Understanding Medical Jargon: A Beginner’s Guide
Medicine is a vast and complex field. While some people dedicate their lives to studying it, the rest of us might only encounter medical terms when watching TV shows or visiting hospitals. Here’s a list of common medical jargon, their definitions, and meanings.
Acute:
Describes a severe or painful condition that develops quickly and fades away.
Abrasion:
A small, superficial scrape or injury to the skin.
Bagging:
Assisting a patient by manually squeezing a bag that delivers oxygen through a face mask.
Ad Lib:
Originating from the Latin phrase “at one’s pleasure,” ad lib means that a patient has the freedom to do as they wish, like moving out of bed or choosing a meal.
Benign:
Non-cancerous tumor or growth.
Sutures:
Stitches used to join tissues during the healing process after surgery or injury.
Biopsy:
Removing a small tissue sample for laboratory analysis to diagnose various diseases or conditions.
“O-sign” and “Q-sign”:
“O-sign” refers to a patient’s open-mouthed, slack-jawed appearance. “Q-sign” indicates the tongue protruding from the mouth.
Toxicology Screen:
Tests used to determine the presence and approximate amount of legal or illegal drugs in a patient’s system.
#: (Broken Bone)
Indicates a fracture or break in a bone.
ADR (Adverse Drug Reaction):
An unwanted or harmful side effect a patient experiences as a result of taking medication.
AKA (Above-the-Knee Amputation) and BKA (Below-the-Knee Amputation):
AKA refers to an amputation above the knee, while BKA indicates a below-the-knee amputation.
Body Mass Index (BMI):
A measure of body fat based on height and weight, representing the ideal weight for a given height.
HPV (Human Papillomavirus):
A common sexually transmitted virus that can cause various types of cancer, including cervical and other genital cancers.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI):
A diagnostic imaging technique that uses a powerful magnetic field and radio waves to create detailed images of internal structures, including organs and bones.
ACL Injury:
An injury to the Anterior Cruciate Ligament in the knee, one of the most common injuries in contact sports like soccer and basketball.
“PRN” (Pro Re Nata):
A Latin term meaning “as needed,” often used to describe medication dosages or instructions.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS):
A chronic gastrointestinal disorder characterized by abdominal pain, bloating, and altered bowel habits.
AMP (Average Manufacturer Price):
The average price a wholesaler pays for a medication directly from the manufacturer, not including discounts.
Surgical Suffixes:
Several suffixes are used to describe surgical procedures, including -ectomy (removal), -plasty (reconstruction or reshaping), and -mortem (death-related).
Cyto-:
A prefix related to cells or cytoplasm.
Oncology:
A branch of medicine dealing with cancer, including diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
“Parenteral” and “Enteral”:
“Parenteral” means administering medications outside the gastrointestinal tract, such as intravenously or subcutaneously. “Enteral” refers to administration through the gastrointestinal tract, such as oral or rectal.
Pharmacokinetics:
The study of how the body absorbs, distributes, metabolizes, and excretes medications or other substances.
“Same-day” Procedure:
A medical procedure where the patient is admitted, treated, and discharged on the same day.
Stable:
Indicates that a patient’s condition is not getting worse, but it does not necessarily mean the patient is recovering or cured.
Derma-:
Related to the skin, including conditions and specialists dealing with various dermatological issues.
“Sleep-“::
Related to sleep disorders or medications used for sleep management.
Hypertension:
High blood pressure, with readings consistently above 140/90 mmHg.
Intravenous (IV):
Administration or happening within the veins, primarily for medications and fluids.
Malignant:
A tumor or growth containing cancerous cells, which can spread to other body parts.
Thrombosis:
The formation of a blood clot in the arteries or veins, potentially leading to blocked or limited blood flow.
Edema:
Swelling caused by an accumulation of fluid in body tissues or organs.
Hysterectomy:
Surgical removal of the uterus, preventing menstruation and pregnancy.
Intubation:
Inserting a tube into the patient’s mouth or nose and down to their trachea for administering oxygen, anesthesia, or ventilation.
Stasis:
The slowing or stopping of the normal flow of a patient’s bodily fluids, such as blood, urine, and feces.
Zoonotic:
A disease or infection that can be transmitted from animals to humans, such as rabies, trichinosis, and cat-scratch disease.
Fusion:
Joining adjacent vertebrae or bones to improve the patient’s stability.
“BID” (Twice a Day) and “TID” (Three Times a Day):
Abbreviations indicating the frequency of medication administration, with “BID” meaning twice daily and “TID” meaning three times daily.
Catheter:
A thin medical tube used for various purposes, such as administering fluids, draining urine, or performing diagnostic tests.
Clinical Trials:
Research studies involving human participants to test the safety, efficacy, and potential side effects of new drugs, treatments, or procedures.
“Pre-Existing”:
Conditions or medical history present before the start of a new medical treatment.
Hematoma:
A severe bruise caused by bleeding under the skin, resulting in a lumpy, rubbery, or spongy sensation.
Idiopathic:
Describing a condition or disease with an unknown cause.
