Glossary

a skin condition described as darkened, thick skin that is typically in the body folds (neck, groin, and armpits)

a neurotransmitter that carries messages from the brain to other parts of the body

impaired contraction of the esophageal preventing food from passing into the stomach

an ocular emergency in which the drainage angle in the eye is suddenly occluded

expression of emotional state

protein in the urine

one of two or more versions of a gene

diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis is made if three of the four criteria are present—pH>4.5, clue cells, odor, and vaginal discharge

a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction that may include any or all of the following: respiratory difficulty due to airway swelling/obstruction, hemodynamic instability (hypotension), sweating, hives, and nausea

low red blood cells or a low serum hemoglobin concentration

swelling of the face, mouth, lips, and tongue, which can lead to life threatening airway obstruction and may occur as an adverse effect of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor therapy

formation of one’s own blood supply

a peptide hormone involved in blood pressure regulation

an anatomical measurement of the angle between the anal canal and the rectum

decreased appetite

Also called iritis, it is an inflammation of the iris and the front of the ciliary body, which controls pupillary dilation, constriction, and fluid production. Symptoms include eye pain, redness, blurry vision, and photophobia.

a programmed cell death mechanism

a pathological accumulation of fluid within the peritoneal cavity, most-often due to portal hypertension from cirrhosis, but may also be related to cancer, heart failure, or infection

brief, involuntary lapses of muscle tone, often impacting wrists and hands (flapping gesture)

a neurological condition with lack of coordination of muscle movements, which can create issues with balance, walking, hand coordination, speech, swallowing, and fine motor skills

a temporary set of neurological symptoms that precedes or simultaneously occurs with a neurological event like a seizure or a migraine

a fungal infection of the penile head

A condition where the normal squamous cells lining the lower esophagus are replaced by columnar cells. It is associated with chronic exposure to stomach acids and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and it increases the risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma.

recurrent episodes of head tilting

lesions that create areas of increased bone density that appear opaque on X-ray or CT scans

A clinical sign associated with meningeal irritation/meningitis.The patient lies on their back with their neck passively flexed. A positive result is when the patient involuntarily flexes their hips and knees. A positive result supports additional diagnostic testing.

neck pain

A primary ulcer at the site of entry of a pathogen. Most commonly refers to a genital ulcer that forms during primary syphilis and is usually painless. Chancres can occur at non-genital sites, such as the hands or mouth.

significant cervical motion tenderness, associated with pelvic inflammatory disease and peritoneal irritation

movement of cells or organisms along a chemical gradient

inflammation of the liver with obstruction and back up of bile flow

a headache that occurs on 15 or more days in a month for more than three months, with migraine features present on at least eight or more days in a month

Life-threatening metabolic emergency cased by insulin deficiency leading to hyperglycemia, ketosis, and metabolic acidosis. Patients present with polyuria, polydipsia, abdominal pain, Kussmaul respirations, fruity breath, and dehydration. Requires urgent fluid resuscitation, insulin therapy, and electrolyte management.

damage to the blood vessels in the retina

a class of immunosuppressive and immunomodulatory drugs used to treat inflammatory arthritis, connective tissue disorders, and cancer by slowing down or stopping disease progression

the amount of time it takes the active component of a drug to be metabolized and excreted out of the body

a taste disorder in which patients report food tasting metallic, sour, sweet, or bitter

pain during intercourse

pain or burning in the upper digestive tract

the sensation of difficulty in swallowing

abnormal cells that can transition to malignancy

pain with urination

end part of a long bone made from trabecular bone

nose bleed

inability to get an erection, inability to maintain an erection, or inability to experience penile pleasure during sexual activity

A fluid that has leaked out from the blood vessels into surrounding tissues. The fluid is made of cells and proteins and closely resembles blood plasma.

localized to a specific point or area

the presence of fungal organisms in the blood

decreased gastric motility

an individual's unique combination of alleles, the set of genes a person has

Glucosuria or glucose present in the urine is common when the renal system is unable to reabsorb glucose filtered from the blood.

an autoimmune disorder producing hypothyroidism

A life-threatening condition of pregnancy that is considered a variant of preeclampsia. HELLP is an acronym which stands for (H) hemolysis, (EL) elevated liver enzyme levels, and (LP) low platelets.

bright red blood vomit that may occur with or without food

bright red blood per rectum

A serum blood test that measures the average blood sugar over a three-month timespan. This lab test is a key indicator of diabetes diagnosis and glucose control.

a complete blood count that includes red blood cell indices, white blood cell differential, hemoglobin/hematocrit, and platelet count

the destruction of red blood cells from circulation before their normal span of about 120 days

expectoration of blood or blood-tinged sputum from the lungs

a liver hormone that regulates how much iron is absorbed from food in the intestines and how much iron is released from stored supplies

missing nerve cells in the muscles of part of the colon, with the main symptom being constipation

A condition where growth of excessive male-pattern hair occurs in women after puberty. It affects facial and body areas dependent on androgens, such as mustache and beard, pubic hair, buttocks, and thighs.

A condition with symptoms including drooping of the upper eyelid, constricted pupil, and decreased sweating on one side of the face. This is the result of damage to the sympathetic nerves of the face. It can be due to headaches (migraine or cluster), brain or spinal cord injury, neck or soft tissue pathology (mass), or carotid artery dissection.

A pattern of lesions or pigmentation with herpes zoster. This refers to lesions on the tip or side of the nose indicating trigeminal nerve involvement and potential ocular involvement since the trigeminal nerve also innervates the cornea.

a mineralized structure in bones and tooth enamel

increased carbon dioxide levels in the blood

A severe hyperglycemic crisis characterized by extreme hyperglycemia, hyperosmolarity, and profound dehydration without significant ketosis. It occurs mostly in type 2 diabetes and presents with altered mental state and severe volume depletion. Mortality is higher than in DKA.

increased number of cells in a tissue or organ

The condition of having low serum sodium. Symptoms and signs of hyponatremia include headaches, trouble focusing, memory problems, feeling confused, weakness, seizures, or changes in balance.

low oxygen level in the blood

jaundice, yellowing of skin, mucus membranes, and eyes due to elevated serum bilirubin levels

muscle pain with elevated creatine kinase plus antibodies against 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase

The presence of substances or cells not normally found in that area. When referring to lungs, infiltrates are the presence of substances denser than air (i.e. pus, fluid, or blood) in the lung tissue.

same side

non-tender erythematous macules on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet, associated with infectious endocarditis

inflammation of the cornea

A diagnostic test used to evaluate for meningeal irritation associated with meningitis or subarachnoid hemorrhage. It is performed by having the patient lie on their back with hips flexed and knees bent at 90 degree angles. Then the nurse practitioner will straighten one leg at a time. If this is painful or the patient is unable to extend the leg, this is a positive sign and additional testing may be warranted.

a forward rounding of the back producing a dowager’s hump

elevated levels of white blood cells

a general feeling of being sick or having no energy, or an uncomfortable feeling that something is wrong

episodes of hyperactivity, euphoria (elevated mood), delusions, and hallucinations (auditory or visual)

associated with appendicitis, with pain and tenderness in the right lower quadrant about one third of the distance from the anterior superior iliac spine and navel

dark, black tarry stool

the first menstrual period in a female adolescent

heavy bleeding with menstrual cycle

replacement of one cell type with another cell type in response to an environmental or stressful trigger, usually reversible

occurs during an attack of migraine with aura, where a seizure is triggered

refers to one or more aura symptoms associated with brain ischemia on neuroimaging during a typical migraine attack

affecting only one joint

pregnancy with more than one fetus (twins, triplets, or more)

muscle aches and pain (without significant elevation of creatine kinase)

heart attack

sudden muscle jerks or twitches

muscle pain or weakness with elevation of creatine kinase equal to or greater than 10 times the upper limit of normal

diagnostic test that identifies specific genetic material from infectious agents

A spectrum of clinical manifestations seen in neonates due to the abrupt cessation of intrauterine exposure to substances such as opioids or benzodiazepines used by the mother during pregnancy. Multiple organ systems can be affected, but abnormalities in the autonomic function of the central nervous system and gastrointestinal system are most common.

An adverse medication reaction that is potentially life-threatening. Its symptoms and signs include high fever, rapid respirations, rigid muscles, abnormally low or high blood pressure, sweating, and altered mental status.

frequent urination overnight

the condition of being a woman who has never given birth to a live child

irregular and inconsistent menstrual blood flow with menstrual cycles longer than 35 days or fewer than four to nine menstrual cycles per year

painful, raised, red or purple bumps that usually appear on the pads of the fingers or toes, associated with infectious endocarditis

the softening of bones due to inadequate mineralization, often associated with vitamin D deficiency

disease associated with abnormal bone remodeling leading to larger, weaker, and deformed bones

The condition of an abnormal layer of tissue. In rheumatoid arthritis, the abnormal tissue growth is in the synovial membrane of the joint.

swelling of the optic disc where the optic nerve enters the eye

opposite of what is expected

a tingling sensation

atrial fibrillation that begins suddenly and ends spontaneously or with treatment within seven days of onset

vertigo that happens quickly and suddenly after head movements or position changes

scar tissue forms within the penis that causes a curvature and pain during erections

sensitivity to sound

sensitivity to light

failure of the placenta to deliver adequate oxygen and nutrients to the fetus

Large (>10mm), raised, thickened, and often-scaly patches on skin. With lyme disease, these are erythema migrans lesions that expand, sometimes, but not always, in a bulls-eye pattern.

excessive thirst

increased appetite

increased urine output that exceeds 3L/day in adults

A temporary state after a seizure when the brain is recovering from intense electrical stimulation. This may include sleepiness, memory loss, confusion, and disorientation.

painful sustained erection

a symptomatic migraine attack that lacks one of the features required to fulfill the diagnosis of a migraine headache and does not meet the criteria for another type of headache

presence of excess protein in the urine, usually albumin, indication glomerular, or tubular kidney dysfunction

A category of microscopic single-cell organisms that are eukaryotic by virtue of having a membrane-bound nucleus. Many clinically relevant protozoa are parasites.

an artificial intraocular lens, usually due to cataract surgery

associated with appendicitis, when there is pain in the right lower quadrant with passive right hip extension

an altered thinking state that may include hallucinations (auditory or visual), delusions, and disorganized thinking

a pelvic floor muscle that acts like a valve to control fecal continence

fever-inducing substances

the presence of pus (white blood cells) in the urine

An increase in the amount of reticulocytes in the circulating blood. Reticulocytes are an immature form of red blood cells. Reticulocytosis is an indication of blood regeneration, often in response to the loss of red blood cells through hemolysis or blood loss.

A condition that causes rapid skeletal muscle breakdown and kidney damage which may ultimately result in kidney failure. It can be a medication adverse effect or from traumatic injury to muscle. Its symptoms and signs include muscle pain, weakness, vomiting, confusion, and dark urine.

A symptom marked by severe chills with violent shivering. A rigor is an episode of shaking or exaggerated shivering that can occur with a high fever.

A test of balance where the patient stands with feet together, arms at their sides and eyes open for about 30 seconds, and then is asked to close their eyes and maintain the position. The result is positive if the patient is unsteady or loses balance, showing impaired proprioception.

exudative, edematous hemorrhagic lesions of the retina with pale centers, highly suggestive of infectious endocarditis

Pressure is applied in the left lower quadrant. A positive sign results if rebound pain is felt in the right lower quadrant when pressure is released. This sign is associated with appendicitis.

a range of problems affecting a person’s ability to enjoy and engage in sexual activity

relating to the physical body as opposed to the mind

Small, thin, longitudinal lines are visible under the nail plate. They are usually red to black in color and are most commonly found in the distal portion of the nail.

inflammatory dermatosis of the lower extremities that may represent chronic venous insufficiency

a debilitating migraine attack that lasts more than 72 hours

characterized by forming and discharging pus

a lining of soft tissue surrounding a joint, tendon, or bursae that produces fluid to decrease friction during joint movement

a chronic autoimmune disease of unknown cause that causes immunological abnormalities and a wide range of clinical manifestations across almost all body systems

A part of the skeleton defined by the articulation of the ribcage with the spine. There are 12 thoracic vertebrae numbered T1 to T12.

low platelets

The perception of sound that does not have an external source, so other people cannot hear it. A ringing sound is most commonly described, but other types of sounds such as roaring, hissing, clicking, or buzzing are possible, too.

The area in the upper left portion of the abdomen along the lower edge of the left lung over the stomach. It should be tympanic to percussion. If not, it indicates fluid or splenic enlargement.

Infection in the nose, sinuses, pharynx, and larynx, most-commonly caused by viruses. Symptoms include congestion, rhinorrhea, sore throat, cough, and fever.

inflammation of the uvea, the middle layer of tissue in the eye wall, which can lead to vision loss

a sensation that oneself or the environment is spinning vs. lightheadedness or dizziness, which is more of a sensation of unsteadiness or wooziness

removal of vitreous humor to allow access to the retina for eye surgical procedures

a vaginal yeast infection

yellowish, waxy, or reddish bumps under the skin due to cholesterol deposition

dry mouth