Glosario
La Geriatría Dębe Atender al adulto mayor del tanto en Situación de la salud como de enfermedad. Dębe Prestar Atención Tanto los Aspectos Clínicos una Presentes En sus diseases Como a la prevention de las Mismas. De forma especial y en particular los relacionados: aspectos sociales Que pueden influir en la salud del adulto mayor de Como hijo de la soledad, el Aislamiento, la dependencia ..., Deben Formar parte del Trabajo y Actuación del médico geriatra.
Dar Una Asistencia integral. Dębe ocuparse de Toda La problematica Medica, funcional, mental y social, del anciano Mediante Una VALORACIÓN geriátrica, Programada y exhaustiva con la Colaboración multidisciplinar de profesionales Otros Integrados En un equipo con el médico geriatra global.
+ Problemas Médicos incluyendo: aspectos de Nutrición, estado de los Órganos, de los Sentidos, salud bucodental, síndromes geriátricos, etc.
+ Evaluation De Las Capacidades Funcionales.
+ VALORACION mental, atendiendo a los Problemas cognitivos y afectivos de los ancianos.
+ VALORACION sociales, atendiendo a la Situación y Necesidades Sociales del Individuo.
ES: Por ello Que Un equipo multidisciplinar de Como médico geriatra, enfermera, fisioterapeuta, terapeuta ocupacional, psicólogo y asistente social. Deben Trabajar de forma coordinada en torno al Plan de Objetivos y cuidados establecido párrafo Cada anciano.
A
accommodation the process by which the eyes focus
acquired immunity immunity acquired by coming into contact with infectious microorganisms
acute coronary syndrome (ACS) an umbrella term for a group of conditions that result in coronary artery disease
acute illness describes an illness with a sudden/rapid onset which is severe in nature
acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) severe difficulty in getting adequate oxygenation despite significant effort to breathe
acute wound a wound that is new or relatively new in injury and occurs suddenly
afterload the force required by the ventricles when they contract to force the blood out
allergy an overreaction of the immune system to normally harmless environmental substances. These substances are then known as allergens
amenorrhoea the absence of menstrual period
amines organic compounds that contain nitrogen
amputation the surgical removal of a limb
anaphylaxis an extreme form of hypersensitivity
androgens hormones such as testosterone responsible for the development and maintenance of masculine characteristics
anions negatively charged ions
anorgasmia an inability to reach orgasm during sexual intercourse
anosmia the inability to smell; may be seen with lesions of the frontal lobe
anterior front
antibody a protein that is produced to fight infectious microorganisms (also known as an immunoglobulin)
anticipatory grieving grieving before the loss has occurred
antigen a substance that causes an antibody response by the body (e.g. antibody generation)
anuria absence of urine
aphasia defective or absent language function
arthritis a group of degenerative diseases affecting joints
asthma a condition where there is widespread narrowing of the bronchial airways brought on by a number of stimuli
ataxia a lack of coordination and a clumsiness of movements
atelectasis the failure of part of the lung to expand
atherosclerosis a progressive disease characterised by atheroma (plaque) formation, which affects the intimal and medial layers of large and midsized arteries
aura a symptom experienced before a migraine or seizure e.g. flashing lights
autoimmunity an abnormal immune response to the body’s own cells, which act as selfantigens
autosome a nonsex chromosome
azotaemia an elevation of blood urea nitrogen
B
bacterial vaginosis a common cause of vaginal discharge
benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) an overgrowth of cells in the prostate gland
bile a bitter yellowish, blue and green fluid secreted by hepatocytes from the liver
biotherapy the modification of the biological processes in malignant cells, by enhancing the person’s own immune responses
breakthrough pain pain that exceeds baseline treated or untreated pain
bronchiectasis the widening of the bronchi or their branches
bronchitis inflammation of the bronchi
Brudzinski’s sign flexion of the neck that causes the hip and knee to flex
bursitis the inflammation of small sacs of synovial fluid that cushion and protect bony areas that are at high risk for friction, such as the knee and the shoulder
C
calculi stones
calyces small funnelshaped cavities formed from the renal pelvis
candidiasis a yeast infection
cardiac output the amount of blood pumped by the ventricles into the pulmonary and systemic circulation in one minute
cardiac reserve the heart’s ability to work harder and faster when challenged as in exercise
cardiovascular disease (CVD) a generic term for disorders of the heart and blood vessels, including coronary heart disease
cataract a clouding of the lens within the eye
cations positively charged ions
cellulitis the localised infection of the dermis and subcutaneous tissue
cerumen ear wax
chancre a small type of painless ulcer
cheilosis an inflammatory lesion at the corner of the mouth
chelation the process of breaking down excess iron
chemoreceptors receptors that respond to changes in the chemical environment
chemotherapy medication used to treat cancers
chlamydia the most common sexually transmitted infection
chronic bronchitis a longterm condition with excessive mucous production
chronic heart failure a progressive disease that results when the heart cannot function because of damage sustained through cardiovascular diseases
chronic illness longterm on going illnesses often increasing in severity over time
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) a disease of adults predominantly over 45 years of age with a history of smoking or inhaling airborne pollutants
chronic pain pain which lasts more than 6 months and frequently lacks the objective manifestations of acute pain, primarily because the autonomic nervous system adapts to this chronic stress
chronic wound a wound that digresses from the normal order of repair in terms of length of time
Chvostek’s sign a test for neuromuscular irritability. Chvostek’s sign is done by tapping the facial nerve 2 cm anterior to the earlobe. A positive response is ipsilateral (same side) twitching of the facial muscles
chyme a semifluid substance of the stomach
compartment syndrome a syndrome that occurs when excess pressure in a limited space of the muscle compartment constricts the structures within it, reducing circulation to muscles and nerves leading to necrosis
compartments spaces
complement a system of proteins that work with (complement) antibodies to fight bacteria
concordance describes the action of people who readily follow prescribed treatments and medication
conjunctivitis inflammation or infection of the conjunctiva
contralateral located on the opposite side of the body (brain)
contusion bleeding into soft tissue that results from a blunt force, such as a kick or striking a body part against a hard object
convergence the inward movement of both eyes
corneal reflex the blink reflex
coronary heart disease (CHD) a disorder of the blood vessels serving the heart in which damage has been caused to them by the formation of atherosclerotic plaques (also known as coronary artery disease)
cor pulmonale the enlargement of the right ventricle of the heart resulting from lung disease
critical thinking the action of focused selfdirected thinking
Cushing’s syndrome a metabolic disorder resulting from excessive production of cortisol
cyanosis a bluish tinge to the skin and mucous membranes resulting from inadequate levels of oxygen in arterial blood
cystic fibrosis (CF) an hereditary disorder affecting cells of the endocrine system
cytokines chemical messengers released by cells to instruct other cells to undertake various functions.
cytotoxic any cell or other substance that kills or damages cells (e.g. bacteria or viruses)
D
dehiscence when the opposite edges of a surgical wound open spontaneously
dehydration excessive fluid loss from the body
dermis the second, deeper layer of skin
detoxification the removal of toxic substances from the body
diabetes insipidus a condition where the kidneys cannot conserve water as a result of lack of ADH
diabetic retinopathy a common diabetic eye disease
differentiation a process by which cells go through stages of development to maturity
diplopia double vision due to lack of parallelism
disease disorder with specifically defined signs and symptoms
diuresis excess urine production
duct tube
dysarthria difficulty speaking
dysfunctional uterine bleeding the most common cause of abnormal vaginal bleeding
dysmenorrhoea severe pain during menstruation
dyspareunia painful sexual intercourse
dysphagia difficulty swallowing (common with impaired blood flow to the brain)
dyspnoea laboured or difficult breathing
dysuria painful urination
E
ecchymosis bleeding under the skin
electrocardiogram (ECG) a graphic record of the heart’s activity depicting the electrical impulses produced during a cardiac cycle and portraying them as a wave on graph paper through a heated stylus
electrolytes substances that dissociate in water to form ions
emphysema disease of the lungs where alveoli are enlarged and damaged
enddiastolic volume the volume of blood in the ventricles before they contract
endocrine gland a ductless gland that secretes hormones into the bloodstream
endometriosis the condition in which cells similar to those lining the uterus are found elsewhere in the body
endsystolic volume the volume of blood left in the ventricles after they have contracted (the ventricle is never completely empty)
epidermis the surface or outermost part of the skin
epididymitis infection and inflammation of the epididymis
erectile dysfunction (ED) an inability to get and maintain an erection that is satisfactory for sexual activity
erythema reddening of the skin
erythropoietin a hormone produced by the kidneys that regulates red blood cell production
excretion the elimination of waste products of metabolism
exocrine refers to a group of cells that secrete hormones through a duct into a blood vessel
extracellular space outside the cell
exudate fluid rich in protein and cellular elements that oozes out of blood vessels due to inflammation and is deposited in nearby tissues
F
fasciculations spontaneous firing of an axon resulting in a visible twitch of all the muscle fibres it contacts
fat embolism syndrome a syndrome characterised by neurological dysfunction, pulmonary insufficiency and a petechial rash on the chest, axillae and upper arms
fibrocystic changes changes that occur in the breast and can be felt as lumps
fibromyalgia a disease associated with rheumatoid arthritis in which people have low levels of serotonin and high levels of Substance P, leading to symptoms of pain and fatigue
filtration a passive transport system
flail chest instability of a segment of the ribcage due to fracture of ribs. Ribs may puncture lungs
fracture a break in the bone
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G
genital herpes a genital infection cause by the herpes simplex virus
genital warts a sexually transmitted infection caused by the human papillomavirus
gingivitis inflammation of the gums
glands the skin contains sebaceous (oil) glands, sudoriferous (sweat) glands and ceruminous (earwax) glands. Each of these glands has a different function
glaucoma a condition in which the optic nerve becomes damaged leading to progressive and irreversible loss of vision
glomerulus a network of capillaries found in the Bowman’s capsule
goitre a hypertrophic thyroid gland
gonorrhoea a sexually transmitted infection caused by bacteria
gout an arthritis that arises from inflammation that is caused following a buildup of serum uric acid which precipitates as sodium monourate crystals in the joints causing erosion of cartilage and bone
grading an evaluation of the amount of differentiation (level of functional maturity) of the tissue
grief the emotional response to loss and its accompanying changes
growth factors naturally occurring substances capable of stimulating cellular growth, proliferation and cellular differentiation. Usually it is a protein or a steroid hormone. Growth factors are important for regulating a variety of cellular processes
gynaecomastia an enlargement of male breast tissue
H
haematoma abnormal localised collection of blood in which the blood is usually clotted or partially clotted and situated within an organ or a soft tissue space, such as within a muscle
haematopoiesis the formation of red blood cells in the bone marrow
haematuria blood in the urine
haemoptysis bloodstained sputum
haemothorax blood in the pleural cavity
health state of individual wellbeing
health behaviour individual response to health activities
health–illness continuum theoretical line between health and illness
hemianopia the loss of vision in one half of the visual field
hemiparesis weakness on one side of the body
hemiplegia paralysis of onehalf of the body vertically
hilum a small indented part of the kidney
holistic healthcare allencompassing care
hormones chemical messengers
human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) a virus that can cause a severe and often fatal immunodeficiency if untreated.
humoral pertaining to elements in the blood or other body fluids
hydrocele a collection of fluid in the scrotum
hyperaemia increased blood flow to the skin
hyperglycaemia higher than normal amount of blood glucose
hyperkalaemia high potassium level in the blood
hyperlipidaemia high levels of fat
hypermetabolism an abnormal increase in metabolic rate
hyperopia long sightedness
hypersecretion excessive production
hypersensitivity oversensitivity of the immune system to certain normally harmless environmental substances
hypertension high blood pressure
hyperthyroidism condition characterised by overactivity of the thyroid gland
hypertonic a solution that has a high concentration of solutes
hypoglycaemia lower than normal amount of blood glucose
hyponatraemia low sodium level in the blood
hypophysis refers to the posterior pituitary gland
hyposecretion low production
hypothyroidism condition characterised by underactivity of the thyroid gland
hypotonic a solution that has a low concentration of solutes
hypoxaemia reduced oxygen concentration in arterial blood
I
illness state of individual deterioration of health
immune system the system responsible for providing protection against infectious microorganisms, tumours, foreign bodies and a whole host of potential problems
immunisation the process of protecting against certain infectious diseases without having to have been infected
inflammation the body’s immediate reaction to tissue injury or damage.
innate immunity the immunity we are born with (also known as nonspecific immunity, giving allround protection)
integrated care pathways multi disciplinary plan for delivering health and social care to individuals with established health breakdown
intracellular space inside the cell
ipsilateral located on the same side of the body (brain)
ischaemia the inadequate supply of blood to an organ or part of the body as from an obstructed blood flow
isotonic solution that has the same osmolality as the body fluids
K
keloid scars elevated, irregularly shaped, progressively enlarging scars
Kernig’s sign the inability to extend the knee while the hip is flexed at a 90-degree angle
kidneys organs situated in the posterior wall of the abdominal cavity
L
leiomyoma a benign change (often in the uterus) associated with the soft tissue
libido sexual desire
loss an actual or potential situation in which a valued object, person, body part or emotion that was formerly present is lost or changed and can no longer be seen, felt, heard, known or experienced
lymphocytes a class of white blood cells (leucocytes) that are part of the acquired immune system
lymphoedema a collection of lymph fluid that does not drain away from the tissues
lymphoid system a blood cell system that is made up of the lymphocytes
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M
mediator cells cells of the immune system that do not kill invading microorganisms, but rather help other cells to do so.
memory cells T- and Bcell lymphocytes that can remember previous infection by a particular microorganism, therefore quickly involving the immune system in destroying them if subsequently infected by the same microorganism
Ménière’s disease a rare disorder that can affect the inner ear
menopause the cessation of female reproductive ability and the ending of menstruation
menorrhagia heavy menstrual blood loss
menstrual cycle a cycle of female reproductive changes
metabolism a set of chemical reactions that happen in living organisms to sustain life
metrorrhagia irregular menstrual bleeding, e.g. bleeding between periods
micturition the act of voiding urine
myopia ability to see near objects clearly but faraway objects appear blurred
myringotomy a tiny surgical incision in the eardrum
N
nausea an unpleasant sensation that produces a feeling of discomfort in the region of the stomach with a feeling of a need to vomit
nephron functional unit of the kidney
neurohypophysis refers to the anterior pituitary gland
neutrophils white blood cells of the innate immune system involved in the process of phagocytosis
nociceptive painful
nociceptors nerve endings that are stimulated either by persistent mechanical, chemical or thermal stimuli to the cell, or by the local release of biochemicals secondary to cell injury
nocturia excessive urination at night
nonunion failure of the bones to heal
nuchal rigidity stiff neck
nursing ethics code of principles governing nursing behaviour
nursing process an individualised problemsolving approach to the nursing care of individuals
nutrition relates to nutrients
nystagmus an involuntary movement of an eye that may be horizontal, vertical or rotary
O
oedema abnormal accumulation of fluid in the interstitial space
oestrogen a general term for a female sex-related hormone
oligomenorrhoea infrequent menstruation
oliguria diminished urine output
oncology the study of cancer (the term come from a Greek word oncoma which means ‘bulk’)
opsonins substances that help the immune system to function, playing an important role in phagocytosis
orchitis infection and inflammation of the testes
orthopnoea shortness of breath (dyspnoea) which occurs when lying flat, causing the person to have to sleep propped up in bed or sitting in a chair. It is the opposite of platypnoea
osmosis the movement of water through a selective permeable membrane from an area of high volume to an area of low volume
osmotic pressure pressure created by water as it moves across through a selective permeable membrane
ossification the deposition of calcium to harden the bones
osteoarthritis (OA) the most commonly occurring of all forms of arthritis; characterised by loss of articular cartilage in articulating joints and hypertrophy of the bones at the articular margins
osteomyelitis an infection of the bone which can be acute, subacute or chronic
osteoporosis a metabolic disorder where bone cells are lost leading to fragile bones which can fracture easily
otitis externa inflammation or infection of the external ear canal
otitis media inflammation or infection in the middle ear
ovarian cycle the normal sex cycle that includes the development of an ovarian follicle, rupture of the follicle and discharge of the ovum
P
Paget’s disease an agerelated, progressive metabolic skeletal disorder that results from excessive metabolic activity in bone, with excessive bone reabsorption followed by excessive bone formation
pain the subjective response to both physical and psychological stressors. All people experience pain at some point during their lives. Although pain is usually experienced as uncomfortable and unwelcome, it serves a protective role. For this reason, pain is increasingly referred to as the fifth vital sign
palliative wound a wound that cannot be classified as acute or chronic and whose outcome of wound healing is considered both challenging and unattainable
pancreatitis inflammation of the pancreas
papilloedema swelling of the nerve head in the optic discs seen in raised intracranial pressure
paraesthesia an abnormal sensation, typically tingling or pricking (pins and needles)
parasympathetic part of the autonomic nervous system
parenchyma soft tissue of the kidney involving the cortex and the medulla
parenteral the administration of a drug intravenously or intramuscularly
passive immunity immunity given either via the umbilical cord prebirth or as an infusion in the case of an immune deficiency
pelvic inflammatory disease a condition involving inflammation of the upper genital tract
peristalsis wavelike symmetrical contraction and relaxation of muscles of the intestine
phagocytosis destruction and consumption of invading microorganisms and other nonself matter by elements of the immune system
phimosis a tight foreskin
photophobia an abnormal intolerance to light, usually associated with eye pain
plasma the fluid component of blood
pleuritis inflammation of the pleura
pneumonia an acute lung infection
pneumothorax air in the pleural cavity
polymerisation the grouping and sticking together in twisted bundles of haemoglobin molecules due to haemoglobin deoxygenating in sickle cell disease, eventually distorting the shape of the red blood cell
posterior behind
preload the capacity the ventricles have to stretch when filling up with blood during diastole
premenstrual syndrome the name given to a set of physical, emotional and psychological symptoms that appear in the days preceding a woman’s period
presbyopia the diminished ability of the eye to focus on near objects with age
priapism a condition in which the penis does not return to its flaccid state
primary immunodeficiencies deficiencies of the immune system for which there is no external cause, i.e. they are genetic in origin
prodromal premonitory symptoms that occur hours to days before the episode
progesterone a hormone predominantly produced in the ovaries
proptosis projecting forward of the eyeball
prostatitis infection and inflammation of the prostate gland
proteinuria protein in the urine
ptosis drooping of the upper eyelid
pulmonary embolism a clot in the blood vessels of the lungs
pupillary light reflex a reflex that controls the diameter of the pupil
pyrexia fever
pyuria presence of white blood cells in the urine
Q
quality assurance review and assessment against an established set of benchmarks
R
radiotherapy a treatment using high energy xrays to destroy cancer cells
receptors proteins on cells that can send and receive messages from other cells via cytokines, as well as allowing other cells (and microorganisms) to attach to cells
refraction the bending of light rays as they pass from one medium to another medium of different optical density
renal artery blood vessel that takes blood to the kidney
renal cortex the outermost part of the kidney
renal medulla the middle layer of the kidney
renal pelvis the funnelshaped section of the kidney
renal pyramids coneshaped structures of the medulla
renal vein blood vessel that returns filtered blood into circulation
renin a renal hormone that alters systemic blood pressure
retrograde ejaculation when semen passes into the urinary bladder as opposed to along the urethra
rheumatoid arthritis (RA) a common inflammatory disorder
S
scleroderma an umbrella term that incorporates a group of rare conditions that may be either localised, affecting the skin only, or generalised (systemic sclerosis), with both skin and visceral organ involvement
secondary immunodeficiencies deficiencies of the immune system caused by an external source
semen a whitish/grey liquid emitted from the penis on ejaculation
sexually transmitted infections infections transmitted through intimate sexual activity
specific gravity density
spermatocele a cyst that becomes distended in the scrotal sac
sphincter a ringlike muscle fibre that can constrict
sprain a stretch and/or tear of one or more ligaments surrounding a joint
stem cell an undifferentiated cell whose daughter cells may differentiate into other cell types (such as blood cells)
strain a stretching injury to muscle or muscle and tendons by mechanical overloading
stridor vibrating sound during respiration
stroke volume the difference between the enddiastolic volume and the endsystolic volume; the exact amount pumped from the ventricle to the aorta in one beat
subcutaneous tissue a layer of subcutaneous tissue called the superficial fascia lies under the dermis
sympathetic part of the autonomic nervous system
syncope a sudden and temporary loss of consciousness
synovitis inflammation of the synovium
synthesised produced
syphilis a sexually transmitted infection caused by bacteria
systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) a chronic inflammatory connective tissue disease affecting mainly women of childbearing age. It frequently affects the musculoskeletal system but also affects kidneys, lungs, heart, skin and central nervous system
T
testicular torsion twisting of the spermatic cord, which cuts off the blood supply to the testicle and surrounding structures within the scrotum
thoracentesis aspiration of fluid from the pleural space
thyroidectomy surgical removal of the thyroid gland
tinnitus the perception of sound within the ear without the corresponding external sound
tremor involuntary, rhythmic oscillatory movements about a fixed point due to alternating or synchronous contractions of agonist and antagonist muscles
trichomoniasis a common type of infection that can occur in men and women
Trousseau’s sign Trousseau’s sign is carried out by placing a blood pressure cuff on the arm, inflating the cuff slightly above the systolic pressure, leaving the cuff inflated for two to three minutes and deflating. A carpal spasm is a positive response
tuberculosis (TB) an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis
tumour markers protein molecules detectable in serum or other body fluids which can be used as a biochemical indicator of the presence of a malignancy. Small amounts of tumour marker proteins are found in normal body tissues or benign tumours and are not specific for malignancy
tympanoplasty reconstructive surgery for the eardrum
U
ureters membranous tube that drains urine from the kidneys to the bladder
urethra muscular tube that drains urine from the bladder
urgency feeling of the need to void urine immediately
V
varicocele a type of varicose vein of the small veins close to the testes
venous stasis slow blood flow of the veins
vertigo the sensation that you or the environment around you is moving or spinning
voluntary can be controlled
vomiting a disagreeable experience that occurs when the stomach contents are reflexively expelled through the mouth or nose
