4.9 Common Medical Terms

As can be seen in the table above, the abbreviation BM (bowel movement or bone marrow) can have two very different meanings. As such, it is always important to look at the context in which the abbreviation is used. This will help you determine which meaning is intended.

A coronary care unit (CCU) is a hospital unit that specializes in assessing heart rhythms and providing complex care to patients experiencing cardiac pathologies. Not all hospitals have a CCU, but there are a number of them in the Edmonton area, including at the Grey Nuns Community Hospital (Alberta Health Services, 2022).

Fractures (Fx) can occur in any bone in the body and, as can be seen in Fig. 4.19, there are different types of fractures depending on the mechanism of injury. Fractures are often, at least initially, treated in the emergency room (ER), then the patient is sent to a surgical unit if they require surgery to repair the injury.

A Jackson-Pratt drain (JP) has a soft plastic bulb with a flexible tube attached to it. It also has a stopper that can be used to drain the fluid from the bulb (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 2022). The tubing is placed inside the patient to allow for drainage to leave the patient’s body and into the bulb, as can be seen in Fig. 4.20. When the bulb is squeezed, a gentle suction is created that draws excess fluid from the body. The bulb should be compressed at all times, except when draining the bulb (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 2022).

The abbreviation mmHg (millimetres of mercury) is the standard unit of measurement for pressure and is often used in reference to blood pressure. Blood pressure numbers at or slightly below 120/80 mmHg are considered to be within the normal range (American Heart Association, 2022). The first number (120) is the systolic blood pressure and shows how much pressure the blood is exerting against the artery walls when the heart beats. The second number (80) is the diastolic blood pressure and indicates how much pressure the blood is exerting against the artery walls while the heart is resting between beats (American Heart Association, 2022).

Patient-controlled analgesics (PCAs) are used on many different hospital units. PCAs, as the name indicates, allow the patient to control the administration of their analgesics. The patient presses a button, which then provides an analgesic through their IV to relieve their pain. The amount of analgesic that can be administered is limited and the amount used is monitored. PCAs are a great innovation for patient care because they enable patients to be self-reliant and also stay on top of their pain management.

Respiratory therapists (RTs) are healthcare professionals who monitor, assess, and treat people who are having problems breathing. RTs are trained in many advanced airway interventions, including ventilation, airway management, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and oxygen and aerosol therapy. They can assess ongoing patient needs and assist in various codes (medical emergencies) that may occur in the hospital. Fig. 4.22 shows a group of RTs practising their intubation skills.

Registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) work in hospitals and other medical settings (Ernstmeyer & Christman, 2021). RNs complete a bachelor’s degree, whereas LPNs complete a two- to three-year program. Each profession has their own type of training and scope of practice.

VAX is a type of computerized medical system used in Alberta. It provides a means of recording medication administration and other aspects of patient care. There are a few hospitals that currently use it; however, the provincial-wide implementation of ConnectCare, another form of electronic medical record keeping, will end the use of VAX in the future.