Pneumonia is inflammation of the lung's alveoli (i.e. microscopic air sacs). Prognosis is that in the very young and very old, and chronically ill, pneumonia is a leading cause of...

Hematoma is a collection of blood within the tissue (outside the blood vessels). [faq]What is hematoma? I'm guessing it relates to heme, so blood? Yeah, so it's a collection of blood, within...

SOB (shortness of breath, aka dyspnea, respiratory distress) is feelings of distress associated with impaired breathing. It can cause the tripod position (i.e. sits or stands, leaning forward, supporting the upper body...

Pelvic organ prolapse (aka vaginal prolapse, female genital prolapse) is where a portion of the vaginal canal protrudes/prolapses from the opening of the vagina. [faq]What is pelvic organ prolapse? It's where something usually...

Muscular dystrophy is a group of muscle diseases that weaken the musculoskeletal system and hamper locomotion (walking or movement). Sx It is characterized by progressive skeletal muscle weakness, defects in muscle proteins,...

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an irregular heart beat, caused by irregular conduction of the ventricles, that generates the heartbeat. rAF is an abbreviation for rapid AF. Pathophysiology Disorganized impulses originating in the roots of...

Urinary urgency is a sudden compelling urge to urinate. Cause Irritation/inflammation of the bladder wall (urothelium), including: Interstitial cystitis → urinary frequency + urgency + nocturia + dyspareunia Risk factors It tends to increase with age Exacerbated...

Malnutrition (aka malnourishment) results from eating a diet, in which nutrients are either not enough, or are too much such that the diet causes health problems. Undernutrition or undernourishment is not...

Abdominal examination assesses the abdomen. Method Ensure stomach has adequate exposure Nails: Leukonychia, of hypoalbuminemia of liver disease Koilonychia, of iron deficiency anemia Clubbing, via Schamroth’s window test, of liver disease Palm: Palmar erythema, of liver disease Palmar crease...

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...