Chapter: 4.3 Common Terms

Bradycardia - a condition in which the heart rate is less than 60 beats/ min. Brady cardia takes the form of sinus bradycardia, sinus arrhythmia, and second- or third degree artrioventricular block.

Brain death - an irreversible form of unconsciousness characterized by a complete loss of brain function while the heart continues to beat. The legal definition of this condition varies from state to state. The usual clinical criteria for brain death include the absence of reflex activity, movements, and spontaneous respiration requiring mechanical ventilation or life support to continue any cardiac function. The pupils are dilated and fixed. Because hen pothermia, anaesthesia, poisoning, or drug intoxication may cause deep physiologic depression that resembles brain death these parameters must be within normal limits prior to testing. Diagnosis of brain death may require evaluating and demonstrating that electrical activity of the brain is absent on two electroencephalograms performed 12 to 24 hours apart.

Bronchodilator - a substance, especially a drug, that relaxes contractions of the smooth muscle of the bronchioles to improve ventilation to the lungs, pharmacologic bronchodilators are prescribed to improve aeration in asthma, bronchiectasis, bronchitis, and emphysema. Commonly used bronchodilators include albuterol. terbutaline, and v arious derivatives and combinations of these drugs.

Cadaver graft - the transfer of tissue from the body of a dead individual to repair a defect in a living person.

Cardiac Catheterization - a diagnostic procedure in which a catheter is introduced through an incision into a large vein, usually of an arm or a leg, and threaded through the circulator! system to the heart. The course of the catheter is followed with fluoroscopy, and radiographs may be taken. An electrocardiogram is monitored on an oscilloscope. As the catheter tip passes through the chambers and vessels of the heart, blood pressure is monitored, and blood samples are taken to studv the ox! gen content. Mane conditions may be accurately identified and assessed, including congenital heart disease. Tricuspid stenosis and valvular incompetence.

Catharsis - A cleaning or purging; the therapeutic release of pent up feelings and emotions by open discussion of ideas and thoughts; the process of drawing repressed ideas and feelings into the consciousness by the technique of free association, often in conjunction with hypnosis and use of hypnotic drugs.

Catheter - A hollow flexible tube that can be inserted into a vessel or cavity of the body to withdraw or to instill fluids, directly monitor various types of information and visualize a vessel or cavity.

Cauterize -  To burn tissues by thermal heat including-steam, hot metal or solar radiation; electricity; or another agent, such as laser or dry ice, usually with the objective of destroying damaged or diseased tissues, preventing infections, or coagulating blood vessels.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - a progressive and irreversible condition characterized by diminished inspiratory and expiratory capacity of the lungs. The condition is aggravated by cigarette smoking and air pollution. COPDs include asthma, chronic bronchiectasis, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema.