Medical Terminology 2 Chapter 6

sickle cell anemia

a genetic disorder in which erythrocytes take on an abnormal curved or "sickle" shape. These cells are fragile and are easily damaged, leading to a heolytic anemia

anemia

a large group of conditions characterized by a reduction in the number of red blood cells or the amount of hemoglobin in the blood; results in less oxygen reaching the tissues

prothrombin time

a measure of the blood's coagulation abilities by measuring how long it takes for a clot to form after prothombin has been activiated

packed red cells

a transfusion in which most of the plasma, leukocytes, and platelets have been removed, leaving on erythrocytes

HD

abbreviation for Hodgkin's disease

KS

abbreviation for Kaposi's sarcoma

AIDS

abbreviation for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

CBC

abbreviation for complete blood count

ELISA

abbreviation for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

HIV

abbreviation for human immunodeficiency virus

mono

abbreviation for mononucleosis

NHL

abbreviation for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

PCP

abbreviation for pneumocystis pneumonia

diff

abbreviation for white blood cell differential

HCT, Hct, crit

abbreviations for hematocrit

Hgb, Hb, HGB

abbreviations for hemoglobin

pro-time, PT

abbreviations for prothrombin time

mononucleosis

acute infectious disease with a large number of abnormal mononuclear lympocytes. caused by the eptstein-barr virus. abnormal liver function may occur

Hodgkin's disease

also called Hodgkin's lymphoma. cancer of the lymphatic cells found in conceptration in the lymph nodes. named after thomas hodgkin, a british physician who first described it.

iron-deficiency anemia

anemia resulting from not having sufficient iron to manufacture hemoglobin

immunosuppressants

blocks certain actions of the immune system. required to prevent rejection of a transplanted organ; mycophenolate mofetil, CellCept, cyclosporine, Neoral

enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

blood test for an antibody to the HIV virus. a positive test means that the person has been exposed to the virus. there may be a false positive reading

Monospot

blood test for infectious mononucleosis

white blood cell differential

blood test to determine the number of each variety of leukocytes

non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

cancer of the lymphatic tissues other than Hodgkin's lymphoma

leukemia

cancer of the white blood cell-forming red bone marrow resulting in a large number of abnormal and immature white blood cells circulating in the blood

complete blood count

combination of blood tests including red cell blood count, white blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, white blood cell differential, and platelet count

hyperlipidemia

condition of having too high a level of lipids such as cholesterol in the bloodstream. A risk factor for developing atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease

acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

disease involving a defect in the cell-mediated immunity system. a syndrome of opportunistic infections occuring in the final stages of infection with the human immunodeficiency virus. this virus attacks T4 lymphocytes and destroys them, reducing the person's ability to fight infection

lymphedema

edema appearing in the extremities due to an obstruction of the lymph flow through the lymphatic vessels

Kaposi's sarcoma

form of skin cancer frequently seen in patients with AIDS. it consists of brownish purple papules that spread from the skin and metastasize to internal organs.

immunotherapy

giving a patient an injection of immunoglobulins or antibodies in order to treat a disease. the antibodies may be produced by another person or animal, for example antivenom for snake bites

immunocompromised

having an immune system that is unable to respond properly to pathogens. also called immunodeficiency disorder

septicemia

having bacteria or their toxins in the bloodstream. commonly referred to as blood poisoning

hemophilia

hereditary blood disease in which bloodclotting time is prolonged due to a lack of one vital clotting factor. it is transmitted by a sex-linked trait from females to males, appearing almost exclusively in males

lymphadenitis

inflammation of the lymph nodes. referred to as swollen glands

anaphylactic shock

life-threatening condition resulting from a severe allergic reaction. examples of instances that may trigger this reaction include bee stings, medications, or the ingestion of foods. circulatory and respiratory problems occur, including respiratory distress, hypotension, edema, tachycardia, and convulsions. also called anaphylaxis

pneumocystis pneumonia

pneumonia common in patients with weakened immune systems, such as AIDS patients

autologous transfusion

procedure for collecting and storing a patient's own blood several weeks prior to the actual need. it can then be used to replace blood lost during a surgical procedure

polycythemia vera

production of too many red blood cells by the bone marrow. blood becomes too thick to easily flow through the blood vessels

lymphadenectomy

removal of a lymph node. this is usually done to test for malignancy.

homologous transfusion

replacement of blood by transfusion of blood received from another person

thrombolytic

term meaning able to dissolve existing blood clots

human immunodeficiency virus

virus that causes AIDS; also known as retrovirus