses: Internal circuitry and electrical channels that enable computer components to communicate.
Drive bays: Opening in the computer case that house mass storage devices.
Read-only memory (ROM): Permanent memory contained in chips mounted to the computer's motherboard.
Random access memory (RAM): Temporary storage used by the computer to hold data and information while the computer is working.
Internal storage: Any data storage device located inside the computer and connected directly to the motherboard.
External storage: Any data storage that is connected to the computer via a port.
Code: The programming instructions that make the software work by communicating with the system hardware.
Software: Provides the machine-readable instructions that a computer follows.
System software: Programs that interact directly with the hardware, including the operating system and utility programs.
Application software: Programs that run on top of the system software and enable end users to perform specific tasks.
Databases: Software systems optimized for storing and retrieving large amounts of data quickly, correctly, and securely.
Electronic health record (EHR): Patient information that can be shared across multiple organizations electronically.
Point-of-care devices: Allows for patient testing and analysis near the patient (bedside, physician's office, or home).
Learning Theory
Metacognition: One's awareness of oneself as a learner and the ability to regulate one's own learning.