Anticoagulants are drugs that prevent coagulation (clotting) of blood. They can occur naturally in leeches and blood-sucking insects. Uses Used as medications: To prevent: DVT PE MI Ischemic stroke To Tx: Atrial fibrillation PE DVT Venous thromboembolism CHF Stroke MI Genetic or acquired hypercoagulability Medical equipment (e.g. test...

Gestational age (GA, aka menstrual age, weeks gestation, WG) is a measure of the age of pregnancy, where the origin is the woman's last normal menstrual period (LMP), or the...

Measles (aka morbilli, rubeola) is a highly contagious infection caused by the measles virus. [faq]What is measles? It's a very contagious infection. It's caused by the measles virus.[/faq] Sx Sx develop 10-12 days after...

Shingles (aka [herpes] zoster, aka zona) is a viral disease involving a painful skin rash w/ blisters involving a limited area. Sx Rash, occurs: On either the L or R of the body...

Blister (from French "blestre" meaning "swelling") is the visible accumulation of clear fluid in the upper layers of skin. [faq]What is a blister? It's those things that you get on your leg, if...

Maternal obesity is obesity, often including being overweight, of a woman during pregnancy. Pathophysiology Affects maternal metabollism, including insulin resistance, disrupting glucose homeostasis, fat oxidation and amino acid synthesis, thereby affecting offspring...

Ringworm (aka dermatophytosis, tinea) is caused by fungal infection of the skin. Sx It is called "ringworm" because the rash is circular, with a ring-like appearance Pathophysiology The dermatophytes (i.e. fungi that cause parasitic...

Neonatal jaundice is jaundice (yellowing of the skin and other tissues) in neonates. [faq]Neonatal jaundice is obviously jaundice in a neonate. What do those 2 words mean? "Neonate" is a child in their...

Molar pregnancy (aka hytadiform mole) is an abnormal pregnancy, where a non-viable fertilized egg implants in the uterus, and will fail to come to term. [faq]In short, what's a molar pregnancy? Is...

Group and hold (aka group and screen, G&S, or type and screen) are tests conducted prior to blood transfusion. [faq]What's group and hold? Tests done before a blood transfusion. What's a blood transfusion? Where you get...