Decoding Medical Language: Chapter 5 Essentials

Delve into the complex world of medical terminology with a focus on Chapter 5. Explore key concepts and terms that form the foundation of healthcare communication. Enhance your understanding of important medical terms and their significance in clinical settings. Dive deep into the intricacies of terminology to build a solid foundation for medical knowledge and communication.

• Medical Terms
• Healthcare
• Language
• Chapter 5

medidoc Follow

Uploaded on Mar 11, 2025 | 0 Views

Download Presentation

Please find below an Image/Link to download the presentation.

The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author.If you encounter any issues during the download, it is possible that the publisher has removed the file from their server.

You are allowed to download the files provided on this website for personal or commercial use, subject to the condition that they are used lawfully. All files are the property of their respective owners.

The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author.

Presentation Transcript

1. Chapter 5 Medical Terminology

2. Part 1 You and your ALS partner are dispatched to Oneida Medical Center on Lake Avenue for a 65-year-old male patient with respiratory distress and palpitations. Dr. Jones, his pulmonologist, meets you at the door to give you some information about the patient, who has several medical problems.

3. Part 1 Dr. Jones tells you that the patient has severe cardiomegaly as result of a long history of pulmonary hypertension from arteriosclerosis, and his condition has gotten much worse over the past 2 weeks.

4. Part 1 1. Based on your knowledge of medical terminology, what kind of doctor is a pulmonologist, and what does the history of pulmonary hypertension tell you? 2. What are cardiomegaly and arteriosclerosis?

5. Part 2 Your partner asks you to turn on the cardiac monitor and open a package of patches to prepare for an ECG. He says that the patient has supraventricular tachycardia but for now is stable.

6. Part 2 3. What does ECG stand for? 4. What does it mean to say a patient has supraventricular tachycardia?

7. Part 3 The patient s heart rate is 130 beats/min and irregular, his respirations are 20 breaths/min, and his blood pressure is 156/94 mm Hg. The pulse oximeter shows a SpO2of 88%, and your partner tells you to start treating the patient s hypoxia.

8. Part 3 You notice that the patient has some cyanosis of his fingers, and is otherwise pale. You remember the doctor telling you that the patient has a low erythrocyte count, and that he has episodes of hemoptysis.

9. Part 3 5. What do the terms oximeter and SpO2 mean? What is hypoxia? 6. What is cyanosis? What does the doctor mean by a low erythrocyte count and hemoptysis?

10. Part 4 The paramedic starts an intravenous line in the left antecubital area in case the patient s condition worsens and an antiarrhythmic drug is needed.

11. Part 4 7. What is an IV, and where did the paramedic place it on this patient?

12. Part 5 Before you leave the office, the nurse hands you some paperwork to bring to the hospital with the patient. Included in this paperwork are reports from the patient s nephrologist and cardiologist, as well as a copy of his most recent echocardiogram.

13. Part 5 8. What type of doctors are cardiologists and nephrologists? 9. What is an echocardiogram?

14. Part 6 You and your partner prepare the patient for transport, and place him in high-Fowler position as he has less dyspnea in this position. Fortunately, the oxygen helps and the patient does not need additional treatment. After dropping the patient at the hospital, you read the paramedic s PCR and note the following terms in his notes: PMH, HTN, SVT, and ASHD.

15. Part 6 10. What do these abbreviations stand for?

16. Summary Although you may not be familiar with many medical phrases or conditions, a knowledge of medical terminology, especially root words, prefixes, and suffixes, can provide you with clues as to their meaning. An understanding of medical terminology provides a common basis of communication among all medical professionals.

17. Summary It is important to use abbreviations that are commonly understood, as there can be misinterpretation of made-up abbreviations or abbreviations used by a localized group or an individual agency. Remember that patients do not share your knowledge of medicine, so the use of medical terminology and abbreviations should be limited when talking with patients.