Question | Answer |
Stuporous | A lower level of consciousness; reduced responsiveness. |
Comatose | Unresponsive even to painful stimuli;
Not conscious; in a coma;
Unable to awake |
Pallor | Paleness, ↓ in color of skin;
↓ amount of oxyhemoglobin;
Causes: anemia
Area: face, conjunctivae, nail beds, palms of hand
↓ visibility of oxyhemoglobin, resulting from ↓ bloodflow;
Causes: shock
Area: skin, conjunctivae, nail beds, lips |
Erythema | Red discolor of skin;
↑visibility oxyhemoglobin
Cause:dialation/↑ blood flow, circulatory chgs ex: sunburn,edema,fever,direct trama, blushing,alcohol intake
Area:face,trauma area,sacrum,shoulders,
pressure ulcers
Dark skin: palpate for heat to note |
Jaudice | Yellow-orange discolor skin/sclera
↑ deposit of bilirubin in tissues, ↑ levels of bile pigments in the blood,
Causes: liver disease, destruction RBC's;
Location: sclera, mucous membrane, skin |
Cyanosis | Bluish discolor skin/mucous membrane;
↑ deoxygenated hemoglobin (assoc. w/hypoxia;
Causes: heart or lung disease, cold temp, smothering (Infants: heat defects, RDS, lung/breathing problems);
Areas: nail beds, lips, mouth, skin (severe cases) |
Turgor | Skin elasticity;
Causes: edema,dehydration, age;
Test on back of forearm/sternal area;
↓ in turgor predisposes to skin breakdown. |
Alopecia | Partial or complete absence of hair from areas of the body where it normally grows;
Baldness/Edema |
Macule | Flat, nonpalpable change in skin color;
Smaller than 1cm;
Ex: Freckles, Petechia |
Papule | Palpable, circumscribed, solid elevation in skin;
Smaller than 1cm (>Salt, < Pepper corn)) |
Ecchymosis | Larger hemorrhages of purpura with superficial bleeding under the skin/mucous membranes;
Ex: bruise |
Petechiae | 1) Small, purplish, pinpoint purpuric, hemorrhagic spots on skin;
Appear with platelet deficiences (thrombocytopenia) & many febrile illnesses.
2) Red spots from the bite of a flea
(Macule) |
Purpura | Any rash which blood cells leak into the skin/mucous membranes, usually at multiple sites;
Purpuric rashes often are assoc. w/ disorders of coagulation/thrombosis;
Pinpoint Purpuric - "petechiae"
Larger Hemorrhages - "ecchymoses" |
Wheal / Hives | Irregular shaped, elevated area of superficial localized edema;
Varies in size;
Ex: hive, mosquito bite |
Cyst | Closed sac/pouch with a definate wall that contains fluid, semifluid, or solid material;
Usually abnormal structures resulting from developmental abnormalities, obstruction of ducts, or parasitic infection. |
Vesicle | Circumscribed elevation of the skin;
Filled with serous fluid;
Smaller than 1cm
Ex: herpes simplex, chickenpox |
Pustule | Circumscribed elevation of the skin;
Similar to Vesicle, but filled with Pus;
Varies in size;
Ex: acne, staphylococcal infection |
Keloid | Overgrowths of fibrous tissue/scars
Occurs after skin injury;
Spreads beyond borders of original lesion;
Made-up of swirling mass of collagen fibers/fibroblasts;
Grossly appears to have shiny surface/rubbery consistency;
Common area:shoulders,chest,b |
Fissure | An ulcer or cracklike sore;
A grove, natural division, cleft, slit, or deep furrow in the brain, liver, spinal cord, & other organs;
A break in the enamel of a tooth |
Ulcer | Deep loss of skin surface that extends to dermis and frequently bleeds/scars;
Result of prolonged ischemia (↓ blood supply) in tissues;
Inflammation & usually over bony prominence
Varies in size;
Ex: venous stasis ulcer |
Atrophy | ●Thinning of skin w/loss of normal skin furrow, appears shiny/translucent;
Varies in size;
Ex: arterial insufficiency
●Wasting away; diminution in size of a cell tissue/organ/part;
↓ muscle mass, due to extended immobility;
from death/cell reabsorbti |
Hypertrophy | Enlargement/overgrowth of organ, part, or skin;
Due to ↑ in size of constituent cells |
Exudate | ●Exudate describes amount, color, consistency, & odor of drainage;
Excessive exudate indicates infection
●Fluid w/ high content of protein/cellular debris, which escaped from blood vessels, & deposited in tissues surface, usually result of inflammation. |
Clubbing | Change in angle between nail & nail base (eventually larger than 180⁰);
Nail bed softening, with nail flattening;
Often enlargement of fingertips;
Causes: chronic lack of O₂/ hear or pulmonary disease |
Edema | Areas of skin become swollen or edematous;
From buildup of fluid in the tissues;
Common causes: direct trauma & impairment of venous return
Measure: 1+ = 1 penny heighth/mm
2+ = 2 pennies
3+ = 3 pennies
4+ = 4 pennies |
Mucosa | Mucous membrane/moist tissue layer that lines hallow organs & cavities of the body that open to environment;
-epithelial layer
-basement membrane
-connective tissue (lamina propria) |
Gingivitis | -Inflamation of gums.
-Redness, swelling, tendency to bleed.
-Improper hyigene, poorly fitted dentures, or appliances, or poor occlusion.
-Stomatitis, scurvy, blood dyscrasias, metallic poisoning. |
Hyperplasia(or "hypergenesis") | -Increase in number of cells/proliferation of cells.
-Result in gross enlargement of an organ and the term is sometimes mixed with benign neoplasia / benign tumor. |
Dental Caries
(Cariology: study of dental caries) | -Tooth decay/cavity
-Disease where bacterial processes damage hard tooth sturctures(enamel,dentin,cementum)
-2 bacteria responsible; Streptococcus mutans/Lactobacillus
-Lead to: pain,tooth loss,infection,death
-Most common disease throughout world |
Accomodation | -Process which vertebrate eye change optical power to maintain a clear image.
-Focusing on an object as its distance changes. |
Peripheral Vision | -Vision that occurs outside the very center of gaze.
-Loss of peripheral vision: Tunnel vision
-Loss of central vision: Central Scotoma |
Retina | -Light-sensitive tissue lining inner surface of eye
-Optics of the eye create image of visual world on the retina
-creates nerve impulses sent to brain through fibers of the optic nerve II |
Lens | -Posterior to the Iris
-Changes shape to change focal distance of the eye
-Transparent, biconvex, refract light to be focused on retina |
Cornea | -Transparent, colorless portion of the eye.
-Covers the pupil & iris
-Side view; looks like crystal of watch |
Conjunctiva | -Covers exposed surface of eyeball
-Delicate membrane lining the eyelid & eyeball |
Glaucoma | -Intraocular structural damage
-Resulting from elevated intraocular pressure
-Cause: obstruction of outflow of aqueous humor.
-Without treatment the disorder will lead to blindness |
Cataracts | -↑ opacity of the lens
-blocks light rays
-develops slowly & progressively after age 35 or suddenly after trauma
-Most common eye disorder
-Most 65+ have evidence of visual impairment from cataracts |
Eustachian Tube (Auditory Tube) | -Narrow channel connecting the middle ear & the nasopharynx |
Septum | -a dividing wall/partition |
Turbinate Bones | -Small curved bone, extends horizontally along the lateral wall of the nasal passage. (nasal concha) |
Friction Rub | -Heard over anterior lateral lung field (sitting upright)
-Inflamed pleura, parietal pleura rubbing against visceral pleura
-Dry, rubbing/grating quality heard during inspiration/expiration
-Doesn't clear w/cough
-Loudest @ lower lateral anterior surf |
Wheezes (sibilant wheeze) | -Heard over all lung fields
-High-velocity airflow through severely narrowed/obstructed airway
-High-pitched, continuous musical sounds like a squeak heard continuously during inspiration/expiration
-Usually louder on expiration |
Crackles | -Common in dependent lobes, rt/lft lung bases
-Random, sudden reinflation groups of alveoli; disruptive passage of air thru sm airways
-Fine crackles, high-pitched fine, short, interrupted crackle heard at end of inspiration
-Usually not cleared w/coug |
Rhonchi (sonorous wheeze) | -primarily over trachea & bronchi; loud enough, most lung fields
-Muscular spasm, fluid/mucus in lrg airways, new growth/external pressure cause turbulence
-Loud, low-pitched, rumbling course
-Heard during inspiration/expiration
-Sometimes clear w/cou |
Bronchial | -Loud & high-pitched w/hollow quality
-Expiration last longer than inspiration (3:2ratio)
-Only over trachea
-Created by air moving thru trachea close to chest wall |
Bronchovesicular | -Blowing, medium pitched, medium intensity
-Inspiratory phase is equal to expiratory phase
-Best posteriorly btwn scapulae & anteriorly over bronchioles lateral to sternum @ 1st & 2nd intercostal spaces
-Created by air moving thru lrg airways |
Vesicular | -Soft, breezy, low-pitched
-Inspiratory phase 3X longer than expiratory phase
-Best over lung's periphery (except over scapula)
-Created by air moving thru smaller airways |
Barrel Chest
(emphysematous chest) | -large, rounded thorax, as in inspiratory phase, considered normal in some stocky individuals & others who live in high-altitude areas & consequently have increased vital capacity. Barrel chest may also be sign of pulmonary emphysema. |
Pectus Carinatum | -pigeon breast or chest; a condition of the chest in which the sternum is prominent, due to obstruction of infantile respiration or to rickets. |
Pectus Excavatum | -funnel breast or chest; a congenital deformity in which the sternum is depressed. |
Crepitus | -peculiar crackling, crinkly, or grating feeling/sound under skin, around lungs, or in joints. In soft tissues often due to gas, most often air, penetrated & infiltrated an area it shouldn't be
-Crepitus in joint indicates cartilage wear in joint space |
Fremitus | -A palpable vibration, as felt by the hand placed on the chest during coughing or speaking. |
Dyspnea | -Difficult or labored breathing; shortness of breath. Dyspnea is a sign of serious disease of the airway, lungs, or heart. The onset of dyspnea should not be ignored; it is reason to seek medical attention. |
Hypoventilation | -Reduced amt of air enters alveoli in lungs, resulting in decreased levels of oxygen & increased levels of carbon dioxide in blood.
-Due to breathing that is too shallow (hypopnea) or too slow (bradypnea), or to diminished lung function |
Hyperventilation | Overbreathing
It causes dizziness,lightheadedness,sense of unsteadiness, tingling around mouth/fingertips
-Severe enough to mimic early warning symptoms of MI & common emergency room visits in US
-can be caused by serious metabolism disease/anxiety |
Kussmal Respirations | -Tachypnea (increased RR & hyperpnea(normal but deep-emotional distress/diabetic ketoacidosis)
-Causes: renal failure, metabolic acidosis, diabetic ketoacidosis |
Cheyne-Strokes | -Gradual increases & decreases in respirations w/periods of apnea
-Causes: increasing intracranial pressure, brain stem injury, before death |
Apnea | -Absence of breathing
-Causes: deceased pt, head injury, stroke |
Bradypnea | -Decreased respiratory rate (<12)
-Causes: sleep, drugs, metabolic disorder, head injury, stroke |
Tachypnea | -Increased respiratory rate (>20)
-Causes: fever, anxiety, exercise, shock |
Eupnea | Normal breathing rate & pattern |
Pericardium | The membrane enclosing the heart, consisting of an outer fibrous layer and an inner double layer of serous membrane |
Thrill | Continuous palpable sensation like cat purr
Grade 1:Barely audible in quiet rm
Grade 2:Clearly audible & quiet
Grade 3:Moderate loud
Grade 4:Loud-w/ associated thrill
Grade 5:Very loud-thrill easily palpable
Grade 6:Loud-w/o stethoscope-palpable&vis |
Heave / Lift | -To raise or lift, especially with great effort or force
-To make rise or swell: exhausted & heaving chest |
Murmur
(asymptomatic/sign of heart disease)
(common in children) | -Sustained swishing/blowing heard at the beginning, middle, or end of systolic/diastolic phase.
-Cause: ↑ blood flow thru normal valve, forward flow thru stenotic valve/into dilated vessel/heart chamber, or backward flow thru valve failed to close |
Palpitations | -irregularities of the heartbeat such as a rapid or irregular heartbeat |
Tachycardia | -A rapid heart rate, usually defined as greater than 100 beats per minute |
Bradycardia | -A slow heart rate, usually defined as less than 60 beats per minute |
Arrythmia | -An abnormal heart rhythm
-too slow, too rapid, too irregular, or too early |
Bruit | heard over artery/vascular channel, reflecting turbulence of flow. Most commonly caused by abnormal narrowing of artery
Listening in neck w/stethoscope is simple way to screen for narrowing(stenosis) carotid artery, can be result of chol plaque buildup |
Angle of Louis | the sternal angle between the manubrium and the body of the sternum |
Manubrium | 1.The upper segment of the sternum with which the clavicle and the first two pairs of ribs articulate |
Apex & Base of the Heart | Apex is the bottom tip of the heart and the base is the upper portion (what is heard better where?) |
PMI
(point of maximal impulse or apical impulse) | -The apex actually touches the anterior chest wall at approximately the 4th to 5th intercostal space just medial to the left midclavicular line. |
Bounding Pulse | very strong pulse (+4) |
Thready Pulse | weak pulse or difficult to palpate ( +1) |
Agnosia | -Inability to recognize or comprehend sights, sounds, words, or other sensory information |
Akinesia | -Complete/partial loss of muscle movement |
Aphasia | -Absence or impairment of ability to communicate thru speech, writing, or signs
-Due to brain dysfunction
-Complete/total when both sensory & motor areas are involved |
Dysphagia | -Inability to swallow or difficulty in swallowing |
Tremors | Involuntary shaking of the body or limbs |
Kinesthetics | a sense that detects body position, weight or movement of muscle, tendons and joints |
Graphathesia | Writing something in a palm and figure out what was written |
Stereognosis | ability to perceive an object by using the sense of touch |
Lethargic | –Drowsy or mild impairment of consciousness , reduced alertness and awareness |
Gait | -A manner of walking |
Lordosis | Swayback, increased lumbar curvature |
Kyphosis | An exaggeration of the posterior curvature of the thoracic spine |
Scoliosis | abnormal lateral curvature of the spine (s or c-shaped) |