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Adventitious Sounds
abnormal lung sounds heard with auscultation
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Allen’s Test
test for the patency of the radial artery. The client’s hand is formed into a fist while the nurse compresses the ulnar artery. Compression of the ulnar artery is continued while the fist is opened. If blood perfusion through the radial artery is adequate, the hand should flush and resume pinkish coloration.
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Aphasia
neurological disorder influencing the production and understanding of language.
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Apical Impulse
point at which the heart touches the anterior chest wall; best site for auscultation of heart sounds; also called the point of maximal impulse (PMI).
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Arcus Senilis
thin white ring along the margin of the iris
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Atrophy
To cause to wither or deteriorate; in size of a body organ, tissue, or part owing to disease, injury, or lack of use
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Borborygmi
audible abnormal sound produced by hyperactive intestinal peristalsis.
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Bronchophony
increase in intensity and clarity of the vocal response that may result from an increase in the lung tissue density, such as the consolidation of pneumonia.
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Bruit
abnormal sound or murmur heard while auscultating an organ, gland, or artery.
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Capillary Refill
the time it takes a nail bed to return to its usual color after the blood flow has been momentarily occluded is an indicator of peripheral circulation.
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Carie
abnormal condition of a tooth, characterized by decay
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Cerumen
a yellow, waxy substance produced by sweat glands in the external ear canal. This is normal.
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Cherry Angioma
ruby red papules of the skin
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Clubbing
bulging of the tissues at the nail base due to insufficient oxygenation at the periphery resulting from conditions such as chronic emphysema and congenital heart disease.
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Cyanosis
bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes caused by deoxygenated hemoglobin in the blood or a structural defect in hemoglobin.
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Distention
swelling of a body cavity; may be caused by fluid, gas, or a mass.
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Ectropion
eversion of the eyelid that exposed the conjunctival membrane and part of the eyeball.
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Erythema
redness or inflammation of the skin or mucous membranes that is a result of dilation and congestion of superficial capillaries; sunburn is an example
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Excoriation
injury to the skin’s surface caused by abrasion
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Exostosis
abnormal benign growth on the surface of a bone
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Hemorrhoid
permanent dilation and engorgement of a vein within the lining of the rectum.
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Hernia
protrusion of abdominal organs through the muscle wall.
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Hirsutism
excessive body hair in a masculine distribution caused by hereditary, hormonal dysfunction, or medication.
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Hypertonicity
increased muscle tone.
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Indurated
hardened tissue, particularly skin, due to edema, inflammation, or infiltration by a tumor
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Jaundice
yellow discoloration of skin, mucous membranes, and sclera, caused by greater then normal amounts of bilirubin in the blood.
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Kyphosis
exaggeration of the posterior curvature of the thoracic spine
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Leukoplakia
thick, raised, pearly-white patch of precancerous tissue found on the lips, buccal mucosa, penis, or vulva.
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Lordosis
increased lumbar curvature
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Murmur
low-pitched fluttering or humming sound, such as a heart murmur
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Nystagmus
involuntary rhythmic movements of the eyes; the oscillations may be horizontal, vertical, rotary, or mixed.
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Ophthalmoscope
An instrument for examining the interior structures of the eye, especially the retina, consisting essentially of a mirror that reflects light into the eye and a central hole through which the eye is examined.
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Otoscope
instrument with a special ear speculum used to examine the deeper structures of the external and middle ear.
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Pallor
Extreme or unnatural paleness
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Petechiae
tiny purple or red spots that appear on the skin as minute hemorrhages within dermal layers.
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Point of Maximal Impulse (PMI):
anatomical point along the fourth to fifth intercostal space at the midclavicular line where the heartbeat can most easily be palpated through the chest wall.
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Polyp
small tumor like growths that projects from a mucous membrane surface.
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Ptosis
abnormal condition of one or both upper eyelids in which the eyelid droops; caused by weakness of the levator muscle or paralysis of the third cranial nerve.
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Pulse Deficit
condition that exists when the radial pulse is less then the ventricular rate as auscultated at the apex or seen on an electrocardiogram; indicates a lack of peripheral perfusion for some of the heart contractions.
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Scoliosis
lateral spinal curvature
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Striae
streak or linear scar that results from rapidly developing tension in the skin, commonly seen on the abdomen after pregnancy.
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Tactile Fremitus
tremulous vibration of the chest wall during breathing that is palpable on physical examination.
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Thrill
continuous palpable sensation, like the purring of a cat
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Turgor
normal resiliency of the skin caused by the outward pressure of the cells and interstitial fluid.
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Varicosities
superficial veins that become dilated, for example, varicose veins on the leg or esophageal varicosities along the surface of the esophagus.
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Ventricular Gallop
abnormal low-pitched extra heart sound (S3) heard in early diastole
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Vesicle
A small sac or cyst, especially one containing fluid
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Vocal Fremitus
vibrations created by sound waves that can be palpated externally
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Whispered Pectoriloquy
transmission of a whisper through the pulmonary structures so that it is heard as normal audible speech of auscultation
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Buccal Mucosa
mucous membrane of the inside of the cheek. It is non-keratinised and is continuous with the mucosa of the soft palate, under surface of tongue and the floor of the mouth.
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Sclera
the opaque (usually white) fibrous, protective, outer layer of the eye containing collagen and elastic fibers
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Accomodation
The automatic adjustment in the focal length of the lens of the eye to permit retinal focus of images of objects at varying distances
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Purulent
producing or containing pus.
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Red Reflex
a luminous red appearance seen upon the retina in retinoscopy
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Romberg
Test for neurological examination & used to test for drunken driving
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Weber’s Test
This is a hearing test that checks there is a lateralization of sound
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Rinne Test
Another hearing test that checks the comparison of air and bone conduction
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Homan’s
Dorsiflection of the foot causes pain in calf (phlebitis) [Not recommended may dislodge clot if present]
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Costovertebral Angle (CVA) Tenderness
Pain produced when tapping CVA(formed by last rib & vertebral column) example: kidney infection
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