Medical Terminology for Assessment

• Key medical terms and definitions for assessment

Adventitious Breath Sounds

• Unusual or abnormal lung sounds heard during auscultation.
• Typically caused by disease or respiratory issues.
• Crackles (rales) heard in the lungs of a patient with pneumonia are an example.
• Wheezes in a patient with asthma are an example.

Angle of Louis

• The angle formed between the manubrium and the body of the sternum.
• Located at the second intercostal space.
• A landmark used in physical exams.
• Used to identify the location of the second rib or to assess for signs of respiratory distress.
• Abnormal chest expansion can be a sign of respiratory distress.

Aphasia

• A disorder affecting speech and language skills.
• Often caused by a stroke or brain injury.
• A patient with expressive aphasia may understand language but have difficulty speaking or forming sentences.

Auscultation

• The process of listening to internal sounds of the body.
• Typically uses a stethoscope to assess the heart, lungs, and abdomen.
• Used to assess for abnormal lung sounds like crackles or wheezes.
• Used to listen to heart sounds to check for murmurs.

Blanch Test

• Used to assess blood flow to the skin.
• Pressing on the skin and observing the time it takes for the color to return.
• Skin turns pale but returns to normal color in less than 2 seconds, indicating healthy circulation.

Bruit

• A whooshing or swishing sound heard over arteries.
• Usually indicates turbulent blood flow.
• Often associated with narrowed or obstructed arteries.
• A nurse may hear a bruit when auscultating over the carotid artery of an older patient with atherosclerosis.

Clubbing

• A physical sign of changes in the fingers and nails.
• Often associated with chronic respiratory or cardiovascular conditions.
• A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) presents with rounded, enlarged fingertips and nailbeds.

Cyanosis

• A bluish discoloration of the skin, lips, or nails.
• Typically indicates poor oxygenation or respiratory distress.
• A patient with congestive heart failure has cyanosis around the lips and fingertips.

Diastole

• The phase of the heart cycle when the heart muscle relaxes and the chambers fill with blood.
• During auscultation, the nurse listens for the diastolic sound (the second heart sound) after the systolic phase.

Edema

• Swelling caused by an accumulation of fluid in the tissues.
• A nurse observes pitting edema in a patient's lower legs and ankles, indicating fluid retention.
• Can be a sign of heart failure.

Erythema

• Redness of the skin.
• Typically caused by increased blood flow to the skin due to irritation, inflammation, or infection.
• May indicate potential infection or inflammation.

Inspection

• A visual examination.
• Used in the physical assessment to observe a patient's appearance, posture, skin color, and any signs of abnormalities.

Jaundice

• A yellowing of the skin and sclera (the whites of the eyes) due to the buildup of bilirubin.
• Often a sign of liver dysfunction.

Palpation

• The use of hands to examine the body.
• Used to assess the size, shape, consistency, and location of organs or masses.

Percussion

• A diagnostic technique where the nurse taps on the body's surface to assess the underlying structure.
• Assesses structures such as the lungs or abdomen.

Pallor

• Unusual paleness of the skin.
• Often associated with anemia, shock, or poor circulation.

Precordium

• The area of the chest over the heart.
• Often examined during a cardiovascular assessment.

S1

• The first heart sound, also known as the 'lub'.
• Produced by the closure of the mitral and tricuspid valves.

S2

• The second heart sound, also known as the 'dub'.
• Produced by the closure of the aortic and pulmonary valves.

Systole

• The phase of the heart cycle when the heart contracts and pumps blood out of the chambers.

Thrill

• A palpable vibration or buzzing sensation often felt over the chest or neck.
• Typically indicates turbulent blood flow, such as from a heart murmur.

Vitiligo

• A condition where patches of skin lose their pigment.
• Results in lighter areas that contrast with the surrounding skin.

Key medical terms and definitions for assessment. Covers adventitious breath sounds, Angle of Louis, aphasia, and auscultation. Understanding these terms ensures accurate communication and patient evaluation in healthcare settings.