The Intern Blues(152)

cervical adenitis Swelling of the lymph nodes of the neck.

chemo Short for chemotherapy.

chief of service rounds A weekly conference in which an interesting case is presented and discussed by an expert in the field.

choriocarcinoma A cancer that develops from a molar pregnancy.

CIR Committee on Interns and Residents, the house staff union  .

CP Cerebral palsy, an abnormality usually caused by lack of oxygen around the time of delivery.

CPR Cardiopulmonary resuscitation; technique used at cardiac arrests to keep the patient alive.

cracking the chest The surgical opening of the chest wall to gain access to the heart and lungs.

creatinine A substance in the blood that’s elevated in cases of kidney failure.

crump To deteriorate rapidly.

CSF Cerebrospinal fluid, the liquid that bathes and protects the brain.

CT scan An X-ray procedure; most CT scans examine the head, looking for specific defects of the brain.

cutdown A surgical procedure in which a vein is isolated and a tube is placed into it for access. Used when no superficial veins can be found.

CVA tenderness Tenderness at the costrovertebral angle, the area of the back under which the kidneys are situated. CVA tenderness is present with many types of renal disease.

cyanosis Blue discoloration of the skin usually due to lack of oxygen in the blood.

dactylitis Swelling of the hands and feet; usually the first presentation of sickle-cell disease in an infant.

DKA Diabetic ketoacidosis; a severe metabolic abnormality that occurs in diabetics who have a marked buildup of sugar in their blood. If not cared for correctly, it may lead to death or brain damage.

DNR Do not resuscitate.

double footling breech Condition in which baby is heading out of the birth canal feet first; dangerous because there’s a chance the fetal head can get caught, leading to the baby being unable to be born.

DPT Two meanings: (1) immunization given to young children that protects against diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and tetanus; (2) a mixture of Demerol, Phenergan, and Thorazine used to sedate children who are having some painful procedure.

dual response Procedure used in cases of child abuse in which the child is considered to be in danger. The police and the BCW (see above) are informed, and an immediate investigation is carried out.

dysplastic kidneys Condition in which the kidneys did not form normally and therefore cannot function well. Often leads to chronic renal failure.

E. coli A type of bacterium.

ectopic pregnancy A pregnancy occurring in a location other than the womb.

EEG Electroencephalogram; a test in which the electric activity of the brain is examined.

EMS Emergency Medical Service; the agency that staffs the ambulances.

endotracheal tube A tube passed through the larynx and into the main breathing tube that allows the individual to be placed on a respirator.

epinephrine A drug used in patients whose hearts have stopped beating.

ER Emergency room.

extramural delivery Delivery of a baby that occurs outside of a hospital.

fascinoma An interesting case.

febrile seizure A convulsion caused by a marked elevation in fever.

FFP Fresh frozen plasma; a part of the blood that sometimes is used as a transfusion.

FIB Fever in baby; all babies under two months of age with fevers should be admitted to the hospital and treated with antibiotics.

Foley catheter A tube that has an inflatable balloon at the end; Foleys usually are passed into the bladder to help monitor urine production.

fundoplication A surgical procedure used to correct gastroesophageal reflux (GER—see below).

gastrostomy A surgical procedure in which a hole is made in the abdominal wall and the stomach so that feeding through a tube can be accomplished without the patient’s having to suck and swallow.

GC Gonococcus, the bacterium that causes gonorrhea.

GER Gastroesophageal reflux, the regurgitation of stomach contents back into the esophagus.

gonococcus The bacterium that causes gonorrhea; also known as GC (see above).

gram-negative rods The appearance, under the microscope, of certain bacteria when stained with dye using a special technique. E. coli (see above) is the most common form of gram-negative rod.

G-tube A tube placed through the opening of a gastrostomy and through which blenderized food is squirted.

guaiac A test looking for blood, usually in a sample of stool.

Haldol A drug used in patients with psychosis.

H and P History and physical; the admission note that must be completed on all patients staying in the hospital overnight.

headbox A Plexiglas box that fits over the head of an infant and through which oxygen in high concentrations can be administered.

hemifacial cellulitis Infection of the skin on one side of the face.

hemoptysis The coughing up of blood.

HIV Human immunodeficiency virus; the agent that causes AIDS.

hydrocephalus Dilatation of the ventricles of the brain, which can lead to increased intracranial pressure.