Essential Medical Terminology Reference

Posted on Sep 6, 2025 in Medicine & Health

Respiratory System Terminology

URTI
Upper Respiratory Tract Infection.
SOB
Shortness of Breath; difficulty breathing.
RR
Respiratory Rate.
CXR
Chest X-ray.
P/F
Peak Flow.
Pt Ed.
Patient Education.
PCA
Patient-Controlled Analgesia.
AE
Air Entry.
FBC
Full Blood Count.
Apnoea
The patient isn’t breathing at all.
Bradypnoea
Abnormally slow breathing, less than 12 breaths per minute.
Eupnoea
Easy, free respiration under normal resting conditions (12-20 breaths per minute).
Tachypnoea
Abnormally fast breathing (20-30 breaths per minute).
Dyspnoea
Difficulty breathing, also called shortness of breath.
Inspiration
Breathing in.
Expiration
Breathing out.
Inspiratory Rate
The rate at which a person breathes in.
Respirations
Breaths.
Respiratory Rate
The rate at which a person breathes in and out.
Expiration Rate
The rate at which a person breathes out.
@ 4L/min
At four litres per minute.

Diabetes and Digestive System Terminology

Diabetes-Related Terms

Pancreas
The organ which produces insulin, which regulates blood sugar.
Diabetes
A disease characterized by high levels of sugar in the blood.
Diabetic
A person who suffers from diabetes.
Hypoglycaemia
A low level of sugar in the blood.
Hypoglycaemic Agent
Oral medication used to lower blood sugar levels.
Glycosuria
Presence of glucose in the urine.
Ketones
The by-product produced when fats metabolize.
Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)
A condition where the blood is more acidic than the surrounding tissues.
Insulin
A hormone produced in the beta cells of the pancreas.
Blood Sugar Level (BSL)
The amount of glucose in the blood.
Beta Cells
Cells which secrete insulin in the pancreas.
Glucose Monitor
An instrument which measures and records the amount of glucose on a strip containing capillary blood.
Hypoglycaemic Attack
A condition caused by decreased blood sugar levels; too low for proper brain function.
Islet Cells
A cluster of cells found in the pancreas which secrete hormones including insulin and glucagon, also called islets of Langerhans.

General Medical and Digestive Terms

Bile
Greenish fluid secreted by the liver which helps in the breakdown and absorption of fats.
Bolus
An extra dose of a medication given to raise the blood concentration to a therapeutic level.
Common Bile Duct
The duct that forms when the hepatic duct and the cystic duct join before emptying bile into the duodenum.
Co-morbidities
The condition of having two or more diseases at the same time.
Duodenum
The first part of the small intestine which extends from the pyloric end of the stomach to the jejunum.
Gallbladder
A small organ under the liver which stores bile until it is needed.
Nicotine Patch
An adhesive patch for the skin which contains slow-release nicotine, used by smokers when quitting smoking to minimize withdrawal symptoms.
Syringe
A medical instrument used to inject fluids into the body or take fluids out of the body.
Vial
A small container for liquids.

Medication and Drug Administration Terminology

Ampoule (amp)
A small glass vial that is used as a container for an injection solution.
Cholesterol
A substance found in animal tissues and some foods, that is synthesized by the liver and forms an important part of cell membranes.
Controlled Drug (CD)
A drug, e.g., morphine, whose supply is strictly controlled by law.
Contraindicated
Advised against use with a particular medicine or treatment because it is or might be harmful.
Designated Nurse
A nurse who is allocated a task, e.g., medication administration, to ensure maximum concentration on the task.
Dose
A specified amount of a medication.
To Draw Up (in a syringe)
To withdraw an amount of fluid from a vial into the barrel of a syringe.
Drug Interaction
A reaction between drugs which may decrease or increase the desired effect of the drugs.
Drug Register
A book where nurses record and sign for the number of controlled drugs used in each ward or unit.
Expiry Date
The date after which the medication or IV fluid may not be therapeutic.
Identity Bracelet
A plastic wristband which records patient information and is worn whilst the patient is in hospital for identification, also called patient armband.
INR
International Normalized Ratio; a system which reports the results of blood clotting tests and is used when patients take anticoagulant medication.
IM/IMI
Intramuscular Injection; an injection which is given into the muscle.
Liver Disease
A disease which decreases liver function.
Mane
In the morning.
Metabolism
A chemical process in the body which breaks down substances to make energy.
Nocte
At night.
Orally
By mouth.
Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medication
Medication which can be bought at a pharmacy without a prescription.
PO
Per os; by mouth.
Route
The manner in which a drug enters the body, e.g., oral, rectal, IV.
Self-Medication
To administer medication to oneself without a doctor’s prescription or advice.
Side Effects
Unwanted effects of a medication.
Subcutaneous
Under the skin.

Surgical and Perioperative Terminology

Ambulation
Walking.
Anaesthesia
A drug which causes the loss of the ability to feel pain.
Anticoagulant
A substance that prevents the clotting of blood.
Anti-Embolic Stockings
Stockings which prevent the formation of DVT, also called TED (Thrombo-Embolism Deterrent) stockings.
Antiseptic Wash
Liquid soap which inhibits the growth of microorganisms.
Appendicectomy
Surgical removal of the appendix.
Blood Clot
A collection of fibrin, platelets, red blood cells, and white blood cells.
Bowel Prep
Preoperative evacuation of the contents of the bowel using laxatives and/or enemas.
Cholecystectomy
Surgical removal of the gallbladder.
Clear Fluids
Any transparent fluids, e.g., apple juice, water, black tea or coffee.
Coagulation
The process of changing from a liquid to a gel or solid state by a series of chemical reactions; often used to describe the formation of a blood clot.
Colonoscopy
Inspection of the colon using an endoscope which is inserted through the rectum.
Consent Form
A legal document which is signed by patients to give consent for a procedure or operation.
DVT
Deep Vein Thrombosis; formation of a blood clot in the deep veins, usually those in the legs.
Drain
A tube used to remove blood or other fluids from a wound.
Embolism
Sudden blocking of an artery by an embolus.
Embolus
A blood clot which breaks off the wall of the blood vessel and starts to move in the circulatory system.
Endoscope
An instrument with either a rigid or flexible tube which is used to view internal objects, take a photograph, take biopsies, and remove foreign objects.
Heparin
A substance found in the liver which slows blood clotting.
Heparin Sodium
An injectable anticoagulant used to prevent DVTs.
Keyhole Surgery
A surgical technique which uses small incisions in the abdomen to perform surgery, also called laparoscopic surgery or minimally invasive surgery.
Laparoscope
A telescopic instrument that is usually connected to a video camera, fiber optic cable, and cold light source so that the operation area can be viewed.
Lock-Out Time
The time programmed into a PCA to prevent patient overdose.
Nil By Mouth (NBM)
No food or fluids to be taken by mouth.
Orthopaedic
The correction of abnormal bone structures.
Pre-Med
A medication given to relax the preoperative patient.
To Prep a Patient
To prepare a patient for a procedure or operation.
PE
Pulmonary Embolism; a condition which is caused by emboli traveling through the blood circulation to the lungs and blocking a pulmonary artery.
Venodilation
Stretching of the veins.
To Void
To empty the bladder.
Warfarin
Oral anticoagulant medication.

Neurology and Patient Care Terminology

Carotid Artery
One of two arteries which carry blood to the brain.
Cerebral Hemisphere
One of the two structures which make up the largest part of the brain.
CVA
Cerebrovascular Accident; damage to brain function caused by obstruction to blood flow to the brain, also called stroke.
Circle of Willis
A ring of arteries at the base of the brain from which other arteries branch out.
Commode
A chair with a bedpan under the seat.
Continent
Able to control bladder and/or bowels.
Privacy Laws (Data Protection)
Laws which protect a person’s right to have personal information kept in a confidential manner.
Defecation
To eliminate faeces from the bowels.
Dosette Box
A plastic container with compartments holding up to one week’s supply of tablets or capsules.
Dysarthria
Difficulty in articulating words because of impairment of the muscles in the mouth and tongue.
Dysphagia
Difficulty swallowing.
Dysphasia
Impairment of speech and comprehension.
Emotional Lability
Changeable emotional state.
Expected Date of Discharge (EDD)
The date it is anticipated that a patient can leave hospital.
Haemorrhagic Stroke
A stroke caused by a haemorrhage or bleeding in the brain.
Hemiparesis
Weakness on one side of the body.
Hemiplegia
Paralysis on one side of the body.
Incontinent
Unable to control bladder and/or bowels.