Sepsis is SIRS (whole-body inflammation) caused by an infection. Severe sepsis is sepsis causing poor organ function or insufficient blood flow. Septic shock is where sepsis causes shock (decreased end organ...

Antidepressants are used to Tx clinical depression, as well as anxiety, OCD, eating disorders, ADHD, and various other psychiatric diseases. Classification The major classes include: SSRI's (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) SNRI's (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors) TCA's...

XXRI's are antidepressants, used to treat depression, and other mental illnesses. MOA Increases certain monoamine levels, by inhibiting its reuptake into the presynaptic cell, thereby increasing the amount of the monoamine in...

Neurodermatitis (aka lichen simplex chronicus) is chronic itchy and scratching, causing thick, brownish, leathery skin. Cause Self perpetuating scratch/itch cycle, which may begin with something that rubs/irritates/scratches the skin, causing a rub/scratch,...

Crackles (aka crepitations, rales, from French "rale" meaning "rattle") are discontinuous crackling/clicking/rattling noises made by either/both lungs in Pt's with a respiratory disease. Sx Discontinuous, non-musical, and brief Much more common during inspiration than...

Creatine kinase (CK) is an enzyme which catalyzes the conversion of creatine and ATP, into phosphocreatinine (PCr) and adenosine diphosphate (ADP). This reaction is reversible, in which ATP can be generated...

Cranial nerves (CN's, aka cerebral nerves) are nerves emerging directly from the brain and brain stem (cf. spinal nerves which emerge from the spinal cord). Physiology CN's exchange information between brain and...

Immunization is the process by which a Pt's immune system becomes fortified against a perpetrating immunogen. IUTD is a Medical abbreviation for Immunizations Up To Date, and UTD is an abbreviation for Up...

Bishop score (aka cervix score, cervical favorability) is a pre-labor scoring system. Cx is shorthand for cervix. [faq]What's the Bishop score? It's a way that we score how ready bub is ready to come out....

The RAAS system (aka renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system), is a hormone system that regulates water balance, and thus blood pressure. Physiology When blood volume (and thus pressure) is low, juxtaglomerular cells [in the kidneys] secrete...