Ablution - Abscess

ablution

(ă-bloo′shŏn) [L. abluere, to wash away] The washing of one’s body, or of a part of it.

ABMLI

American Board of Medical Laboratory Immunology.

ABMM

American Board of Medical Microbiology.

ABMS

American Board of Medical Specialties.

abnormal

(ab″nor′măl) [ab- + normal] ABBR: abnl. 1. Diverging from a known standard or mean. SYN: aberrant. 2. Exceptional. 3. Unexpected. abnormally (ab″nor′mă-lē), adv.

Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale test

ABBR: AIMS test. A system for assessing abnormal involuntary movements, such as hand tremors or rhythmic movements of the tongue and jaw, that may result from the long-term administration of psychotropic drugs. The test is often given before patients are started on antipsychotic drugs and then readministered periodically to monitor side effects.

abnormality

(ab″nŏr-mal′ĭt-ē) [ab- + normality] Deviation from the normal. SYN: aberration.

aborad

(a-bōr′ad″) [ab- + oro- + -ad] Away from the mouth.

aboral

(a-bōr′ăl) [ab- + oral] Opposite to, or away from, the mouth. aborally (-ă-lē), adv.

abort

(ă-bort′) [L. aboriri, to miscarry] 1. To expel an embryo or fetus prior to viability. 2. To arrest the progress of disease. 3. To arrest growth or development. 4. To discontinue an effort or project before its completion.

abortifacient

(ă-bort-ĭ-fā′shĕnt) [abort + -facient] Anything used to cause or induce an abortion. Examples of abortifacients include prostaglandins, among other agents.

abortion

(ă-bor′shŏn) [L. abortio, premature delivery, miscarriage] The spontaneous or induced termination of pregnancy before the fetus reaches a viable age. The legal definition of viability (usually 20 to 24 weeks’ gestation) differs from state to state. Some premature neonates of less than 24 weeks’ gestation or 500 g are viable. Symptoms of spontaneous abortion include abdominal cramps and vaginal bleeding, sometimes with the passage of clots or bits of tissue.

 ETIOLOGY: The most common spontaneous causes are faulty development of the embryo resulting from chromosomal anomalies, abnormalities of the placenta, endocrine disturbances, acute infectious diseases, severe trauma, and shock. Other causes include problems related to the uterus, immunologic factors, and use of certain drugs.

 PATIENT CARE: Assessment includes monitoring vital signs, fluid balance, and abortion status and progress. Historical data must include duration of pregnancy; Rh status; and time of onset, type, and intensity of abortion symptoms. Character and amount of vaginal bleeding are noted, and any passed tissue (embryonic or ...