Download Cardiology and Neurology Terms: Heart Rhythm Disorders, Stroke, and Abdominal Conditions and more Quizzes Geriatrics in PDF only on Docsity!
arrhythmia
an irregular or abnormal heart rhythm TERM 2
asystole
DEFINITION 2 the complete absence of heart electrical activity TERM 3
atheroclerosis
DEFINITION 3 A disorder in which cholesterol and calcium build up inside the walls of the blood vessels, forming plaque, which eventually leads to partial or complete blockage of blood flow TERM 4
atrium
DEFINITION 4 one of two (right and left) upper chambers of the heart. The atrium receives blood from the vena cava and delivers it to the right ventricle. The left atrium receives blood from pulmonary veins and delivers it to the left ventricle TERM 5
automaticity
DEFINITION 5 The ability of cardiac muscle cells to contract without stimulation from the nervous system
autonomic nervous system
the part of the nervous system that controls the involuntary activities of the body such as the heart rate, BP, and digestion of food TERM 7
bradycardia
DEFINITION 7 slow heart rate, less than 60 beats/min TERM 8
cardiac arrest
DEFINITION 8 a state in which the heart fails to generate effective and detectable blood flow; pulses are not palpable in cardiac arrest, even if muscular and electrical activity continues in the heart TERM 9
cardiogenic shock
DEFINITION 9 a state in which not enough oxygen is delivered to the tissues of the body, caused by low output of blood from the heart. It can be a severe complication of a large acute myocardial infarction, as well as other conditions TERM 10
cardiac output
DEFINITION 10 a measure of the volume of blood circulated by the heart in 1 minute, calculated by the STROKE x HR
defibrillate
toshock a fibrillating (chaotically beating) heart with specialized electrical current in an attempt to restore a normal, rhythmic beat. TERM 17
dependent edema
DEFINITION 17 swelling in the part of the body closest to the ground, caused by collection of fluid in the tissues; a possible sign of congestive heart failure (CHF, results in backup of fluid in the lungs) TERM 18
aorta
DEFINITION 18 main artery, which receives blood from the left ventricle and delivers it to all the other arteries that carry blood to the tissues of the body TERM 19
aortic aneurysm
DEFINITION 19 A weakness in the wall of the aorta that makes it susceptible to rupture TERM 20
aortic valve
DEFINITION 20 one-way valve that lies between the left ventricle and the aorta and keeps blood from flowing back into the left ventricle after the left ventricle ejects its blood into the aorta; one of four heart valves
dissecting aneurysm
a condition in which the inner layers of the artery, such as the aorta, become separated, allowing blood (at high pressures) to flow between the layers TERM 22
hypertensive emergency
DEFINITION 22 An emergency situation created by excessively high blood pressure, which can lead to serious complications such as stroke or aneurysm TERM 23
infarction
DEFINITION 23 death of a body tissue, usually caused by interruption of its blood supply TERM 24
ischemia
DEFINITION 24 a lack of oxygen that deprives tissues of necessary nutrients, resulting from partial or complete blockage of blood flow; potentially reversible because permanent injury has not yet occured TERM 25
lumen
DEFINITION 25 The inside diameter of an artery or other hollow structure
tachycardia
heart rate faster than 100 beats/min TERM 32
thromboembolism
DEFINITION 32 A blood clot that has formed within a blood vessel and is floating within the bloodstream TERM 33
ventricle
DEFINITION 33 one of two (right/left) lower chambers of the heart.left ventricle=receive blood from left atrium (upper chamber), delivers blood to aortaright ventricle=receives blood from right atrium (upper chamber), delivers to pulmonary artery (lungs) TERM 34
ventricular fib
DEFINITION 34 disorganized, ineffective twitchingof the ventricles, resulting in no blood flow and a state of cardiac arrest TERM 35
ventricular tachycardia
DEFINITION 35 rapid heart rhythm where electrical impulses begins in the ventricle (instead of atrium), which may result in inadequate blood flow and eventually deteriorate into cardiac arrest
aneurysm
swelling or enlargement of part of the blood vessel, resulting from weakening of the vessel wall TERM 37
aphasia
DEFINITION 37 The inability to understand and/or produce speech TERM 38
aura
DEFINITION 38 sensation experienced prior to a seizure; serves as a warning sign that a seizure is about to occur TERM 39
cerebrovascular accident (CVA)
DEFINITION 39 interruption of blood flow to the brain that results in the loss of brain function, aka stroke TERM 40
coma
DEFINITION 40 state of profound unconsciousness from which one cannot be roused
hemorrhagic stroke
one of the two main types of stroke; results from bleeding inside the brain TERM 47
hypoglycemia
DEFINITION 47 a condition characterized by a low blood glucose level TERM 48
incontinence
DEFINITION 48 loss of bowel and/or bladder control; may be the result of a generalized seizure TERM 49
ischemic stroke
DEFINITION 49 one of two main types of stroke; occurs when blood flow to a particular part of the brain is cut off by a blockage (clot) inside a blood vessel TERM 50
partial seizure
DEFINITION 50 a seizure affecting a limited portion of the brain
postictal state
period following a seizure that lasts between 5 and 30 minutes; characterized by labored respiration and some degree of altered mental status (AMS) TERM 52
seizure
DEFINITION 52 generalized, uncoordinated muscular activity associated with LOC, aka convulsion TERM 53
status epilepticus
DEFINITION 53 a condition in which seizures recur every few minutes or last more than 30 minutes TERM 54
stroke
DEFINITION 54 An interruption of blood flow to the brain that results in the loss of brain function; also called a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) TERM 55
thrombosis
DEFINITION 55 clotting of the cerebral arteries that may result in the interruption of cerebral blood flow and subsequent stroke
cystitis
inflammation of bladder TERM 62
diverticulitis
DEFINITION 62 inflammation in small pockets at weak areas in the muscle walls TERM 63
emesis
DEFINITION 63 vomiting TERM 64
guarding
DEFINITION 64 involuntary muscle contractions (spasm) of the abdominal wall; an effort to protect the inflamed abdomen TERM 65
hernia
DEFINITION 65 protrusion of a loop of an organ or tissue through an abnormal body opening
ileus
paralysis of the bowel; stops contractions that move material through the intestine TERM 67
kidney stones
DEFINITION 67 Solid crystalline masses formed in the kidney, resulting from an excess of insoluble salts or uric acid crystallizing in the urine; may become trapped anywhere along the urinary tract TERM 68
pancreatitis
DEFINITION 68 inflammation of pancreas TERM 69
peritoneum
DEFINITION 69 The membrane lining the abdominal cavity (parietal peritoneum) and covering the abdominal organs (visceral peritoneum) TERM 70
peritonitis
DEFINITION 70 inflammation of the peritoneum
