Glossary
Medical terms pertinent to seniors and in home health care:
Term	Meaning / Definition
ADL's	Activities of daily living
Adverse Effect	Negative side effect
Allergic Reaction	Rash, trouble breathing
Ambulate	Walk or able to walk
Anemia	Decreased red blood cells, low red blood cell count
Aspiration	Fluid entering lungs
Asymptomatic	Without symptoms
BID	Twice daily
Bone Mass	The amount of calcium in a given amount of bone
Cardiac	Pertaining to the heart
Diastolic	Lower number in blood pressure reading; pertaining to resting or relaxation phase of heart beat
Diuretic	"Water" pill or drug that causes increase in urination
Edema	Increased fluid retention
EEG	Electroencephalogram; electric brainwave tracing
Electrocardiagram	Electrical tracing of the heartbeat or heart rhythm
Fibrillation	Irregular beat of the heart or other muscle
Lipid	Fat
Lips Profile	Fat and cholesterol levels in the blood
Monitor	Check on; keep track of; watch carefully
Mobility	Ease of movement, ability to move around
MRI	Magnetic Resonance Imaging, body pictures created by using magnetic rather that x-ray technology
Necrosis	Death of tissue
Non-Invasive	Not breaking, cutting or entering the skin
NPO	Nothing by mouth
O/T	Occupational therapy
P/T	Physical therapy
PRN	As needed
QD	Once every day
Sedative	A drug to calm or make less anxious
Staging	A determination of the extent of the disease
Systolic	Top number of blood pressure; pertaining to contraction phase of heart beat
Thrombosis	Blood clotting within blood vessels
TID	Three times a day
Titration	Gradual alteration of drug dose to determine desired effect or most beneficial strength of drug
WBC	White blood cell
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