Med Terms

• PO stands for Pulse oximeter.
• Complaining of NPO means Nothing by mouth.
• WNL stands for Within normal limits.
• T stands for Temperature.
• P stands for Pulse.
• HR stands for Heart Rate.
• BP stands for Blood Pressure.
• HTN stands for hypertension.
• TA stands for Temporal AXillary.
• RR stands for Respiratory Rate.
• R or PR stands for Rectal; per rectum.
• T or AU stands for Both ears.
• mmHg stands for Millimeters of mercury.
• BPM stands for Beats per minute.
• sphygmomanometer is also known as a blood pressure monitor, with an inflatable cuff and meter to measure blood pressure.
• hypoxia is not enough oxygen; reduced levels of oxygen.
• hypoxemia is reduced oxygen in the blood, which can be caused by other medical conditions.
• eupnea is normal breathing; eu = good,normal.
• orthopnea is shortness of breath when lying flat.
• tachypnea is rapid, fast breathing.
• apnea is lack of breathing.
• dyspnea is shortness of breath; bad, difficult breathing; dys = bad.
• cyanosis is an abnormal blueness condition; skin & body appear blue, comes with lack of oxygen.
• SpO2 stands for Oxygen saturation; how much oxygen your blood can carry.
• cerumen is earwax.
• hypertension is consistent high blood pressure.
• Observation in medical terms is getting information on a patient through different measurements and inspections (hearing, seeing, smelling).
• Palpation in medical terms is using your hands to feel the body while examining.
• Auscultation in medical terms is listening to body sounds with tools like a stethoscope.
• Percussion in medical terms is tapping the body with your hand or instruments for observation.
• Manipulation in medical terms is moving or “manipulating” the body as a part of an examination.
• Girth in medical terms are measurements around the body.
• Baseline in medical terms is the “base” value, used to compare with later measurements.
• Critical value in medical terms is a specific condition or measurement that threatens someone's life.