HCA Terminology

DCC HCA course flashcards

225 flashcards · Biology · by Angela Li

1. PO

   By Mouth

2. NPO

   Nothing by Mouth

3. PRN

   As need it as necessary

4. STAT

   immediately once

5. DIPPS

   Dignity, independence, preference, privacy, safety

6. ADL

   activities of daily living

7. IADL

   instrumental activities of daily living

8. c/o

   complaints of

9. tachy

   fast

10. brady

    slow

11. tachycardia

    a fast heart rate , normal rate 60-100 beats per min , over 100 – tachycardia

12. Bradycardia

    a slow heart rate , less than 60 BPM – bradycardia

13. Pnea

    breathing

14. Dyspnea

    difficulty breathing

15. Apnea

    absence of breathing

16. Tachypnea

    fast rate of breathing , normal rates for breathing 12-20 respirations , over 20 respirations per min

17. Bradypnea

    slow rate of breathing , less than 12 respirations per min

18. Aspiration

    inhaling fluids or foods into lungs

19. SOB

    shortness of breath

20. PEARL

    Pupils equal and reactive to light

21. Dysuria

    difficulty or painful urination

22. Dysphagia

    difficulties swallowing

23. Dysphasia

    Difficulties speaking

24. Hematuria

    blood in urine

25. HS

    Hours of sleep

26. UTI

    Urinary Tract Infection

27. VS

    Vital signs

28. T

    Temperature

29. P

    Pulse

30. BP

    Blood pressure

31. BM

    Bowel Movements

32. Nocturia

    Urination at night

33. Hypotension

    Low blood pressure

34. Hypertension

    High blood pressure

35. Colostomy

    artificial opening between colon and abdominal wall

36. IDDM

    Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus

37. NIDDM

    non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus

38. Red Blood Cells / RBC

    carry oxygen

39. White blood cells / WBC

    Fight infection

40. Platelets

    stop bleeding

41. Hypoglycemia

    low blood sugar

42. Hyperglycemia

    High blood sugar

43. MI

    Myocardial infarction aka Heart attack

44. CVA

    Cerebral vascular accident aka Stroke

45. TIA

    Transient ischemic attack or "temporary stroke"

46. CA

    Cancer

47. MS

    Multiple sclerosis

48. od

    once a day

49. micr(o)

    small

50. macr(o)

    large

51. cyan(o) blue, cyanosis

    condition membranes look blueish due to low oxygen

52. pc

    after meals

53. ac

    before meals

54. qh

    every hour

55. q2h

    every 2 hours

56. I&O

    intake and output

57. CBC

    complete blood count

58. ROM

    range of motion

59. Dx

    diagnosis

60. Hx

    History

61. Oma

    tumor

62. Itis

    inflammation

63. Megaly

    enlargement

64. card, cardi(o)

    heart

65. cephal(o)

    head

66. abdomin(o)

    abdomen

67. nephr(o)

    kidney

68. neur(o)

    nerve

69. Rx

    prescribed

70. WNL

    within normal limits

71. DNR

    Do not resuscitate

72. Anterior

    front

73. Posterior

    back

74. Lateral

    farthest from midline

75. distal

    far from trunk

76. proximal

    near trunk

77. bid

    twice a day

78. tid

    three times a day

79. qid

    four times a day

80. What is MS?

    A disease that impacts the brain and spinal cord which make up the central nervous system that controls what we do. Cause is unknown, our immune system attacks the protective sheath (Myelin Sheath) that covers nerve fibers. This interrupts communication between the brain and rest of the body.

81. Progressive MS

    gradual and ongoing loss of function without distinct attacks

82. Relaspsing and Remitting MS

    Most people with MS initially experience attacks of new symptoms followed by periods of time when those symptoms go away partially or completely

83. Cataract

    an eye disease that causes the lens to cloud, preventing light from passing properly. This can lead to blurred vision, etc.

84. IDDM is also known as...?

    Type 1 Diabetes

85. What does CPR stand for?

    Cardiopulmonary resuscitation

86. ED/ER

    Emergency Department / Emergency room

87. TPR

    Temperature Pulse Respiration

88. GERD

    Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

89. S/S of UTI

    Frequent urination, urge that doesn't go away, hematuria, nocturia, cloudy urine, strong odor

90. GERD is..?

    Severe Chronic acid reflux. When the sphincter fails to close and contents of the stomach travels back up the esophagus, producing a burning sensation aka Heart burn.

91. What is the Braden scale?

    Risk of assessment tool used to identify patients at risk of developing pressure ulcers

92. What is the three layers of skin?

    Epidermis, Dermis, and Hypodermis

93. Cause of Decubitus Ulcers? (Pressure sore)

    Prolonged and unrelieved pressure, friction, and shearing, poor circulation in area, moisture, dry, flaky skin, irritation from urine/stool

94. Benign meaning

    Non-cancerous, slow growing and capsulated (contained in one area)

95. Malignant meaning

    Cancerous, fast growing, invades nearby tissues and can spread

96. What is a cell?

    The basic unit of life that is responsible for all of life’s processes, building block of the body

97. How many bones does an adult body have?

    206

98. What is a joint

    The point at which 2 or more bones meet.

99. What are the three groups of joints?

    Fibrous (immovable), Cartilaginous (slightly movable), and synovial (freely moveable)

100. Tendons purpose?

     Tendons bind bone to muscle