MEDICAL TERMS: Words to say in sims to make you sound like a real doctor. ABG: Arterial Blood Gases; blood is measured for O2 content; indications: asthma, COPD, chest trauma Adenosine: Stabilize heart rhythm; for heart arrhythmia Altered LOC: Altered Level Of Consciousness, possibly from concussion or internal brain hemorrhage Altered Mental State: Mental disorientation, such as in a drug overdose Anterior: The forward plane of the body Apgar: ScoresTaken at one minute and five minutes of life, reflect the general status of a newborn, including how well the baby is moving and breathing and other parameters. Perfect score is 10; many healthy babies score 9. Atropine: A drug used to speed up heart rate, or to treat cardiac arrest. Bilateral Tib-Fib Fractures: Broken tibia and fibula on both legs Bleeding Out: Very severe hemorrhaging, could be fatal Blood Culture: Blood is drawn and cultured for bacteria; indications high fever Blood Gas: Blood sample from artery used to compute the blood level of O2, CO2, and pH Blown Pupil: Abnormal pupil dilation; dilation following a blow to the head could mean increased intracranial pressure, usually caused by brain hemorrhage BOA: Birth Out of Asepsis (non-sterile conditions) Cardiac Enzymes: Enzymes released by damaged heart muscles CBC: Complete Blood Count CC: Chief Complaint cc: cubic centimeters, a liquid unit of measurement equal to one milliliter Chem 7: Measures basic electrolytes in blood: Na, Cl, K, CO2, blood urea N2 (BUN), creatinine, and glucose Note: Some hospitals use a Chem 12 or chem 15. These are the above lytes with other added tests. CHF: Congestive Heart Failure Coag Panel: Assess blood coagulation COPD: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Crack the Chest: Make a foot-long incision between two ribs on the left side to gain access to the heart, used in emergency conditions only Crash Cart: Medical supply cart for cardiac and respiratory arrest CSF: Cerebrospinal Fluid D 5050% Dextrose (for low blood sugar): one ampule via IV Decubitus Ulcer: A bedsore, an open sore caused by pressure and lack of circulation,malnutrition may contribute to these ulcers associated with immobility Diaphoresis Sweaty: skin associated with myocaridal infarction Dopamine: Makes heart pump strongly Epinephrine Drug: to treat cardiac arrest Failure to progress: Baby is not dropping or the woman's cervix is not dilating; depending on the stage of labor, do C-section or administer Pitocin FUO: Fever of undetermined origin Hematocrit: ("Crit")Measure number of RBC; decrease means hemorrhage or anemia In extremis: at the point of death IV Push: (intravenous push) Put in drug directly into IV all at once. Use large-bore needle, IV, to transfuse fluids very quickly Lavage: Washing out LGFD: Looks Good From Doorway (patient who complains but looks fine) MI: Myocardial Infarction, also called a Heart Attack. Usually caused by a stoppage or decreased blood flow to the heart muscle, resulting in the death of the cardiac muscle. MUDPILES: Mnemonic device for anion gap (Methanol, Uremia, Diabetic ketoacidosis, Paraldehyde, Iron, Lactic acidosis, Ethanol, Salicylate starvation)..an anion gap will indicate one of these conditions. Narcan: Antidote for heroin and other narcotics; 0.8 mg via IV Normal Saline: Saline solution that has the same balance as fluids in the body -- the first type of fluid administered intravenously (IV) in emergencies NPO: nil per os, "nothing by mouth" ("Put this patient NPO.") Osteo: Pertaining to the bones Perf: Perforate; to burst PERTL: Pupils equally responsive to light...a neurologic test Pitocin: Hormone given intravenously to stimulate uterine contractions Platelets: Blood factors that cause clotting Pneumothorax: Collapsed lung Posterior: The rear plane of the body Pressure: Blood pressures at arteries, veins, and within the chambers PROM: Premature Rupture Of Membranes (water broke too early and the unborn baby is at risk for infection) PW: Phaser wound Ruptured Aortic Aneurism: Ruptured main artery Send Him Redline: Send him directly and urgently Sinus Rhythm: Normal heartbeat STD: Sexually transmitted disease Tachycardia: Fast heart rate; normal heart rate is 60-100 beats per minute Tension Pneumothorax: Collapsed lung where air escapes into chest; increases pressure on heart Throat Culture: Test for Streptococcus Tox Screen: Drug Test TPR: Temperature/pulse/respiration, the basic diagnostic values for most carbon-based life forms Type and Cross: Draw blood, type it match with same type for transfusion V Tac: Heart Rate abnormally high Vitamin H: Haldol, a very powerful sedating agent for combative people WADAO: Weak And Dizzy All Over Walking Time Bomb: Someone with a disease that could be fatal at any minute White Count or WBC: increased count usually indicates infection Also can signify Leukemia or Lymphoma, depending if count is up or down. WNL: Within Normal LimitsTaken from The Los Angeles Times: Behind the Scenes at ER Compiled by Takako Nagumo additions by James Bowman |
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| IM - Intramuscular IV - Intravenous ID - Intradermal (Example: the type of injection used for Tuberculosis Testing) PO - By Mouth SL - Sublingual SC/Sub Q/SQ - Subcutaneous OD - Rt. Eye OS - Lt. Eye OU - Both Eyes STAT - Immediately Q/q - Every QD - Every day QOD - Every other day Q 1 H - Every hour Q 2 H Q 3 H } Every indicated hour Q 4 H Hr - Hour HS - Hour of sleep or at night BID - Twice a day TID - Three times a day QID - Four times a day PRN - As needed Ab lib - As desired AC - Before meals PC - After meals Rx - Take therapy/ Give Apothocary Conversion Table 60mg -1gr (grain) 1 oz. - 8 d (drams) 1 d - 60 gr. 1 fl. d. (Fluid dram) - 4 ml. 1 kg. - 2.2 lbs. 2.5 cm - 1 in. 5 ml. - 1 teaspoon 16 minums - 1 ml. 1 d - 60 gr 1 fluid dram - 60 minums 1 fluid ounce - 8 fluid drams 15 gr. - 1 gm 1 dram - 30 grams Written by: Anne E. Erickson M.D. Commander SFEF Stardate 55148.06 02-23-02 |
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