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