P Pacemakers Description The artificial cardiac pacemaker is an electronic device used to pace the heart when the normal conduction pathway is damaged. The basic pacing circuit consists of a…
B Bell’s palsy Description Bell’s palsy (peripheral facial paralysis, acute benign cranial polyneuritis) is a disorder characterized by inflammation of the facial nerve (CN VII) on one side of the…
M Macular degeneration Description Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a degeneration of the retina involving the macula that results in varying degrees of central vision loss. It is the most…
D Dementia Description Dementia is a syndrome characterized by dysfunction or loss of memory, orientation, attention, language, judgment, and reasoning. Personality changes and behavioral problems such as agitation, delusions, and…
B Basic life support for health care providers Description The steps of basic life support (BLS) consist of a series of actions and skills performed by the rescuer or rescuers…
V Vaginal, cervical, and vulvar infections Definition Infection and inflammation of the vagina, cervix, and vulva commonly occur when the natural defenses of the acid vaginal secretions (maintained by sufficient…
C Chemotherapy Description Chemotherapy is the use of chemicals as a systemic therapy for cancer. It is a mainstay of cancer treatment for most solid tumors and hematologic malignancies (e.g.,…
A Amputation Description An amputation is the removal of a body extremity by trauma or surgery. An estimated 2 million people in the United States are living with limb loss….
T Tracheostomy Description A tracheostomy is a surgically created stoma (opening) in the trachea to establish an airway. It is used to (1) bypass an upper airway obstruction, (2) facilitate…
R Raynaud’s phenomenon Description Raynaud’s phenomenon is an episodic vasospastic disorder of the small cutaneous arteries, most frequently involving the fingers and toes. It occurs primarily in young women (typically…
