Medical Terminology Course Week 1

Study Notes

Medical Terminology Course - Week 1

Abbreviations and Shortened Forms

Abbreviations use key letters or key syllables, e.g., BP for Blood Pressure, MI for Myocardial Infarction, and COPD for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Variations include abbreviations that use key letters or key syllables, e.g., HTN for Hypertension and AF or A Fib for Atrial Fibrillation
First letter rule (initialing) is commonly used, e.g., LFTs for Liver Function Tests

Decoding Long Medical Words

Examine each segment of the word
Check a list of segment definitions
Use combined segment definitions to determine the meaning of the word
Consider the context in which the word is used
Safety is a top priority when decoding medical words

Guidelines for Understanding Clinical Abbreviations

Shortened form of a word, e.g., temp for Temperature
First letters of each word, e.g., COPD for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
First letters that form a pronounceable word, e.g., AIDS for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
First letters of the major syllables of a term, e.g., NG for Nasogastric or GI for Gastrointestinal
First letters and a syllable, e.g., V fib for Ventricular Fibrillation
Context is essential to understand the meaning of an abbreviation

Key Terms - Week 1

Artery
Axilla (armpit)
Confusion
Dehydration
Deteriorated
Diarrhea
Dissipate
Dizziness
Groin
Intracranial
Intracranial pressure
Metabolism
Non-invasive
Pallor
Palpable
Rectum
Shivering
Therapeutic

Vital Signs

Four measurements: Temperature, Pulse, Respirations, and Blood Pressure
Spoken as "vitals" and written as "vs"
Newest equipment is the vital signs cart
When reporting, report them in the order: T, P, R, BP

Temperature

Body temperature measured via mouth, ear, axilla, or rectum
Normal body temperature is 98.6°F or 37°C
Temperature variations:
- Febrile: elevated body temperature beyond normal
- Hypothermia: body temperature below 95°F or 35°C
- Hyperthermia: prolonged elevation of body temperature above normal (100-101°F due to exposure to heat)

Pulse

Palpable lift in an artery usually felt or detected electronically
Clinical conversation uses the word "pulse"
Written abbreviation: p
Spoken: p
Written: P or p
BPM: Beats Per Minute
Pulse points:
- Carotid: commonly palpated pulse, felt with fingers on one side of the neck
- Radial: commonly palpated pulse, felt with fingers on wrist
- Apical: monitored with a stethoscope, found at the apex of the heart
- Femoral
- Pedal

Description

This quiz covers medical abbreviations and shortened forms, including vital signs, common diseases, and diagnostic tests. Learn the first letter rule and variations of abbreviations in medical terminology.