Glossary

• Ambulatory: able to walk; not confined to bed
• Antibiotic: medication used to treat various infections
• Apnea: a temporary halt in breathing
• Aspiration: the act of breathing in fluid or a foreign body or substance
• Biopsy: an examination of tissues removed from the body to make a diagnosis
• Bradycardia: An abnormally slow heartbeat
• CAT Scan, CT Scan: computerized x-ray of a part of the body or the entire body, more detailed and precise than an ordinary x-ray
• Catheter: a thin, hollow tube that can be inserted into the body to withdraw or insert fluid
• Cardiac: pertaining to the heart
• CBC (complete blood count): a blood test to see how many and what kind of blood cells an individual has; the test is done with a very small amount of blood
• Chart: patient's medical record; holds the complete history of the child's illness, medicines, and tests from the time of admission until he/she goes home
• EEG (electroencephalogram): Recordings of the electrical activity of the brain; the EEG may be useful in recording seizures.
• EKG (electrocardiogram): study of heart activity (also ECG)
• Endoscopy: a test/procedure in which a flexible tube with a light is used to look inside a body cavity or organ
• Febrile: pertaining to fever
• Gastrointestinal: pertaining to all or some of the organs of the digestive tract, from mouth to anus
• Hyperglycemia: a condition where there is too much sugar in the bloodstream
• Hypoglycemia: a condition where there is not enough sugar in the bloodstream
• Infusion: the slow injection of a fluid into a vein or tissue
• I & O's: Input and output that is measured and recorded
• I.V.: intravenous; method of putting medicines, fluids, or nourishment (liquid food) directly into the body through a vein
• Lumbar Puncture (Spinal Tap): withdrawal of fluid from or injection of fluid/medicine into the subarachnoid space of membranous coverings of the lumbar (lower back) spine
• Nasogastric tube (NG tube): a tube inserted through the nose to the stomach, placed to drain the contents of the stomach or to provide nourishment if a patient's swallowing is impaired
• NICU: neonatal intensive care unit
• NPO: nothing to eat or drink
• OR: operating room
• PICU: pediatric intensive care unit
• Pulse: number of heartbeats per minute
• PO: take in orally
• Pulmonary: pertaining to the lungs
• Renal: pertaining to the kidneys
• Rounds: when the healthcare team meets together to discuss patient care
• Saline: a watery solution that contains a small amount of salt and is often used to administer drugs
• Seizure: a sudden, involuntary contraction of muscles that results in rhythmic movements of the body
• Sepsis: the infection of tissues by disease causing organisms
• Shunt: A device that is inserted into the body to redirect the flow of blood or ther fluid from one area to another
• Sputum: a mixture of saliva and mucus that is coughed up from the respiratory tract
• Stenosis: an abnormal narrowing of a passageway, such as a blood vessel or other type of opening in the body
• Suction: removing secretions with a suction devise
• Syringe: device used to inject fluid (i.e. medicine) into IV, muscle, or vein; also used without a needle to give medicine in the mouth
• Tachycardia: an abnormally rapid heartbeat
• Vital signs: temperature, pulse, blood pressure, and respiration

If you have additional questions, please speak with your child's team of medical providers.