Ca
Calcium: mineral that builds bones,enables our blood to clot, our muscles to contract, and our heart to beat. About 99% of the calcium in our bodies is in our bones and teeth.
CA
cancer: group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body; contrast with benign tumors, which do not spread.
CABG
coronary artery bypass graft: surgical procedure used to treat coronary heart disease. It diverts blood around narrowed or clogged parts of the major arteries to improve blood flow and oxygen supply to the heart.
CAD
coronary artery disease: narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries, usually caused by atherosclerosis. Puts patient in risk of myocardial infarction. Coronary artery feeds heart muscle.
CAUTI
catheter associated urinary tract infection: infection in urinary tract caused by urinary catheter that has been placed to drain urine from the bladder. Catheter is portal of entry for pathogens
CPT
Current Procedural Terminology: medical code set that is used to report medical, surgical, and diagnostic procedures and services to entities such as physicians, health insurance companies and accreditation organizations.
CBC
complete blood count: Evaluates the red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), and platelets (PLTs). Detect infections, anemia and leukemia
CBC w/ differential
A closer look to check for anemia, infection, inflammation. Record the number/types of WBCs, size of RBCs, platelet count, hemoglobin and hematocrit, and mean of corpuscular hemoglobin. The size of your RBCs varies.
Hemoglobin and Hematocrit.
CC
chief complaint: The problem that the patient presents with that causes him/her to seek medical care, usually recorded as spoken and put in quotation marks
"I have back pain"
"I can't breathe
CCU
coronary care unit: Areas of the hospital where seriously ill patients receive specialized care such as intensive monitoring and advanced life support.
Ex: NICU -newborn, NICU-neuro, SICU-surgical, CCU- cardiac
CDC
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: A national public health institute in the United States. A United States federal agency, under the Department of Health and Human Services
CDI,C-Diff
Clostridium Difficile Infection: results from disruption of normal healthy bacteria in the colon, often from antibiotics. Transmitted from person to person by spores. It can cause severe damage to the colon and even be fatal
CEU
continuing education unit: unit of credit equal to 10 hours of participation in an accredited program designed for professionals with certificates or licenses to practice various professions.
Ex: RN-30 CEUs
MD- 100 CEUs
Social Workers -30 CEUs
CRNP=30 CEU
CHF
congestive heart failure: A chronic condition in which the heart doesn't pump blood as well as it should.
Heart failure can occur if the heart cannot pump (systolic) or fill (diastolic) adequately.
Symptoms: shortness of breath, fatigue, swollen legs, and
CLABSI
central line associated bloodstream infection: A central venous catheter is a thin, flexible tube inserted into a vein, usually below the right collarbone into a large vein above the right side of the heart called the superior vena cava.
It is used to giv
cl liq
clear liquids: therapeutic diet consisting of clear liquids. May be prescribed as part of a treatment or as preparation for a surgery
CMP
comprehensive metabolic panel: measures 14 different substances in your blood provides important information about your body's chemical balance and metabolism
CNA
certified nursing assistant: Trained individuals who provide personal care to patients. Must be trained at an PDE approved program and pass a standardized test to be placed on the PA Nurse Aide Registry
CNS
central nervous system: The brain and spinal cord
?
Complains of: Describes what the patient says they are feeling
Ex. The patient c/o vomiting
The patient c/o diarrhea
COPD
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A group of diseases that cause airflow blockage and breathing-related problems. Includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
COPD makes breathing difficult for the 16 million Americans who have this disease
There is no
COVID-19
Coronavirus Disease of 2019: family of viruses that can cause illnesses such as the common cold, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)
The virus is now known as the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavir
CP
chest pain: indicative of a respiratory or cardiac problem BUT not always- a complete history, physical exam will allow the HCP to make a differential Dx.
Ex. Pt. c/o chest pain x 3 days
CP
cerebral palsy: congenital disorder of movement, muscle tone, or posture.
Due to abnormal brain development, often before birth and can appear by early childhood.
Symptomsa: exaggerated reflexes, floppy or rigid limbs, and involuntary motions.
Long-term t
CPAP
continuous positive airway pressure: common treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. A CPAP machine uses a hose and mask or nosepiece to deliver constant and steady air pressure.
CPOE
computerized physician order entry: A process of electronic entry of medical practitioner instructions for the treatment of patients under their care
CPR
cardiopulmonary resuscitation: An emergency lifesaving procedure performed when the heart stops beating, can double or triple chances of survival after cardiac arrest
CRE
Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae: An intestinal illness caused by a bacteria in the bowel
entero -small Intestine
coccus (the type of bacteria)
Carbapenem- the antibiotic
Resistant- the abx. isn't working anymore, the enterococcus has become resist
CRNP
certified registered nurse practitioner: Masters prepared. In PA CRNPs diagnose and treat illness, own their own practice and diagnose and prescribe. They use a physician in a collaborative relationship
CRP
C-reactive protein: Measures the level of c-reactive protein (CRP) in your blood.
CRP is a protein made by your liver. It's sent into your bloodstream in response to inflammation.
C & S
culture and sensitivity: A culture is a test to find pathogens (such as bacteria or a fungus) that can cause an infection.
A sensitivity test checks to see what kind of antibiotic or fungal will work best to treat the infection.
CSF
cerebral spinal fluid: clear, colorless body fluid found in the brain and spinal cord that bathes the brain and spinal cord
CTS
carpal tunnel syndrome (median nerve compression): condition that causes numbness, tingling, or weakness in your hand. Caused from pressure on your median nerve, which runs the length of your arm, goes through a passage in your wrist called the carpal tun
CVA
cerebrovascular accident (stroke): Loss of blood flow to brain causing brain tissue to die
Hemorrhagic- blood vessel bursts and floods brain tissue (like a black &Blue)
Ischemic- a blood clot forms and blocks the vessel
CXR
chest x-ray: A radiographic image of the heart, lungs, airways, blood vessels and the bones of the spine and chest.
Can detect cancer, infection or air collecting in the space around a lung, which can cause the lung to collapse.
Can also show chronic lung
CVC
central venous catheter: Is a thin, flexible tube that is inserted into a vein, usually below the right collarbone threaded into a large vein above the right side of the heart (superior vena cava) used to give intravenous fluids, blood transfusions, chemo
d Day
a "do not use " or "banned" abbreviation; use daily instead to avoid confusion
D/C
discontinue: To stop doing something
ex. "D/C physical therapy
d/c
discharge: To release the patient from medical care
ex. "Anticipated d/c date is 10/29" "Pt. d/c'd from MFH on 9/28
DJD
degenerative joint disease: Osteoarthritis
"wear and tear" arthritis as opposed to Rheumatoid Arthritis, this type of arthritis is caused by inflammation, breakdown and eventual loss of the cartilage of the joints
DM
diabetes mellitus: Disease in which the body's ability to produce or respond to the hormone insulin is impaired
results in abnormal metabolism of carbohydrates and elevated levels of glucose in the blood and urine.
TI: pancreas is not working properly to
DNR
do not resuscitate: medical order that instructs health care providers not to do CPR or ACLS if a patient's breathing stops or if the patient's heart stops beating.
Advanced Directive ( a legal document that allows one to spell out decisions about end-of-
DO
doctor of osteopathy/osteopathic physician: Fully licensed physicians who practice in all areas of medicine with holistic approach. Additionally trained in OMT (Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment) hands-on techniques used by osteopathic physicians (DOs) t
DOA
dead on arrival: clinically dead upon the arrival of professional medical assistance
DOB
date of birth
DOE
dyspnea on exertion: sensation of running out of air and not being able to breathe fast or deeply enough during physical activity. Feeling short of breath or not being able to "catch" their breath.
common causes: a respiratory or cardiac issue, upper airw
DPM
Doctor of Podiatric Medicine: physician and surgeon who treats the foot, ankle, and related structures of the leg; can focus on many fields, including surgery, sports medicine, wound care, pediatrics, and diabetic care. complete four years of training in
DRG
diagnostic related group: classify hospital cases into diagnostic groups as a part of the payment system. Helps with cost containment and determines how much is paid to the hospital since patients within each category are similar clinically
DRGs can also
dsg/drsg
dressing: used in direct contact with a wound to help it heal/prevent further issues or complications, aim to help reduce infection.
Ex.
Cloth, Foam, Transparent, Hydrocolloid, Hydrogel
DT
delirium tremens: rapid onset of confusion usually caused by withdrawal from alcohol, often 3 days into the withdrawal symptoms and may last for 2-3 days.
Symptomsz: shaking, shivering, irregular heart rate, sweating, hallucinating, very high body temp or
D/W
dextrose in water: form in sugar, when added to water to make an intravenous sugar solution can treat patients with low blood sugar, water loss (without the loss of electrolytes), such as fever, hyperthyroidism, high blood calcium or diabetes
DVT
deep vein thrombosis: blood clot forms in one or more of the deep veins in your body, usually your legs. common with certain medical conditions that affect how the blood clots; but patients also at risk if they have. DVTs may be very serious as the blood
Dx
diagnosis: The process of finding out what is causing symptoms, a disease or injury in a patient and reaching an educated opinion based on the findings
EBL
estimated blood loss: loss of RBCs exceeds the production of new RBCs. When blood loss is rapid, BP drops and hypovolemic shock can occur. This is a medical emergency in which severe blood and fluid loss does not allow the heart to pump enough blood to th
EBM
evidence based medicine: The use of experience, values of the patient and the best available scientific information to guide decision-making within clinical management of patients. This approach improves the outcomes of the patients and provides best clin
EBP
evidence based practice: applying research findings in daily patient care practices and clinical decision-making. Integrating the best available evidence with clinical knowledge and expertise, while considering patient's unique needs and personal preferen
Echo
echocardiogram: a test that uses high frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to create a graphic pictures of the heart's movement and provide visuals of the heart's chambers, valves, walls and blood vessels (aorta, arteries and veins). Assess the size and sha
EKG/ECG
electrocardiogram: a test that measures the electrical activity of the heartbeat. Within each beat, an electrical impulse (or "wave") travels through the heart. This wave causes the muscle to squeeze and pump blood from the heart
EEG
electroencephalogram: a test that detects electrical activity in the brain using small, metal discs (electrodes) attached to the scalp. The brain communicates via electrical impulses and display on an EEG recording.
EENT
eyes, ears, nose, throat: A medical speciality
EHR/EMR
electronic health/medical record: a digital version of a patient's chart
EMS
emergency medical services: a system that provides emergency medical care. Once it is activated by an incident that causes serious illness or injury, the focus of EMS is emergency medical care of the patients, It is a coordinated response and emergency me
EMT
emergency medical technician: provides out of hospital emergency medical care and transportation for critical and emergent patients who access the EMS system. They have the basic knowledge and skills necessary to stabilize and safely transport patients ra
ENT
ear, nose, throat: A physician who specializes in ear, nose, or throat disorders
ER/ED
Emergency room/department
ESBL
extended spectrum beta-lactamase: Enzymes produced by some types of bacteria that may make them resistant to some antibiotics.
ESR
erythrocyte sedimentation rate (sed rate): A blood test to measure how quickly RBCs settle at the bottom of blood tube, normally settle slowly, if fast sign of inflammation
ESRD
End Stage Renal Disease: last state of kidney disease/loss of kidney function; Kidneys are no longer able to filter waste and excess fluid from your body. Dangerous levels of fluid, electrolytes and wastes build up in your body.
Treatment: dialysis or kid
ETOH
chemical abbreviation for ethyl alcohol and the alcohol in a patient's system
exp
exploratory: Related to exploration or exploratory surgery
ESRD
End Stage Renal Disease: last state of kidney disease/loss of kidney function; Kidneys are no longer able to filter waste and excess fluid from your body. Dangerous levels of fluid, electrolytes and wastes build up in your body.
ESRD
End Stage Renal Disease: last state of kidney disease,
ESRD
...