Venipuncture is the process of obtaining IV access. Purpose IV therapy Administer therapeutic Tx (including medications, nutritions, chemotherapy) Obtain blood for: Dx purposes Monitor levels of blood components Remove blood due to excess levels of iron or...

Heparin (from Greek "hepar" meaning "liver") is an injectable anticoagulant. [faq]What is heparin? It's a drug, that prevents blood from clotting, which we call an anticoagulant. It's injected, as supposed to warfarin which...

Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas (i.e. organ sitting under the stomach, which produces digestive enzymes). [faq]What is pancreatitis? Inflammation of the pancreas. Ummm... :umm: Why does it matter? What does the pancreas...

Antepartum hemorrhage (from Latin "ante" meaning "before", and "partus" meaning "to bring forth", APH) is genital bleeding during pregnancy, from the late 2rd trimester (weeks 0-28) forth, specifically, 24 weeks gestation to term....

UTI is an infection that affects part of the urinary tract. [faq]What's a UTI? Infection of the urinary tract![/faq] Sx Lower UTI's: Painful urination Burning sensation in the urethra, may hbe present even when not urinating,...

Cretinism (aka congenital hypothyroidism) is a condition of thyroid hormone deficiency present at birth. Tx Daily dose of thyroxine (thyroid hormone) by mouth Prognosis If untreated for several months after birth, severe congenital hypothyroidism...

Gender is conditions which have a particular association with a gender. It includes: Occur ONLY in Pt's of 1 gender, e.g. prostate cancer in males, or uterine cancer in females Gender-related diseases,...

Colon cancer (aka colorectal cancer, rectal cancer, bowel cancer) is cancer in the large intestine (e.g. colon, appendix, rectum). [faq]What is colon cancer, and how does it differ from colorectal, rectal, and...

Fluid replacement is the replenishment of bodily fluids lost through various means (sweating, bleeding, fluid shift, or other pathological processes). [faq]What is fluid replacement? It's where we replenish the body with fluids....

Central [venous] line (aka central venous [access] catheter) is a catheter placed into a large vein. Method Catheters can be placed in veins in the: Neck (internal jugular vein) Chest (subclavian vein, or axillary...