common medical jargon examples

The lower end bears the vermiform appendix ceftriaxone - a cephalosporin antibiotic cellulitis - a skin infection central line - the central location in the circulation of the vein used, usually in the internal jugular and subclavian veins in the neck, or the femoral veins in the groin. 29. 31. 9. 1. Benign: Not cancerous. (In many hospitals, ER personnel also interpret DIC to mean "death is coming" since disseminated intravascular coagulation usually means death is imminent) differential diagnosis - diagnosis made by ruling out many disorders. It is often used in the management of psychiatric and senile patients thrill - a vibration that a doctor or nurse can feel by touch, often used to describe cardiac murmurs that can be felt through the chest wall thrombosis - a blood clot tib-fib fracture - fracture of the tibia & fibula in part of the leg below the knee timoptic - a drug prescribed for high blood pressure and to reduce the possibility of another heart attack toradol - ketorolac, an injectable nonsteroid antiinflammatory agent often used as a substitute for morphine in intoxicated patients or for those patients suspected of seeking narcotics torsades de pointes - a type of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia in which the heart races at extremely high rates in an arrhythmia tox screen - toxicological analysis of the blood, ordered when a drug overdose is suspected and the drugs need to be identified tPA - the abbreviation for tissue plasminogen activator, a drug used as an alternative to angioplasty to break up blood clots during a heart attack tracheal shift - a physical shift of the windpipe due to trauma trauma center - an emergency room with a trauma surgeon on duty triage - the system of prioritizing patients in an emergency situation in which there are a great number of injured or ill type and crossmatch - blood typing to identify patient's blood type, U/A - urinalysis, used to test for kidney failure, dehydration, diabetes, undernourishment, or bladder or kidney infection ulcerative colitis - an inflammatory and ulcerative condition of the colon ultrasound - a test similar to an x-ray, but which uses sound waves unstable angina - angina pectoris in which the cardiac pain has changed in pattern uric acid - an acid formed in the breakdown of nucleoproteins in tissues; often tested when gout is suspected since a high uric acid content in the blood often causes gout symptoms and the formation of stones UTI - abbreviation for urinary tract infection, V/Q scan - a ventilation-perfusion scan, used to confirm a diagnosis of pulmonary embolism valsalva maneuver - when a patient is instructed to blow on his or her thumb to maximize intrathoracic pressure.. Examples of other reasons include endometiral biopsy and to remove tissue after a misscariage or abortion. But what if you don’t have a doctor you see regularly? More ... it stands to reason that patients also make worse health-related decisions when they don't understand medical jargon spoken in the doctor's office. 2. It is used when cardiac trouble is suspected vecuronium - see norcuron venipuncture - the drawing of blood from a vein ventricular septal rupture - rupture of the ventricular septum caused by mechanical failure of infarcted cardiac tissue verapamil - a calcium channel blocker prescribed for angina pectoris, high blood pressure, and supraventricular tachycardia versed - a benzodiazepine muscle relaxant used to sedate, often in conjunction with the paralyzing agent pavulon vitamin H - ER shorthand for haldol V-fib - ventricular fibrillation V-tach - ventricular tachycardia. “Doctors may use familiar words in unfamiliar ways,” it said. agonal - term to signify a major, negative change in a patient's condition Other Common Examples of Jargon UFO – Unidentified Flying Object Poker face – A blank expression Back burner – Something low in priority, putting something off till a later date On Cloud nine – Very happy Sweet tooth – A great love of all things sweet Ballpark figure – A numerical estimated value Gumshoe/Private Eye – Detective Jargon should not be confused with slang, which is informal, colloquial language sometimes used by a group (or groups) of people. -pathy: Disease or disease process. Pathology — the science of the study of disease, abnormal functioning of the body.. Pathophysiology — a combination of the two, how the body functions during a disease or illness.. Pathogen — anything which causes disease, normally used to refer to … Pseudo-: False or deceptive, usually in regards to appearance. "They are more likely to complain of loss of vision.This list is not exhaustive but might be useful as a guide. Contusion: A bruise. But unless you’re planning to become a doctor or another type of provider, this condensed lineup should get you up to speed. Frequent Flyer Definition: A regular patient in the hospital who often seeks medical attention for every […] : Cell: 1 st meaning (medical): Basic structure of a biological unit. Encephal/o: Related to the brain. ... Glossary – Medical Marijuana Jargon. 33. For medical receptionists to fulfill their tasks and communicate with doctors, insurance providers, patients and like personnel, they’re required to know a range of medical terms. Dys-: Abnormal, difficult, or painful. This medical terminology cheat sheet covers a lot of ground, but there will likely be times when you hear something unfamiliar. Flare-up – Begin again suddenly (an illness or a disease) 5. Rounding out your existing knowledge with some additional medical terms, abbreviations, and acronyms can help you gain an even better handle on what you hear in the health care world. Here are some examples of commonly heard jargon: Medical jargon – I need a script in order to pick up the medicine. 41. ; Q stands for "quality"; What, precisely does the pain feel like? Splitting headache – A severe headache 7 Good cap refill is two seconds or less Technical Jargon Generator For Medical Research (TJGFMR) In the various courses on scientific presenting and scientific writing which I run, a common concern is the preponderant predilection towards tendacious technical terminology within the academic and research milieus. A medical student can quickly rattle off that, "Mrs. Jones had a syncopal episode last night without any evidence of arrhythmia. (Equivalent for in a hurry) Legal jargon – Your objection is overruled. ED/ER: Emergency department or emergency room. For example, chest pain can be caused by many diseases or conditions, and each one must be ruled out to arrive at the correct diagnosis digitalis - a drug prescribed for congestive heart failure dilantin - an anticonvulsant drug used to prevent seizures diplopia - double vision disaster protocol color coding - the following color tags are used to immediately triage patients during a mass casualty event: Green is walking wounded; yellow is urgent; red is critical; black is DOA distal pulse - the pulse farthest from the heart diuresis - the increased production of urine diuretic - drug used to increased diuresis, ie lasix diverticulitis - inflammation of the colon DNR - the abbreviation for do not resuscitate, which is requested or ordered for terminally ill patients DOA - abbreviation for dead on arrival dopamine - a catecholamine neurotransmitter, similar to adrenaline. Biopsy: A small sample of tissue that’s taken for testing. The patient usually presents with symptoms that can be shared by many conditions. This concoction is often given to patients presenting with severe heartburn, signs of an ulcer, or indications of an excess production of stomach acid giardiasis - intestinal infection with the giardia bacteria Glasgow coma scale - this scale is used to quickly determine the status and degree of injury of a trauma victim to the head "Glove up and dig in" - see bowel disimpaction golden hour - also known as the golden window. 25. Abscess: A tender, fluid-filled pocket that forms in tissue, usually due to infection. In this example of medical jargon, a patient is described as ill rather than more common colloquial phrases like “sick” or “feeling under the weather.”. Jargon examples in literature are spotted especially in the works of authors (Shakespeare, Dickens) that echo speech, characteristic of that period. 45. Doctors aim to foster an environment that generates dialogue. HR: Heart rate, expressed as beats per minute. We all need to know what’s going on with our health. Retro-: Behind or backward. ... Epirenor, Norden, and Norfen are three examples of octopamine available as a prescription drug. -plasty: Surgical repair. The study and treatment of cancer. Normal blood pressure is about 120/80 blood swab - a blood sample taken with a cotton-tipped stick BLS - abbreviation for basic life support; includes CPR and removal of foreign body airway obstruction body packer - a drug courier who swallows condoms filled with cocaine or heroin in order to smuggle them into a country and then passes them rectally after he's safe bolus - a large dose of a drug that is given (usually intravenously) at the beginning of treatment to raise blood-level concentrations to a therapeutic level bounceback - a patient who returns to the ER with the same complaint shortly after being released bowel disimpaction - manual removal of impacted fecal matter from a patient's rectum BP - abbreviation for blood pressure bradycardic - a slowing of the heart rate to less than 50 beats per minute breath sounds - the sounds heard through a stethoscope placed on the chest over the lungs bronchoscopy - the use of an endoscope to examine and take biopsies from the interior of the bronchia BUN - abbreviation for blood urea nitrogen, c-section - shorthand for cesarean section, which is surgical delivery of a baby through the abdominal wall c-spine - shorthand for cervical spine, or the neck calcium oxalate stone - a kidney stone Calot's triangle - the cystic duct, the common duct, and the liver calyx - a cup-shaped part of the kidneys capillary refill - when a fingernail is pressed, the nail bed turns white. Learn how you can find the right MD by reading our article “How to Choose a Doctor: What You Should Look for in a Primary Care Physician.”, 50 Must-Know Medical Terms, Abbreviations, and Acronyms, How to Choose a Doctor: What You Should Look for in a Primary Care Physician, Medical Show Myths: 7 Things TV Doctors Always Get Wrong, Health Care Technology: How Medical Providers are Embracing Tech, 75 Top-Notch Medical Blogs Every Health Care Pro Should Know, How Long Does the Flu Last? We’ve added some of them here in plain English. measures brain activity EKG - see ECG eclampsia - a serious condition affecting pregnant women in which the entire body is affected by convulsions and the patient eventually passes into a coma ectopic pregnancy - the development of the fetus in the fallopian tube instead of in the womb edema - excessive accumulation of fluid elavil - trade name for amitriptyline electrolyte analysis - tests the basic chemicals in the body; sodium, potassium, chloride, and bicarbonate embolectomy - surgical removal of an embolus embolus - a blood clot EMS - abbreviation for emergency medical services. 42. diagnosis - determining what's wrong with a patient by using the patient's symptoms, signs, test results, medical background, and other factors dialysis - the procedure to filter blood for patients with kidney failure, also used to remove absorbed toxins from overdosing and poisoning diaphoresis - sweating diastolic - pressure during the relaxing of the heart DIC - abbreviation for disseminated intravascular coagulation (no blood clotting). 23. 46. A-Z of Medical Jargon. Epidermis: The outer layer of the skin. 1. DNR: Do not resuscitate, a medical order indicating providers should not perform CPR. CPR: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, a life-saving technique that’s also called mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Some evidence shows the most engaged patients tend to have better outcomes. Clean bill of health – A report or certificate that a person or animal is healthy 4. While most of us don’t need to understand discipline-specific terminology outside of our own profession, medical vocabulary is a notable exception. It relieves stress and lightens up everyone’s mood. Doctors should speak slowly and avoid using jargon with their patients, the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) has said.1 A report by the college said that doctors often used words that were unfamiliar to patients or that patients did not fully understand. BMI: Body mass index, a measure of body fat based on height and weight. 28. Fans of medical TV shows might already be familiar with some common terms. 11. Focused means do not examine a patient's feet or do a rectal if they're complaining of a headache and double vision foley - a foley (indwelling) catheter. 12. BP: Blood pressure. Outpatient: A patient who receives care without being admitted to a hospital. 50. Also used as a noun, as in "I've got a gork in 2" Gram's stain - a stain test that identifies various forms of bacterial microorganisms granuloma - a tumor GSW - abbreviation for gunshot wound guiac - a test of stool with a gloved finger inserted looking for blood, H and P - see also Focused H and P, history and physical: the initial evaluation and examination of a patient haldol - a drug (haloperidol) used for psychotic disorders, Tourette's syndrome, and hyperactivity in children heart/lung bypass - using a machine to breathe and circulate blood for a patient for any number of clinical or surgical reasons, like to also used to rewarm the blood of severely hypothermic patient heimlich maneuver - a first-aid measure used to dislodge something caught in a person's throat that is obstructing breathing Hematochezia - maroon stools, usually from a lower GI bleed hematocrit - the proportion, by volume, of red blood cells in a CBC hemiparesis - paralysis or weakness on one side of the body hemorrhage - the dramatic and sudden loss of blood hemoperfusion - dialysis of the blood to remove foreign substances such as poisons or drugs hemopneumothorax - blood and air in the pleura. Headache Migraine headaches, tension headaches, and cluster headaches are considered primary headaches. 38. Fentanyl can enhance the effect of certain narcotics (including morphine) fetal distress - a term used to describe a number of critical conditions threatening the live delivery of a fetus FHT - abbreviation for fetal heart tones fibrillation - an uncoordinated, quivering of the heart muscle resulting in a completely irregular pulse first-degree burn - a burn affecting only the epidermis. 2. However, quality is of the utmost importance when lives hang in the balance. Medical symptoms are complaints which indicate disease. 36. specialized set of literary terms and language that is used to convey a hidden meaning accepted and understood by those who are part of a particular group HDL-C: High-density lipoprotein cholesterol, often called “good” cholesterol. -itis: Signifies inflammation. The use of jargon begins in medical school. LDL-C: Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, often called “bad” cholesterol. S1 and S2 refer to heart sounds noted during palpation Horner's syndrome - the term used to describe the clinical profile of myosis, ptosis, and anhidrosis, which usually follows paralysis of the cervical sympathetic nerves on one side of the body hydralazine - a synthetic compound that lowers blood pressure hyperaldosteronism - overproduction of the adrenal hormone aldosterone, causing abnormalities in the sodium, water, and potassium levels in the body hypercalcemia - an abnormally high concentration of calcium in the blood hyperglycemia - high values of glucose in the blood hyperlipidemia - excessive fat in the blood hypoglycemia - low values of glucose in the blood hypohemia - a lack of blood in the body hypotension - abnormally low blood pressure hypothermia - when the body temperature reaches significantly below normal body temperatures (usually below 95 degrees) hypothyroidism - subnormal activity of the thyroid gland hypovolemia - a decrease in the volume of circulating blood; also referred to as being in shock hypoxia - a severe deficiency of oxygen in the blood and tissues, ileectomy - surgical removal of the small intestine IM - abbreviation for intramuscular (pertaining to injections) infarction - an area of tissue dead due to a local lack of oxygen infiltrate - an abnormal substance (eg. The main difference is one of register; jargon is formal language unique to a specific discipline or field, while slang is common, informal language that is more likely to be spoken than written. BP - Medical shorthand for blood pressure 3. Some medical root words are intuitive simply based on your experiences. The balloons then put pressure on the enlarged veins in order to stop the bleeding CBC - abbreviation for complete blood count, which is an all-purpose blood test; combining diagnostic evaluations of red blood cell count, white cell count, erythrocyte indices, hematocrit, and a differential blood count cc - abbreviation for cubic centimeters cecum - a pouch at the junction of the large and small intestine. 2 nd meaning: To be kidnapped. 29. However, it is common for people to find acronyms dull and irritating, even if they understand them. Calot's triangle - the cystic duct, the common duct, and the liver calyx - a cup-shaped part of the kidneys capillary refill - when a fingernail is pressed, the nail bed turns white. 13. 19. anaphylactic shock - an extreme allergic reaction that usually involves heart failure, circulatory collapse, a severe asthma-like difficulty in breathing and sometimes results in death. If you’re an athletic person, for example, you probably know cardiovascular exercise is any activity that gets your heart rate pumping. The breath smells fruity and the patient is usually comatose. You are here: Home / Uncategorized / medical jargon examples. 17. A glossary of the most common medical marijuana terms, explained. 18. Examples of Medical Jargon. “Deciphering medical jargon for patients is not the topic of one homework assignment or one specific course. More malignant programs use it to embarrass residents and their mistakes. If refreshments are served, often the nickname is death and donuts (D&D), narcan - naloxone, a drug used to counteract drug overdoses necrotic - dead, as in "necrotic tissue" needle cricothyroidotomy - see cricothyroidotomy NG tube - abbreviation for a nasogastric tube NICU - abbreviation for the neonatal intensive care unit nitro drip - an IV infusion of nitroglycerine nitroglycerine - an antianginal agent norcuron - vecuronium, a neuromuscular blocking agent used to paralyze for rapid-sequence intubation normal sinus rhythm - a normal heart rate, which is between 60 and 80 beats per minute in an adult nosocomial infections - opportunistic infections contracted while in the hospital, eg a urinary tract infection a patient develops from his foley catheter NPO - abbreviation for nothing by mouth (from the Latin Nil peros) NS - abbreviation for normal saline solution NSAID - abbreviation for a nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drug (eg Motrin, Advil, etc), O neg - type O, Rhesus negative blood; also called universal donor blood since any human can receive O negative blood without complication orbital fracture - a fracture of the bony socket that holds the eyeball osteosarcoma - bone cancer otitis media - an infection of the middle ear, palp - this refers to blood pressure taken under emergency conditions when listening for the systolic and diastolic pressures with a stethoscope is impossible. a cancer cell) in a tissue or organ intracerebral - inside the brain intubation - insertion of an endotracheal tube to help an unconscious patient breathe irritable bowel syndrome - a chronic and unpleasant gastrointestinal condition marked by abdominal cramping, and diarrhea or constipation ischemia - when the heart is starving for oxygen Isordil - an antianginal agent IV - abbreviation for intravenous, meaning through the vein IV push - injecting medication rapidly into a vein to hit the blood system all at once, K-Y - K-Y jelly. Perhaps you’re aware of what it means for a condition to be chronic or for a tumor to be benign. Medical terminology follows the same structural rules all language does, including use of prefixes and suffixes. There are so many methods and acronyms in the teaching profession, teachers seem to need a whole slew of alphabet soup to describe their jobs. The 50 Most Common Medical Suffixes. NPO - A patient should not take anything by mouth, from the Latin phrase nil per os (nothing by mouth) 6. Eye. 26. You likely know some of these from words outside the realm of medicine. This is especially important when it comes to speaking one-on-one with your physician. -lysis: Decomposition, destruction, or breaking down. 24. The attached monitor will ‘bleep’ if an air bubble gets into the line (this is common) Dx – refers to diagnosis; E. 6. ancef - a cephalosporin antibiotic anemia - chronically low hematocrit aneurysm - a balloonlike swelling in the wall of an artery angina pectoris - a severe acute attack of cardiac pain angioplasty - plastic surgery of blood vessels during which a balloon is passed into the artery and inflated to enlarge it and increase blood flow anhidrosis - the abnormal absence of sweat anterior - word used to describe the front surface of an organ, muscle, etc antivert - a drug prescribed for nausea and dizziness aortic calcification - hardening of the aorta, the main artery coming out of the left ventricle of the heart, usually from cholesterol deposits or some other organic substance aortic coarctation - a dangerous narrowing of the aorta aortic dissection - a tear in the aorta aortic rupture - when the aorta bursts arterial stick - insertion of an IV line into an artery arrhythmia - when the beat of the heart is no longer originating from the sinus node, and the rhythm is abnormal ASA - the abbreviation for acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) astrocytoma - a slowly growing tumor of the glial tissue of the brain and the spinal cord asystole - a condition in which the heart no longer beats and usually cannot be restarted ativan - a minor tranquilizer drug (lorazepam) used for anxiety, tension, agitation, or fatigue atropine - a drug to increase the heart rate atypical angina - a form of angina pectoris that does not manifest the typical angina symptoms of chest pain, shortness of breath, etc, but which comes on suddenly and occurs without a predisposing cause AZT - an antiviral drug (zidovudine) prescribed for the treatment of AIDS, Babinski's reflex - also known as the plantar reflex; the movement of the big toe upward instead of downward; used to test injury to, or diseases of, the upper motor neurons bactrim - the trade name for cotrimoxazole and sulfamethoxizole, an antibacterial agent particularly useful for urinary infections bagging - manual respiration for a patient having breathing trouble that uses a handheld squeeze bag attached to a face mask Barlow's syndrome - infantile scurvy Betadine - trade name for povidone-iodine, a preparation used as a surgical scrub that is available in liquid and aerosol forms bilateral hemothorax - blood in both sides of the pleura, the membrane covering the lung blood culture - incubating a blood sample so that suspected infectious bacteria can multiply and thus be identified blood gas - a test to determine the gas-phase components of blood, including oxygen, carbon dioxide, pH balance, etc blood pressure - a measure of how well blood circulates through your arteries, listen in the format of the systolic pressure over the diastolic pressure.

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