Terms and abbreviations, dictionary style, as well as go-to clinical content.
Everything be alphabetical here.
Just a compilation of understandable information all in the same place for easy access. Comment for any requests to be added. I am also...
Dapagliflozin A sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor used to treat T2DM, lowering blood sugar by causing the kidneys to expell more glucose in the urine.
DBS Deep Brain stimulation
DCT +ve (Direct Cooms Test Positive) Mother's blood has antibodies fighting red blood cells. The mother is Rh -ve and baby is Rh +ve. Baby will be assessed for jaundice & anaemia.
Decompensated Liver Cirrhosis An advanced acute deterioration in liver function in patients with cirrhosis, characterised by jaundice, ascites, hepatic encephalopathy etc. Compensated: When you don't have any symptoms of the disease, you're considered to have compensated cirrhosis. Decompensated: When your cirrhosis has progressed to the point that the liver is having trouble functioning and you start having symptoms of the disease, you're considered to have decompensated cirrhosis.
Dexamethazone Glucoscoricoid medication for rheumatic problems, skin diseases, severe allergies, asthma, eye pain, and others.
Dexedetomidine Alpha II agonist used for sedation
D-Dimer A test looking for/monitoring clotting issues. D-dimer is a protein made when a blood clot dissolves. Fibrin degradation product is present in the blood after fibrinolysis (dissolving) occurs. Positive results indicates higher than normal levels of D-Dimer and suggests clots may be present.
Dexamethazone Strong, long acting corticosteroid, 25x more potent than hydrocortisone, and 6x more potent than prednisone. For inflammation (redness, swelling, heat and pain), and rheumatic problems.
Digoxin Cardiac Glycoside Class, used to manage and treat heart failure and certain arrhythmias, and abortion. Contraindicated in the following conditions: Hypersensitivity to the drug, Ventricular fibrillation, Myocarditis, Hypomagnesemia, Hypokalemia, Wolf-Parkinson-White syndrome.
Discoid Lupus Chronic autoimmune disease of the skin ☞ severe rash (worsening in sunlight) with coin-shaped lesions. Can scar.
Disimpaction A treatment regime for constipation, likely involving laxatives in large quantities to clear the bowels of faecal loading.
Diverticulitis & Diverticulosis Diverticula is inflamed or infected, causing fever and abdo pain. Associated with not eating enough fibre, and causes tiny tears (perforations) in the common walls that may grow collonic perforation is life threatening. Diverticulosis ☞ small, bulging pouches developing in the digestive tract. Perforation of diverticulitis occurs secondary to severe inflammation of bowel wall layers with subsequent necrosis and loss of intestinal wall integrity.
Debunking craniotomy Surgical removal of as much of a tumor as possible. Debulking may increase likelihood of chemo/radiation therapy will kill the tumor cells. Also done to relieve symptoms or increase life expectancy. Also called tumor debulking
Decompensated Cirrhosis/Liver Disease An acute deterioration in liver function in a patient with cirrhosis, characterised by jaundice, ascites, and other liver related diseases.
Decompression Surgery - See Lumbar Laminectomy
Demyelinating Polyneuropathy Chromic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is a rare neurological disorder in which there is inflammation of nerve roots & peripheral nerves & destruction of the fatty protective covering (myelin sheath) over the nerves.
Diarrhoea (Process) Diarrhoea ☞ fluid loss ☞ potential K imbalances ☞ IV KCL administration
Disectomy Surgery where herniated disk material is removed so it no longer irritates.compresses nerve root.
Doxepin Medication for depression & anxiety ☞ tricyclic antidepressant.
Drain Lipase "Lipase" I'd an enzyme that breaks down triglycerides into free fatty acids and glycerin. Drain lipase is a test taken from a drain that measures the level of lipase in the blood and should be 20-30U/L (in Australia)
Droperidol Antidopaminergic drug as an antiemetic & antipsychotic. Also used in intensive care as a rapid sedative, &/or where "agitation, aggression or violent behaviour" are present. Half life= 2.3hrs.
DST - Dexamethasone Suppression Test Drug susceptibility testing
Duodart 2 medication combo. ☞ Dutasteride ☞ Tamsulosin hydrochloride Indicated in BHP (for lowering DHT production leading to prostate shrinkage)
Duoderm
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Duloxetine SNRI ☞ Taken orally to treat: Major depressive disorder, as well as generalised anxiety disorder, fibromyalgia, neuropathic pain and central sensitisation.
Dural Tear - cough A complication of spine surgery in which the thin covering over the spine cord (called dura matter) is nicked by the surgeon's instrument
Dyslipidemia Abnormally elevated cholesterol or fats (lipids) in the blood
