Primary Care/Internal Medicine Common
Terminology
Abduction - ANSWER-movement of extremity away from midline
Abrasion - ANSWER-A scrape that typically only affects the skin and can usually be treated at home.
Abscess - ANSWER-collection of pus, often in the subcutaneous tissues or skin
Acute - ANSWER-Signifies a condition that begins abruptly and is sometimes severe, but usually short.
Adduction - ANSWER-movement of extremity toward the midline
Aneurysm - ANSWER-A bulge in the wall of an artery that weakens the artery and can lead to rupture.
Angina - ANSWER-A disease in which narrowing of the arteries supplying the heart results in reduced
blood flow and chest pain. Usually a symptom of coronary artery disease.
Anterior - ANSWER-toward the front of the body
Aortic dissection - ANSWER-A tear in the inner layer of the aorta.
Arterial Blood gas (ABG) - ANSWER-A test to show the gas-phase components of blood including oxygen,
carbon dioxide, pH balance, etc.
Arthralgia - ANSWER-joint pain
Atrial fibrillation - ANSWER-An uncoordinated, quivering movement of the heart muscle resulting in an
irregular pulse and poor blood flow.
Benign - ANSWER-Usually in reference to tumors or growth, meaning not cancerous or malignant.
Bilateral - ANSWER-affecting both right and left sides of body or paired organs
Biopsy - ANSWER-A small sample of tissue that's taken for testing to discover the cause or extent of a
disease.
Blood culture - ANSWER-A test used to find any unusual bacteria or fungi in a patient's blood.
Blood pressure - ANSWER-Measure of how well the blood is circulating. Normal blood pressure measure
about 120/80 for adults.
Blood swab - ANSWER-A blood sample taken with a cotton-tipped stick.
Bowel disimpaction - ANSWER-Manual removal of hardened fecal matter from a patient's rectum.
Bradycardia - ANSWER-A slowing of the heart rate—typically less than 60 beats per minute for adults.
C-section - ANSWER-Shorthand for cesarean section the surgical delivery of a baby through the
abdominal wall.
Cancer - ANSWER-Collection of related diseases where some of the body's cells multiply out of control
spreading into surrounding tissues and interfering with normal body function.
carpal bones - ANSWER-bones in the proximal hand/wrist
, Primary Care/Internal Medicine Common
Terminology
Central line - ANSWER-Catheter placed in a large vein that allows multiple IV fluids to be given and blood
to be drawn more easily.
Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA) - ANSWER-Commonly called a stroke. Occurs when the brain is deprived
of blood and oxygen by either a blockage or the rupture of a blood vessel.
Cerumen - ANSWER-earwax
Cervical - ANSWER-pertaining to the neck
Chronic - ANSWER-Signifies a recurring, persistent condition, usually more than three months.
Clavicle - ANSWER-the collar bone
Conjunctiva - ANSWER-a clear mucous membrane consisting of cells and underlying basement
membrane that covers the sclera (white part of the eye) and lines the inside of the eyelids; plural:
conjunctivae
Contralateral - ANSWER-on the opposite side
Contusion - ANSWER-A bruise typically from impact or force.
Critical - ANSWER-Patient's vital signs are out of the normal range and patient may be unconscious.
Cyanosis - ANSWER-Condition resulting bluish skin, stems from lack of oxygen in the blood.
Deep - ANSWER-farther from the surface
Diagnosis - ANSWER-Identification of a condition, disease or disorder by evaluation of symptoms, tests
and other factors.
Dialysis - ANSWER-Procedure to filter blood for patients with kidney failure.
Diaphoresis - ANSWER-excessive sweating
Distal - ANSWER-farther from the trunk of the body, referring to extremities
Dorsal - ANSWER-toward the back, opposite of palmar
Dysphagia - ANSWER-difficulty swallowing
Dysuria - ANSWER-painful urination, usually burning
Ecchymosis - ANSWER-bruising
Eczema - ANSWER-scaly, itchy rash that likely has some allergic components
Edema - ANSWER-swelling
Edema - ANSWER-Swelling caused by fluid accumulation.
effusion - ANSWER-fluid in the ear
Terminology
Abduction - ANSWER-movement of extremity away from midline
Abrasion - ANSWER-A scrape that typically only affects the skin and can usually be treated at home.
Abscess - ANSWER-collection of pus, often in the subcutaneous tissues or skin
Acute - ANSWER-Signifies a condition that begins abruptly and is sometimes severe, but usually short.
Adduction - ANSWER-movement of extremity toward the midline
Aneurysm - ANSWER-A bulge in the wall of an artery that weakens the artery and can lead to rupture.
Angina - ANSWER-A disease in which narrowing of the arteries supplying the heart results in reduced
blood flow and chest pain. Usually a symptom of coronary artery disease.
Anterior - ANSWER-toward the front of the body
Aortic dissection - ANSWER-A tear in the inner layer of the aorta.
Arterial Blood gas (ABG) - ANSWER-A test to show the gas-phase components of blood including oxygen,
carbon dioxide, pH balance, etc.
Arthralgia - ANSWER-joint pain
Atrial fibrillation - ANSWER-An uncoordinated, quivering movement of the heart muscle resulting in an
irregular pulse and poor blood flow.
Benign - ANSWER-Usually in reference to tumors or growth, meaning not cancerous or malignant.
Bilateral - ANSWER-affecting both right and left sides of body or paired organs
Biopsy - ANSWER-A small sample of tissue that's taken for testing to discover the cause or extent of a
disease.
Blood culture - ANSWER-A test used to find any unusual bacteria or fungi in a patient's blood.
Blood pressure - ANSWER-Measure of how well the blood is circulating. Normal blood pressure measure
about 120/80 for adults.
Blood swab - ANSWER-A blood sample taken with a cotton-tipped stick.
Bowel disimpaction - ANSWER-Manual removal of hardened fecal matter from a patient's rectum.
Bradycardia - ANSWER-A slowing of the heart rate—typically less than 60 beats per minute for adults.
C-section - ANSWER-Shorthand for cesarean section the surgical delivery of a baby through the
abdominal wall.
Cancer - ANSWER-Collection of related diseases where some of the body's cells multiply out of control
spreading into surrounding tissues and interfering with normal body function.
carpal bones - ANSWER-bones in the proximal hand/wrist
, Primary Care/Internal Medicine Common
Terminology
Central line - ANSWER-Catheter placed in a large vein that allows multiple IV fluids to be given and blood
to be drawn more easily.
Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA) - ANSWER-Commonly called a stroke. Occurs when the brain is deprived
of blood and oxygen by either a blockage or the rupture of a blood vessel.
Cerumen - ANSWER-earwax
Cervical - ANSWER-pertaining to the neck
Chronic - ANSWER-Signifies a recurring, persistent condition, usually more than three months.
Clavicle - ANSWER-the collar bone
Conjunctiva - ANSWER-a clear mucous membrane consisting of cells and underlying basement
membrane that covers the sclera (white part of the eye) and lines the inside of the eyelids; plural:
conjunctivae
Contralateral - ANSWER-on the opposite side
Contusion - ANSWER-A bruise typically from impact or force.
Critical - ANSWER-Patient's vital signs are out of the normal range and patient may be unconscious.
Cyanosis - ANSWER-Condition resulting bluish skin, stems from lack of oxygen in the blood.
Deep - ANSWER-farther from the surface
Diagnosis - ANSWER-Identification of a condition, disease or disorder by evaluation of symptoms, tests
and other factors.
Dialysis - ANSWER-Procedure to filter blood for patients with kidney failure.
Diaphoresis - ANSWER-excessive sweating
Distal - ANSWER-farther from the trunk of the body, referring to extremities
Dorsal - ANSWER-toward the back, opposite of palmar
Dysphagia - ANSWER-difficulty swallowing
Dysuria - ANSWER-painful urination, usually burning
Ecchymosis - ANSWER-bruising
Eczema - ANSWER-scaly, itchy rash that likely has some allergic components
Edema - ANSWER-swelling
Edema - ANSWER-Swelling caused by fluid accumulation.
effusion - ANSWER-fluid in the ear
