Medical Assistant Exam Prep : All Key Terms

• amputation


  surgical removal of all or part of a limb or extremity
• biopsy


  the removal and examination of tissue to diagnose a disease
• coronary artery bypass graft


  surgery that eliminates a blockage in an artery going to the heart
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease


  a persistent disorder that impairs breathing
• dilation and curettage


  surgery involving the use of an instrument to open the cervix and then cutting away tissue inside the uterus for therapeutic purposes
• electrocardiogram


  a record of the heart's electrical impulses
• genitourinary


  referring to the urinary and reproductive organs
• gynecology


  the type of medical practice that deals with the female reproductive system
• hematocrit


  the percentage of a blood sample that is red blood cells
• incision


  a surgical wound that results from cutting into tissue
• myocardial infarction 


  an interruption of blood flow to the heart causing heart muscle damage, AKA heart attack
• nasogastric


  from the nose to the stomach
• obstetrics


  the type of medical practice that deals with women giving birth
• pelvic inflammatory disease


  a bacterial infection of the female reproductive organs
• rheumatoid arthritis 


  an autoimmune disease that causes pain, swelling, and deformity especially in the hands and feet due to inflammation in the joints
• tonsillectomy


  surgical removal of the tonsils
• adenoidectomy


  the removal of small lymphatic tissue near the opening into the pharynx
• tuberculosis:


  a highly contagious infectious disease of the lungs that causes necrosis, death of lung tissue.
• transient ischemic attack


  a temporary interruption of blood flow to the brain
• urinalysis


  a diagnostic examination of urine
• biohazard


  a biological or chemical substance that is dangerous to human beings & the environment
• occupational safety and health administration (OSHA)


  agency of the government that oversees and regulates worker safety
• centers for disease control


  provides safety and guidelines for medical offices and facilities
• human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)


  a virus that includes & inactivates helper t cells
• hepatitis b (HPV)


  liver infection caused by hepatitis b virus that is transmitted by blood, semen, or other body fluids
• medical aphesis


  clean technique; the practice designated
• surgical aphesis


  the complete removal of all microorganisms, including viruses and spores from an object
• sharps container


  a puncture-proof container designated to safely dispose needles, scalpels, and other sharp medical equipment
• febrile


  fever greater than 100.5*f
• hyperpyrexia


  extremely high temp
• afebrile


  normal temp.(98.6 - 99.1F)
• Pyrexia


  Fever
• Palpation


  The act of touching
• Auscultation 


  Listening with stethoscope
• Rales


  Clicking/crackling sounds
• Integumentary System


  The body's outer covering, compromised of skin, hair follicles, nails, glands, and blood vessels
• Epidermis


  outermost layer of the skin
• Dermis


  thick layer of skin beneath epidermis
• Subcutaneous Layer


  third layer of skin, composed of adipose (fat) tissue
• Neoplasm


  New Growth