Emergency Care in the Streets: Chapter 7 - Medical Terminology

Objectives

• Understand the purpose and components of medical terminology.
• Know the anatomic position and body planes.
• Importance of accurate medical terminology.
• Recognize standard medical abbreviations, acronyms, and symbols.

Importance of Medical Terminology

• Essential for describing and recording all aspects of patient care.
• Inaccuracy can lead to ineffective treatment and loss of trust.
• Necessary for effective communication and documentation.

Origins of Medical Terms

• Greek and Latin origins:
  • Greek: diseases
  • Latin: anatomic structures
• Eponyms: Named after people (e.g., Hodgkin's disease).
• Homonyms and antonyms can complicate understanding.

Components of Medical Terminology

• Prefix: Appears before the word root, often describing location or intensity.
• Suffix: Appears after the word root, specifying procedure, condition, or disease.
• Word Root: Main part of the word indicating a body part.
• Combining Vowel: Links word roots to other components (usually 'o').

Prefixes

• Common prefixes: auto-, sub-, hypo-
• Numeric prefixes: mono-, octo-

Suffixes

• Change/add meaning or provide further definition (e.g., lipase).
• Can alter the term from noun to adjective.

Word Roots

• Establish essential meaning; indicate body parts.
• Can have different meanings in various contexts.

Combining Forms and Vowels

• Necessary for pronunciation and forming complex terms.

Compound Words

• Contain more than one word root (e.g., electrocardiogram).

Plural Endings

• Specific rules apply for converting singular to plural forms (e.g., vertebra to vertebrae).

Topographic Anatomy

• Understanding landmarks for thorough assessment.
• Anatomic position: standing, facing forward, palms forward.

Planes and Axises

• Coronal Plane: Divides body into front and back.
• Transverse Plane: Divides body into top and bottom.
• Sagittal Plane: Divides body into left and right.

Body Cavities

• Dorsal (posterior): Cranial and spinal cavities.
• Ventral (anterior): Thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic cavities.

Directional Terms

• Superior/Inferior: Towards head/feet.
• Lateral/Medial: Away from/towards midline.
• Proximal/Distal: Closer to/further from trunk.
• Superficial/Deep: Closer to/further from skin.

Movement and Positional Terms

• Flexation/Extension: Movement towards/away from trunk.
• Abduction/Adduction: Movement away/towards midline.
• Pronation/Supination: Turning palms down/up.

Patient Positions

• Prone: Face down.
• Supine: Face up.
• Fowler's/Semi-Fowler's: Sitting positions.
• Recovery Position: Left lateral recumbent.

Abbreviations, Acronyms, and Symbols

• Use for efficiency, but prioritize accuracy.
• Consistent use to minimize misinterpretations.
• Some acronyms are widely recognized (e.g., HIPAA).

Medical Terminology in Pharmacology

• Familiarity with medication administration terms and metric conversions.

Conclusion

• Understanding medical terminology is crucial for effective patient care and communication in emergency medical services. Familiarity with terms, abbreviations, and accurate usage can greatly improve precision and safety in medical practice.