antifungals

Medications used to treat and prevent fungal infections

antivirals

Medications used to treat and prevent viral infections

ards

Acute respiratory distress syndrome

Inflammatory lung condition that leads to injury of lung tissue and leakage of blood and plasma into airspaces

Prevents oxygen from getting into the lungs and into the blood

May be due to many conditions including pneumonia, sepsis, trauma, aspiration, etc. 

May lead to injury or dysfunction of other organs such as the kidneys, heart, or muscles

arterial line

A special catheter that is inserted into an artery in order to measure the blood pressure continuously and can be used to draw blood

Arterial blood gas (ABG)

A blood gas obtained from an artery; a blood gas is a test that helps determine the acid-base balance in the body and the content of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood

Used to help gauge how adequately someone is breathing or to help adjust the settings on a mechanical ventilator

Arterio-venous malformation (AVM)

Abnormal tangles of blood vessels resulting in irregular connections between the arteries and veins

Occur in the spinal cord and brain most commonly

Arrhythmia

Abnormal heart rhythm

Atelectasis

Collapse of the alveoli (the ends of the respiratory tree) of the lung

Attending

A doctor who has completed residency (and fellowship for subspecialists) and supervises the medical team (fellows, residents, and medical students)

Bacteremia

Presence of bacteria in the blood

BiPAP or BIPAP

Bilevel positive airway pressure is a non-invasive mechanical pressure support ventilation that alternates between an applied inspiratory positive airway pressure and an expiratory positive airway pressure

Complements the patient’s respiratory cycle to ease the work of breathing

Uses include obstructive sleep apnea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, acute and chronic respiratory failure

Blood Pressure

Pressure in the circulatory system

Systolic blood pressure is the pressure in the arteries when the heart contracts

Diastolic blood pressure is the pressure in the arteries when the heart relaxes

Breathing Machine

A mechanical ventilator is a machine that moves air in and out of the lungs

Can assist a patient who is not breathing adequately or at all

Bronchiolitis

Inflammation of the smaller airways that are connected to the bronchi which is connected to the trachea

Broviac catheter

A tunneled central venous catheter

Cannula or catheter

A hollow plastic tube that is inserted into a blood vessel or body cavity to allow passage of fluid

Examples:

• Intravenous (IV) catheter is inserted into a vein to allow delivery of medications or saline
• Urinary catheter is inserted into the urethra to allow drainage of urine from the bladder

Cardiac

Of or relating to the heart

Cardiologist

A physician who has specialized in cardiology, the branch of medicine dealing with the heart and its related diseases or abnormalities

Cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

An emergency procedure that combines chest compressions with ventilation in order to provide circulation to the body in the setting of cardiac arrest

Case Manager

Specialist who helps to provide services, coordinate care, and identify resources to meet a patient’s health care needs

Central line/Central venous line

A catheter that is inserted into one of the large veins (subclavian, internal jugular, or femoral) in the body to allow delivery of medication, intravenous fluids, nutrition, or blood products

Placed under sterile technique

Tends to last longer than peripheral intravenous catheters

Allows delivery of medications that might be caustic if delivered peripherally

Central venous pressure (CVP)

The pressure in the vena cava near the right atrium

Reflects the amount of blood returning to the heart and the ability of the heart to pump blood through the arterial system

Cerebral vascular accident (CVA)

A stroke, when blood flow is poor and leads to death of brain cells

May be due to lack of blood flow (ischemic stroke) or bleeding (hemorrhagic stroke)

Charge Nurse

The nurse who oversees the other nurses during the shift

Chest compressions

Application of pressure to the chest in a serial, rhythmic manner to facilitate blood flow through the heart to the rest of the body as part of cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Chest PT

Chest physiotherapy

Treatments performed by respiratory therapists using clapping or percussion on the patient’s chest, back, and axilla to indirectly remove mucus from the airways

Chest tube

A flexible catheter that is inserted into the pleural space or mediastinum

Used to remove fluid in the setting of pleural effusion, hemothorax, chylothorax, pus in the setting of empyema,  or air in the setting of pneumothorax

Child Life Specialist

A specialist with training in child development and family systems who has expertise helping children and families cope through play, preparation, education, and self-expression

Provides emotional support to parents, siblings, and other family members

Clot

A plug of platelets and fibrin that the body makes to stop bleeding

Can be caused by being immobile, having a catheter in the blood vessel, or some medications

CPAP

Continuous positive airway pressure which keeps the airways open

Applied continuously throughout the respiratory cycle in a spontaneously breathing patient

Uses include: obstructive sleep apnea and as a spontaneous breathing trial for someone who is mechanically ventilated

CPAP/PS trials

Spontaneous breathing trials used to help determine if a patient is ready for extubation or to exercise the lungs in anticipation of weaning from the ventilator

Critical Care

Branch of medicine that cares for patients with life-threatening illness or injury

CT Scan

Computerized tomography sometimes called CAT scan

Uses computer-processed combinations of x-ray images to produce cross-sectional (tomographic) images of specific areas

CVVH/CVVHD

Continuous veno-venous hemofiltration and continuous veno-venous hemofiltration with dialysis are forms of renal replacement therapyBlood is passed through a semipermeable membrane (filter) where toxins and wastes are removed before the blood is returned to the body

Dermat-ologist

A physician who has specialized in dermatology, the branch of medicine that deals with the skin, nails, and hair and its related diseases or abnormalities

Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT)

A blood clot that forms in one of the deep veins in the body, often the legs

Dehydration

State of not having enough fluid in the body

Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)

Life-threatening condition that occurs in people with diabetes where the level of ketones (the product of fat breakdown) builds up in the body

Body breaks down fat an energy source because it cannot use sugar (glucose) because there is no insulin or not enough insulin to breakdown sugar

Symptoms include vomiting, dehydration, altered breathing, confusion, or coma

May be the first symptom of undiagnosed diabetes

Dialysis

A machine that functions as an artificial kidney, allowing blood to removed from the body, so toxins and metabolites may be removed before the blood is returned to the body

Relies on diffusion

Dietician

Specialized health care professional who has expertise in human nutrition and regulation of the diet

Alters patient’s nutrition based on the medical condition and individual needs

Discharge

To officially leave the hospital

A substance (liquid, fluid,  pus, etc.) that flows out of an area

Diuretics

Medications typically used to help produce urine and remove excess fluid or water from the body

Dysrhythmia

Abnormal heart beat

ECHO

Also called an echocardiogram or cardiac echo, sonogram of heart that produces images of the heart

Provides information regarding the size and shape of the heart, damaged areas of the heart, and the function of the heart

ECMO or ECLS

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) or extracorporeal life support (ECLS)

A heart lung bypass machine that provides support to patients who have severe heart and/or lung failure

Blood is removed from a vein (often the internal jugular or femoral vein) using a catheter allowing carbon dioxide to be removed and oxygen to be provided

Blood is then returned to a vein (femoral) or an artery (carotid)

EEG

Electroencephalogram

A test to detect abnormalities in the electrical activity of the brain

EKG or ECG

Electrocardiogram

A test to detect abnormalities in the electrical activity of the heart

Electrolytes

Normally occurring chemicals in the body such as sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate, calcium, magnesium, and phosphate

Embolus

A blood clot, fat globule, gas bubble, or other foreign material that travels in the circulation lodges in the bloodstream at a site distant from its origin, potentially blocking the blood vessel

Emesis

Vomit

Endocrinologist

A physician who has specialized in endocrinology, the branch of medicine dealing with the endocrine system and its related diseases or abnormalities of hormone secretion and growth/development

Endotracheal Tube

ET Tube, a tube that is inserted into the nose or trachea in order to facilitate breathing

Exacerbation

Worsening of a disease or increase in symptoms

Extraventricular drain (EVD)

Neurosurgical device that relieves elevated intracranial pressure and hydrocephalus consisting of a special plastic tube that is inserted into the ventricles of the brain

Monitors intracranial pressure and drains cerebrospinal fluid

Extubation

The act of removing an endotracheal tube

Fellow

In the U.S., a physician who has completed residency and who is now completing subspecialty training

Fellows are qualified to be attending physicians in the general field in which they trained (ex: internal medicine or pediatrics)

After fellowship, the fellow will be an attending in the subspecialty field

Femoral line

A central venous line inserted into the femoral vein

Fluid Balance

The relationship between the amount of fluid in the body and the amount of fluid lost from the body

Foley catheter

A sterile catheter that is inserted into the bladder to drain urine; hourly urine production can be measured

Gastroenterologist (GI)

A physician who has specialized in gastroenterology, the branch of medicine that deals with the gastrointestinal (GI) tract which includes the organs from the mouth to the anus and its related diseases or abnormalities

Gastroparesis

Delayed emptying of the stomach; food remains in the stomach for a long time

May be due to damage to the vagus nerve or muscles of the stomach during an acute illness

Hematologist (Heme, Heme-Onc)

A physician who has specialized in hematology, the branch of medicine that deals with blood and its related diseases or abnormalities

Hemodynamics

The fluid dynamics of blood flow

Forces required by the heart to circulate blood

Hemofiltration

The process of removing blood from a vein to remove excess fluid and waste using a filter

Blood is then returned to the patient

Relies on convection

Hepatic Failure

Liver failure; inability of liver to perform normal synthetic and metabolic functions

Hepatologist (Liver)

A physician who has subspecialized in hepatology, the branch of medicine that deals with theliver, pancreas, and the biliary tree and their related diseases or abnormalities

Hickman catheter

A tunneled central venous catheter that is intended to remain in place for extended periods

High Flow Nasal Cannula

Humidified air delivered at high flow in liters per minute through a nasal cannula to help spontaneously breathing patients with the work of breathing; allows higher delivery of fractional inspired oxygen than regular low flow nasal cannula

High Frequency Oscillatory Ventilation (HFOV)/Oscillator

Type of mechanical ventilation that uses high respiratory rates and small tidal volumes

Hypertension

High blood pressure

Hypotension

Low blood pressure

Hypoxia

Inadequate oxygen supply for the body tissues

ICU

Intensive care unit is the specific area of the hospital for patients who require critical care

Names of different intensive care units that may serve specific groups of patients:

Burn Unit

CICU (Cardiac ICU)

CVICU (Cardiovascular ICU)

Intermediate ICU or Stepdown Unit

MICU (Medical ICU)

NICU (Neurologic ICU or Neonatal ICU)

PICU (Pediatric ICU)

SICU (Surgical ICU)

Ileus

Disruption of normal propulsion in the gastrointestinal tract

May be due to certain medications, surgery, injury or illness

Incentive spirometer

Device used to help patients improve lung function

Patient breathes in from the device slowly and deeply, holds breath for a few seconds to help re-expand alveoli (ends of respiratory tree)

The device has a gauge to indicate how well the patient is doing on repetitions of this maneuver

Infectious Disease (ID)

The branch of medicine that deals with diseases caused by organism such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites

Inotropes

A medication that alters the force of the heart’s contractions

Positive inotropes strengthen the contractions and may be used in patients who have cardiogenic shock, congestive heart failure, cardiomyopathies, or myocardial infarctions

Negative inotropes weaken the heart’s contractions and slow down the heart rate and may be used in patients who have hypertension, heart failure, arrhythmias, chest pain, or who have had myocardial infarction

Intensivist

The physician who has specialized in critical care and who practices in the ICU

Intracranial pressure

The pressure inside the skull

Intravenous

To place in the vein; refers to how medication, nutrition, or fluid is administered via a catheter that is inserted into the vein

Intubation

Typically refers to tracheal intubation which is the placement of an endotracheal tube to facilitate breathing in a patient who is not breathing, who is not breathing adequately, or who has altered mental status

Invasive ventilation

Ventilatory support that is provided to the patient’s lower airway using an endotracheal tube, laryngeal mask, or tracheostomy

Unlike non-invasive ventilation which uses the upper airway by providing ventilator support via a mask or special nasal prongs

Ischemia

Inadequate supply of blood to part of the body causing inadequate supply of oxygen and nutrients for cellular metabolism

Isolation Precautions

Precautions to help prevent the spread of germs

Airborne for germs spread through the air: respirator mask required for people who enter the room, patient is placed in a negative pressure room where air is gently removed from the room and does not filter into the hallway

Contact for germs spread by touching: gown and glove required for people who enter the room

Droplet for germs spread via patient’s secretions and mucus: surgical mask required for people who enter the room

JP Drain

Jackson-Pratt drain, closed-suction drain often used as a post-operative drain to collect blood and fluid from a surgical site

Kidney Failure

Failure of the kidneys to adequately filter waste from the blood

Labs

Blood tests done to check different functions of the body or levels of electrolytes

Line Infection (CLABSI)

Central line associated blood stream infection; when bacteria enters the body through a central venous catheter

Mean Airway Pressure (MAP)

The average pressure applied during positive pressure mechanical ventilation

Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP)

The average blood pressure during a cardiac cycle

Mechanical Ventilator

A breathing machine that is used when a person has difficulty breathing orcannot breathe

Allows carbon dioxide to be removed from and oxygen to be delivered to the lungs

Medical Student

In the U.S., a student who has completed college and has entered medical school to become a physician

MRI

Magnetic resonance imaging; imaging technique that uses strong magnetic fields, radio waves, and field gradients to form images of the body

Does not expose the body to ionizing radiation

Nasal bridle

Technique to secure a nasogastric tube to prevent inadvertent dislodgement involving the passage of magnetized probes through the nasopharynx, guiding umbilical tape to loop around the bone, removal of the probes, and anchoring of the umbilical tape to the nasogastric tube

If the patient pulls on the bridled tube, the tube will narrow as it stretches and slide through the clamp without damaging structures

Nephrologist

A physician who has subspecialized in nephrology, the branch of medicine that deals with the kidney and its related diseases or abnormalities

Neurologic checks

Assessment of the function of the nervous system and level of consciousness

Neurologist

A physician who has subspecialized in neurology, the branch of medicine that deals with thenervous system (brain, spinal cord, nerves, muscles) and their related diseases or abnormalities

Neuromuscular blockade

Typically refers to a medication that is used to cause temporary paralysis of the skeletal muscles

Often used to facilitate intubation

Given in conjunction with sedatives in order to prevent awareness and treat pain

NG Feeds

Nasogastric feeds; a method of delivery nutrition into the stomach using a tube that is inserted into the nose

NJ or ND Feeds

Nasojejunal feeds or nasoduodenal feeds; a method of deliver of nutrition into the small intestine through a tube that is inserted into the nose

Non-invasive ventilation

Ventilatory support that is provided to the patient’s upper airway using a mask or special nasal prongs

Unlike invasive ventilation which bypasses the upper airway and requires an endotracheal tube, laryngeal mask, or tracheostomy

NPO

Nil per os which is Latin for nothing by mouth

No oral intake of food or fluids permitted

Typically this restriction is due to anticipated sedation or anesthesia or utilized after surgery

May be used in the context of altered consciousness or breathing difficulty

Occupational Therapist (OT)

Specialized health care professional that assesses and treats patients in order to recover or maintain skills of daily living and promote independence

Oncologist(Onc)

A physician who has specialized in oncology, the branch of medicine that deals with the prevention, treatment, and diagnosis of cancer

Oscillator

Type of mechanical ventilation that uses high respiratory rates and small tidal volumes

Output

Fluid that leaves part of the body (ex: urine output, stool output, output in a surgical drain)

Perfusion

Delivery of blood to tissues in the body

Physical Therapist (PT)

Specialized health care professional that assesses and treats patients to promote mobility and function

PICC

Peripherally inserted central catheter

Intravenous catheter that can be used for a prolonged period to deliver long-term antibiotics, other medications, or nutrition

Pneumonia

An infection of one or both lungs

Pneumothorax

Collection of air in the pleural space that results in collapse of the lung

Pulmonologist

A physician who has subspecialized in pulmonology, the branch of medicine that deals with the respiratory tract and its related diseases or abnormalities

Quinton catheter

Non tunneled central catheter often used for hemodialysis

RAM Cannula

A nasal cannula for use with low or high flow oxygen with or without humidity for neonatal and pediatric patients

Can be used to provide nasal non-invasive ventilation

Renal Failure or Insufficiency

Failure of the kidneys to adequately filter waste from the blood

Renal Replacement Therapy (RRT)

Hemofiltration and/or dialysis

Replaces the function of the kidneys when the kidnesy are not working well in acute kidney injury and chronic renal failure

Resident

A physician who has completed medical school and is under the supervision of an attending physician

Respiratory Therapist (RT)

Specialized health care professional who help manage the airway and breathing

They help manage invasive ventilation, non-invasive ventilation, supplemental oxygen delivery devices, breathing treatments, and chest physiotherapy

Saturation

Refers to oxygen saturation; the fraction of oxygen saturated hemoglobin in the blood

Sedation

A state of calm or sleep produced by a sedative drug

Sedative

A medication used to help a patient stay calm

Seizures

Abnormal activity in the brain

Sepsis

Overwhelming infection that causes dysfunction of cells and organs (heart, kidneys, lungs, etc.)

Social Worker

A professional who helps people solve and cope with problems

Speech Therapist

Therapists that assess and treat patients in order to improve speech, language, communication, swallow, and oral motor skills in patients

Status Asthmaticus

Acute life-threatening exacerbation of asthma

Status Epilepticus

Seizure activity greater than five minutes or more than one seizure within a five-minute period without recovery to normal in-between

Stroke

A cerebrovascular accident (CVA), when blood flow is poor and leads to death of brain cells

May be due to lack of blood flow (ischemic stroke) or bleeding (hemorrhagic stroke)

Thrombus

A blood clot

May restrict flow or obstruct a blood vessel at the site of origin

TPN

Total Parenteral Nutrition

Intravenous nutrition

Tracheostomy

A tube that is surgically inserted into the trachea in order to facilitate breathing

Transfer

The act of moving a patient from one area of the hospital to another or to another hospital or rehabilitation facility

Ulcer

A break in the skin or in a membrane of the body

Urinary catheter

A sterile catheter that is inserted into the bladder to drain urine

Hourly urine production can be measured

Vasopressors

Medications that help support the heart and blood pressure

Venous Blood Gas (VBG)

A blood gas obtained from a vein; a blood gas is a test that helps determine the acid-base balance in the body and the content of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood

Can be used to help gauge how adequately someone is breathing or to help adjust the settings on a mechanical ventilator

Ventilator

A breathing machine that is used when a person has difficulty breathing or cannot breathe

Allows carbon dioxide to be removed from and oxygen to be delivered to the lungs

Vital Signs

Heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory (breathing) rate, oxygen saturation level, temperature, and pain level

Weaning

The process of reducing support from the ventilator (breathing machine) to allow a patient to breathe more on his/her own as his/her condition improves

The process of decreasing a medication gradually

The process of reducing support from the ventilator (breathing machine) to allow a patient to breathe more on his/her own as his/her condition improves

The process of decreasing a medication gradually

Withdrawal

Symptoms that occur when a medication is abruptly discontinued or decreased

Opioid withdrawal:  anxiety, sweating , agitation, muscle aches, yawning, dilated pupils, nausea vomiting, and diarrhea

Benzodiazepine withdrawal: diarrhea, dilated pupils, sleep disturbance high blood pressures, irritability, anxiety, panic attacks, hand tremor, sweating, difficulty concentrating, confusion, cognitive difficulty, memory problems, nausea, weight loss, palpitations, headaches, muscular pain, hallucinations, seizures, psychosis

X-ray

Typically refers to a radiograph which is an X-ray image used to look at the skeletal system or the soft tissue

Example:

Chest x-ray is used to identify lung diseases such as pneumonia or fluid in the lungs