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Glossary

Showing 951-960 out of 1175 Terms

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  • Protocol

    (PROH-tuh-KOL)

    A detailed plan of a scientific or medical experiment, treatment, or procedure.

  • Proton Pump Inhibitors

    (PROH-ton … in-HIH-bih-ter)

    A substance used to treat certain disorders of the stomach and intestines, such as heartburn and ulcers. Proton pump inhibitors block the actions of an enzyme in the stomach and reduce the amount of acid made in the stomach. Also called PPI.

  • Psychiatrists

    (sy-KY-uh-trist)

    A medical doctor who has special training in preventing, diagnosing, and treating mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders.

  • Psychologist

    (sy-KAH-loh-jist)

    A specialist who can talk with patients and their families about emotional and personal matters, and can help them make decisions.

  • Puberty

    PYOO-ber-tee

    The time of life when a child experiences physical and hormonal changes that mark a transition into adulthood. The child develops secondary sexual characteristics and becomes able to have children. Secondary sexual characteristics include growth of pubic, armpit, and leg hair; breast enlargement; and increased hip width in girls. In boys, they include growth of pubic, face, chest and armpit hair; voice changes; penis and testicle growth, and increased shoulder width.

  • Pulmonary

    (PUL-muh-NAYR-ee)

    Having to do with the lungs.

  • Pulmonary fibrosis

    Thickened tissue in your lungs causing cough, difficulty breathing, and X-ray changes.

  • Pulmonary function test

    (PUL-muh-NAYR-ee FUNK-shun ...)

    A test used to measure how well the lungs work. It measures how much air the lungs can hold and how quickly air is moved into and out of the lungs. It also measures how much oxygen is used and how much carbon dioxide is given off during breathing. A pulmonary function test can be used to diagnose a lung disease and to see how well treatment for the disease is working. Also called lung function test and PFT.

  • Pulse oximeter

    A device that measures the oxygen saturation of arterial blood in a subject by utilizing a sensor attached typically to a finger, toe, or ear to determine the percentage of oxyhemoglobin in blood pulsating through a network of capillaries.

  • Quality of life

    KWAH-lih-tee ... life

    The overall enjoyment of life. Many clinical trials assess the effects of cancer and its treatment on the quality of life. These studies measure aspects of an individual’s sense of well-being and ability to carry out activities of daily living.