Descriptionary

t.i.d. in prescription writing, an abbreviation for the Latin tres in diem, meaning "three times daily."

tilt-table test a test in which a patient is placed on an adjustable table that is tilted upward from a hori­zontal position in order to measure blood pressure deficiencies related to fainting.

TPN total parenteral nutrition; feeding of all nutri­ents through the veins.

traction the drawing or pulling together of broken bones in order to promote healing.

triage in disaster medicine, the sorting of patients by the seriousness and type of injury in order to pro­vide treatment first to those who need it most.

Triage Cardiac System a machine that measures the level of critical cardiac enzymes to determine quickly if a patient has had a heart attack.

two-step test exercise to test the heart under exer­tion and to determine the presence of angina pectoris.

ultrasound see sonography.

upper endoscopy the insertion of a flexible tube down the esophagus for examination of the esopha­gus, stomach, and duodenum.

upper G.I. series upper gastrointestinal series; an X-ray exam employing barium as a contrast medium to reveal detail in the esophagus, stomach, and duo­denum.

urea breath test a test performed to detect the pres­ence of Helicobacter pylori, a bacteria that causes inflammation and ulcers in the stomach.

urinalysis an analysis of urine to detect the presence of various diseases.

ventilation transfer of air into and out of the lungs.

vital capacity test a breathing test of lung capacity, an accurate predictor or life span.

MEDICINE CHEST

acetaminophen a pain reliever and fever reducer. Adrenalin see epinephrine.

aloe vera a plant whose leaves contain a gel that is proven to soothe and help heal burns.

amoxicillin a broad-spectrum antibiotic.

ampicillin a broad-spectrum antibiotic.

334 MEDICINE analgesic any pain reliever.

anesthetic any one of various agents used to dampen or eliminate pain sensation, some of which can also be used to bring about unconsciousness.

angiogenesis inhibitor any drug that inhibits the growth of tumors by attacking their ability to pro­duce new blood vessels.

anodyne a pain reliever.

antacid any agent used to neutralize acid in the stomach.

antagonist a drug that interferes with or counter­acts another drug.

antibiotic a widely used medicine of various forms, such as penicillin or the tetracyclines, derived from fungi or bacteria, that kills or inhibits the growth of some infectious microorganisms.

antibody a protein produced by the body's immune system to fight off foreign substances such as bacteria or viruses.

anticoagulant a substance used to inhibit blood clotting.

anticonvulsant a drug that prevents seizures or convulsions.

antidepressant any of a variety of drugs used to treat depression, such as Prozac or Zoloft.

antidote any agent administered to neutralize poison.

antiemetic a drug that prevents vomiting.

antigen any foreign substance, such as bacteria, viruses, or toxins, that triggers a response from the immune systems, which produces antibodies as a defense.

antihistamine drug that blocks the body's release of histamine, used to control allergic reactions.

antipruritic an itch reliever.

antipyretic a fever reducer.

antiseptic inhibiting the growth of germs.

antispasmodic drug that controls or prevents mus­cle spasms.

antitussive a cough suppressant.

antivenin an antidote to animal poison, such as from a snakebite.

aphrodisiac fantasy agent that heightens sex drive.

aspirin common pain reliever and fever reducer that is also used to prevent heart attacks or reduce the severity of a heart attack in progress.

astringent an agent that constricts tissue and slows the flow of blood.

AZT azidothymidine, a drug used to combat the symptoms of AIDS.

bactericide any agent that kills bacteria.

bacteriostat any agent that inhibits the growth of bacteria.

barbiturate a drug that depresses the central ner­vous system and induces sedation or sleep.

benzocaine a topical or local anesthetic.

beta-blocker drug that inhibits the excitability of the heart to help treat angina, hypertension, and arrhythmia.

bicarbonate of soda baking soda, used as an ant­acid.

booster shot a second vaccination administered sev­eral months or years after an original one to prevent immunity levels from dropping.