The ER Medical Glossary
(from The ER Companion by Stephen Spignesi
Most of the medical terms used in ER are defined in this 305-term Glossary and should answer any questions that might arise as you read through the “Patient Histories.” Slang ER terms (“crispy critter”) are also included. If a word is in boldface within a definition, it means that that term is also a glossary entry and you should likewise read that entry for more information. I’ve tried to use plain language when possible, but sometimes the only way to explain a specialized technical term is with technicalities.
abduction: To move a limb or some other body part away from the midline of the body.
ABG: An arterial blood gas reading.
acetaminophen: A nonsalicylate analgesic-antipyretic, e.g., Tylenol™.
acidotic: Abnormally high acidity of body fluids and tissues.
acute lead poisoning: Cute ER shorthand for a gunshot wound.
adenosine: A drug used to help a patient with tachycardia convert to normal sinus rhythm.
agonal: A word used to describe a major negative change in a patient’s condition usually preceding immediate death, such as a complete cessation of breathing or a dire change in the patient’s EEG or EKG.
Albuterol™: A bronchodilator drug used on asthma patients and patients having bronchial spasms to dilate the bronchi and improve breathing.
Alzheimer’s Disease: Pre-senile dementia: A progressive disease with specific brain abnormalities marked by memory loss, and progressive inability to function normally at even the simplest tasks.
“AMA”: “Against Medical Advice”; also, American Medical Association.
amitriptyline: A tricyclic antidepressant.
amoxicillin: An antibiotic.
amp: The abbreviation for Ampule, which is a sealed plastic or glass capsule containing a single dose of a drug in a sterile solution for injection.
anaphylactic shock: An extreme and often deadly allergic reaction which usually involves heart failure, circulatory collapse, and sometimes results in death.
Ancef™: A cephalosporin antibiotic.
aneurysm: A ballonlike swelling in the wall of an artery.
angina pectoris: A severe acute attack of cardiac pain.
angioplasty: Plastic surgery of blood vessels during which a balloon is passed into the artery and inflated to enlarge them and increase blood flow.
anhidrosis: The abnormal absence of sweat.
anterior: Word used to describe the front surface of an organ, muscle, etc.
Antivert™: A drug prescribed for nausea and dizziness.
aortic calcification: Hardening of the aorta, the main artery coming out of the left ventricle of the heart, usually from cholesterol deposits or some other organic substance.
aortic coarctation: A dangerous narrowing of the aorta.
aortic rupture: A tear in the aorta.
“aplastic bicystic renal neoplasm”: There’s no such thing. Susan made this up to ferret out a drug addict looking for Demerol.
arterial stick: Insertion of an IV line into an artery.
ASA: The abbreviation for acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin).
astrocytoma: A slowly growing tumor of the glial tissue of the brain and the spinal cord.
asystole: A condition in which the heart no longer beats and usually cannot be restarted.
Ativan™: A minor tranquilizer drug (lorazepam) used for anxiety, tension, agitation, or fatigue.
atypical angina: A form of angina pectoris that does not manifest the typical angina symptoms of chest pain, shortness of breath, etc., but which comes on suddenly and occurs without a predisposing cause.
AZT: An antiviral drug (zidovudine) prescribed for the treatment of AIDS.
Babinski’s reflex: Also known as the plantar reflex; the movement of the big toe upwards instead of downwards; used to test injury to or diseases of the upper motor neurons.
Bactrim™: The trade name for cotrimoxazole, an antibacterial agent particularly useful for urinary infections.
bagging: Manual respiration for a patient having breathing trouble using a handheld squeeze bag attached to a face mask.
Barlow’s syndrome: Infantile scurvy.
Betadine™: Trade name for povidone iodine, a drug which is used as a surgical scrub and which is available in liquid and aerosol forms.
bilateral hemothorax: Blood in both sides of the pleura, the membrane covering the lung.
blood culture: Incubating a blood sample so that suspected infectious bacteria can multiply and thus be identified.
blood gas: A test to determine the gas phase components of blood, including oxygen, carbon-dioxide, pH balance, etc.
blood swab: A blood sample taken with a cotton-tipped stick.
body packer: A drug courier who swallows condoms filled with cocaine or heroin in order to smuggle them into a country and then pass them rectally after he’s safe.
bolus: A large dose of a drug that is given (usually intravenously) at the beginning of treatment to raise blood level concentrations to a therapeutic level.
bounceback: A patient who returns to the ER with the same complaint shortly after being released; e.g., “The bounceback migraine in 6.”
bowel disimpaction: Manual removal of impacted fecal matter from a patient’s rectum.
BP: The abbreviation for blood pressure.
bradycardic: A slowing of the heart rate to less than 50 beats per minute. (Interestingly, some athletes with extremely efficient cardiovascular systems have normal bradycardic resting heart rates of as low as 35 beats per minute. The normal heart rate is 60-100 beats per minute.)
breath sounds: The sounds heard through a stethoscope placed on the chest over the lungs. Experienced medical people can tell a great deal from the quality of a patient’s breath sounds.
bronchoscopy: The use of an endoscope to examine and take biopsies from the interior ofthe bronchi.
BUN: The abbreviation for blood urea nitrogen.
c-section: Shorthand for cesarean section, which is surgical delivery of a baby through the abdominal wall.
c-spine: Shorthand for cervical spine, or the neck.
calcium oxalate stone: A kidney stone.
Calot’s Triangle: The cystic duct, the common duct, and the liver.
calyx: A cup-shaped part of the kidneys.
capillary refill: When a fingernail is pressed, the nail bed turns white. Capillary refill refers to the return of the nail bed to a pink color. Good cap refill is 2 seconds or less.
Capoten™: See captotril.
captotril: An antihypertensive and ACE inhibitor prescribed for high blood pressure and congestive heart failure. It is also sold under the trade name Capoten™ (captotril is the drug’s generic name).
carboxyhemoglobin: A substance formed when the poisonous gas carbon monoxide combines with hemoglobin in the blood. Carboxyhemoglobin is incapable of transporting oxygen to the body’s organs. Large amounts of this compound are found in carbon monoxide poisoning.
cardiac effusion: See pericardial effusion.
cardiac enzymes: Creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate transaminase.
cardiomyopathy: A disorder of the heart muscle which can often be fatal.
cardiac tamponade: Compression of the heart.
CAT scan: Computerized Axial Tomography.
catcher’s mask: A device used for a patient with bleeding varices in the throat that allows a tube with two balloons attached to be positioned securely in the throat and inflated. The balloons then put pressure on the enlarged veins in order to stop the bleeding.
CBC: Abbreviation for Complete Blood Count, which is an all-purpose blood test, combining diagnostic evaluations of red blood cell count, white cell count, erythrocyte indices, hematocrit and a differental blood count.
cc: The abbreviation for cubic centimeters.
ceftriaxone: A cephalosporin antibiotic.
cellulitis: Inflammation of the connective tissues between organs and adjacent tissues, usually due to a bacterial infection.
cephalosporin: An antibiotic.
cesarean section: Surgical delivery of a baby through the abdominal wall.
champagne tap: A successful lumbar puncture the first time a medical student attempts one. So-called because the supervising resident has to, by custom, buy the student a bottle of champagne.
Chem 7: A battery of blood chemistry tests; the 7 parts of a Chem 7: Sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, and glucose.
chest film: A chest x-ray.
claudication: Limping caused by impaired blood supply to the legs.
coag panel: A blood test used to determine the clotting factors of a patient’s blood.
Code Brown: A patient didn’t make it to the bathroom in time.
Compazine™: A drug (prochlorperazine) prescribed for severe nausea and vomiting and also for treatment of psychotic disorders and anxiety.
cordotomy: Surgical severing of the nerves in the spinal cord to relieve intractable pain in the pelvis and/or lower limbs.
“Crasher”: A person who passes out in the ER, often not a patient but a family member who is upset over what’s going on with their loved one.
cricothyroidotomy: A procedure used to surgically establish an airway in the patient’s throat when intubation isn’t possible because of swelling or bleeding.
cricothyrotomy: See cricothyroidotomy.
crispy critter: Irreverent ER slang for a seriously burned patient.
Crit: Short for hematocrit.
CT scan: Same thing as a CAT scan.
CVA: The abbreviation for cerebrovascular accident, aka a stroke.
cyanotic: When a patient’s skin and mucous membranes are bluish in color from an inadequate supply of oxygen in the blood.
cystic fibrosis: A lung disease that causes the production of thick mucus in the lungs hampering breathing.
D5: The abbreviation for dextrose (glucose) given in a 5% normal saline solution.
Darvocet™: A drug (propoxyphene hydrochloride) prescribed for pain. NOTE: All forms of propxyphene drugs were pulled from the market by the FDA in 2010 after tests confirmed that the drug could cause cardiac irregularities and that the risks outweighed the benefits.
DB: ER abbreviation for a dead body.
dead shovel: ER slang for a fat man who dies while shoveling snow.
debridement: Cleaning an open wound by removing foreign material and dead tissue. Debridement of burns is extremely painful.
decerebration: The progressive loss of cerebral function; advanced decerebration (and resultant deep unconsciousness) occurs with severe damage to the cerebrum, the largest part of the brain.
deep vein thrombosis: A blood clot in a deep vein.
defibrillation: The cessation of fibrillation of the cardiac muscle and restoration of a normal rhythm.
defibrillator: An electronic device used to shock the heart out of fibrillation and back into a normal rhythm.
delusional: An irrational belief that cannot be changed by a rational argument, often found in schizophrenia and manic-depressive psychosis.
Demerol™: The trade name for meperidine, a synthetic analgesic often used as a substitute for morphine.
diabetic ketoacidosis: A depletion of the body’s alkali reserves due to diabetes, causing a major disruption in the body’s acid-base balance. The breath smells fruity and the patient is usally comatose.
diagnosis: Determining what’s wrong with a patient by using the patient’s symptoms, signs, test results, medical background, and other factors.
diaphoresis: Sweating.
DIC: The abbreviation for disseminated intravascular coagulation (no blood clotting). (In many hospitals, ER personnel also interpret “DIC” to mean “Death is Coming” since disseminated intravascular coagulation usually means death is imminent.)
differential diagnosis: Diagnosis requiring ruling out of many disorders because the patient presents with symptoms that can be shared by many conditions. For example, chest pain can be caused by many diseases or conditions and each one must be ruled out to arrive at the correct diagnois.
digitalis: A drug prescribed for congestive heart failure.
Dilantin™: An anti-convulsant drug used to prevent seizures.
diplopia: Double vision.
Disaster Protocol color coding: The following color tags are used to immediately triage patients during a mass casualty event: Green is Walking Wounded; Yellow is Urgent; Red is Critical; and Black is DOA (Dead On Arrival).
distal pulse: The pulse farthest from the heart.
diuresis: The increased production of urine.
DNR: The abbreviation for Do Not Resuscitate, which is requested or ordered for terminally ill patients.
DOA: Dead On Arrival.
dopamine: A catecholamine neurotransmitter, similar to adrenaline. It is used during surgery to increase cardiac output and renal blood flow.
“Dr. Greene Day”: August 25th. (See Patient #4.75).
DTP: A tetanus toxoid injection.
dystocia: Difficult labor due to some fetal problem, such as dislocation of the shoulders. (See Episode 19.)
ECG/EKG: Electrocardiogram.
eclampsia: A serious condition affecting pregnant women in which their entire body is affected by convulsions and the patient eventually passes into a coma.
ectopic pregnancy: The development of the fetus in the fallopian tube instead of in the womb.
Elavil™: Trade name for amitriptyline.
embolectomy: Surgical removal of an embolus (a blood clot).
endocarditis: Inflammation of the inner lining of the heart.
epidural: An epidural block; an injection through a catheter of a local anesthetic to relieve pain during labor, usually done at the lumbar level of the spine.
epiglottitis: Inflammation of the epiglottis.
epinephrine: Synthetic adrenaline.
Esimil™: A beta-blocking drug.
Feldene™: A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (piroxicam) prescribed for arthritis and other forms of joint and bone inflammation.
fentanyl: A short-acting morphine-like narcotic analgesic of high potency often used in conjunction with other drugs. Fentanyl can enhance the effect of certain narcotics (including morphine).
fetal distress: A term used to describe a number of critical conditions threatening the live delivery of a fetus.
FHT: The abbreviation for fetal heart tones.
fibrillation: An uncoordinated quivering of the heart muscle resulting in a completely irregular pulse.
first degree burn: A burn affecting only the epidermis, the outer layer of the skin. The color of the burn is red, capillary refill is present, the skin texture is normal, and the burn heals in 5-10 days with no scarring.
Flexeril™: A potent muscle relaxant.
Fluconazole™: An antifungal drug used for infections of the mouth, blood, and throat. Fluconazole is often used by AIDS patients to combat oral thrush and other infections.
fluoroscope: An x-ray machine.
Focused H and P: A history and physical examination. H and P is the term used to describe an examination which results in a focused patient history and makes an assessment of his or her condition. The patient is physically examined and then talked to regarding his or her complaint, and the doctor then makes a probable diagnosis. “Focused” means do not examine a patient’s feet or do a rectal if they’re complaining of a headache and double vision.
Foley: A Foley (indwelling) catheter. This is a thin flexible tube inserted into the urethra in order to drain the bladder.
Gang Banger: A gang member shot during gang warfare.
gastric lavage: Irrigation of the stomach when poisoning or bleeding is suspected.
GCS: See Glasgow Coma Scale.
Gentamicin: An antibiotic.
GGF1: An abbreviation for “Grandpa’s Got a Fever” which is shorthand for a battery of tests performed when an elderly male presents with a fever of unknown origin. The tests included in a GGF1 are a CBC, Chem 7, chest x-ray, UA, and blood cultures times 2.
GI Cocktail: There seems to be as many definitions of this term as there are hospitals and emergency departments, although it is likely that since Dr. Greene ordered one for an ER patient, he was referring to a commonly-used mixture of liquid Donnatal (which stops gastrointestinal spasms), viscous Lidocaine (which anesthetizes the irritated gut), and Mylanta (which counteracts the stomach acid and soothes the stomach). This concoction (also known as a “Green Lizard”) is often given to patients presenting with severe heartburn, signs of an ulcer, or indications of an excess production of stomach acid. (If the brew works, then the problem is probably not cardiac.) An RN I spoke with told me that she gives GI Cocktails all the time to her patients (non-emergency) and that her “cocktail” consisted of a mixture of milk of magnesia and cascara (both powerful laxatives). Other well-known medical “cocktails” are the “Bellevue Cocktail,” given in the field by EMTs to suspected drug overdoses. This one consists of dextrose, Vitamin B1, and Narcan. And the “Banana Cocktail” (so called because the mixture is bright yellow) given to people who are extremely intoxicated. This one consists of dextrose, anti-nausea drugs (such as Compazine), and vitamins and electrolytes to replace depleted nutrients. (By the way, a doctor friend of mine familiar with the Green Lizard told me it is the foulest-tasting mixture he’s ever come across.).
giardiasis: Intestinal infection with the giardia bacteria.
Glasgow Coma Scale: This Scale is used to quickly determine the status and degree of injury of a trauma victim. The first time this Scale is used in ER is in Episode 3, “Going Home,” when Dr. Benton grades a 16-year-old boating accident victim as a 3-4-3. There are three main categories of evaluation in the Glasgow Coma Scale: Eye Opening, Verbal Responsiveness, and Motor Response, and based on these values, Peter was saying that the boating accident victim opened her eyes in response to a verbal command, spoke in a confused manner, and had abnormal muscle flexion. This might be an overly generous evaluation since the girl had been underwater for three minutes and seemed to be comatose.
“Glove up and dig in.”: See bowel disimpaction.
Golden Hour: Also known as the “Golden Window.” When treating a patient who has had a myocardial infarction, emergency personnel must be extremely careful during the first hour. The ventricles are very sensitive during this period and life threatening arrythmias can occur.
gorked: ER slang for unconscious (as in a “gorked patient”). Also used as a noun, as in “I’ve got a gork in 2.”
Gram’s stain: A stain test that identifies various forms of bacterial microorganisms.
granuloma: A tumor.
GSW: The abbreviation for a gunshot wound.
H & P (See “Focused H & P”): History and physical: The initial evaluation and examination of a patient.
Haldol™: A drug (haloperidol) used for psychotic disorders, Tourette’s syndrome, and hyperactivity in children. (Also known colloquially as “Vitamin H.” Dr. Div Svetic often used Haldol™ to subdue violent patients.)
heart/lung bypass: Using a machine to breath and circulate blood for a patient for any number of clinical and/or surgical reasons.
The Heimlich maneuver: A first aid measure used to dislodge something caught in a person’s throat that is obstructing their breathing. The person performing the Heimlich stands behind the victim and jerks his clenched fists into the area above the stomach and between the breastbone to forcibly expel the object out the mouth.
hemiparesis: Paralysis or weakness on one side of the body
hemoperfusion: Dialysis of the blood to remove foreign substances such as poisons or drugs.
hemopneumothorax: Blood and air in the pleura, the membrane surrounding the lung. Also often referred to as a collaposed lung.
heparin: A blood anticoagulant.
hepatolenticular degeneration: Excessive accumulation of copper in the kidney, liver, and brain which, if untreated, is invariably fatal.
holosystolic murmur: A heart murmur that begins with the heart sound S1 and occupying all of systole, then reaching S2.
Horner syndrome: The term used to describe the clinical profile of myosis, ptosis, and anhidrosis which usually follows paralysis of the cervical sympathetic nerves on one side of the body.
hydralazine: A synthetic compound which lowers blood pressure.
hyperaldosteronism: Overproduction of the adrenal hormone aldosterone, causing abnormalities in the sodium, water, and potassium levels in the body.
hypercalcemia: An abnormally high concentration of calcium in the blood.
hyperlipidemia: Excessive fat in the blood.
hypotension: Abnormally low blood pressure.
hypothyroidism: Subnormal activity of the thyroid gland.
hypovolemia: A decrease in the volume of circulating blood; also referred to as being in shock.
hypoxic: A severe deficiency of oxygen in the blood and tissues.
ileectomy: Surgical removal of the small intestine.
IM: The abbreviation for intramuscular (pertaining to injections).
infiltrate: An abnormal substance (e.g., a cancer cell) in a tissue or organ.
intubation: Insertion of an endotracheal tube to help an unconscious patient breathe.
irritable bowel syndrome: A chronic and unpleasant gastrointestinal condition marked by abdominal cramping, diarrhea, and/or constipation.
Isordil™: An antianginal agent.
IV: The abbreviation for intravenous.
K-Y™: K-Y Jelly. A widely used (both medically and sexually) water-soluble lubricant.
Kay Ciel™: A potassium supplement.
lac (pronounced “lack”): The abbreviation for laceration.
laparotomy: Any surgery involving an incision in the abdominal wall.
laryngoscope: An instrument for examining the larynx.
larynx: The “voice box.”
Lasix™: A diuretic.
lidocaine: A local anesthetic.
lithium: A drug commonly used to treat manic depressive illness.
lithotripsy: Breaking up renal calculi (kidney stones) with sound waves so they can be passed in the urine.
lumbar puncture: The withdrawal of cerebrospinal fluid through a hollow needle inserted into the lumbar region between the L4 and L5 vertebrae. Also referred to as a “spinal tap.”
lytes (pronounced “lights”): The abbreviation for electrolyte analysis.
Macrodantin™: An anti-infective antibiotic, used to prevent and treat urinary tract infections.
macrosomic: Fetal weight larger than 4,000 grams.
magnesium sulfate: Epsom salts, a fast-acting laxative.
mannitol: A natural sugar that acts as a diuretic and which is used in cases of drug overdoses and cerebral swelling.
meningitis: An inflammation of the meninges, the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
meperedine: The chemical name for the narcotic painkiller Demerol.
metacarpal fracture: A fracture of one of the five bones that form that part of the hand between the wrist and the fingers.
methylprednisolone: An anti-inflammatory steroid.
mg: The abbreviation for milligrams.
MI: The abbreviation for a myocardial infarction (a heart attack).
MVA: The abbreviation used in ERs for a motor vehicle accident.
myocardial infarction: A heart attack.
myosis: Excessive contraction of the pupil of the eye.
Narcan™: Naloxone, a drug used to counteract drug overdoses.
necrotic: Dead, as in “necrotic tissue.”
needle cricothyroidotomy: See cricothyroidotomy.
NG tube: The abbreviation for a nasogastric tube.
NICU: Abbreviation for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
nitro drip: An IV infusion of the antianginal agent nitroglycerin.
nitroglycerine: An antianginal agent.
Norcuron™: Vecuronium, a neuromuscular blocking agent used to paralyze for rapid-sequence intubation.
normal sinus rhythm: A normal heart rate, which is between 60 and 100 beats per minute in an adult.
nosocomial infections: Opportunistic infections contracted while in the hospital, e.g., a urinary tract infection a patient develops from his Foley catheter.
NPO: Abbreviation for “Nothing By Mouth.”
NS: The abbreviation for normal saline solution.
NSAID: The abbreviation for a non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug (e.g., Motrin, Advil, Naprosyn, etc.)
O Neg: Type O, Rhesus negative blood; also called Universal Donor blood.
orbital fracture: A fracture of the bony socket that holds the eyeball.
osteosarcoma: Bone cancer.
otitis medea: An infection of the middle ear.
palp: (As in “60 palp.”) This refers to blood pressure taken under emergency conditions when listening for the systolic and diastolic pressures with a stethoscope is impossible. Trained medical personnel can take a blood pressure by feel (“palpation”) in which they can register by touch the beginning of the pulse. A blood pressure of 50 palp (Patient #3.52) or 60 palp (Patient #2.32) is extremely serious and critical and the patient is probably near death at this point.
pancreatitis: Chronic or acute inflammation of the pancreas.
papilledema: Edema of the optic disk, often indicative of increased intracranial pressure.
paresis: Partial or slight paralysis.
path urine: Urinanalysis.
Pavulon™: Trade name for the muscle relaxant pancuronium bromide. Pavulon produces complete paralysis but with no alteration of consciousness.
PCP: Phencyclidine. Also known as “angel dust” and “crystal.” PCP is a veterinary anesthetic which causes euphoria and hallucinations in humans. It is commonly used to “enhance” marijuana, amphetamines, and street hallucinogenics, and can be snorted, smoked, injected, or ingested.
pedal: Related to the foot, as in “pedal edema.”
pericardial centesis: The draining of fluid from the pericardium.
pericardial effusion: Blood or fluid leaking into the pericardium.
pericardium: The sac which envelops the heart
peritoneal lavage: Irrigation of the peritoneum.
peritoneum: A transparent membrane enclosing the abdominal cavity.
Pitocin™: Synthetic oxytocin, a pituitary hormone which causes uterine contractions and which is often used to induce labor.
placental abruption: The placenta separates from the lining of the womb too early, resulting in pain and bleeding.
PO2: The oxygen tension in arterial blood.
“PQRST”: A mnemonic device used to quickly evaluate chest pain. “P” stands for “Palliative/Provoking”: Does anything make the pain better or worse?; “Q” stands for “Quality”: What, precisely does the pain feel like? Is it stabbing and knife-like or dull and throbbing?; “R” stands for “Radiation”: Does your pain radiate anywhere beyond your chest, such as into your arm or jaw?; “S” stands for “Severity”: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being almost no pain at all and 10 being the worst pain imaginable, what number does your pain rank?; “T” stands for “Timing”: What, specifically, were you doing when the pain began and how long have you had it?
preeclampsia: The physical condition of a pregnant woman prior to eclampsia. Symptoms include blood pressure greater than 140/90; persistent proteinuria (protein in the urine); and edema (swelling).
preemie: Slang expression for a baby born before full term, usually defined as a child born weighing less than 5 1/2 pounds. Preemies usually have to spend some time in an incubator.
Procardia™: A calcium channel blocker prescribed for angina and high blood pressure.
Prolixin™: A drug (fluphenazine hydrochloride) used for psychotic disorders, moderate to severe depression, control of agitation, intractable pain, senility, and alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
ptosis: Drooping of the eyelid.
pulmonary edema: Fluid in the lungs.
pulmonary embolism: A blood clot in the lungs.
pulsatile: Beating, as in a pulsatile mass (a growth in which a pulse can be felt).
pulsus paradoxus: A condition in which the pulse pressure declines during respiratory inspiration.
PVCs: Premature cardiac ventricular contractions.
pyelogram: An x-ray of the kidneys using an intravenously insterted dye.
q 12: Every 12 hours.
rape kit: A package containing envelopes for the collection of hair, sperm, and blood samples of a rape victim, as well as the official reporting forms.
renogram: An x-ray of the kidneys.
respirations: Breaths; the act of inhaling and exhaling.
retrocecal: Behind the cecum, as in retrocecal appendix.
rifampin: An antibiotic used to treat meningitis, tuberculosis, Legionnaire’s disease, leprosy, and staph infections.
Rifabutin: A drug used to help prevent Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) disease in patients with advanced human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.
Ringer’s solution: An intravenous solution consisting of salt, potassium, and calcium in boiled water used to treat dehydration.
schizophrenia: A mental disorder marked by hallucinations, delusions, and disintegration of the thought processes.
scoop & run: A term used by EMTs and ER personnel for a situation where no treatment is possible at an accident scene and all they can do is “scoop” up the victims and “run” with them to the ER. (Although usually some kind of emergency treatment will be attempted in the ambulance on the way to the hospital.)
second degree burn: There are two levels of second degree burn: The first level is a burn in which both the epidermis and the underlying dermis are damaged. The color of the burn is red (and there may be blistering); capillary refill is present; the skin texture is edematous (filled with fluid), and the burn heals in 10-21 days with no or minimal scarring. The second level is a damaging, deep partial-thickness burn which is pink or white in color; capillary refill might or might not be present; the skin texture is thick; and the burn heals in 25-60 days with a dense scar.
sed rate: Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, a red blood cell test used to determine inflammation and tissue destruction.
serum amylase enzyme test: A test for starch which helps determine kidney function.
shock: A circulatory disturbance marked by a severe drop in blood pressure, rapid pulse, clammy skin, pallor, and a rapid heart rate.
shunt: A “detour” passage (either congenital or surgically created) used to divert blood from one anatomical channel to another.
Silver Stallion: ER slang for a proctoscope, an instrument used to examine the rectum.
Solu-Medrol™: Methylprednisolone, a form of prednisone, an adrenal corticosteroid.
spinal tap: See lumbar puncture.
splenectomy: Surgical removal of the spleen.
stasis: A slowing or stopping of blood flow.
sternotomy: Surgical opening of the breastbone.
streptokinase: An enzyme that can break up and liquefy blood clots.
stridor: What breathing sounds like when the larynx or trachea is obstructed.
sublingual: A medication that is taken by dissolving under the tongue.
succinylcholine: A short-acting muscle relaxant.
systolic murmur: A cardiac murmur that occurs between the first and second heart sounds.
tachycardia: An extremely rapid heart rate.
tamoxifen: The chemotherapy drug of choice for postmenopausal metastatic breast cancer.
tension pneumothorax: A collapsed lung.
tetralogy of Fallot: A surgically correctable congenital heart defect which comprises pulmonary stenosis, hypertrophy (enlargement) of the right ventricle, a ventricular septal defect, and a shift of the aorta to the right.
third degree burn: A burn which damages (or destroys) the full thickness of the skin and the tissues underneath. The color of the burn is white, black, or brown; capillary refill is absent; the skin texture is leathery; and there is no spontaneous healing.
thoracotomy: Surgery on the thoracic (chest) cavity.
Thorazine™: A multi-purpose drug (chlorpromazine) which works as a sedative, an antiemetic, an antispasmodic, and a hypotensive. It is often used in the management of psychiatric and senile patients.
thrill: A vibration that a doctor or nurse can feel by touch, often used to describe cardiac murmurs that can be felt through the chest wall.
thrombosis: A blood clot.
Timoptic™: A drug prescribed for high blood pressure and to reduce the possibility of another heart attack.
Toradol™: Ketorolac, an injectable non-steroid anti-inflammatory agent often used as a substitute for morphine in intoxicated patients or for those patients suspected of seeking narcotics.
torsade de pointes: A type of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia in which the heart races at extremely high rates in an arrhythmia.
tox screen: Toxicological analysis of the blood, ordered when drug overdose is suspected and the drugs need to be identified.
tPA: The abbreviation for Tissue Plasminogen Activator, a drug used as an alternative to angioplasty to break up blood clots during a heart attack.
tracheal shift: A physical shift of the windpipe due to trauma.
triage: The system of prioritizing patients in an emergency situation in which there are a great number of injured or ill.
type and cross-match: Blood typing to identify patient’s blood type.
U/A: Urinalysis.
ulcerative colitis: An inflammatory and ulcerative condition of the colon.
ultrasound: A test similar to an x-ray but which uses sound waves.
unstable angina: Angina pectoris in which the cardiac pain has changed in pattern.
uric acid: An acid formed in the breakdown of nucleoproteins in tissues; often tested when gout is suspected since a high uric acid content in the blood often causes gout symptoms and the formation of stones.
V/Q scan: A ventilation-perfusion scan, used to confirm a diagnosis of pulmonary embolism.
Valsalva maneuver: When a patient is instructed to blow on his or her thumb to maximize intrathoracic pressure. It is used when cardiac trouble is suspected. (Se Episode 21.)
Vecuronium: See Norcuron™.
ventricular septal rupture: Rupture of the ventricular septum caused by mechanical failure of infarcted cardiac tissue.
Verapamil™: A calcium channel blocker prescribed for angina pectoris, high blood pressure, asthma, and Raynaud’s disease.
Versed™: A benzodiazepine muscle relaxant used to sedate, often in conjunction with the paralyzing agent Pavulon.
“Vitamin H”: ER shorthand for Haldol™.
What’s Tails?: A fraternity drinking game. (See Episode 5.)
wheezer: An asthmatic patient or a patient having difficulty breathing.
Whipple procedure: A pancreatotomy, which is the technical term for surgical removal of the pancreas.
(from The ER Companion by Stephen Spignesi
Most of the medical terms used in ER are defined in this 305-term Glossary and should answer any questions that might arise as you read through the “Patient Histories.” Slang ER terms (“crispy critter”) are also included. If a word is in boldface within a definition, it means that that term is also a glossary entry and you should likewise read that entry for more information. I’ve tried to use plain language when possible, but sometimes the only way to explain a specialized technical term is with technicalities.
abduction: To move a limb or some other body part away from the midline of the body.
ABG: An arterial blood gas reading.
acetaminophen: A nonsalicylate analgesic-antipyretic, e.g., Tylenol™.
acidotic: Abnormally high acidity of body fluids and tissues.
acute lead poisoning: Cute ER shorthand for a gunshot wound.
adenosine: A drug used to help a patient with tachycardia convert to normal sinus rhythm.
agonal: A word used to describe a major negative change in a patient’s condition usually preceding immediate death, such as a complete cessation of breathing or a dire change in the patient’s EEG or EKG.
Albuterol™: A bronchodilator drug used on asthma patients and patients having bronchial spasms to dilate the bronchi and improve breathing.
Alzheimer’s Disease: Pre-senile dementia: A progressive disease with specific brain abnormalities marked by memory loss, and progressive inability to function normally at even the simplest tasks.
“AMA”: “Against Medical Advice”; also, American Medical Association.
amitriptyline: A tricyclic antidepressant.
amoxicillin: An antibiotic.
amp: The abbreviation for Ampule, which is a sealed plastic or glass capsule containing a single dose of a drug in a sterile solution for injection.
anaphylactic shock: An extreme and often deadly allergic reaction which usually involves heart failure, circulatory collapse, and sometimes results in death.
Ancef™: A cephalosporin antibiotic.
aneurysm: A ballonlike swelling in the wall of an artery.
angina pectoris: A severe acute attack of cardiac pain.
angioplasty: Plastic surgery of blood vessels during which a balloon is passed into the artery and inflated to enlarge them and increase blood flow.
anhidrosis: The abnormal absence of sweat.
anterior: Word used to describe the front surface of an organ, muscle, etc.
Antivert™: A drug prescribed for nausea and dizziness.
aortic calcification: Hardening of the aorta, the main artery coming out of the left ventricle of the heart, usually from cholesterol deposits or some other organic substance.
aortic coarctation: A dangerous narrowing of the aorta.
aortic rupture: A tear in the aorta.
“aplastic bicystic renal neoplasm”: There’s no such thing. Susan made this up to ferret out a drug addict looking for Demerol.
arterial stick: Insertion of an IV line into an artery.
ASA: The abbreviation for acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin).
astrocytoma: A slowly growing tumor of the glial tissue of the brain and the spinal cord.
asystole: A condition in which the heart no longer beats and usually cannot be restarted.
Ativan™: A minor tranquilizer drug (lorazepam) used for anxiety, tension, agitation, or fatigue.
atypical angina: A form of angina pectoris that does not manifest the typical angina symptoms of chest pain, shortness of breath, etc., but which comes on suddenly and occurs without a predisposing cause.
AZT: An antiviral drug (zidovudine) prescribed for the treatment of AIDS.
Babinski’s reflex: Also known as the plantar reflex; the movement of the big toe upwards instead of downwards; used to test injury to or diseases of the upper motor neurons.
Bactrim™: The trade name for cotrimoxazole, an antibacterial agent particularly useful for urinary infections.
bagging: Manual respiration for a patient having breathing trouble using a handheld squeeze bag attached to a face mask.
Barlow’s syndrome: Infantile scurvy.
Betadine™: Trade name for povidone iodine, a drug which is used as a surgical scrub and which is available in liquid and aerosol forms.
bilateral hemothorax: Blood in both sides of the pleura, the membrane covering the lung.
blood culture: Incubating a blood sample so that suspected infectious bacteria can multiply and thus be identified.
blood gas: A test to determine the gas phase components of blood, including oxygen, carbon-dioxide, pH balance, etc.
blood swab: A blood sample taken with a cotton-tipped stick.
body packer: A drug courier who swallows condoms filled with cocaine or heroin in order to smuggle them into a country and then pass them rectally after he’s safe.
bolus: A large dose of a drug that is given (usually intravenously) at the beginning of treatment to raise blood level concentrations to a therapeutic level.
bounceback: A patient who returns to the ER with the same complaint shortly after being released; e.g., “The bounceback migraine in 6.”
bowel disimpaction: Manual removal of impacted fecal matter from a patient’s rectum.
BP: The abbreviation for blood pressure.
bradycardic: A slowing of the heart rate to less than 50 beats per minute. (Interestingly, some athletes with extremely efficient cardiovascular systems have normal bradycardic resting heart rates of as low as 35 beats per minute. The normal heart rate is 60-100 beats per minute.)
breath sounds: The sounds heard through a stethoscope placed on the chest over the lungs. Experienced medical people can tell a great deal from the quality of a patient’s breath sounds.
bronchoscopy: The use of an endoscope to examine and take biopsies from the interior ofthe bronchi.
BUN: The abbreviation for blood urea nitrogen.
c-section: Shorthand for cesarean section, which is surgical delivery of a baby through the abdominal wall.
c-spine: Shorthand for cervical spine, or the neck.
calcium oxalate stone: A kidney stone.
Calot’s Triangle: The cystic duct, the common duct, and the liver.
calyx: A cup-shaped part of the kidneys.
capillary refill: When a fingernail is pressed, the nail bed turns white. Capillary refill refers to the return of the nail bed to a pink color. Good cap refill is 2 seconds or less.
Capoten™: See captotril.
captotril: An antihypertensive and ACE inhibitor prescribed for high blood pressure and congestive heart failure. It is also sold under the trade name Capoten™ (captotril is the drug’s generic name).
carboxyhemoglobin: A substance formed when the poisonous gas carbon monoxide combines with hemoglobin in the blood. Carboxyhemoglobin is incapable of transporting oxygen to the body’s organs. Large amounts of this compound are found in carbon monoxide poisoning.
cardiac effusion: See pericardial effusion.
cardiac enzymes: Creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate transaminase.
cardiomyopathy: A disorder of the heart muscle which can often be fatal.
cardiac tamponade: Compression of the heart.
CAT scan: Computerized Axial Tomography.
catcher’s mask: A device used for a patient with bleeding varices in the throat that allows a tube with two balloons attached to be positioned securely in the throat and inflated. The balloons then put pressure on the enlarged veins in order to stop the bleeding.
CBC: Abbreviation for Complete Blood Count, which is an all-purpose blood test, combining diagnostic evaluations of red blood cell count, white cell count, erythrocyte indices, hematocrit and a differental blood count.
cc: The abbreviation for cubic centimeters.
ceftriaxone: A cephalosporin antibiotic.
cellulitis: Inflammation of the connective tissues between organs and adjacent tissues, usually due to a bacterial infection.
cephalosporin: An antibiotic.
cesarean section: Surgical delivery of a baby through the abdominal wall.
champagne tap: A successful lumbar puncture the first time a medical student attempts one. So-called because the supervising resident has to, by custom, buy the student a bottle of champagne.
Chem 7: A battery of blood chemistry tests; the 7 parts of a Chem 7: Sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, and glucose.
chest film: A chest x-ray.
claudication: Limping caused by impaired blood supply to the legs.
coag panel: A blood test used to determine the clotting factors of a patient’s blood.
Code Brown: A patient didn’t make it to the bathroom in time.
Compazine™: A drug (prochlorperazine) prescribed for severe nausea and vomiting and also for treatment of psychotic disorders and anxiety.
cordotomy: Surgical severing of the nerves in the spinal cord to relieve intractable pain in the pelvis and/or lower limbs.
“Crasher”: A person who passes out in the ER, often not a patient but a family member who is upset over what’s going on with their loved one.
cricothyroidotomy: A procedure used to surgically establish an airway in the patient’s throat when intubation isn’t possible because of swelling or bleeding.
cricothyrotomy: See cricothyroidotomy.
crispy critter: Irreverent ER slang for a seriously burned patient.
Crit: Short for hematocrit.
CT scan: Same thing as a CAT scan.
CVA: The abbreviation for cerebrovascular accident, aka a stroke.
cyanotic: When a patient’s skin and mucous membranes are bluish in color from an inadequate supply of oxygen in the blood.
cystic fibrosis: A lung disease that causes the production of thick mucus in the lungs hampering breathing.
D5: The abbreviation for dextrose (glucose) given in a 5% normal saline solution.
Darvocet™: A drug (propoxyphene hydrochloride) prescribed for pain. NOTE: All forms of propxyphene drugs were pulled from the market by the FDA in 2010 after tests confirmed that the drug could cause cardiac irregularities and that the risks outweighed the benefits.
DB: ER abbreviation for a dead body.
dead shovel: ER slang for a fat man who dies while shoveling snow.
debridement: Cleaning an open wound by removing foreign material and dead tissue. Debridement of burns is extremely painful.
decerebration: The progressive loss of cerebral function; advanced decerebration (and resultant deep unconsciousness) occurs with severe damage to the cerebrum, the largest part of the brain.
deep vein thrombosis: A blood clot in a deep vein.
defibrillation: The cessation of fibrillation of the cardiac muscle and restoration of a normal rhythm.
defibrillator: An electronic device used to shock the heart out of fibrillation and back into a normal rhythm.
delusional: An irrational belief that cannot be changed by a rational argument, often found in schizophrenia and manic-depressive psychosis.
Demerol™: The trade name for meperidine, a synthetic analgesic often used as a substitute for morphine.
diabetic ketoacidosis: A depletion of the body’s alkali reserves due to diabetes, causing a major disruption in the body’s acid-base balance. The breath smells fruity and the patient is usally comatose.
diagnosis: Determining what’s wrong with a patient by using the patient’s symptoms, signs, test results, medical background, and other factors.
diaphoresis: Sweating.
DIC: The abbreviation for disseminated intravascular coagulation (no blood clotting). (In many hospitals, ER personnel also interpret “DIC” to mean “Death is Coming” since disseminated intravascular coagulation usually means death is imminent.)
differential diagnosis: Diagnosis requiring ruling out of many disorders because the patient presents with symptoms that can be shared by many conditions. For example, chest pain can be caused by many diseases or conditions and each one must be ruled out to arrive at the correct diagnois.
digitalis: A drug prescribed for congestive heart failure.
Dilantin™: An anti-convulsant drug used to prevent seizures.
diplopia: Double vision.
Disaster Protocol color coding: The following color tags are used to immediately triage patients during a mass casualty event: Green is Walking Wounded; Yellow is Urgent; Red is Critical; and Black is DOA (Dead On Arrival).
distal pulse: The pulse farthest from the heart.
diuresis: The increased production of urine.
DNR: The abbreviation for Do Not Resuscitate, which is requested or ordered for terminally ill patients.
DOA: Dead On Arrival.
dopamine: A catecholamine neurotransmitter, similar to adrenaline. It is used during surgery to increase cardiac output and renal blood flow.
“Dr. Greene Day”: August 25th. (See Patient #4.75).
DTP: A tetanus toxoid injection.
dystocia: Difficult labor due to some fetal problem, such as dislocation of the shoulders. (See Episode 19.)
ECG/EKG: Electrocardiogram.
eclampsia: A serious condition affecting pregnant women in which their entire body is affected by convulsions and the patient eventually passes into a coma.
ectopic pregnancy: The development of the fetus in the fallopian tube instead of in the womb.
Elavil™: Trade name for amitriptyline.
embolectomy: Surgical removal of an embolus (a blood clot).
endocarditis: Inflammation of the inner lining of the heart.
epidural: An epidural block; an injection through a catheter of a local anesthetic to relieve pain during labor, usually done at the lumbar level of the spine.
epiglottitis: Inflammation of the epiglottis.
epinephrine: Synthetic adrenaline.
Esimil™: A beta-blocking drug.
Feldene™: A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (piroxicam) prescribed for arthritis and other forms of joint and bone inflammation.
fentanyl: A short-acting morphine-like narcotic analgesic of high potency often used in conjunction with other drugs. Fentanyl can enhance the effect of certain narcotics (including morphine).
fetal distress: A term used to describe a number of critical conditions threatening the live delivery of a fetus.
FHT: The abbreviation for fetal heart tones.
fibrillation: An uncoordinated quivering of the heart muscle resulting in a completely irregular pulse.
first degree burn: A burn affecting only the epidermis, the outer layer of the skin. The color of the burn is red, capillary refill is present, the skin texture is normal, and the burn heals in 5-10 days with no scarring.
Flexeril™: A potent muscle relaxant.
Fluconazole™: An antifungal drug used for infections of the mouth, blood, and throat. Fluconazole is often used by AIDS patients to combat oral thrush and other infections.
fluoroscope: An x-ray machine.
Focused H and P: A history and physical examination. H and P is the term used to describe an examination which results in a focused patient history and makes an assessment of his or her condition. The patient is physically examined and then talked to regarding his or her complaint, and the doctor then makes a probable diagnosis. “Focused” means do not examine a patient’s feet or do a rectal if they’re complaining of a headache and double vision.
Foley: A Foley (indwelling) catheter. This is a thin flexible tube inserted into the urethra in order to drain the bladder.
Gang Banger: A gang member shot during gang warfare.
gastric lavage: Irrigation of the stomach when poisoning or bleeding is suspected.
GCS: See Glasgow Coma Scale.
Gentamicin: An antibiotic.
GGF1: An abbreviation for “Grandpa’s Got a Fever” which is shorthand for a battery of tests performed when an elderly male presents with a fever of unknown origin. The tests included in a GGF1 are a CBC, Chem 7, chest x-ray, UA, and blood cultures times 2.
GI Cocktail: There seems to be as many definitions of this term as there are hospitals and emergency departments, although it is likely that since Dr. Greene ordered one for an ER patient, he was referring to a commonly-used mixture of liquid Donnatal (which stops gastrointestinal spasms), viscous Lidocaine (which anesthetizes the irritated gut), and Mylanta (which counteracts the stomach acid and soothes the stomach). This concoction (also known as a “Green Lizard”) is often given to patients presenting with severe heartburn, signs of an ulcer, or indications of an excess production of stomach acid. (If the brew works, then the problem is probably not cardiac.) An RN I spoke with told me that she gives GI Cocktails all the time to her patients (non-emergency) and that her “cocktail” consisted of a mixture of milk of magnesia and cascara (both powerful laxatives). Other well-known medical “cocktails” are the “Bellevue Cocktail,” given in the field by EMTs to suspected drug overdoses. This one consists of dextrose, Vitamin B1, and Narcan. And the “Banana Cocktail” (so called because the mixture is bright yellow) given to people who are extremely intoxicated. This one consists of dextrose, anti-nausea drugs (such as Compazine), and vitamins and electrolytes to replace depleted nutrients. (By the way, a doctor friend of mine familiar with the Green Lizard told me it is the foulest-tasting mixture he’s ever come across.).
giardiasis: Intestinal infection with the giardia bacteria.
Glasgow Coma Scale: This Scale is used to quickly determine the status and degree of injury of a trauma victim. The first time this Scale is used in ER is in Episode 3, “Going Home,” when Dr. Benton grades a 16-year-old boating accident victim as a 3-4-3. There are three main categories of evaluation in the Glasgow Coma Scale: Eye Opening, Verbal Responsiveness, and Motor Response, and based on these values, Peter was saying that the boating accident victim opened her eyes in response to a verbal command, spoke in a confused manner, and had abnormal muscle flexion. This might be an overly generous evaluation since the girl had been underwater for three minutes and seemed to be comatose.
“Glove up and dig in.”: See bowel disimpaction.
Golden Hour: Also known as the “Golden Window.” When treating a patient who has had a myocardial infarction, emergency personnel must be extremely careful during the first hour. The ventricles are very sensitive during this period and life threatening arrythmias can occur.
gorked: ER slang for unconscious (as in a “gorked patient”). Also used as a noun, as in “I’ve got a gork in 2.”
Gram’s stain: A stain test that identifies various forms of bacterial microorganisms.
granuloma: A tumor.
GSW: The abbreviation for a gunshot wound.
H & P (See “Focused H & P”): History and physical: The initial evaluation and examination of a patient.
Haldol™: A drug (haloperidol) used for psychotic disorders, Tourette’s syndrome, and hyperactivity in children. (Also known colloquially as “Vitamin H.” Dr. Div Svetic often used Haldol™ to subdue violent patients.)
heart/lung bypass: Using a machine to breath and circulate blood for a patient for any number of clinical and/or surgical reasons.
The Heimlich maneuver: A first aid measure used to dislodge something caught in a person’s throat that is obstructing their breathing. The person performing the Heimlich stands behind the victim and jerks his clenched fists into the area above the stomach and between the breastbone to forcibly expel the object out the mouth.
hemiparesis: Paralysis or weakness on one side of the body
hemoperfusion: Dialysis of the blood to remove foreign substances such as poisons or drugs.
hemopneumothorax: Blood and air in the pleura, the membrane surrounding the lung. Also often referred to as a collaposed lung.
heparin: A blood anticoagulant.
hepatolenticular degeneration: Excessive accumulation of copper in the kidney, liver, and brain which, if untreated, is invariably fatal.
holosystolic murmur: A heart murmur that begins with the heart sound S1 and occupying all of systole, then reaching S2.
Horner syndrome: The term used to describe the clinical profile of myosis, ptosis, and anhidrosis which usually follows paralysis of the cervical sympathetic nerves on one side of the body.
hydralazine: A synthetic compound which lowers blood pressure.
hyperaldosteronism: Overproduction of the adrenal hormone aldosterone, causing abnormalities in the sodium, water, and potassium levels in the body.
hypercalcemia: An abnormally high concentration of calcium in the blood.
hyperlipidemia: Excessive fat in the blood.
hypotension: Abnormally low blood pressure.
hypothyroidism: Subnormal activity of the thyroid gland.
hypovolemia: A decrease in the volume of circulating blood; also referred to as being in shock.
hypoxic: A severe deficiency of oxygen in the blood and tissues.
ileectomy: Surgical removal of the small intestine.
IM: The abbreviation for intramuscular (pertaining to injections).
infiltrate: An abnormal substance (e.g., a cancer cell) in a tissue or organ.
intubation: Insertion of an endotracheal tube to help an unconscious patient breathe.
irritable bowel syndrome: A chronic and unpleasant gastrointestinal condition marked by abdominal cramping, diarrhea, and/or constipation.
Isordil™: An antianginal agent.
IV: The abbreviation for intravenous.
K-Y™: K-Y Jelly. A widely used (both medically and sexually) water-soluble lubricant.
Kay Ciel™: A potassium supplement.
lac (pronounced “lack”): The abbreviation for laceration.
laparotomy: Any surgery involving an incision in the abdominal wall.
laryngoscope: An instrument for examining the larynx.
larynx: The “voice box.”
Lasix™: A diuretic.
lidocaine: A local anesthetic.
lithium: A drug commonly used to treat manic depressive illness.
lithotripsy: Breaking up renal calculi (kidney stones) with sound waves so they can be passed in the urine.
lumbar puncture: The withdrawal of cerebrospinal fluid through a hollow needle inserted into the lumbar region between the L4 and L5 vertebrae. Also referred to as a “spinal tap.”
lytes (pronounced “lights”): The abbreviation for electrolyte analysis.
Macrodantin™: An anti-infective antibiotic, used to prevent and treat urinary tract infections.
macrosomic: Fetal weight larger than 4,000 grams.
magnesium sulfate: Epsom salts, a fast-acting laxative.
mannitol: A natural sugar that acts as a diuretic and which is used in cases of drug overdoses and cerebral swelling.
meningitis: An inflammation of the meninges, the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
meperedine: The chemical name for the narcotic painkiller Demerol.
metacarpal fracture: A fracture of one of the five bones that form that part of the hand between the wrist and the fingers.
methylprednisolone: An anti-inflammatory steroid.
mg: The abbreviation for milligrams.
MI: The abbreviation for a myocardial infarction (a heart attack).
MVA: The abbreviation used in ERs for a motor vehicle accident.
myocardial infarction: A heart attack.
myosis: Excessive contraction of the pupil of the eye.
Narcan™: Naloxone, a drug used to counteract drug overdoses.
necrotic: Dead, as in “necrotic tissue.”
needle cricothyroidotomy: See cricothyroidotomy.
NG tube: The abbreviation for a nasogastric tube.
NICU: Abbreviation for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
nitro drip: An IV infusion of the antianginal agent nitroglycerin.
nitroglycerine: An antianginal agent.
Norcuron™: Vecuronium, a neuromuscular blocking agent used to paralyze for rapid-sequence intubation.
normal sinus rhythm: A normal heart rate, which is between 60 and 100 beats per minute in an adult.
nosocomial infections: Opportunistic infections contracted while in the hospital, e.g., a urinary tract infection a patient develops from his Foley catheter.
NPO: Abbreviation for “Nothing By Mouth.”
NS: The abbreviation for normal saline solution.
NSAID: The abbreviation for a non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug (e.g., Motrin, Advil, Naprosyn, etc.)
O Neg: Type O, Rhesus negative blood; also called Universal Donor blood.
orbital fracture: A fracture of the bony socket that holds the eyeball.
osteosarcoma: Bone cancer.
otitis medea: An infection of the middle ear.
palp: (As in “60 palp.”) This refers to blood pressure taken under emergency conditions when listening for the systolic and diastolic pressures with a stethoscope is impossible. Trained medical personnel can take a blood pressure by feel (“palpation”) in which they can register by touch the beginning of the pulse. A blood pressure of 50 palp (Patient #3.52) or 60 palp (Patient #2.32) is extremely serious and critical and the patient is probably near death at this point.
pancreatitis: Chronic or acute inflammation of the pancreas.
papilledema: Edema of the optic disk, often indicative of increased intracranial pressure.
paresis: Partial or slight paralysis.
path urine: Urinanalysis.
Pavulon™: Trade name for the muscle relaxant pancuronium bromide. Pavulon produces complete paralysis but with no alteration of consciousness.
PCP: Phencyclidine. Also known as “angel dust” and “crystal.” PCP is a veterinary anesthetic which causes euphoria and hallucinations in humans. It is commonly used to “enhance” marijuana, amphetamines, and street hallucinogenics, and can be snorted, smoked, injected, or ingested.
pedal: Related to the foot, as in “pedal edema.”
pericardial centesis: The draining of fluid from the pericardium.
pericardial effusion: Blood or fluid leaking into the pericardium.
pericardium: The sac which envelops the heart
peritoneal lavage: Irrigation of the peritoneum.
peritoneum: A transparent membrane enclosing the abdominal cavity.
Pitocin™: Synthetic oxytocin, a pituitary hormone which causes uterine contractions and which is often used to induce labor.
placental abruption: The placenta separates from the lining of the womb too early, resulting in pain and bleeding.
PO2: The oxygen tension in arterial blood.
“PQRST”: A mnemonic device used to quickly evaluate chest pain. “P” stands for “Palliative/Provoking”: Does anything make the pain better or worse?; “Q” stands for “Quality”: What, precisely does the pain feel like? Is it stabbing and knife-like or dull and throbbing?; “R” stands for “Radiation”: Does your pain radiate anywhere beyond your chest, such as into your arm or jaw?; “S” stands for “Severity”: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being almost no pain at all and 10 being the worst pain imaginable, what number does your pain rank?; “T” stands for “Timing”: What, specifically, were you doing when the pain began and how long have you had it?
preeclampsia: The physical condition of a pregnant woman prior to eclampsia. Symptoms include blood pressure greater than 140/90; persistent proteinuria (protein in the urine); and edema (swelling).
preemie: Slang expression for a baby born before full term, usually defined as a child born weighing less than 5 1/2 pounds. Preemies usually have to spend some time in an incubator.
Procardia™: A calcium channel blocker prescribed for angina and high blood pressure.
Prolixin™: A drug (fluphenazine hydrochloride) used for psychotic disorders, moderate to severe depression, control of agitation, intractable pain, senility, and alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
ptosis: Drooping of the eyelid.
pulmonary edema: Fluid in the lungs.
pulmonary embolism: A blood clot in the lungs.
pulsatile: Beating, as in a pulsatile mass (a growth in which a pulse can be felt).
pulsus paradoxus: A condition in which the pulse pressure declines during respiratory inspiration.
PVCs: Premature cardiac ventricular contractions.
pyelogram: An x-ray of the kidneys using an intravenously insterted dye.
q 12: Every 12 hours.
rape kit: A package containing envelopes for the collection of hair, sperm, and blood samples of a rape victim, as well as the official reporting forms.
renogram: An x-ray of the kidneys.
respirations: Breaths; the act of inhaling and exhaling.
retrocecal: Behind the cecum, as in retrocecal appendix.
rifampin: An antibiotic used to treat meningitis, tuberculosis, Legionnaire’s disease, leprosy, and staph infections.
Rifabutin: A drug used to help prevent Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) disease in patients with advanced human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.
Ringer’s solution: An intravenous solution consisting of salt, potassium, and calcium in boiled water used to treat dehydration.
schizophrenia: A mental disorder marked by hallucinations, delusions, and disintegration of the thought processes.
scoop & run: A term used by EMTs and ER personnel for a situation where no treatment is possible at an accident scene and all they can do is “scoop” up the victims and “run” with them to the ER. (Although usually some kind of emergency treatment will be attempted in the ambulance on the way to the hospital.)
second degree burn: There are two levels of second degree burn: The first level is a burn in which both the epidermis and the underlying dermis are damaged. The color of the burn is red (and there may be blistering); capillary refill is present; the skin texture is edematous (filled with fluid), and the burn heals in 10-21 days with no or minimal scarring. The second level is a damaging, deep partial-thickness burn which is pink or white in color; capillary refill might or might not be present; the skin texture is thick; and the burn heals in 25-60 days with a dense scar.
sed rate: Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, a red blood cell test used to determine inflammation and tissue destruction.
serum amylase enzyme test: A test for starch which helps determine kidney function.
shock: A circulatory disturbance marked by a severe drop in blood pressure, rapid pulse, clammy skin, pallor, and a rapid heart rate.
shunt: A “detour” passage (either congenital or surgically created) used to divert blood from one anatomical channel to another.
Silver Stallion: ER slang for a proctoscope, an instrument used to examine the rectum.
Solu-Medrol™: Methylprednisolone, a form of prednisone, an adrenal corticosteroid.
spinal tap: See lumbar puncture.
splenectomy: Surgical removal of the spleen.
stasis: A slowing or stopping of blood flow.
sternotomy: Surgical opening of the breastbone.
streptokinase: An enzyme that can break up and liquefy blood clots.
stridor: What breathing sounds like when the larynx or trachea is obstructed.
sublingual: A medication that is taken by dissolving under the tongue.
succinylcholine: A short-acting muscle relaxant.
systolic murmur: A cardiac murmur that occurs between the first and second heart sounds.
tachycardia: An extremely rapid heart rate.
tamoxifen: The chemotherapy drug of choice for postmenopausal metastatic breast cancer.
tension pneumothorax: A collapsed lung.
tetralogy of Fallot: A surgically correctable congenital heart defect which comprises pulmonary stenosis, hypertrophy (enlargement) of the right ventricle, a ventricular septal defect, and a shift of the aorta to the right.
third degree burn: A burn which damages (or destroys) the full thickness of the skin and the tissues underneath. The color of the burn is white, black, or brown; capillary refill is absent; the skin texture is leathery; and there is no spontaneous healing.
thoracotomy: Surgery on the thoracic (chest) cavity.
Thorazine™: A multi-purpose drug (chlorpromazine) which works as a sedative, an antiemetic, an antispasmodic, and a hypotensive. It is often used in the management of psychiatric and senile patients.
thrill: A vibration that a doctor or nurse can feel by touch, often used to describe cardiac murmurs that can be felt through the chest wall.
thrombosis: A blood clot.
Timoptic™: A drug prescribed for high blood pressure and to reduce the possibility of another heart attack.
Toradol™: Ketorolac, an injectable non-steroid anti-inflammatory agent often used as a substitute for morphine in intoxicated patients or for those patients suspected of seeking narcotics.
torsade de pointes: A type of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia in which the heart races at extremely high rates in an arrhythmia.
tox screen: Toxicological analysis of the blood, ordered when drug overdose is suspected and the drugs need to be identified.
tPA: The abbreviation for Tissue Plasminogen Activator, a drug used as an alternative to angioplasty to break up blood clots during a heart attack.
tracheal shift: A physical shift of the windpipe due to trauma.
triage: The system of prioritizing patients in an emergency situation in which there are a great number of injured or ill.
type and cross-match: Blood typing to identify patient’s blood type.
U/A: Urinalysis.
ulcerative colitis: An inflammatory and ulcerative condition of the colon.
ultrasound: A test similar to an x-ray but which uses sound waves.
unstable angina: Angina pectoris in which the cardiac pain has changed in pattern.
uric acid: An acid formed in the breakdown of nucleoproteins in tissues; often tested when gout is suspected since a high uric acid content in the blood often causes gout symptoms and the formation of stones.
V/Q scan: A ventilation-perfusion scan, used to confirm a diagnosis of pulmonary embolism.
Valsalva maneuver: When a patient is instructed to blow on his or her thumb to maximize intrathoracic pressure. It is used when cardiac trouble is suspected. (Se Episode 21.)
Vecuronium: See Norcuron™.
ventricular septal rupture: Rupture of the ventricular septum caused by mechanical failure of infarcted cardiac tissue.
Verapamil™: A calcium channel blocker prescribed for angina pectoris, high blood pressure, asthma, and Raynaud’s disease.
Versed™: A benzodiazepine muscle relaxant used to sedate, often in conjunction with the paralyzing agent Pavulon.
“Vitamin H”: ER shorthand for Haldol™.
What’s Tails?: A fraternity drinking game. (See Episode 5.)
wheezer: An asthmatic patient or a patient having difficulty breathing.
Whipple procedure: A pancreatotomy, which is the technical term for surgical removal of the pancreas.