- 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.