If someone develops symptoms, the person, their family, friends or carers can call their GP, specialist nurse or district nurse. These medicines can be called anticipatory medicines, end of life medicines, or just in case medicines. The medicines are supplied just in case someone develops symptoms. A doctor or specialist nurse prescribes medicines and supplies any equipment such as needles and syringes that are needed to give the medicines. The medicines are prescribed in advance so that the person has access to them as soon as they need them. It tests the physical, chemical and microscopic examination of urine.Īlthough this list can be useful, make sure that you ask your doctor to explain something in simpler terms if you don’t understand.Anticipatory prescribing means making sure that someone has access to medicines they will need if they develop distressing symptoms at home or in a care home. Population health: Taking responsibility for managing the overall health of a defined population and being accountable for its health outcomes. He or she provides the first contact for a person with a health concern, as well as continuing care of various medical conditions. The goal is to improve quality of life for both the patient and the family. Palliative care: Specialized medical care that focuses on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of a serious illness. PA: A physician assistant provides health care as part of a team with physicians and other providers. Outpatient: A patient who receives medical treatment without being admitted to a hospital. A drug or medicine sold without a prescription from a health care professional. NP: A nurse practitioner is a registered nurse (RN) with advanced training in diagnosing and treating illnesses. Negative: Doctors use this word to mean “normal.” Conversely, we call abnormal test results “positive,” which actually means bad news. These medicines (think over-the-counter ibuprofen, such as Advil or Motrin) treat occasional aches and pains, as well as chronic arthritis. NSAID: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Doctors who specialize in different medical areas working together to provide the most comprehensive treatment plan for patients. Doctors usually check LFTs when starting or tweaking the dose of medicines that lower cholesterol. LDL: Low-density lipoprotein, better known as “bad cholesterol.” The less you have in your blood, the lower your risk for heart attack or stroke. Inpatient: A patient who comes to a hospital or health care facility for diagnosis or treatment that requires an overnight stay. HDL: High-density lipoprotein, or “good cholesterol.” These act in a variety of helpful ways that tend to reduce your risk for heart disease. May also be referred to as a CAT scan.ĮD: Emergency department, which is the same as the emergency room. An imaging method that uses X-rays to create pictures of cross sections of the body. This test contains four separate measurements, the two most important being the white blood cell (WBC) count and the hemoglobin level.Ĭhronic: A long-developing syndrome or disease, such as osteoporosis or asthma.Ĭomorbidity: Having two or more disorders or diseases at the same time.ĬT scan: Computed tomography (CT) scan. This test includes levels of sodium, potassium, calcium, glucose (sugar), and measurements of kidney function.ĬBC: Complete blood count. A normal BMI for an adult is between 18.5 and 24.9.īMP: Basic metabolic panel. They are not admitted as patients to a hospital.īMI: Body mass index, the most widely used measure of weight relative to height. This could describe anything from a broken bone to an asthma attack.Īmbulatory: Based on the term “ambulator,” which means “a person who walks.” In ambulatory care settings, patients come in for treatment and then leave the same day. Let’s take a look at some common abbreviations, buzzwords and medical terms that we all hear but may not truly “get.” Keep this list handy for your next doctor visit!Īcute: Acute conditions are severe and happen suddenly. It can also empower you to ask more in-depth questions about your care and overall well-being. Knowing a few key medical terms can help you better understand what your doctor is trying to tell you. Unfortunately, those with low health literacy are more likely to use medications incorrectly or be hospitalized. Medical terminology and acronyms aren’t part of day-to-day life for the average American.Īccording to the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, only 12% of U.S. Health literacy has nothing to do with your education level or background. To ask the right questions, you need to be health literate, or be able to read and interpret medical information.
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