Essential Medical Terminology and Patient Care Practices

Medical Diagnosis and Terminology

• Diagnosis of exclusion: Diagnosis made by ruling out other diseases.
• Diagnostician: A medical professional who specializes in making diagnoses.
• Clinical diagnosis: Diagnosis made by looking at symptoms.
• Principal diagnosis: The main problem the patient needs treatment for.
• Pattern recognition: Knowing what symptoms match which disease.
• Laboratory diagnosis: Diagnosis made using lab test results.
• Radiology diagnosis: Diagnosis made from medical images (like X-rays).
• Antimicrobial: Kills or stops germs like bacteria or fungi.
• Biohazard: Something biological that can be dangerous (like viruses).
• Transmit: To spread an illness to another person.
• Bacteria: Tiny living things that can cause infections.
• Hand sanitizer: Gel or spray that kills germs without water.
• Facemask: Something worn over the mouth and nose to stop germs.
• Quarantine: To separate someone to stop spreading illness.
• Sterile: Totally free of germs.
• Contagious: Easy to pass from one person to another.
• Empathy: Understanding how someone else feels.
• Confidentiality: Keeping patient information private.
• Informed Consent: Giving a patient all the info before treatment.
• Palliative Care: Care to reduce pain in serious illness, not to cure.
• Holistic Care: Treating the whole person (body, mind, and emotions).

Administrative Procedures

• Appointment: A planned meeting with a doctor.
• Consultation: Talking with a doctor for advice or treatment.
• Referral: Sending a patient to another doctor or specialist.
• Follow-up: Another visit to check how the patient is doing.
• Reschedule: Change the time or date of an appointment.

Common Diseases and Symptoms

• Disease: A problem in the body or mind caused by infection, genetics, etc.
• Symptom: A sign that something is wrong in the body.
• Diagnosis: Finding out what illness a person has.
• Treatment: Medical help to make someone better.
• Prevention: Steps taken to stop illness before it happens.
• Influenza: Virus with fever, cough, and body aches.
• Diabetes: High blood sugar; causes thirst, tiredness.
• Hypertension: High blood pressure, often without symptoms.
• Asthma: Breathing problem with coughing and chest tightness.
• Arthritis: Pain and swelling in the joints.
• Headache: Can be from stress or dehydration.
• Dizziness: May come from inner ear problems or meds.
• Nausea: Feeling sick, may come from stomach problems.
• Fatigue: Feeling very tired, often from illness or poor sleep.
• Pain: A signal that something is wrong.
• Acute Pain: Sudden, sharp pain that warns of danger.
• Chronic Pain: Long-lasting pain (more than 3 months).
• Analgesics: Medicines that reduce pain.
• Neuropathic Pain: Nerve pain, feels like burning or stabbing.
• Pain Management: Ways to control and reduce pain.

Hospital Hygiene and Safety Protocols

We can all do our part: staff, visitors, and patients. Our staff provides a safe environment. We dispose of all biohazards in specially-marked bins. And each room is thoroughly cleaned with disinfectant every day. When you enter a room, always wash your hands with an antimicrobial soap. The point is to eliminate any bacteria you might have on you. We also provide hand sanitizer outside each room. Using it after touching doors or other shared items is a good practice.

Some areas require additional precautions. The life of some patients depends on a sterile environment. In these areas, facemasks are required. The same rule applies for patients that are quarantined. These patients are isolated to prevent them from transmitting a dangerous illness to others. Only required staff members should enter a quarantine area and they should only do so with proper protective gear. Unfortunately, patients in quarantine are too contagious to have visitors.

Effective Communication in Healthcare

1. What is the importance of effective communication in healthcare?
a. It helps build trust and ensures patients understand their treatment options.

2. What is one key strategy for effective communication mentioned in the audio?
b. Active listening.

3. What should healthcare professionals avoid to improve understanding?
c. Using medical jargon.

1. What is the foundation of trust in healthcare?
b. Empathy

2. Why is maintaining confidentiality important?
a. It ensures that patients' personal and medical information is protected.

3. How can involving families in the care process benefit patient outcomes?
b. It strengthens trust and improves outcomes.

Pain Management Strategies and Treatments

2. What is acute pain usually a warning sign of?
B. Injury or illness

3. What combination of treatments is mentioned for effective pain management?
B. Analgesics, physical therapy, psychological support, and alternative therapies

1. What initial treatment is often recommended for acute pain?
B. RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation) and over-the-counter analgesics

2. What type of pain might require special medications like anticonvulsants or antidepressants?
B. Neuropathic pain

3. Why is psychological support important in managing chronic pain?
B. It helps patients cope with pain and improves their quality of life.

Scheduling Medical Appointments

How to Effectively Schedule Medical Appointments:

• Be Prepared
• Ask Questions
• Bring Necessary Documents
• Be Punctual
• Follow-up Appointments