MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY & CLINICAL
ASSESSMENT MASTERY: THE ULTIMATE
2026 STUDY GUIDE FOR HEALTHCARE
STUDENTS AND EXAM SUCCESS
Alopecia
Hair loss
Cyanosis
Blueness or purpleness of skin
Erythema
Redness or pinkness of skin
Jaundice
Yellow skin coloring
Lesion
Broad term referring to a region of the skin that has damage
from injury or disease
ex. acne, birthmarks, wounds, sunburn, insect bites
Pallor
Paleness of skin
Pruritus
,Itching
Edema
Swelling
Turgor
The skin's elasticity.
It is the ability of skin to change shape and return to normal
Exudate
Discharge
Macules
Freckles
Lanugo
Fine body hair
Vernix caseosa
white, creamy, naturally occurring biofilm covering the skin of
the fetus during the last trimester of pregnancy
Velus hair
fine, present all over body
Terminal hair
Thicker hair on head, axilla, genital, and facial regions
PERRLA (acronym)
, -Pupils equal + Round
-React to Light and Accomodation (direct constriction in one
eye) (open pupil when looking away from light, close when
looking close)
How should you check skin temperature?
With the back of your hand
Capillary refill
assessing the blood flow through peripheral tissues
Respiratory retractions
When the area between the ribs and in the neck sinks in when
a person with asthma attempts to inhale.
Retractions are a sign someone is working hard to breathe.
Adventitious
Coming from an external source or occurring in an unusual
place or manner (abnormal)
Palpate
Examine by touch
Auscultate
Examine by listening
(ex. using a stethoscope to listen to the heart, lungs, and
bowels)
Venous pattern
ASSESSMENT MASTERY: THE ULTIMATE
2026 STUDY GUIDE FOR HEALTHCARE
STUDENTS AND EXAM SUCCESS
Alopecia
Hair loss
Cyanosis
Blueness or purpleness of skin
Erythema
Redness or pinkness of skin
Jaundice
Yellow skin coloring
Lesion
Broad term referring to a region of the skin that has damage
from injury or disease
ex. acne, birthmarks, wounds, sunburn, insect bites
Pallor
Paleness of skin
Pruritus
,Itching
Edema
Swelling
Turgor
The skin's elasticity.
It is the ability of skin to change shape and return to normal
Exudate
Discharge
Macules
Freckles
Lanugo
Fine body hair
Vernix caseosa
white, creamy, naturally occurring biofilm covering the skin of
the fetus during the last trimester of pregnancy
Velus hair
fine, present all over body
Terminal hair
Thicker hair on head, axilla, genital, and facial regions
PERRLA (acronym)
, -Pupils equal + Round
-React to Light and Accomodation (direct constriction in one
eye) (open pupil when looking away from light, close when
looking close)
How should you check skin temperature?
With the back of your hand
Capillary refill
assessing the blood flow through peripheral tissues
Respiratory retractions
When the area between the ribs and in the neck sinks in when
a person with asthma attempts to inhale.
Retractions are a sign someone is working hard to breathe.
Adventitious
Coming from an external source or occurring in an unusual
place or manner (abnormal)
Palpate
Examine by touch
Auscultate
Examine by listening
(ex. using a stethoscope to listen to the heart, lungs, and
bowels)
Venous pattern
