Healthcare Terminology Quiz

Medical Terminology and Concepts

• Admissions desk: where patients are checked in and registered
• Advance Directive: document that outlines a patient's wishes for medical treatment in the event they are unable to communicate
• Blood alcohol level: measure of the amount of alcohol in the blood
• Breast-feeding clinic: a clinic that provides support and care for breastfeeding mothers
• Blood glucose: measure of the level of glucose in the blood
• Colostrum: the first milk produced by a mother after giving birth
• Consent form: a document that patient signs to give permission for medical treatment
• Chart: a patient's medical record
• Discharge instructions: instructions given to a patient upon leaving the hospital
• Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare: a document that appoints someone to make medical decisions for a patient if they are unable to do so

Healthcare Professionals

• Advice nurse: a nurse who provides telephone advice to patients
• Nurse practitioner: a registered nurse who has advanced training and can provide primary care
• Triage nurse: a nurse who assesses the severity of a patient's condition and determines the order of treatment
• Chiropractor: a healthcare professional who specializes in spinal manipulation and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders
• Dietician: a healthcare professional who specializes in nutrition and dietetics
• Ear, nose and throat doctor (ENT): a doctor who specializes in treating disorders of the ear, nose, and throat
• Eye specialist: a doctor who specializes in treating eye disorders
• Family counselor: a mental health professional who provides counseling to families
• Gastroenterologist: a doctor who specializes in treating disorders of the digestive system
• Gastrologist: a doctor who specializes in treating disorders of the stomach and intestines
• Immediate family: closest relatives, such as parents, siblings, and spouse
• Lactation consultant: a healthcare professional who specializes in helping mothers with breastfeeding
• Neurologist: a doctor who specializes in treating disorders of the nervous system
• Midwife: a healthcare professional who specializes in delivering babies and providing postnatal care
• Nutritionist: a healthcare professional who specializes in providing nutrition advice and guidance
• Ob-gyn: a doctor who specializes in providing medical care to women, particularly during pregnancy and childbirth
• Obstetrician: a doctor who specializes in delivering babies and providing postnatal care
• Gynecologist: a doctor who specializes in treating disorders of the female reproductive system
• Ophthalmologist: a doctor who specializes in treating eye disorders
• PCP: primary care physician, a doctor who provides routine medical care
• Pediatrician: a doctor who specializes in treating children
• Podiatrist: a doctor who specializes in treating disorders of the feet
• Artery: a blood vessel that carries oxygenated blood away from the heart
• Airway: the passage through which air enters and leaves the lungs
• Bronchi: tubes that branch off from the trachea and lead to the lungs
• Bilirubin: a pigment produced by the breakdown of red blood cells

Medical Procedures and Tests

• Amniocentesis: a test that takes a sample of amniotic fluid to check for genetic disorders
• Anesthesia: a medical treatment that prevents pain during surgery
• Biopsy: a test that takes a sample of tissue to check for disease
• Chemotherapy: a medical treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells
• Colonoscopy: a test that examines the inside of the colon and rectum
• Computerized Tomography (CT scan): a test that uses X-rays and computer technology to create detailed images of the body
• Dilation and Curettage: a medical procedure that widens the cervix and uses a special instrument to remove tissue from the uterus
• ECG/EKG - Electrocardiogram: a test that measures the electrical activity of the heart
• EEG - Electroencephalogram: a test that measures the electrical activity of the brain
• Electromyogram (EMG): a test that measures the electrical activity of muscles
• Endoscopy: a test that uses a flexible tube with a camera to examine the inside of the body
• Epidural: a medical procedure that injects pain medication into the epidural space to relieve pain during childbirth
• Fast: a period of time without eating or drinking
• Heel prick: a test that takes a sample of blood from a newborn's heel to check for genetic disorders
• Implant: a medical device that is inserted into the body to treat a medical condition
• Incision: a cut made in the skin to perform surgery
• Intravenous (IV): a medical treatment that delivers fluids or medication directly into a vein
• Liver function test: a test that measures the level of liver enzymes in the blood
• Mammogram: a test that uses X-rays to create detailed images of the breasts
• Mastectomy: a surgical procedure that removes the breast tissue
• Salpingectomy: a surgical procedure that removes the fallopian tubes
• Sonogram: a test that uses high-frequency sound waves to create detailed images of the body
• Screening: a test that is used to detect a medical condition
• TB skin test: a test that checks for tuberculosis
• Tracheostomy: a surgical procedure that creates an opening in the neck to allow breathing
• Urinalysis: a test that checks the level of waste products in the urine
• Urine culture: a test that checks for bacteria in the urine
• Vaginal delivery: a type of childbirth where the baby is born through the vagina
• Physical/wellness exam: a medical exam that checks for overall health and wellness

Medical Conditions and Diseases

• Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS): a medical condition that weakens the immune system
• Asthma: a medical condition that causes recurring episodes of wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath
• Blood-poisoning (sepsis): a medical condition that occurs when the body's response to an infection becomes uncontrolled
• Bronchitis: a medical condition that causes inflammation of the bronchi
• Chicken Pox: a medical condition that causes a rash and fever
• Circulatory disease: a medical condition that affects the heart and blood vessels
• Cystitis: a medical condition that causes inflammation of the bladder
• Chlamydia: a sexually transmitted disease that causes a bacterial infection
• Communicable disease: a medical condition that can be transmitted from one person to another
• Diverticulitis: a medical condition that causes inflammation of the diverticula in the colon
• Encephalitis: a medical condition that causes inflammation of the brain
• Flu, influenza: a medical condition that causes a contagious respiratory illness
• Gangrene: a medical condition that causes tissue death due to a lack of blood flow
• German measles (rubella): a medical condition that causes a rash and fever
• Gestational diabetes: a medical condition that causes high blood sugar levels during pregnancy
• Gingivitis: a medical condition that causes inflammation of the gums
• Glaucoma: a medical condition that causes pressure in the eye that can lead to vision loss
• Heart attack: a medical condition that occurs when the blood flow to the heart is blocked
• Heart failure: a medical condition that occurs when the heart is unable to pump enough blood
• Heartburn: a medical condition that causes a burning sensation in the chest
• Hemorrhoids: a medical condition that causes swollen veins in the rectum or anus
• High blood pressure: a medical condition that causes increased pressure in the blood vessels
• High blood sugar: a medical condition that causes increased levels of glucose in the blood
• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV): a medical condition that causes the immune system to weaken
• Human Papiloma Virus (HPV): a medical condition that causes a viral infection
• Hypoglycemia: a medical condition that causes low blood sugar levels
• Hyperventilation: a medical condition that causes rapid and deep breathing
• Mumps: a medical condition that causes a contagious illness characterized by swelling of the salivary glands
• Mastitis: a medical condition that causes inflammation of the breast tissue
• Myocardial infarction: a medical condition that occurs when the blood flow to the heart is blocked
• Periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD): a medical condition that causes involuntary movements of the limbs during sleep
• Pharyngitis: a medical condition that causes inflammation of the throat
• Pinched nerve: a medical condition that causes compression or irritation of a nerve
• PKU: a medical condition that causes a genetic disorder that affects the breakdown of certain amino acids
• Pneumonia: a medical condition that causes inflammation of the lungs
• Polio: a medical condition that causes a contagious illness characterized by muscle weakness and paralysis
• Sexually Transmitted Infection, Disease (STI/STD): a medical condition that is transmitted through sexual contact
• Strep throat: a medical condition that causes a bacterial infection of the throat
• Stroke, or cerebrovascular accident (CVA): a medical condition that occurs when the blood flow to the brain is blocked
• Sty: a medical condition that causes a small abscess on the eyelid
• Tetanus: a medical condition that causes a bacterial infection
• Scabies: a medical condition that causes a parasitic infection of the skin
• Rheumatism: a medical condition that causes inflammation of the joints and muscles
• Tonsillitis: a medical condition that causes inflammation of the tonsils
• Tuberculosis (TB): a