ABO blood group
Inherited antigens are found on the surface of an individual's red blood cells. These antigens identify the blood group (i.e., type A blood has type A antigens). Also known as blood type.
Acute illness
Sudden onset of disease or trauma or disease of short duration, usually 3 weeks or less.
Benign
A term used to characterize a tumor that does not have the capability to spread to other parts of the body and usually is composed of tissue similar to its tissue of origin.
Chronic illness
An illness that has continued for months, weeks, or years.
Complete blood count (CBC)
A blood test that measures specific components, including the hemoglobin, hematocrit, red blood cells, and white blood cells.
Computed tomography (CT)
An imaging technique that allows physicians to obtain cross-sectional x-ray views of the patient. The result is a CT scan.
Contrast medium
A radiopaque fluid used in radiation studies to determine the shape and density of the anatomy.
Diastolic pressure
The pressure exerted on the walls of the blood vessels during the resting phase of cardiac contraction.
Differential count
A test that determines the number of each type of white blood cells in a specimen of blood.
Doppler studies
A technique that uses ultrasonic waves to measure blood flow in a vessel.
Electrocardiography
A noninvasive assessment of the heart's electrical activity displayed on a graph, the electrocardiogram. In the United States, electrocardiogram is abbreviated correctly as ECG. EKG is the European abbreviation.
Endoscopic procedures
Medical assessment of body cavities using a fiberoptic instrument (endoscope).
Fluoroscopy
A radiological technique that provides real-time images of an anatomical region.
Hematocrit (hct)
The ratio of red blood cells to plasma.
Hemoglobin (hgb)
The oxygen-carrying molecule found in red blood cells. Blood protein.
Imaging studies
Diagnostic tests that produce a picture or image.
Invasive procedure
A medical or nursing procedure in which the skin is broken or a body cavity is entered.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
A diagnostic technique that uses radiofrequency signals and magnetic energy to produce images.
Malignant
A term used to characterize tissue that shows disorganized, uncontrolled growth (cancer). Malignant tissue has the potential to spread locally or to distant areas of the body. It is then termed metastatic.
Mean arterial pressure (MAP)
The average amount of pressure exerted throughout the cardiac cycle.
Metastasis
The spread of malignant or cancerous cells to a local or distant area of the body.
Neoplasm
A tumor, which may be benign or malignant.
Nuclear medicine
Medical procedures that use radioactive particles to track target tissues in the body.
Orthostatic (postural) blood pressure
Refers to a technique used to check the patient's blood pressure in the upright and recumbent positions.
Palpating
Assessing a part of the body by feeling the outline, density, movement, or other attributes.
Partial thromboplastin time (PTT)
A test of blood coagulation used in patients receiving heparin to determine the correct level of anticoagulation.
Positron emission tomography (PET)
A type of medical imaging that measures specific metabolic activity in the target tissue.
Prothrombin time (PT)
A measurement of the time required for blood to clot.
Pulse pressure
A measurement of the difference between the systolic pressure and diastolic pressure. This can be a significant sign of metabolic disturbance.
Radioactive seeds
Small "seeds" of radioactive material implanted in tissue for cancer treatment.
Radionuclides or isotopes.
In nuclear medicine, radioactive particles are directed at the nucleus of a selected element to create energy. These special elements are referred to as radionuclides or isotopes.
Radiopaque
A substance that is impenetrable by x-rays (gamma radiation).
Sphygmomanometer
An instrument used to measure blood pressure.
Staging
An international method of classifying tissue to determine the level of metastasis in cancer.
Systolic pressure
The pressure exerted by blood on the walls of vessels during the contraction phase of the cardiac cycle.
TNM classification system
An international system for determining the extent of metastasis and the level of cell differentiation, two important factors in treatment and prognosis of cancer.
Transcutaneous
Literally "through the skin"; it refers to a procedure in which a needle or other medical device is inserted from the outside of the body to the inside through the skin.
Tumor marker
An antigen present on the tumor cell, or a substance (protein, hormone, or other chemical) released by cancer cells into the blood.
Vital signs
Cardinal signs of well-being: pain, temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure. These are measured to assess a patient's basic metabolic status.
The vital signs include:
The vital signs include:
Temperature
Pulse
Respiration
Blood pressure
During surgery, why is it important to monitor vital signs?
A change in the vital signs can be an early warning of an acute illness (one that comes on suddenly) or a sign of a chronic illness (long-term disease). Vital signs are measured whenever a patient requires medical assessment.
The person measuring the vita
What is the difference between acute and chronic illness?
A. Give an example of each.
Acute illness comes on suddenly while chronic illness is a long term disease.
Acute illness example:Coughs, colds, teething, PMS, sleeplessness.
Chronic illness example: Cancer, AIDS, Kidney Disease and Diabetes
What are the five different ways a patient's temperature might be taken?
A. Oral temperature
B. Axillary temperature
C. Rectal temperature
D. Tympanic membrane thermometer
F. Glass thermometers
Explain the three- point or four-point scale used to report the strength of the pulse, as well as the terminology used to describe the pulse.
A 3-point or 4-point scale is used to report the strength of the pulse.
For terminology,
Bounding is 3+,
Normal is 2+,
Weak is 1+
and Absent (death) is 0.
Describe the technique for measuring the respiratory rate.
The respiratory rate is measured by observing the patient's thorax and abdomen and recording the breaths per minute. The patient needs to be unaware as to not alter their own breathing pattern. To measure the rate, count the number of breaths within 30 se
Describe the technique of evaluating the pulse using the associated terms and definitions.
Pulse is measured by feeling (palpating) an artery. The radial artery is used in routine assessment. You have to use the pads of the first 3 fingers because the thumb has its own pulse which can be confused. There are several other arteries that can be us
List the areas for measuring the pulse.
The areas are the temporal pulse, carotid pulse, brachial pulse, radial pulse, femoral pulse, posterior tibial pulse and dorsalis pedis pulse.
What can alter the respiratory rate?
The respiratory rate can be altered by exertion, metabolic stress, strong emotion, and the effect of specific drugs, which can depress or stimulate the autonomic nervous system.
What problems are associated with evaluation of a patient's blood pressure using a simple digital (automatic) sphygmomanometer?
The stethoscope method (manual sphygmomanometer) provides a more thorough assessment. It takes a detailed assessment of the sounds.
Pressure varies by age and is affected by various other normal physiological conditions, including:
Weight, exertion, stress, strong emotion, and gender.
Important normal physiological factors that influence blood pressure include:
Cardiac output: total amount of blood pumped out in 1 minute.
Stroke volume: amount of blood pumped during ventricular contraction.
Peripheral vascular resistance: static pressure of the blood vessels against the flow of blood.
Resilience of the cardiac a
List the technique for taking the blood pressure.
Blood pressure is measured by an electronic (digital) or manual sphygmomanometer with stethoscope. It has 3 components which are the cuff, the pump, and the gauge. Blood pressure cam be measured on an arm or leg but the upper arm is most common for adults
List the common errors associated with blood pressure measurement.
1. False high systolic and diastolic pressures
2. False low systolic and diastolic pressures
3. False low systolic pressure
4. False low diastolic pressure
5. False high diastolic pressure
6. Any type of error like working too fast , faulty technique or d
The CBC is a basic test used to evaluate the type and percentage of normal components in the blood. What five components are tested?
The five components tested are
hemoglobin (oxygen carrying protein attached to RBCs)
Red blood cell count
Hematocrit (Hct) percentage of RBC in the blood by volume.
Platelet count.
Differential leukocyte count
Positively charged electrolytes are called cations. Which cations are routinely tested during a routine blood workup?
Potassium, sodium, magnesium and calcium are routinely tested.
Combines radiography with an image intensifier that is visible in normal lighting.
c. Fluoroscopy
Is generated by high frequency sound waves.
e. ultrasound
Uses radio frequency signals and multiple magnetic fields to produce a high definition image.
b. Magnetic resource (should be resonance) imaging
Uses the combined technologies of computed tomography and radioactive scanning.
d. Positron emission tomography (PET)
X-Ray and computer technologies are combined to produce high contrast cross- sectional images.
a. computed tomography (CT)
A person's blood type.
e. ABO groups
Is a basic test used to evaluate the type and percentage of normal components in the blood.
a. complete blood count (CBC)
The mechanism of blood clotting.
c. coagulation test
Cations and anions
f. electrolytes
Includes blood glucose, carbon dioxide, creatinine, urea nitrogen, bicarbonate, and several electrolytes
b. metabolic panel
A measurement of these ions (bicarbonate and carbonic acid and provides a snapshot of this balancing mechanism)
d. arterial blood gases
The most basic form of assessment.
d. vital signs
The body requires a core (deep) temperature of approximately 99 F, or
a.37.2 degrees celsius
Axillary temperature readings are __________ than oral measurements.
b. 0.5 degree to 1 degree Fahrenheit lower
Which statement about the use of the thermometers is true?
d. Tympanic thermometers can harbor an infectious biofilm that may not be visible.
The normal pulse rate for an adult is
B. 60 to 100 beats per minute
A bradycardia pulse is described as
a. 40 to 60 beats per minute
__________ provides detailed information about heart conduction.
a. ECG
The basic metabolic panel includes all of the following, except:
d. oxygen
________________ is performed to assess the functional ability of the coagulation sequence.
c. PTT (partial thromboplastin time)
Electrolytes include all the following, except:
b. Carbonic acid
Hypocalcemia is caused from a deficiency of what electrolyte?
A. Calcium
Hyponatremia is caused from a deficiency of what electrolyte?
C. Sodium
Hypokalemia is caused from a deficiency of what electrolyte?
B. Potassium
Urinalysis is performed to assess the body's overall health, with particular focus on the urinary tract; a simple screening is performed to check for different substances to include all, except:
c. magnesium
One of the tests used to detect infection is the
d. culture and sensitivity
The surgical removal of a small portion of tissue is a(n)
c. excision
Obtained by passing a swab or small brush oversuperficial tissue.
d. smear
Used to sweep a hollow lumen or cavity for cells.
B. Brush biopsy
A core sample of tissue is removed in one or more locations of the suspected area.
a. needle or trocar biopsy
Fluid for pathological examination may be removed using.
C. Aspiration needle
Tissue removed and immediately placed in liquid nitrogen.
A. Frozen section
Abnormal growth
D. Neoplasm
Is composed of cells belonging to a single tissue type and does not spread to distant regions of the body.
B. Benign tumor
New tumors may develop from these "seed" cells.
C. Metastasis
Composed of disorganized tissue that exhibits uncontrolled growth.
A. Malignant tumor
Case study: you are asked to take the patient's vital signs. You find only one blood pressure cuff. It is intended for normal adults. Your patient's BMI is 40 (morbidly obese).
A. How will this cuff affect the blood pressure reading?
B. Can you use this c
A. Cuff reading will most likely be inaccurate assuming the cuff does not fit the patient.
B. No, the reading would be inaccurate if the cuff cannot fit the patient.
C. Apologize and explain the situation respectfully to the patient. Additionally, have so
The pulse range for an athlete is:
a. 50 to 100 beats per minute