Medical Terminology

The part of the body containing the digestive organs; the belly.

Also called “arrhythmia” - when the electrical signals that coordinate the heart's beats don't work properly. The faulty signaling causes the heart to beat too fast (tachycardia), too slow (bradycardia) or irregularly.

Source: Mayo Clinic

A process to end a pregnancy, using medicine and/or surgery.

Source: Medline Plus

Services to assist to end a pregnancy which can be done either through medication or a procedure to remove the pregnancy from the uterus.

The act or process of allowing someone to enter a hospital for a period typically 24hrs or longer to receive medical care.

Source: Cambridge Dictionary

A process whereby a person assumes the parenting of another, usually a child, from that person's biological or legal parent or parents. Legal adoptions permanently transfer all rights and responsibilities, along with filiation, from the biological parents to the adoptive parents.

The care and treatment of a person after an operation, delivery, or convalescence from an illness.

Source: Medical Dictionary

Denoting or relating to a person who does not identify as having a gender.

Usually refers to things like intensive care unit [ICU] admission, ventilator, cardiac catheterization, pulmonary artery monitor, and dialysis, but can also refer to repeated hospitalization or major surgery when a person is already near the ed of their life.

The temperature that exists in a given environment.

Training, inclusive of abdominal thrusts, used to prevent choking often provided as part of first aid.

A feeling of worry and fear along with muscle tension. Anxiety may be considered normal in some instances such as public speaking or before making important decisions. Anxiety may become a disorder when it prevents one’s ability to function normally.

Source: Psychiatry.org

Lack of romantic attraction to others; low or absent desire for romantic activity.

Defined as having little or no romantic feeling towards others: experiencing little or no romantic desire or attraction.

An arterial line is a thin, flexible tube that is placed into an artery, commonly in the wrist or the groin. It helps your doctors and nurses check your blood pressure and take blood samples. It is used in operating rooms and intensive care units (ICUs). You may hear it called an "art-line" or "A-line."

Source: My Health

Refers to nutrient supplements other than food (whole or blended) that are given to a person through a tube that goes into their stomach or intestines, but can also refer to nutrients that are given directly into the blood stream.

Lack of sexual attraction to others, or low or absent interest in or desire for sexual activity. It may be considered a sexual orientation or the lack thereof. It may also be categorized more widely, to include a broad spectrum of asexual sub-identities.

The lack of sexual attraction to others, or low or absent interest in or desire for sexual activity. It may also be categorized more widely to include a broad spectrum of asexual sub-identities. Asexuality is distinct from abstention from sexual activity and from celibacy.

When something enters your airway or lungs by accident. It may be food, liquid, or some other material.

Source: Cedars Sinai

Gathering information concerning a hospitalized person’s individual physiological, psychological, sociological, and spiritual needs. It is the first step in the successful evaluation of a person requiring health care.

Source: NCBI

A scientific examination of a person’s remains to document the state of all the body’s organs after death; often performed to help determine the cause of death or any contributing factors; requires opening all of the body’s cavities to exam the internal organs.

Class of depressant drugs prescribed to treat conditions such as anxiety disorders, insomnia, and seizures, can also be used for sedation in the ICU, and as part of anesthesia for surgery.

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An abnormal body structure or function that develops before a baby is born. A birth defect is also called a Congenital Disorder or Congenital Abnormality.

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Is a romantic or sexual attraction or behavior toward both males and females, to more than one gender, or to both people of the same gender and different genders.

A pattern of attraction toward both males and females, or to more than one sex or gender. A bisexual identity does not necessarily equate to equal sexual attraction to both sexes; commonly, people who have a distinct but not exclusive sexual preference for one sex over the other also identify themselves as bisexual.

Located in the lower abdomen, the bladder is a hollow organ, much like a balloon, that stores urine, until you’re able to go to the bathroom.

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A semi-solid mass of blood cells and other substances that form in your blood vessels. Blood clots protect you from bleeding too much if you’re injured or have surgery. However, you may develop blood clots for other reasons, such as having certain medical conditions. When that happens, blood clots may cause symptoms and can be life-threatening.

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Removal of a small sample of blood (typically less than a quarter of a cup) in order to test the levels of different components in the blood necessary to keep you healthy; sometimes this is done through an existing IV, sometimes it requires a separate needle to access your vein to get the sample.

The fluid pressure generated by the heart squeezing blood into your arteries, making blood flow continuously in a forward direction through the arteries in your body, thereby delivering oxygen and nutrients to your organs. It is normal for your blood pressure to vary throughout the day and with activity.

Transfusable substances derived from human blood such as whole blood, red blood cells, platelets, plasma and cryoprecipitate.

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A small amount of blood taken from a person for testing.

Giving blood or blood products to a person through an IV catheter, typically to replace cells or substances that are missing or inadequate in the person receiving the transfusion.

The process of feeding a mother's breast milk to her infant, either directly from the breast or by expressing (pumping out) the milk from the breast and bottle-feeding it to the infant.

The plastic tube used for intubation; can also refer to a tracheostomy; the piece of tubing that connects a person’s respiratory system to a mechanical ventilator.

Also a central venous catheter; a catheter placed into a large vein as a form of venous access. Placement of larger catheters in more centrally located veins is often needed in critically ill people, or in those requiring prolonged treatment. These catheters are commonly placed in veins in the neck (internal jugular vein), chest (subclavian vein or axillary vein), groin (femoral vein), or through veins in the arms (also known as a PICC line, or peripherally inserted central catheters).

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services performed by a certified clergy member who provides spiritual care for individuals in a non-religious organization, rather than a church congregation. Chaplains can work in healthcare, hospice, or government facilities.

Chaplains are spiritual and pastoral counselors who work with people and their families to access spiritual strength and resources. Chaplains offer care and support when people and their families search for meaning in the midst of illness and hospitalization.

Resources to assist with any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker which results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation"; or "An act or failure to act which presents an imminent risk of serious harm."

This definition of child abuse and neglect refers to parents and other caregivers. A "child" under this definition means a person who is younger than age 18 or who is not an emancipated minor. Federal law has created guidance. State or territory laws have further delineation.

Designed to help women access accurate and up to date information about childbirth and make informed decisions about their care. Exposure to evidence-based information about maternity care practices should assist women to make informed decisions that are based on that evidence.

Their purpose is to reduce fear of the unknown and let couples focus on the joy of the birth experience. Though you can't 'control' birth, taking classes will help you feel prepared and supported to make your treasured memories of the birth experience.

Conditions that last 1 year or more and require ongoing medical attention or limit activities of daily living or both.

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A chronic illness is a long-term health condition that may not have a cure. Examples of chronic illnesses are: Alzheimer disease and dementia, arthritis, asthma, cancer, COPD, Crohn’s disease, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, endometriosis, epilepsy, fibromyalgia, heart disease, high blood pressure (hypertension), HIV/AIDS, migraine, mood disorders (bipolar, cyclothymic, and depression), multiple sclerosis, narcolepsy, Parkinson disease.

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The surgical removal of the skin covering the tip of the penis; this is fairly common for newborn boys in certain parts of the world, including the United States; for some families, circumcision is a religious ritual, but can also be a matter of family tradition, personal hygiene or preventive health care.

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An extreme fear of enclosed spaces that prevents one’s ability to function or perform daily activities.

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The group of religious officials (as priests, ministers, or rabbis) specially prepared and authorized to conduct religious services.

Also called a medical ethicist. A consultant who assesses the use of ethics in health care settings, such as hospitals and private medical practices. Their role is often to aid in understanding and communication between health care providers and people seeking care in the health care system.

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Cognitive refers to intellect: people with cognitive differences often take longer to complete academic tasks than people with typical cognitive function and can have difficulty focusing.

Behavioral refers to how a person acts, due to their emotions; in this case differences refers to people whose actions may be harmful to themselves or people around them without support or assistance.

A surgical operation in which a piece of the colon (large intestine) is diverted to an artificial opening in the abdominal wall so as to bypass a damaged part of the colon and allow solid waste to leave the body.

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It denotes either a male or female sex.

Also known as case law, is a body of unwritten laws based on legal precedents established by the courts. Here it refers to two people who are seen as married by their state or jurisdiction without having been formally married to each other.

Based in the basic belief and value that every community has strengths, and every community has problems and concerns. The people within each community have the ability to solve their own problems and achieve their own goals.

An unfavorable result of a disease, health condition, or treatment that generally involves a worsening of the disease or the development of new signs, symptoms, or negative changes that may become widespread throughout the body and affect additional organ systems.

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