Nursing glossary

220 terms · All Subjects

Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)

A blood test measuring how long clot formation takes through selected coagulation pathways. It is used in some unfractionated heparin monitoring protocols; it is not a universal monitoring test for every anticoagulant.

Med-SurgVenous thromboembolism: treatment distinction

Course connection: MS Day 10 anticoagulation monitoring.

Reference: MedlinePlus: Partial thromboplastin time test

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS)

A group of conditions caused by an acute reduction in blood flow to the heart muscle, including unstable angina and myocardial infarction. The umbrella term signals an urgent problem while evaluation determines whether heart muscle injury has occurred.

Med-SurgCoronary perfusion

Course connection: MS Day 7 explicit exemplar and its subtypes.

Reference: MedlinePlus: Acute coronary syndrome

Afterload

The load the ventricle must overcome to eject blood. Greater arterial pressure or outflow resistance can increase the heart's work and reduce effective forward flow.

Med-SurgHeart failure

Course connection: MS Day 9 pumping mechanics.

Reference: Merck Manual: Overview of heart failure

Afterpains

Cramping caused by uterine contractions during the early postpartum period. These contractions accompany the uterus's return toward its prepregnancy size and may become stronger during breastfeeding.

OBPostpartum care and hemorrhage

Course connection: OB Day 8 physiologic recovery.

Reference: Merck Manual: Postpartum care

Amenorrhea

Absence of menstrual periods. Primary amenorrhea means menstruation has not begun; secondary amenorrhea means periods stop after they have previously occurred. The cause and life stage matter, because absence of periods can be expected in pregnancy or require evaluation in other circumstances.

OBSexuality and reproductive function

Course connection: OB Day 1, definitions-only menstrual scope.

Amniotic fluid

The fluid surrounding the fetus inside the amniotic sac. It cushions the fetus, allows movement, and supports development; abnormal amounts can signal a pregnancy problem.

OBNormal pregnancy and prenatal assessment

Course connection: OB Days 3–4 fetal environment and abnormal fluid volume.

Anemia

A hemoglobin concentration below the appropriate reference range, reducing the blood's ability to carry oxygen. It can result from blood loss, inadequate red-cell production, or accelerated red-cell destruction; it is not synonymous with iron deficiency.

Med-SurgOBRed blood cells and oxygen transport

Course connection: MS Day 5 anemia mechanisms and OB fetal/newborn anemia.

Reference: Hemoglobin test — MedlinePlus

Ankle-brachial index (ABI)

A comparison of systolic blood pressure at the ankle with systolic pressure in the arm. It helps identify reduced arterial flow to the leg; the result must be interpreted in context rather than used as a complete diagnosis alone.

Med-SurgPeripheral perfusion

Course connection: MS Day 8 PAD diagnostic assessment.

Reference: NHLBI: Peripheral artery disease diagnosis

Anticoagulant

A medicine that reduces the blood's ability to form clots. It helps prevent new clots and enlargement of existing clots, but does not directly dissolve an established clot.

Med-SurgVenous thromboembolism: treatment distinction

Course connection: MS Day 10, evaluating VTE treatment.

Antiplatelet medicine

A medicine that reduces platelets' ability to stick together and form a plug. It helps reduce certain arterial clots and acts differently from medicines that mainly inhibit the coagulation cascade.

Med-SurgCoronary perfusion

Course connection: MS Day 7 coronary treatment comparison.

Apgar score

A brief assessment of a newborn's heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, reflex response, and color after birth. It summarizes the baby's condition at the time of assessment.

OBNewborn assessment and complications

Course connection: OB Days 6 and 9 explicit term.

Appendicitis

Inflammation of the appendix, the small pouch attached to the large intestine. If it progresses to rupture, infection can spread within the abdomen, so worsening findings require timely evaluation.

Med-SurgGI inflammation

Course connection: MS Day 12 exemplar.

Reference: Definition and facts for appendicitis — NIDDK

Arterial blood gas (ABG)

A blood test taken from an artery that helps assess oxygenation, carbon dioxide removal, and acid-base balance. Reading pH together with carbon dioxide and bicarbonate helps identify the process disturbing the balance.

Med-SurgAcid-base balance

Course connection: MS Day 2, interpreting diagnostic data.

Arterial ulcer

An open wound caused by inadequate arterial blood supply to tissue. Poor oxygen delivery makes healing difficult and distinguishes the underlying problem from venous pressure-related ulceration.

Med-SurgPeripheral perfusion

Course connection: MS Day 8 PAD-versus-CVI manifestations.

Reference: NHLBI: Peripheral artery disease symptoms

Aspiration, pulmonary

Entry of food, liquid, saliva, or stomach contents into the airway and lungs. It can obstruct airflow or injure lung tissue and helps explain why airway protection and preoperative preparation matter.

Med-SurgPerioperative care

Course connection: MS Day 6 perioperative respiratory safety.

Reference: MedlinePlus: Aspiration

Atelectasis

Collapse or incomplete expansion of lung air sacs, reducing ventilation in the affected area. After surgery, shallow breathing and retained secretions can contribute to this problem.

Med-SurgPerioperative care

Course connection: MS Day 6 postoperative respiratory complications.

Reference: MedlinePlus: Atelectasis

Atherosclerosis

The buildup of fatty, inflammatory plaque within artery walls. Plaque can narrow blood flow, and rupture or erosion of a plaque can trigger a clot that suddenly reduces blood supply.

Med-SurgCoronary perfusion

Course connection: MS Day 7, mechanism of coronary artery disease.

Augmentation of labor

Use of medication or another intervention to help labor progress after it has already started. The distinction from induction is that augmentation strengthens or improves an existing labor process.

OBLabor, birth, and fetal assessment

Course connection: OB Day 7 objective and knowledge content.

Barrier contraception

Pregnancy prevention using a physical barrier to keep sperm from reaching an egg. Condoms are one example; protection from sexually transmitted infections depends on the method used.

OBSexuality and reproductive function

Course connection: OB Day 2 contraception comparison.

Reference: NICHD: Types of contraception

Bicarbonate (HCO3−)

A base that helps buffer acids in body fluids. In ABG interpretation, bicarbonate represents an important metabolic component of acid-base balance, with the kidneys playing a major role in its regulation.

Med-SurgAcid-base balance

Course connection: MS Day 2 ABG interpretation.

Bilirubin

A pigment formed mainly when hemoglobin from old red cells is broken down. The liver normally processes it for elimination in bile; increased production or impaired processing or excretion can raise its level.

Med-SurgOBBilirubin and jaundice

Course connection: MS hepatitis and hemolytic anemia; OB newborn jaundice.

Reference: Merck Manual: Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia

Biophysical profile (BPP)

An assessment of fetal well-being that combines ultrasound observations of movement, muscle tone, breathing movements, and amniotic fluid with a nonstress test. Findings are interpreted together rather than as a guarantee of future health.

OBNormal pregnancy and prenatal assessment

Course connection: OB Day 3 tests for fetal well-being.

Reference: NICHD: Prenatal tests

Braxton Hicks contractions

Uterine contractions that can occur before labor and do not produce the progressive cervical change of true labor. Their presence alone does not establish that labor has begun.

OBLabor, birth, and fetal assessment

Course connection: OB Day 6 true-versus-false labor.

Reference: Hutchison et al., StatPearls: Normal Labor—Physiology, Evaluation, and Management (updated February 15, 2025)

Caput succedaneum

Swelling of the newborn's scalp from pressure during birth. It lies above the covering of the skull bones and can cross suture lines, unlike a cephalohematoma.

OBNewborn assessment and complications

Course connection: OB Day 9 head assessment.

Reference: Merck Manual: Birth injuries

Cardiac output (CO)

The volume of blood one ventricle pumps per minute, calculated as heart rate multiplied by stroke volume. A fast pulse does not guarantee adequate output if too little blood is ejected with each beat.

Med-SurgHeart failure

Course connection: MS Day 9 perfusion and chamber function.

Reference: Merck Manual: Overview of heart failure

Cellulitis

A bacterial infection of the deeper skin layers and underlying tissue. The affected area can become warm, tender, swollen, and red or otherwise discolored; spreading findings may indicate progression.

Med-SurgInfection

Course connection: MS Day 11 explicit skin/soft tissue exemplar.

Reference: CDC: About cellulitis

Cephalohematoma

A collection of blood beneath the membrane covering a newborn's skull bone. It does not cross suture lines; breakdown of the collected blood can increase bilirubin and the risk of jaundice.

OBNewborn assessment and complications

Course connection: OB Day 9 head assessment and Day 10 jaundice.

Reference: Merck Manual: Birth injuries

Cervical dilation

Opening of the cervix during labor, measured in centimeters. Complete dilation allows the baby to pass from the uterus into the vagina; dilation and effacement describe different cervical changes.

OBLabor, birth, and fetal assessment

Course connection: OB Day 6, labor progression and vaginal assessment.

Cervical effacement

Thinning and shortening of the cervix as it prepares for birth, usually described as a percentage. A cervix can become more effaced without having the same degree of dilation, so both findings help describe labor progress.

OBLabor, birth, and fetal assessment

Course connection: OB Day 6, labor progression and vaginal assessment.

Reference: Stages of labor — NICHD

Chronic hypertension in pregnancy

High blood pressure present before pregnancy or identified before 20 weeks of gestation. A person with chronic hypertension can also develop superimposed preeclampsia.

OBHigh-risk pregnancy: hypertensive and endocrine disorders

Course connection: OB Day 4 comparison of hypertensive disorders.

Reference: MedlinePlus: High blood pressure in pregnancy

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI)

A long-term problem with venous return that allows blood and pressure to build up in the legs. This can cause swelling, skin changes, and venous ulcers, even though the main problem is blood returning to the heart rather than arterial blood reaching the leg.

Med-SurgPeripheral perfusion

Course connection: MS Day 8 exemplar and comparison with PAD.

Cold stress, newborn

A response to excessive heat loss in which the newborn uses extra energy and oxygen to produce heat. This can contribute to hypoglycemia and respiratory difficulty even before marked hypothermia is apparent.

OBNewborn assessment and complications

Course connection: OB Day 9 explicit term.

Reference: Merck Manual: Hypothermia in neonates

Colonization

The presence of a microorganism on or in the body without it causing an active infection. A colonized person may still carry and transmit the organism, so infection prevention and treatment decisions address different questions.

Med-SurgInfection

Course connection: MS Day 11 MRSA/MDRO interpretation.

Colostrum

The early milk produced around birth before the larger volume of mature milk develops. It is often thick and yellowish and supplies concentrated nutrition and immune components to the newborn.

OBPostpartum care and hemorrhage

Course connection: OB Day 8 breastfeeding and Day 9 feeding.

Reference: Merck Manual: Overview of postpartum care

Compensation, acid-base

The body's response to a primary acid-base disturbance: the lungs change carbon dioxide removal or the kidneys change acid and bicarbonate handling to move pH toward normal. A normal pH does not prove the underlying problem has resolved or exclude a mixed disorder.

Med-SurgAcid-base balance

Course connection: MS Day 2, explaining ABG patterns.

Reference: Overview of acid-base balance — Merck Manual

Conduction, heat loss

Transfer of heat from the newborn's body to a cooler surface in direct contact with the skin. A cold mattress or scale is an example.

OBNewborn assessment and complications

Course connection: OB Day 9 heat-loss objective.

Contraception (birth control)

Methods used to prevent pregnancy. Different methods work by blocking sperm, affecting ovulation or fertilization, or permanently interrupting the reproductive pathway.

OBSexuality and reproductive function

Course connection: OB Day 2 contraception objective.

Reference: NICHD: Types of contraception

Contraceptive sterilization

A procedure intended to permanently prevent pregnancy, such as closing or removing the fallopian tubes or interrupting the vas deferens. It does not prevent sexually transmitted infections.

OBSexuality and reproductive function

Course connection: OB Day 2 sterilization methods.

Reference: NICHD: Types of contraception

Convection, heat loss

Transfer of heat away from the newborn by cooler air moving across the body. Drafts or moving cool room air can increase this heat loss.

OBNewborn assessment and complications

Course connection: OB Day 9 heat-loss objective.

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)

Surgery that uses another blood vessel to create a route around a narrowed or blocked coronary artery. The graft supplies blood beyond the blockage to improve heart muscle perfusion.

Med-SurgCoronary perfusion

Course connection: MS Day 7 treatment of impaired coronary perfusion.

Reference: NHLBI: Heart treatments

Coronary artery disease (CAD)

Disease of the arteries supplying the heart muscle, most commonly caused by atherosclerotic plaque. Reduced coronary blood flow can leave the heart muscle without enough oxygen, particularly when its workload rises.

Med-SurgCoronary perfusion

Course connection: MS Day 7 exemplar.

COVID-19

The illness caused by infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. It can range from no symptoms to severe disease; respiratory inflammation may impair gas exchange, and increasing breathing effort or oxygen needs can signal deterioration.

Med-SurgInfection

Course connection: MS Day 11 instructor Canvas focus.

D-dimer

A fragment produced when cross-linked fibrin in a clot is broken down. A raised result can occur for many reasons and does not confirm DVT or PE by itself.

Med-SurgVenous thromboembolism: treatment distinction

Course connection: MS Day 10 diagnostic meaning and clot breakdown.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

A blood clot in a deep vein, usually in the leg or pelvis. It may cause swelling, warmth, and pain, but can also be less obvious; part of the clot can break off and travel to the lungs.

Med-SurgOBVenous clots

Course connection: MS Day 10 exemplar; OB Day 8 postpartum DVT.

Reference: Venous thromboembolism — NHLBI

Delayed emergence

Slower-than-expected awakening after anesthesia. Prolonged medicine effects are one possible cause, but the patient's breathing, circulation, and neurologic status still need assessment.

Med-SurgPerioperative care

Course connection: MS Day 6 postoperative consciousness assessment.

Development

Changes in physical abilities, thinking, communication, emotions, and social function over time. Development involves maturation, experience, and learning; it is broader than simply getting larger.

OBGrowth and development

Course connection: OB Day 11 concept and lifespan objectives.

Developmental milestone

A functional skill that most children achieve within an expected age range, such as a motor, language, or social skill. Milestones guide assessment and follow-up; they are not a promise that every child will perform a skill on one exact date.

OBGrowth and development

Course connection: OB Day 11, nursing assessment of development.

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)

A serious metabolic complication in which too little effective insulin leads to increased fat breakdown and accumulation of acidic ketones. Dehydration and electrolyte losses accompany the acidosis; it occurs most often with type 1 diabetes but can occur with type 2 diabetes.

Med-SurgDiabetes

Course connection: MS Days 3–4, acute diabetes complications.

Dysmenorrhea

Painful menstruation. Primary dysmenorrhea is menstrual pain without an underlying pelvic disorder, commonly related to prostaglandin-driven uterine contractions; secondary dysmenorrhea results from a pelvic condition such as endometriosis.

OBSexuality and reproductive function

Course connection: OB Day 1, definitions-only menstrual scope.

Early deceleration

A gradual decrease in fetal heart rate that generally mirrors a uterine contraction and is commonly related to fetal head compression. Its timing helps distinguish it from late and variable decelerations; the entire tracing and clinical situation still matter.

OBLabor, birth, and fetal assessment

Course connection: OB Day 6 fetal assessment and Day 7 pattern comparisons.

Echocardiogram (echo)

An ultrasound examination of the heart. It shows structures and movement, including valves, chamber function, and estimates of ejection fraction.

Med-SurgHeart failure

Course connection: MS Day 9 diagnostic assessment.

Eclampsia

Seizures associated with preeclampsia that are not explained by another cause. It is an obstetric emergency and can occur during pregnancy, labor, or after birth.

OBHigh-risk pregnancy: hypertensive and endocrine disorders

Course connection: OB Day 4 explicit term; Day 7 emergency.

Reference: Preeclampsia and eclampsia condition information — NICHD

Ectopic pregnancy

A pregnancy implanted outside the uterine cavity, most often in a fallopian tube. As it grows it can rupture the surrounding tissue and cause life-threatening internal bleeding.

OBHigh-risk pregnancy: hemorrhagic disorders

Course connection: OB Days 1 and 5 explicit term; one canonical entry.

Reference: Ectopic pregnancy — MedlinePlus

Edema

Swelling caused by excess fluid in the tissues. It can result from increased vessel pressure, fluid retention, inflammation, or reduced proteins that normally help retain fluid in the bloodstream.

Med-SurgOBPerfusion, bleeding, and infection

Course connection: MS HF/CVI and OB pregnancy/postpartum assessment.

Reference: MedlinePlus: Edema

Ejection fraction (EF)

The percentage of a ventricle's filled blood volume ejected with each contraction, usually referring to the left ventricle. It describes a fraction per beat rather than the total amount of blood pumped per minute.

Med-SurgHeart failure

Course connection: MS Day 9 HFrEF-versus-HFpEF distinction.

Reference: NHLBI: Heart failure diagnosis

Electrocardiogram (ECG; EKG)

A recording of the heart's electrical activity. It helps evaluate rhythm and patterns that may suggest ischemia or injury; it does not directly measure coronary blood flow.

Med-SurgCoronary perfusion

Course connection: MS Day 7 assessment and diagnostic interpretation.

Reference: MedlinePlus: Electrocardiogram

Emergence delirium

An acute period of confusion, agitation, or disorientation while recovering from anesthesia. Hypoxemia, pain, and other reversible problems can contribute, so restlessness requires assessment of its cause.

Med-SurgPerioperative care

Course connection: MS Day 6 immediate postoperative complications.

Engagement

Passage of the widest transverse diameter of the presenting fetal head through the pelvic inlet. It describes entry into the pelvis, whereas station describes the level of the presenting part relative to the ischial spines.

OBLabor, birth, and fetal assessment

Course connection: OB Day 6 passenger and descent assessment.

Reference: Hutchison et al., StatPearls: Normal Labor—Physiology, Evaluation, and Management (updated February 15, 2025)

Engorgement, breast

Breast fullness and swelling that can make the breasts firm, tight, and uncomfortable during lactation. It can interfere with latch and differs from mastitis, which involves inflammation and may include infection.

OBPostpartum care and hemorrhage

Course connection: OB Day 8 breastfeeding assessment.

Reference: Merck Manual: Overview of postpartum care

Evaporation, heat loss

Loss of body heat when moisture on the newborn's skin changes into vapor. Drying the baby after birth reduces heat loss from wet skin.

OBNewborn assessment and complications

Course connection: OB Day 9 heat-loss objective.

Family dynamics

The patterns of relationships, communication, roles, and interactions within a family. Assessing these patterns helps the nurse understand available support, how the family handles change, and what assistance its members may need.

OBFamily, culture, and environment

Course connection: OB Day 12 explicit exemplar.

Family-centered care

Care that respects the patient and family's knowledge, values, and preferences and involves them in information sharing and decisions to the extent they choose. Respect, participation, and collaboration guide the partnership.

OBFamily, culture, and environment

Course connection: OB Day 12 assigned concept.

Ferritin

A protein that stores iron. A blood ferritin result helps assess iron reserves and is useful when investigating iron-deficiency anemia, although inflammation and other conditions can affect interpretation.

Med-SurgAnemias

Course connection: MS Day 5 diagnostic meaning in iron-deficiency anemia.

Reference: MedlinePlus: Ferritin blood test

Fetal lie

The relationship of the fetus's long axis to the mother's uterine long axis. A longitudinal lie runs in the same general direction; transverse and oblique lies run across or at an angle.

OBLabor, birth, and fetal assessment

Course connection: OB Day 6 five factors affecting labor.

Reference: Merck Manual: Fetal presentation, position, and lie

Fetal position

The direction a landmark on the presenting fetal part faces within the maternal pelvis. For a head-first vertex presentation, the back of the fetal head is the landmark, as in left occiput anterior (LOA).

OBLabor, birth, and fetal assessment

Course connection: OB Day 6 passenger assessment.

Reference: Merck Manual: Fetal presentation, position, and lie

Fetal presentation

The fetal part that approaches the pelvic inlet first, such as the head, buttocks, or shoulder. Presentation affects how the fetus can move through the birth canal.

OBLabor, birth, and fetal assessment

Course connection: OB Day 6 passenger assessment.

Reference: Merck Manual: Fetal presentation, position, and lie

Fetal station

The level of the presenting fetal part relative to the mother's ischial spines. Zero is level with the spines, negative values are above them, and positive values are below them as descent progresses.

OBLabor, birth, and fetal assessment

Course connection: OB Day 6 labor progression.

Reference: Merck Manual: Management of normal labor

First stage of labor

The period from the onset of true labor until the cervix is fully dilated. Contractions produce progressive cervical effacement and dilation during this stage.

OBLabor, birth, and fetal assessment

Course connection: OB Day 6 stages objective.

Reference: Stages of labor — NICHD

Folate-deficiency anemia (folic acid deficiency anemia)

Anemia caused by insufficient folate, a vitamin needed to make DNA for developing red blood cells. Cells do not mature normally, producing a megaloblastic pattern; the characteristic neurologic injury of vitamin B12 deficiency is not a typical feature.

Med-SurgAnemias

Course connection: MS Day 5 exemplar and comparison with pernicious anemia.

Fourth stage of labor

The immediate recovery period after delivery of the placenta. Assessment focuses on maternal stability, uterine firmness, and bleeding as the body begins adjusting after birth.

OBLabor, birth, and fetal assessment

Course connection: OB Day 6 all four stages and Day 8 hemorrhage.

Fundal height

The distance from the pubic bone to the top of the uterus. Its trend helps assess pregnancy growth; after about 20 weeks, centimeters roughly track gestational weeks.

OBNormal pregnancy and prenatal assessment

Course connection: OB Day 3 prenatal assessment.

Reference: Merck Manual: Evaluation of the obstetric patient

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

A condition in which repeated backward flow of stomach contents into the esophagus causes troublesome symptoms or injury. The lower esophageal sphincter normally limits this backflow; impaired closure can expose the esophagus to irritating stomach contents.

Med-SurgGI inflammation

Course connection: MS Day 12 exemplar.

Gestational age

The duration of pregnancy expressed in completed weeks and days, conventionally counted from the first day of the last menstrual period. Ultrasound can help establish or refine dating.

OBNormal pregnancy and prenatal assessment

Course connection: OB Day 3 pregnancy dating and Day 10 prematurity.

Reference: MedlinePlus: Small for gestational age

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM)

Diabetes that develops during pregnancy, commonly when pregnancy-related insulin resistance exceeds the pancreas's ability to supply enough insulin. It is distinct from diabetes that was already present before pregnancy and can affect both maternal and newborn health.

OBHigh-risk pregnancy: hypertensive and endocrine disorders

Course connection: OB Day 4, diabetes in pregnancy versus pre-pregnancy diabetes.

Reference: Gestational diabetes — NIDDK

Gestational hypertension

New high blood pressure after 20 weeks of pregnancy without the findings that establish preeclampsia. It requires monitoring because preeclampsia can develop later.

OBHigh-risk pregnancy: hypertensive and endocrine disorders

Course connection: OB Day 4 pregnancy-induced hypertension exemplar.

Reference: MedlinePlus: High blood pressure in pregnancy

Glucagon

A pancreatic hormone that raises blood glucose by promoting release of stored glucose from the liver. Its effect helps maintain glucose availability between meals and opposes some of insulin's glucose-lowering effects.

Med-SurgDiabetes

Course connection: MS Days 3–4 normal glucose metabolism.

Glycogen

The storage form of glucose, found especially in the liver and skeletal muscle. Liver glycogen can be broken down to help supply glucose when blood glucose falls.

Med-SurgDiabetes

Course connection: MS Days 3–4 food-to-fuel physiology.

Gravidity (gravida; G)

The number of pregnancies a person has had, including the current pregnancy, regardless of their outcomes. A multifetal pregnancy counts as one pregnancy.

OBNormal pregnancy and prenatal assessment

Course connection: OB Day 3 pregnancy history.

Reference: Merck Manual: Evaluation of the obstetric patient

Growth

Measurable increase in the size of the body or its parts, such as changes in length, weight, or head circumference. Growth is a quantitative part of development, while gaining a new skill reflects a different kind of change.

OBGrowth and development

Course connection: OB Day 11, growth-versus-development distinction.

GTPAL

A pregnancy-history notation recording total pregnancies, term deliveries, preterm deliveries, abortions or losses before 20 weeks, and living children. Twins count as one delivery but two living children if both survive.

OBNormal pregnancy and prenatal assessment

Course connection: OB Day 3 explicit term.

Reference: Merck Manual: Evaluation of the obstetric patient

Heart failure (HF; congestive heart failure, CHF)

A clinical syndrome in which abnormal heart filling or pumping prevents adequate circulation or requires abnormally high pressures to maintain it. Blood and fluid can back up into the lungs or systemic circulation, while organs may receive too little effective blood flow.

Med-SurgHeart failure

Course connection: MS Day 9 exemplar.

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF)

Heart failure in which the proportion of blood ejected by the left ventricle remains preserved, but filling is often impaired because the ventricle does not relax normally. A preserved ejection fraction therefore does not mean that heart function or filling pressures are normal.

Med-SurgHeart failure

Course connection: MS Day 9, filling-versus-contraction distinction.

Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF)

Heart failure in which the left ventricle ejects a reduced proportion of its blood with each beat, usually because contraction is weakened. Less effective forward flow and increased filling pressures can produce both poor perfusion and congestion.

Med-SurgHeart failure

Course connection: MS Day 9, filling-versus-contraction distinction.

HELLP syndrome

A serious pregnancy-related syndrome involving hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and a low platelet count. These findings indicate red blood cell destruction, liver injury, and increased bleeding risk; HELLP can occur without obvious hypertension or protein in the urine.

OBHigh-risk pregnancy: hypertensive and endocrine disorders

Course connection: OB Day 4 explicit term.

Reference: Preeclampsia and eclampsia condition information — NICHD

Hematocrit (Hct)

The proportion of whole blood made up of red blood cells. It helps assess anemia, but changes in plasma volume can also change the result.

Med-SurgAnemias

Course connection: MS Day 5 anemia diagnostic data.

Reference: MedlinePlus: Complete blood count

Hemoglobin (Hgb; Hb)

The iron-containing protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. A low hemoglobin concentration can reduce the blood's oxygen-carrying capacity even when the oxygen saturation percentage is normal.

Med-SurgOBRed blood cells and oxygen transport

Course connection: MS Day 5 oxygen-transport objective; OB Day 10 fetal/newborn anemia and hemolytic disorders.

Reference: Hemoglobin test — MedlinePlus

Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c; A1C)

A blood test measuring the proportion of hemoglobin with glucose attached, which reflects average glucose over roughly the previous three months. It helps assess longer-term glucose control rather than showing the glucose level at one moment.

Med-SurgDiabetes

Course connection: MS Days 3–4 diagnostic data and evaluation of treatment.

Reference: NIDDK: The A1C test and diabetes

Hemolysis

Breakdown of red blood cells, releasing their contents before or at the end of their lifespan. Excessive hemolysis can contribute to anemia and increase the bilirubin load produced as hemoglobin is broken down.

Med-SurgOBRed blood cells and oxygen transport

Course connection: MS Day 5 hemolytic anemia; OB Day 4 HELLP and Day 10 hemolytic disorders.

Reference: Preeclampsia and eclampsia condition information — NICHD

Hemolytic anemia

Anemia that develops when red blood cells are destroyed faster than the bone marrow can replace them. Causes differ, so recognizing increased destruction is only the beginning of identifying the underlying disorder.

Med-SurgAnemias

Course connection: MS Day 5 exemplar; related newborn hemolysis is addressed in shared concepts.

Hemorrhage

Bleeding that may occur externally or within the body. Substantial or ongoing blood loss can reduce circulating volume and oxygen delivery, leading to shock; visible blood does not always reveal the full amount lost.

Med-SurgOBPerfusion, bleeding, and infection

Course connection: MS perioperative care and OB pregnancy/postpartum hemorrhage.

Reference: Postpartum hemorrhage — Merck Manual Professional

Hepatitis A (HAV infection)

Liver inflammation caused by hepatitis A virus, usually spread through ingestion of virus from contaminated food, water, or close contact. It causes an acute infection and does not become chronic.

Med-SurgGI inflammation

Course connection: MS Day 12 named hepatitis exemplar.

Reference: CDC: Clinical overview of viral hepatitis

Hepatitis B (HBV infection)

Liver inflammation caused by hepatitis B virus, transmitted through infected blood or certain body fluids, including during birth. Infection may clear or become chronic; vaccination can prevent infection.

Med-SurgGI inflammation

Course connection: MS Day 12 named hepatitis exemplar.

Reference: CDC: Clinical overview of viral hepatitis

Hepatitis C (HCV infection)

Liver inflammation caused by hepatitis C virus, most commonly acquired through exposure to infected blood. It frequently becomes chronic, but current antiviral treatment can cure infection; there is no vaccine.

Med-SurgGI inflammation

Course connection: MS Day 12 named hepatitis exemplar.

Reference: CDC: Clinical overview of viral hepatitis

Hepatitis D (HDV infection)

Liver infection caused by hepatitis D virus in a person who also has hepatitis B virus. The viruses may be acquired together or HDV may be acquired later, and the combination can cause more severe liver disease.

Med-SurgGI inflammation

Course connection: MS Day 12 named hepatitis exemplar.

Reference: CDC: About hepatitis D

Hepatitis E (HEV infection)

Liver inflammation caused by hepatitis E virus, often acquired from fecally contaminated water or contaminated undercooked meat. It is usually acute, but chronic infection can occur in some immunocompromised people; pregnancy increases the risk of severe outcomes.

Med-SurgGI inflammation

Course connection: MS Day 12 named hepatitis exemplar.

Reference: CDC: About hepatitis E

Hormonal contraception

Pregnancy prevention using hormones that may suppress ovulation, thicken cervical mucus, or produce other reproductive changes. The effects depend on the particular method.

OBSexuality and reproductive function

Course connection: OB Day 2 hormonal methods.

Reference: NICHD: Types of contraception

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)

A hormone produced by developing placental tissue that supports early pregnancy and is detected by pregnancy tests. A positive result alone does not establish pregnancy location or viability.

OBNormal pregnancy and prenatal assessment

Course connection: OB Day 3 placental hormones and pregnancy testing.

Reference: Ectopic pregnancy — MedlinePlus

Hypercalcemia

An abnormally high calcium concentration in blood. It can reduce neuromuscular activity and cause constipation, weakness, confusion, or kidney stones; the calcium result must be interpreted with the laboratory's method and the patient's condition.

Med-SurgElectrolyte balance

Course connection: MS Day 1, calcium excess exemplar.

Hyperchloremia

An abnormally high chloride concentration in blood. It can accompany fluid loss or certain metabolic acid-base disturbances, so sodium, bicarbonate, and fluid findings help explain its significance.

Med-SurgElectrolyte balance

Course connection: MS Day 1 chloride excess and Day 2 acid-base interpretation.

Reference: MedlinePlus: Chloride blood test

Hyperglycemia

Blood glucose above the expected range for the person's situation. When sufficiently high, glucose draws water into the urine and can contribute to increased urination, thirst, and dehydration; diagnostic and treatment thresholds depend on the clinical context.

Med-SurgOBGlucose regulation

Course connection: MS Days 3–4 glucose objectives; OB Day 4 maternal diabetes.

Reference: Diabetic hyperglycemic hyperosmolar syndrome — MedlinePlus

Hyperkalemia

An abnormally high potassium concentration in blood. It can interfere with cardiac electrical conduction and muscle function, potentially causing dangerous dysrhythmias even when other symptoms are limited.

Med-SurgElectrolyte balance

Course connection: MS Day 1 potassium excess exemplar.

Hypermagnesemia

An abnormally high magnesium concentration in blood. Increasing levels can suppress reflexes, breathing, and cardiovascular function, especially when the kidneys cannot remove magnesium adequately.

Med-SurgElectrolyte balance

Course connection: MS Day 1 magnesium excess exemplar.

Hypernatremia

An abnormally high sodium concentration in blood, indicating too little water relative to sodium. Water shifts out of cells, and neurologic changes may occur; the patient is not necessarily fluid overloaded.

Med-SurgElectrolyte balance

Course connection: MS Day 1 sodium excess exemplar.

Reference: Sodium blood test — MedlinePlus

Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS)

A severe diabetes complication involving marked hyperglycemia, increased blood concentration, and profound dehydration, usually with little or no significant ketoacidosis. Water loss can cause altered consciousness; this is an emergency distinct from DKA.

Med-SurgDiabetes

Course connection: MS Days 3–4 acute hyperglycemia mechanisms and comparison with DKA.

Reference: Diabetic hyperglycemic hyperosmolar syndrome — MedlinePlus

Hyperphosphatemia

An abnormally high phosphate concentration in blood. Reduced kidney excretion is one cause; associated changes in calcium can contribute to neuromuscular symptoms.

Med-SurgElectrolyte balance

Course connection: MS Day 1 phosphorus excess exemplar.

Hypocalcemia

An abnormally low calcium concentration in blood. A low biologically active calcium level can increase nerve and muscle excitability, producing tingling, spasms, or severe complications such as seizures.

Med-SurgElectrolyte balance

Course connection: MS Day 1 calcium deficit exemplar.

Hypochloremia

An abnormally low chloride concentration in blood. It may accompany vomiting, other fluid changes, or metabolic alkalosis; the result needs interpretation with the other electrolytes and the clinical situation.

Med-SurgElectrolyte balance

Course connection: MS Day 1 chloride deficit and Day 2 acid-base interpretation.

Reference: MedlinePlus: Chloride blood test

Hypoglycemia

Blood glucose low enough to threaten normal body function. It can produce sweating, shakiness, or confusion in adults, while newborn signs can be less specific; severe or prolonged deficiency can injure the brain.

Med-SurgOBGlucose regulation

Course connection: MS Days 3–4 glucose objectives; OB Day 10 newborn hypoglycemia.

Reference: Low blood sugar in newborns — MedlinePlus

Hypokalemia

An abnormally low potassium concentration in blood. It can cause weakness, reduced intestinal activity, and dangerous changes in heart rhythm; losses from the body and shifts into cells are different possible mechanisms.

Med-SurgElectrolyte balance

Course connection: MS Day 1 potassium deficit exemplar.

Hypomagnesemia

An abnormally low magnesium concentration in blood. It can increase neuromuscular irritability and contribute to seizures or dysrhythmias, making magnesium relevant when evaluating other electrolyte abnormalities.

Med-SurgElectrolyte balance

Course connection: MS Day 1 magnesium deficit exemplar.

Hyponatremia

An abnormally low sodium concentration in blood, reflecting too much water relative to sodium. It can follow sodium loss or water retention, and significant changes can disturb brain function; a low sodium level alone does not establish low circulating volume.

Med-SurgElectrolyte balance

Course connection: MS Day 1 sodium deficit exemplar.

Reference: Sodium blood test — MedlinePlus

Hypophosphatemia

An abnormally low phosphate concentration in blood. Severe deficiency can impair cellular energy use and weaken muscles, including those needed for breathing.

Med-SurgElectrolyte balance

Course connection: MS Day 1 phosphorus deficit exemplar.

Hypoproliferative anemia

Anemia resulting from inadequate red blood cell production. Nutrient deficiency or impaired bone marrow activity can cause this pattern, which differs from losing or destroying cells faster than they can be replaced.

Med-SurgAnemias

Course connection: MS Day 5 production-versus-destruction distinction.

Hypoxemia

An abnormally low level of oxygen in arterial blood. It can limit tissue oxygen delivery, but it differs from anemia, in which reduced hemoglobin can lower oxygen-carrying capacity even when arterial oxygen pressure is normal.

Med-SurgOBRed blood cells and oxygen transport

Course connection: MS ABG/postoperative respiratory assessment and OB newborn respiratory disorders.

Reference: NHLBI: Respiratory failure diagnosis

Hypoxia

An inadequate oxygen supply to body tissues. It may result from low blood oxygen, reduced oxygen-carrying capacity, or inadequate blood flow, so oxygenation and perfusion must both be considered.

Med-SurgOBRed blood cells and oxygen transport

Course connection: MS anemia/perfusion and OB fetal/newborn compromise.

Reference: NCI: Hypoxia definition

In vitro fertilization (IVF)

A fertility treatment in which eggs and sperm are combined outside the body and an embryo may then be transferred into the uterus. Fertilization and embryo transfer do not guarantee implantation or a successful pregnancy.

OBSexuality and reproductive function

Course connection: OB Day 2 infertility treatments.

Reference: NICHD: Assisted reproductive technology

Induction of labor

Use of medication or mechanical methods to start labor before it begins spontaneously. It differs from augmentation, which helps labor that has already started.

OBLabor, birth, and fetal assessment

Course connection: OB Day 7 objective and knowledge content.

Infertility

Difficulty achieving a successful pregnancy, or a need for medical help to achieve one, assessed in the context of reproductive history and circumstances. Evaluation timing depends on age and known risk factors; everyone does not need to wait a full year.

OBSexuality and reproductive function

Course connection: OB Day 2 infertility assessment.

Reference: ASRM: Definition of infertility (2023)

Influenza (flu)

A contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It often begins abruptly with respiratory symptoms and systemic symptoms such as body aches and fatigue, though not everyone has fever.

Med-SurgInfection

Course connection: MS Day 11 official and Canvas exemplar.

Reference: CDC: About influenza

Insulin

A hormone made by pancreatic beta cells that helps regulate blood glucose by supporting glucose use and storage. As a medication, it replaces or supplements the body's insulin when needed.

Med-SurgOBGlucose regulation

Course connection: MS Days 3–4 physiology and treatment; OB Day 4 diabetes in pregnancy.

Reference: Gestational diabetes — NIDDK

Insulin resistance

A reduced response of body cells to insulin. More insulin is needed to achieve the usual effect, and blood glucose rises when insulin supply cannot keep up with that need.

Med-SurgDiabetes

Course connection: MS Days 3–4 mechanism of type 2 diabetes.

Reference: Type 2 diabetes — NIDDK

Intermittent claudication

Muscle discomfort brought on by activity and relieved by rest because blood flow cannot meet the exercising muscle's needs. In PAD it often affects the calf, but location depends on which arteries are narrowed.

Med-SurgPeripheral perfusion

Course connection: MS Day 8 arterial perfusion assessment.

Reference: NHLBI: Peripheral artery disease symptoms

Intrauterine device (IUD)

A small contraceptive device placed inside the uterus. Copper and hormone-releasing devices prevent pregnancy through different effects on sperm and the reproductive environment.

OBSexuality and reproductive function

Course connection: OB Day 2 contraceptive choices.

Reference: NICHD: Types of contraception

Intrinsic factor

A protein made in the stomach that is needed for normal vitamin B12 absorption. Loss of its function explains why adequate B12 intake alone may not prevent deficiency in pernicious anemia.

Med-SurgAnemias

Course connection: MS Day 5 pernicious anemia mechanism.

Reference: Pernicious anemia — MedlinePlus

Involution, uterine

The gradual return of the uterus toward its prepregnancy size and condition after birth. Uterine contractions contribute to this process and help compress vessels at the placental site.

OBPostpartum care and hemorrhage

Course connection: OB Day 8 recovery and hemorrhage assessment.

Reference: Merck Manual: Postpartum care

Iron-deficiency anemia (IDA)

Anemia caused by too little iron to make adequate hemoglobin. Red blood cells often become smaller and carry less hemoglobin; blood loss, inadequate intake, and increased iron needs are possible causes.

Med-SurgAnemias

Course connection: MS Day 5 exemplar.

Jaundice (icterus)

Yellow discoloration of the skin and whites of the eyes caused by bilirubin buildup. It is a finding with different causes, including increased red-cell breakdown and liver or bile-flow problems; its significance depends on the patient and timing.

Med-SurgOBBilirubin and jaundice

Course connection: MS hepatitis and OB newborn jaundice.

Reference: Merck Manual: Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia

Kernicterus

Lasting brain injury caused by bilirubin toxicity, also called chronic bilirubin encephalopathy. It is a severe complication of excessive unconjugated bilirubin, rather than another name for ordinary newborn jaundice.

OBNewborn assessment and complications

Course connection: OB Day 10 pathologic jaundice complications.

Reference: Merck Manual: Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia

Ketones

Substances produced when the body breaks down fat for energy. Excessive production during severe insulin deficiency can lead to an accumulation of acids, which is central to diabetic ketoacidosis.

Med-SurgDiabetes

Course connection: MS Days 3–4 DKA mechanism and assessment.

Large for gestational age (LGA)

A newborn whose birth weight is above the 90th percentile for gestational age and sex on the reference used. LGA describes size relative to age; it can be associated with birth injury and hypoglycemia, especially with maternal diabetes.

OBNewborn assessment and complications

Course connection: OB Day 10 explicit size exemplar.

Reference: MedlinePlus: Large for gestational age

Late deceleration

A gradual decrease in fetal heart rate whose lowest point occurs after the peak of a contraction. It is associated with impaired oxygen transfer through the placenta, so recurrent late decelerations require evaluation of the tracing and maternal-fetal condition.

OBLabor, birth, and fetal assessment

Course connection: OB Days 6–7, fetal assessment and nonreassuring patterns.

Late preterm birth

Birth from 34 weeks, 0 days through 36 weeks, 6 days of gestation. These infants may look relatively mature but still have increased risks involving breathing, temperature, feeding, and glucose regulation.

OBNewborn assessment and complications

Course connection: OB Day 10 explicit term.

Lochia

Vaginal discharge after childbirth containing blood and material shed as the uterus heals. It normally changes from reddish to brownish or pink and then pale; heavy bleeding or foul odor needs evaluation.

OBPostpartum care and hemorrhage

Course connection: OB Day 8 postpartum assessment.

Reference: Merck Manual: Postpartum care

Magnesium sulfate

A medicine used in obstetrics to prevent or treat eclamptic seizures and, in selected anticipated preterm births, protect the fetal brain. It is not the primary medicine for lowering blood pressure; accumulation can suppress reflexes and breathing.

OBHigh-risk pregnancy: hypertensive and endocrine disorders

Course connection: OB Day 4 eclampsia treatment and Day 7 preterm birth.

Reference: Preeclampsia and eclampsia — Merck Manual Professional

Malignant hyperthermia (MH)

A potentially fatal reaction to certain anesthetic medicines in a susceptible person, causing excessive muscle activity and rapidly increased metabolism. Muscle rigidity, rising carbon dioxide, and temperature elevation are important features requiring emergency treatment.

Med-SurgPerioperative care

Course connection: MS Day 6 anesthesia-related complication.

Reference: MedlinePlus: Malignant hyperthermia

Mastitis

Inflammation of the breast that can cause a painful, warm, swollen area and may be accompanied by infection and fever. It is different from uncomplicated breast fullness or nipple soreness.

OBPostpartum care and hemorrhage

Course connection: OB Day 8 postpartum infection.

Reference: Merck Manual: Mastitis

Mean corpuscular volume (MCV)

The average size of red blood cells in a blood sample. A low, normal, or high MCV helps organize possible causes of anemia, but it does not identify the cause by itself.

Med-SurgAnemias

Course connection: MS Day 5, distinguishing anemia patterns.

Meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS)

Respiratory illness caused by a newborn inhaling meconium-containing fluid into the lungs around birth. The material can obstruct airways and inflame lung tissue; meconium-stained fluid alone does not prove that aspiration syndrome has developed.

OBNewborn assessment and complications

Course connection: OB Day 10 explicit objective and exemplar.

Megaloblastic anemia

A pattern of anemia in which impaired DNA production causes developing red blood cells to mature abnormally. Vitamin B12 and folate deficiencies are important causes, and circulating red cells are often unusually large.

Med-SurgAnemias

Course connection: MS Day 5 exemplar family.

Reference: Vitamin B12-deficiency anemia — NHLBI

Metabolic acidosis

An acid-base disturbance caused by accumulating acid or losing bicarbonate, which pushes blood pH downward. Diabetic ketoacidosis, impaired kidney acid removal, and significant diarrhea are different ways this can occur.

Med-SurgAcid-base balance

Course connection: MS Day 2 exemplar and diabetes connection.

Metabolic alkalosis

An acid-base disturbance caused by losing acid or accumulating bicarbonate, which pushes blood pH upward. Loss of stomach acid through vomiting or gastric suction is one example.

Med-SurgAcid-base balance

Course connection: MS Day 2 exemplar.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

A type of Staphylococcus aureus resistant to methicillin and related antibiotics. A person may carry it without active illness or develop an infection; treatment depends on the infection site and which medicines remain effective.

Med-SurgInfection

Course connection: MS Day 11, official exemplar and instructor MDRO example.

Molar pregnancy (hydatidiform mole)

An abnormal pregnancy in which tissue meant to form the placenta grows abnormally. A complete mole lacks normal fetal development; a partial mole can contain abnormal fetal tissue. Follow-up matters because persistent trophoblastic disease can occur.

OBHigh-risk pregnancy: hemorrhagic disorders

Course connection: OB Day 5 explicit exemplar.

Reference: NCI: Gestational trophoblastic disease treatment, patient version

Multidrug-resistant organism (MDRO)

A microorganism resistant to multiple antimicrobial medicines. Resistance can limit treatment options, but it does not mean that every drug will fail or that simply carrying the organism proves an active infection.

Med-SurgInfection

Course connection: MS Day 11 instructor Canvas focus.

Myocardial infarction (MI; heart attack)

Death of heart muscle cells from an inadequate blood and oxygen supply. It is a time-sensitive emergency because ongoing loss of blood flow causes further injury and can disrupt the heart's pumping or electrical function.

Med-SurgCoronary perfusion

Course connection: MS Day 7 exemplar.

Reference: Heart attack — NHLBI

Naegele rule (Nagele's rule)

A due-date estimate calculated from the first day of the last menstrual period: subtract three months, add seven days, and adjust the year. It assumes a typical menstrual cycle.

OBNormal pregnancy and prenatal assessment

Course connection: OB Day 3 explicit dating objective.

Reference: Merck Manual: Evaluation of the obstetric patient

Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS)

Withdrawal signs in a newborn following exposure to certain substances before birth. Signs may affect feeding, sleep, muscle tone, and regulation; withdrawal specifically related to opioids is called neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS).

OBNewborn assessment and complications

Course connection: OB Day 10 explicit exemplar.

Nitrate

A medicine class that relaxes blood vessels and can reduce the heart's workload and oxygen demand. Nitroglycerin is an example used for angina; the medication's purpose differs from dissolving a coronary clot.

Med-SurgCoronary perfusion

Course connection: MS Day 7 angina treatment mechanism.

Reference: MedlinePlus: Nitroglycerin sublingual

Nonstress test (NST)

A test that observes the fetal heart rate and its response to fetal movement without deliberately causing contractions. It supplies information about current fetal well-being.

OBNormal pregnancy and prenatal assessment

Course connection: OB Day 3 prenatal testing.

Reference: NICHD: Prenatal tests

Orthopnea

Shortness of breath when lying flat that improves with sitting or standing. It is an important symptom to assess in heart failure because lying down can worsen pulmonary congestion.

Med-SurgHeart failure

Course connection: MS Day 9 heart failure findings.

Reference: NHLBI: Heart failure symptoms

Osmotic diuresis

Increased urine production because dissolved substances retain water in the kidney's filtering tubules. With severe hyperglycemia, glucose in urine draws water with it, contributing to dehydration and electrolyte loss.

Med-SurgDiabetes

Course connection: MS Days 3–4 mechanism linking hyperglycemia to fluid loss.

Reference: Diabetic hyperglycemic hyperosmolar syndrome — MedlinePlus

Pancreatitis

Inflammation of the pancreas. In acute pancreatitis, digestive enzymes become active within the pancreas and injure its tissue, which can produce local swelling and serious systemic effects.

Med-SurgGI inflammation

Course connection: MS Day 12 exemplar.

Parity (para; P)

The number of pregnancies delivered at 20 weeks or later, whether the infant was born alive or stillborn. A twin delivery counts once; parity does not equal the number of living children.

OBNormal pregnancy and prenatal assessment

Course connection: OB Day 3 obstetric history.

Reference: Merck Manual: Evaluation of the obstetric patient

Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea (PND)

Episodes of breathlessness that awaken a person from sleep and improve after sitting up. In heart failure, this pattern can reflect worsening pulmonary congestion and differs from simply becoming short of breath immediately on lying down.

Med-SurgHeart failure

Course connection: MS Day 9 symptom assessment and deterioration.

Reference: Merck Manual: Chronic heart failure

Partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2)

The pressure exerted by carbon dioxide dissolved in arterial blood. It helps assess ventilation: retaining carbon dioxide promotes respiratory acidosis, while removing too much promotes respiratory alkalosis.

Med-SurgAcid-base balance

Course connection: MS Day 2 respiratory component of ABGs.

Partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2)

The pressure exerted by oxygen dissolved in arterial blood. It helps assess oxygenation and differs from the percentage of hemoglobin binding sites occupied by oxygen.

Med-SurgAcid-base balance

Course connection: MS Day 2 diagnostic interpretation and postoperative respiratory assessment.

Reference: NHLBI: Respiratory failure diagnosis

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

Infection and inflammation of the upper female reproductive tract. It can follow an untreated STI or another infection; scarring of the fallopian tubes can contribute to infertility and ectopic pregnancy.

OBSexuality and reproductive function

Course connection: OB Day 1 explicit exemplar.

Reference: About pelvic inflammatory disease — CDC

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI; coronary angioplasty)

A catheter-based procedure that opens a narrowed or blocked coronary artery, usually using a balloon and often a stent. Restoring blood flow can limit ongoing ischemic injury.

Med-SurgCoronary perfusion

Course connection: MS Day 7 coronary reperfusion treatment.

Reference: NHLBI: Heart treatments

Peripheral artery disease (PAD)

Narrowing or blockage of arteries supplying the limbs, commonly from atherosclerosis. Reduced oxygen delivery can cause exertional muscle pain and, when more severe, pain at rest, poor wound healing, or tissue loss.

Med-SurgPeripheral perfusion

Course connection: MS Day 8 exemplar.

Pernicious anemia

A form of vitamin B12-deficiency anemia caused by an autoimmune process that interferes with intrinsic factor, the stomach protein needed for normal B12 absorption. It is a specific cause of B12 deficiency, rather than a name for every B12 deficiency; nerve problems may occur as well as anemia.

Med-SurgAnemias

Course connection: MS Day 5 exemplar and distinction from folate deficiency.

Reference: Vitamin B12-deficiency anemia — NHLBI

pH

A measure of how acidic or alkaline a solution is, related to its hydrogen ion concentration. A lower blood pH indicates greater acidity; interpreting pH together with carbon dioxide and bicarbonate helps identify the disturbance.

Med-SurgAcid-base balance

Course connection: MS Day 2 acid-base objectives.

Phototherapy, newborn

Treatment using light to change unconjugated bilirubin into forms the newborn can eliminate more easily. The need for treatment depends on the measured bilirubin level, age, gestational age, and risk factors.

OBNewborn assessment and complications

Course connection: OB Day 10 hyperbilirubinemia treatment.

Reference: Merck Manual: Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia

Placenta

The organ that connects maternal and fetal exchange during pregnancy. It transfers oxygen, nutrients, and wastes between their circulations and produces hormones; maternal and fetal blood normally remain in separate circulatory spaces.

OBNormal pregnancy and prenatal assessment

Course connection: OB Day 3 fetal environment and Day 5 placental disorders.

Placenta previa

A placenta that covers the internal opening of the cervix. It can cause significant bleeding as the lower uterus and cervix change; a placenta near the opening without covering it is described as low lying rather than automatically called previa.

OBHigh-risk pregnancy: hemorrhagic disorders

Course connection: OB Day 5 explicit exemplar.

Reference: Placenta praevia, placenta accreta and vasa praevia — RCOG

Placental abruption (abruptio placentae)

Premature separation of the placenta from the uterine wall before the baby is born. It can reduce fetal oxygen delivery and cause maternal hemorrhage; some blood may remain concealed behind the placenta rather than appearing vaginally.

OBHigh-risk pregnancy: hemorrhagic disorders

Course connection: OB Days 5 and 7 explicit term.

Platelets (thrombocytes)

Small blood cell fragments that collect at a damaged vessel to help form an initial plug. They work with clotting proteins to control bleeding; a platelet count measures quantity, not every aspect of platelet function.

Med-SurgOBPerfusion, bleeding, and infection

Course connection: MS coronary antiplatelet therapy/VTE and OB HELLP/hemorrhage.

Reference: MedlinePlus: Complete blood count

Pneumonia

An infection of lung tissue that can fill air sacs with inflammatory fluid or pus. This interferes with gas exchange and can cause cough, fever, or breathing difficulty; causes include bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

Med-SurgInfection

Course connection: MS Day 11 official and Canvas exemplar.

Reference: NHLBI: Pneumonia

Polyuria

Passing an unusually large volume of urine. In uncontrolled diabetes, glucose-related osmotic diuresis can cause polyuria; it differs from frequent small voids.

Med-SurgDiabetes

Course connection: MS Days 3–4 assessment findings of hyperglycemia.

Reference: Diabetic hyperglycemic hyperosmolar syndrome — MedlinePlus

Postanesthesia care unit (PACU)

The area where patients receive close monitoring while recovering from anesthesia. Immediate assessment focuses on airway, breathing, circulation, consciousness, and other effects of surgery and anesthesia.

Med-SurgPerioperative care

Course connection: MS Day 6, immediate postoperative recovery.

Postpartum depression

A depressive illness arising after childbirth that can impair mood, thinking, daily functioning, and care of self or infant. Persistent or severe symptoms require assessment rather than being dismissed as temporary baby blues.

OBPostpartum care and hemorrhage

Course connection: OB Day 8 explicit mood disorder.

Reference: NIMH: Perinatal depression

Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH)

Excessive bleeding after birth that can compromise circulation. Causes include poor uterine contraction, birth-tract injury, retained placental tissue, and clotting problems, so identifying the cause matters alongside recognizing blood loss.

OBPostpartum care and hemorrhage

Course connection: OB Day 8 explicit complication and mechanism objective.

Postpartum psychosis

A severe postpartum mental illness that may cause hallucinations, delusions, mania, confusion, or loss of contact with reality. It is a psychiatric emergency requiring immediate assessment and protection of the parent and infant.

OBPostpartum care and hemorrhage

Course connection: OB Day 8 explicit mood disorder.

Reference: NIMH: Perinatal depression

Postterm birth

Birth at 42 weeks, 0 days of gestation or later. Risks differ from those of prematurity and may include placental dysfunction, meconium-related problems, and altered growth.

OBNewborn assessment and complications

Course connection: OB Day 10 explicit term.

Potassium (K+)

An electrolyte needed for electrical signaling in nerves and muscles, including the heart. Changes in blood potassium can disrupt muscle function and heart rhythm.

Med-SurgElectrolyte balance

Course connection: MS Day 1, electrolyte roles and cardiac effects.

Preeclampsia

A pregnancy-related disorder involving new hypertension, usually after 20 weeks, with protein in the urine or other evidence of organ dysfunction. Abnormal placental and maternal blood vessel function can affect the brain, liver, kidneys, lungs, and fetal growth; it can also develop after birth.

OBHigh-risk pregnancy: hypertensive and endocrine disorders

Course connection: OB Day 4 explicit term and postpartum hypertension scope.

Reference: Preeclampsia and eclampsia condition information — NICHD

Prelabor rupture of membranes (PROM)

Rupture of the amniotic membranes before labor begins. It can occur at term or before term; the abbreviation alone does not mean that the pregnancy is preterm.

OBLabor, birth, and fetal assessment

Course connection: OB Day 6 explicit ROM terminology and Day 7 complications.

Reference: Merck Manual: Prelabor rupture of membranes

Preload

The stretch of ventricular muscle at the end of filling, just before contraction. It is influenced by venous return and ventricular properties; excessive filling pressure in heart failure can promote congestion.

Med-SurgHeart failure

Course connection: MS Day 9 filling-versus-ejection mechanics.

Reference: Merck Manual: Overview of heart failure

Preoperative care

Assessment and preparation before a surgical procedure. It includes identifying risks, establishing baseline findings, preparing the patient physically, and providing teaching that supports safe surgery and recovery.

Med-SurgPerioperative care

Course connection: MS Day 6 exemplar.

Preterm birth

Birth before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy. Organ immaturity can increase the newborn's risks for breathing, feeding, temperature control, and other problems; birth timing and the mother's labor diagnosis are related but distinct concepts.

OBNewborn assessment and complications

Course connection: OB Day 10 explicit term; linked to Day 6 preterm labor.

Preterm labor

Labor with contractions that cause cervical change before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy. Contractions alone do not establish the diagnosis, and preterm labor does not always result in preterm birth.

OBLabor, birth, and fetal assessment

Course connection: OB Day 6 objective and Day 7 plan-of-care objective.

Preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM; P-PROM)

Rupture of the amniotic membranes before labor and before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy. It combines the concerns of prematurity with risks such as ascending infection.

OBLabor, birth, and fetal assessment

Course connection: OB Days 6–7 explicit term.

Reference: Merck Manual: Prelabor rupture of membranes

Primary prevention

Actions intended to prevent a disease or injury before it starts. Vaccination is an example because it reduces the chance of developing the targeted infection.

OBHealth promotion

Course connection: OB Day 2 explicit exemplar.

Prolapsed umbilical cord (cord prolapse)

Descent of the umbilical cord alongside or below the fetal presenting part after the membranes have ruptured, where it can become compressed. Compression can interrupt fetal blood flow and oxygen delivery, making this an obstetric emergency.

OBLabor, birth, and fetal assessment

Course connection: OB Day 7 explicit emergency.

Reference: Umbilical cord prolapse, Green-top Guideline 50 — RCOG

Prothrombin time/international normalized ratio (PT/INR)

PT measures how long blood takes to clot through selected pathways; INR standardizes the result across testing methods. INR is used to monitor warfarin's effect, with the target depending on the treatment indication.

Med-SurgVenous thromboembolism: treatment distinction

Course connection: MS Day 10 warfarin monitoring.

Reference: MedlinePlus: Prothrombin time test and INR

Proton pump inhibitor (PPI)

A medication class that reduces stomach acid production by blocking the final acid-secretion step in stomach cells. In GERD, reducing acid exposure can relieve symptoms and help an injured esophagus heal.

Med-SurgGI inflammation

Course connection: MS Day 12, GERD treatment mechanism.

Pulmonary embolism (PE)

Blockage of a pulmonary artery, most often by a clot that traveled from a deep vein. The obstruction impairs blood flow through the lungs and can cause sudden breathing difficulty, reduced oxygenation, and circulatory collapse.

Med-SurgOBVenous clots

Course connection: MS Day 10 exemplar; essential complication of OB Day 8 thromboembolic conditions.

Quickening

The pregnant person's first awareness of fetal movement. Its timing varies, making it a subjective pregnancy sign.

OBNormal pregnancy and prenatal assessment

Course connection: OB Day 3 pregnancy signs.

Reference: Merck Manual: Evaluation of the obstetric patient

Radiation, heat loss

Transfer of heat from the newborn to nearby cooler objects without direct contact. A cold window or wall can draw heat away even when the baby is not touching it.

OBNewborn assessment and complications

Course connection: OB Day 9 heat-loss objective.

Respiratory acidosis

An acid-base disturbance in which inadequate ventilation allows carbon dioxide to build up, pushing blood pH downward. The central problem is failure to remove enough carbon dioxide, even if supplemental oxygen improves the oxygen level.

Med-SurgAcid-base balance

Course connection: MS Day 2 exemplar and postoperative respiratory assessment.

Respiratory alkalosis

An acid-base disturbance in which ventilation removes more carbon dioxide than the body produces, pushing blood pH upward. Anxiety can cause this pattern, but hypoxemia and other illnesses can also cause rapid breathing and must not be dismissed as anxiety.

Med-SurgAcid-base balance

Course connection: MS Day 2 exemplar.

Respiratory distress syndrome, newborn (RDS)

A newborn breathing disorder commonly caused by immature lungs with too little surfactant, the substance that helps keep air sacs open. Air sacs collapse more easily, increasing breathing effort and impairing gas exchange, particularly in premature infants.

OBNewborn assessment and complications

Course connection: OB Day 10 explicit objective and exemplar.

Reference: Respiratory distress syndrome — NHLBI

Reticulocyte count

A test measuring immature red blood cells circulating in blood. It helps show how actively the bone marrow is responding to anemia; a response to blood loss or hemolysis differs from inadequate cell production.

Med-SurgAnemias

Course connection: MS Day 5 diagnostic comparison of anemia mechanisms.

Reference: MedlinePlus: Reticulocyte count

Rh immune globulin (RhIG; Rho(D) immune globulin; anti-D)

A preparation of antibodies used to help prevent an unsensitized Rh-negative person from forming anti-D antibodies after exposure to Rh-positive red cells. It prevents sensitization; it does not reverse anti-D antibodies that have already formed.

OBHigh-risk pregnancy: hemorrhagic disorders

Course connection: OB Day 5 Rh incompatibility and Day 10 hemolytic disease.

Reference: Merck Manual: Hemolytic disease of the fetus and neonate

Second stage of labor

The period from complete cervical dilation until the baby is born. Fetal descent and birth occur during this stage.

OBLabor, birth, and fetal assessment

Course connection: OB Day 6 stages objective.

Reference: Stages of labor — NICHD

Secondary prevention

Actions intended to detect a disease early and begin appropriate care before it progresses. Screening is a common example; an abnormal screening result generally needs further evaluation rather than being treated as a complete diagnosis.

OBHealth promotion

Course connection: OB Day 2 explicit exemplar and screenings.

Reference: A framework for assessing the effectiveness of disease and injury prevention — CDC

Sepsis

Life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by the body's harmful response to an infection. Infection alone is not sepsis; worsening circulation, breathing, mental status, or organ function can signal an emergency.

Med-SurgOBPerfusion, bleeding, and infection

Course connection: MS infection and OB postpartum/newborn infection.

Reference: CDC: About sepsis

Shock, circulatory

A life-threatening failure of circulation to supply organs adequately with blood and oxygen. Blood loss, severe infection, pump failure, or obstruction can cause different forms of shock; low blood pressure may develop as the condition progresses.

Med-SurgOBPerfusion, bleeding, and infection

Course connection: MS perfusion/perioperative complications and OB postpartum hemorrhage/shock.

Reference: MedlinePlus: Shock

Shoulder dystocia

A birth emergency in which a fetal shoulder becomes lodged after the head has been delivered, preventing usual delivery of the body. It can compromise the infant and cause maternal or fetal injury.

OBLabor, birth, and fetal assessment

Course connection: OB Day 7 labor complications and Day 10 birth trauma.

Sickle-cell anemia

A form of inherited sickle cell disease, usually involving two hemoglobin S genes. Abnormal hemoglobin can make red cells rigid and sickle shaped, leading to early cell destruction and blocked small blood vessels that cause pain and organ injury.

Med-SurgAnemias

Course connection: MS Day 5 exemplar.

Reference: Sickle cell disease milestones — NHLBI

Small for gestational age (SGA)

A newborn whose birth weight is below the 10th percentile for gestational age and sex on the reference used. SGA describes measured size; it does not by itself explain the cause or prove pathologic fetal growth restriction.

OBNewborn assessment and complications

Course connection: OB Day 10 explicit size exemplar.

Reference: MedlinePlus: Small for gestational age

Sodium (Na+)

An electrolyte that helps regulate fluid balance and supports nerve signaling. Its concentration in blood reflects the balance between sodium and water, so an abnormal result does not by itself tell you whether total body fluid is low or high.

Med-SurgElectrolyte balance

Course connection: MS Day 1, sodium imbalances.

Reference: Sodium blood test — MedlinePlus

Stable angina (chronic stable angina; CSA)

A recurring pattern of discomfort caused by the heart muscle temporarily receiving too little oxygen, often during exertion or stress. Symptoms usually improve with rest or prescribed angina medicine; a change in the usual pattern requires reassessment.

Med-SurgCoronary perfusion

Course connection: MS Day 7 exemplar and stable-versus-unstable comparison.

Reference: Angina types — NHLBI

Surfactant

A substance lining the lung's air sacs that lowers surface tension and helps keep them open during breathing. Insufficient surfactant contributes to newborn respiratory distress syndrome, particularly in premature infants.

OBNewborn assessment and complications

Course connection: OB Day 10 RDS mechanism.

Reference: Respiratory distress syndrome — NHLBI

Teratogen

An exposure capable of disrupting embryonic or fetal development. The type and likelihood of harm depend on factors such as the exposure and the stage of development.

OBSexuality and reproductive function

Course connection: OB Day 2 exposure prevention and Day 3 fetal development.

Reference: CDC/ATSDR: PHA guidance glossary, Teratogen

Tertiary prevention

Actions intended to limit complications, disability, or loss of function after a disease is established. The focus is on reducing its effects and supporting function, rather than requiring that the disease have been present for a particular number of years.

OBHealth promotion

Course connection: OB Day 2 explicit exemplar.

Reference: A framework for assessing the effectiveness of disease and injury prevention — CDC

Thermoregulation

The body's ability to balance heat production and heat loss to maintain its temperature. Newborns can lose heat readily, so their environment, drying, and appropriate warming affect their ability to maintain temperature.

OBNewborn assessment and complications

Course connection: OB Day 9 explicit term and newborn adaptation objective.

Third stage of labor

The period from the baby's birth until the placenta is delivered. Placental separation and expulsion occur during this stage.

OBLabor, birth, and fetal assessment

Course connection: OB Day 6 stages objective.

Reference: Stages of labor — NICHD

Thrombolytic (fibrinolytic; “clot-busting” medicine)

A medicine that promotes breakdown of fibrin, the mesh supporting a blood clot. Unlike an anticoagulant, it can actively break down an existing clot, but it also carries a major bleeding risk.

Med-SurgVenous thromboembolism: treatment distinction

Course connection: MS Day 10, distinction between clot prevention and clot breakdown.

Tocolytic

A medicine used to reduce uterine contractions and temporarily delay selected preterm births. The delay may allow time for other treatments or transfer; it does not reliably prevent eventual preterm delivery.

OBLabor, birth, and fetal assessment

Course connection: OB Day 7 preterm labor treatment.

Reference: Merck Manual: Preterm labor

Transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN)

Early breathing difficulty caused by delayed clearance of fetal lung fluid. It often improves as the fluid clears, but other causes of respiratory distress must be considered rather than assuming all rapid breathing is TTN.

OBNewborn assessment and complications

Course connection: OB Day 10 explicit exemplar.

Reference: Merck Manual: Transient tachypnea of the newborn

Troponin

A protein involved in heart muscle contraction that can be measured in blood when heart muscle cells are injured. An elevated cardiac troponin needs interpretation with symptoms, ECG findings, and changes over time because injury has more than one possible cause.

Med-SurgCoronary perfusion

Course connection: MS Day 7 cardiac markers and MI assessment.

Reference: MedlinePlus: Troponin test

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM)

Diabetes usually caused by an autoimmune attack on the pancreatic beta cells that make insulin. As insulin production is lost, insulin replacement becomes necessary; the condition can begin at any age.

Med-SurgDiabetes

Course connection: MS Days 3–4 exemplar.

Reference: Type 1 diabetes — NIDDK

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)

Diabetes in which the body's cells respond poorly to insulin and the pancreas cannot make enough insulin to meet the body's needs. Insulin production may still be present, and treatment needs vary as the disease changes.

Med-SurgDiabetes

Course connection: MS Days 3–4 exemplar.

Reference: Type 2 diabetes — NIDDK

Unstable angina

New, worsening, or unpredictable discomfort from inadequate blood flow to the heart muscle, including symptoms that occur at rest. It is an emergency because it can progress to a myocardial infarction; symptom improvement alone does not make it safe to ignore.

Med-SurgCoronary perfusion

Course connection: MS Day 7 exemplar.

Reference: Angina types — NHLBI

Uterine atony

Failure of the uterus to contract firmly after birth. Without effective contraction, blood vessels at the placental attachment site are not compressed adequately, allowing heavy bleeding; the uterus often feels soft or boggy.

OBPostpartum care and hemorrhage

Course connection: OB Day 8, mechanism of postpartum hemorrhage.

Reference: Postpartum hemorrhage — Merck Manual Professional

Uterine rupture

A full-thickness tear in the uterine wall. It can cause severe maternal bleeding and interrupt fetal oxygen delivery, requiring emergency care; it differs from an incomplete separation of a uterine scar.

OBLabor, birth, and fetal assessment

Course connection: OB Day 7 explicit emergency.

Uterine tachysystole

More than five uterine contractions in ten minutes, averaged over thirty minutes. Frequent contractions reduce the recovery time between them and can impair placental oxygen delivery; fetal heart-rate changes are assessed separately.

OBLabor, birth, and fetal assessment

Course connection: OB Day 7 induction/augmentation safety.

Variable deceleration

An abrupt decrease in fetal heart rate commonly associated with umbilical cord compression. Its shape and timing vary in relation to contractions; repeated or prolonged episodes need interpretation with the rest of the tracing.

OBLabor, birth, and fetal assessment

Course connection: OB Days 6–7, fetal assessment and nonreassuring patterns.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE)

The linked conditions of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. The term connects clot formation in a vein with the possibility that clot material travels and blocks blood flow in the lungs.

Med-SurgOBVenous clots

Course connection: MS Day 10 exemplar group; OB Day 8 thromboembolic conditions.

Venous ulcer

An open wound associated with chronically elevated venous pressure, commonly on the lower leg. Blood pooling and swelling damage tissue, so the mechanism differs from an ulcer caused mainly by inadequate arterial inflow.

Med-SurgPeripheral perfusion

Course connection: MS Day 8 CVI complications.