U Ulcerative colitis Description Ulcerative colitis is an autoimmune disorder that, along with Crohn’s disease, is referred to as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). See Inflammatory Bowel Disease, p. 352, for…
G Gastritis Description Gastritis, an inflammation of the gastric mucosa, is one of the most common problems affecting the stomach. Gastritis may be acute or chronic and diffuse or localized….
L Lactase deficiency Description Lactase deficiency is a condition in which the lactase enzyme that breaks down lactose into two simple sugars (glucose and galactose) is deficient or absent. Primary…
R Radiation therapy Description Radiation therapy is one of the oldest methods of cancer treatment. Delivery of high-energy beams, when absorbed into tissue, produces ionization of atomic particles. The energy…
E Emergency patient: Primary and secondary survey Recognition of life-threatening illness or injury is one of the most important goals of emergency nursing. Initiation of interventions to reverse or prevent…
I Increased intracranial pressure Description Increased intracranial pressure (ICP) is a potentially life-threatening situation that results from an increase in any or all of the three components within the skull:…
T Testicular cancer Description Testicular cancer is rare, but it is the most common type of cancer in young men between 15 and 35 years of age. Testicular tumors are…
D Dialysis Description Dialysis is a technique in which substances move from the blood through a semipermeable membrane and into a dialysis solution (dialysate). It is used to correct fluid…
K Kidney cancer Kidney cancer arises from the cortex or pelvis (and calyces). Adenocarcinoma (renal cell carcinoma) is the most common type and is twice as frequent in men as…
O Obesity Description Obesity is an excessively high amount of body fat or adipose tissue. Obesity is a major health problem because it increases the risk of numerous other diseases…
