Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Medicine & Health

Key Definitions: Science, Security, and Social Terms

Scientific and Medical Vocabulary

Acid

A liquid chemical that can burn what it touches.

Bacteria

The simplest and smallest forms of life, some of which can cause diseases.

Biology

The scientific study of all living things (plants and animals).

Cancer

A diseased growth in the body which can cause death.

Gene

An extremely small chemical unit which passes qualities from parents to children.

Genetics

The study of genes and how they work.

Mathematics

The science of numbers.

Physics

The scientific study of light, heat, and sound.

Virus

A simple organism smaller than bacteria, which causes infectious diseases.

Security, Technology, and Finance Terms

Airlock

A small room with an airtight door at each end.

Auction

A sale... Continue reading "Essential Vocabulary: Science, Security, and Social Terms" »

🧪 Topic 70: Lincosamides, Amphenicols, Polymyxins

Lincosamides (e.g., Clindamycin)

• MOA: Binds to the 50S ribosomal subunit → inhibits peptide translocation → blocks protein synthesis (bacteriostatic).

• Use: Anaerobic infections (e.g., Clostridium perfringens, Bacteroides), aspiration pneumonia, oral infections, invasive Streptococcus infections.

• Adverse effects: Diarrhea, pseudomembranous colitis (C. difficile), fever.

• Contraindication: Pregnancy (first trimester).

Amphenicols (e.g., Chloramphenicol)

• MOA: Inhibits peptidyltransferase on the 50S subunit → blocks protein synthesis (bacteriostatic).

• Use: Meningitis (H. influenzae, N. meningitidis, S. pneumoniae), Rickettsial infections.

• Adverse effects: Bone marrow suppression (aplastic anemia)

Common Vocabulary Terms

Full Stop

Definition: A mark (.) indicating the end of a sentence or declarative statement.

Example: Remember to use a full stop at the end of every sentence.

Handbag

Definition: A small bag, often carried by women, for money, keys, and personal items.

Example: My mother always carried a handbag containing her essentials.

Means

Definition: A method, course of action, or instrument by which something can be accomplished.

Example: He used effective means to achieve his goal.

Mobile Phone

Definition: A portable telephone that can make and receive calls over a cellular network.

Example: Yesterday, I bought a very modern mobile phone.

Motorway

Definition: A wide road, built for fast-moving traffic over long distances.

Example: I saw a black... Continue reading "Everyday English Words: Meanings and Usage Examples" »

Syllabic Consonants

A syllabic consonant occurs when a consonant, typically l, r, or a nasal, functions as the nucleus of a syllable instead of a vowel. This is often indicated with a small vertical mark (ˌ) beneath the consonant. For example, the word 'cattle' can be transcribed as /kaetlˌ/.

Strong and Weak Syllables

Weak syllables differ from strong syllables in vowel characteristics. Vowels in weak syllables tend to be shorter, of lower intensity, and qualitatively different. For example, in the word 'father,' the second syllable is weaker than the first; it is shorter, less loud, and contains a vowel that typically does not occur in strong syllables. Weak syllables can also occur in word-final position with a coda, such as in the word 'open'... Continue reading "Understanding Syllables: Consonants, Vowels, and Phonetic Structure" »

Tell me about you:

My name is Rachelle. I'm currently at University of Memphis Lambuth studying in my second semester of nursing. I am Social Chair for the Student Nurses' Association. I've always been fascinated in the human brain and why it works the way it does, and what happens when it isn't working. Following taking care of my diabetic grandfather, I always knew I wanted to be a nurse, and I have overcome many obstacles to get here. When I earn my degree, I want to be working on this floor. If I should summarize myself, I would say I am a leader, responsible, compassionate and very detail-oriented, though sometimes I can be too hard on myself to strive for perfection. I switched from the law field to healthcare because I want a career with... Continue reading "Passionate Nursing Student Seeking Neuro Floor Position" »

Direct Health Consequences of Tobacco Use

Smoking is a direct path to severe health deterioration. Currently, approximately half of the men and a quarter of the women globally engage in smoking. Some mistakenly believe that refraining from smoking is pointless, given that many urban and even rural inhabitants breathe air contaminated with industrial and automobile emissions. This perspective is profoundly incorrect. While vehicle exhaust gases are inherently harmful, a smoker is exposed to far greater dangers.

Increased Occupational Risks and WHO Findings

Consider another example: according to figures from the World Health Organization (WHO), the risk rate is significantly higher among smoking workers in specific industries. These include:

• Heavy

Denture Delivery, Adjustments, and Corrections

Achieving Balanced Bite

Following denture delivery, adjustments and corrections are often necessary to ensure a comfortable and functional fit. This includes:

• Checking the denture's articulation with articulator paper.
• Making occlusal corrections to ensure proper bite alignment.
• Modifying denture contours for optimal aesthetics and function.
• Eliminating areas of overpressure to prevent sore spots and ulcers (trimming sharp edges).

Patient Education and Follow-Up

Patients should be educated on proper denture care and maintenance, including:

• Learning to chew with their new dentures, avoiding pushing the prosthesis with the tongue, and chewing on both sides.
• Starting with soft foods and gradually progressing

Denture Breakage and Repair

To repair a broken denture, ensure the fracture line fits perfectly without any missing material. Create dovetail retentions for the new material, avoiding the edges and focusing on the breaking line. Secure the fragments with a metal splint using wax and glue. Cast the denture's tissue surface with plaster, applying a separating agent. Incorporate auto-curable or thermocurable resin, and consider using metal mesh reinforcements for added strength. Cure the denture in boiling water, then remove the cast and plaster key. Polish the prosthesis with burs and rubbers to eliminate excess material. Note that there might be a slight color difference between the new and old material, but this is not a concern.

Immediate Removable

Trans - across

Re - again

Super - big / more than normal

Extra - outside

Hyper - very big / much more than normal

Anti - against

Pro - in favour of

Examples:

• Overeat: eat too much
• Unpaid: not paid enough
• Ex-girlfriend: former girlfriend
• Under-charge: por debajo
• Pro-European: europeo a tope
• Intercontinental o transcontinental:
• Anti-war: anti guerra
• Superstar: superestrella
• Retaking: volver a hacer
• Supermarket

We sometimes use a hyphen (-) after a prefix, especially when:

• The prefix ends with the same letter that the word begins with.
• The word is a name, which begins with a capital letter.
• After the prefix ex-.

Introduction

Fats are an essential nutrient that provides the densest energy source. They are also involved in the formation of sex hormones, bile, and vitamin D. However, not all fats are created equal. Some fats, such as saturated and trans fats, can be harmful to health, while others, such as unsaturated fats, can be beneficial.

Types of Fatty Acids

Fatty acids are the building blocks of fats. They are classified into three main types:

• Saturated fatty acids have no double bonds between the carbon atoms in their chain.
• Monounsaturated fatty acids have one double bond between the carbon atoms in their chain.
• Polyunsaturated fatty acids have two or more double bonds between the carbon atoms in their chain.

Saturated fats are typically found in animal... Continue reading "Essential Fatty Acids: Understanding Their Role in Health and Disease" »