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Glossary of terms

Navigating medical terminology can be challenging, especially for patients and their families who may not be familiar with the language used by healthcare professionals. We do aim to use words and phrases that are simple and please do ask if there are words that you do not understand and we will be more than happy to explain them to you. This glossary of terms is designed to help you with some the words and phrases that you may see and hear.

A blood test from an artery to check the level of oxygen, carbon dioxide and acidity

A line inserted into an artery for accurate blood pressure monitoring and to withdraw blood

A condition during which the lungs do not work efficiently, leading to rapid and shallow breathing

A medical device that analyses a blood sample to measure levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide, pH, and other parameters. It helps assess a patient’s respiratory and metabolic status, often used in critical care settings like the ICU
A sudden, unexpected loss of heart function, where the heart stops pumping blood, leading to unconsciousness and cessation of breathing. It requires immediate emergency response, such as CPR or defibrillation, to restore circulation

A team of professionals who care for critically ill patients and follows them up after discharge from ICU

A chronic lung disorder which obstructs the air flow

A cerebral state which can either be induced by a severe pathology or by sedatives. Patients are usually unable to communicate with people around them

Waste gas eliminated by the lungs

a hospital ward focused on treating patients with serious heart conditions, like heart attacks or cardiac arrest. It provides close monitoring and advanced care for heart-related emergencies

A line inserted in a major vein of the body to infuse multiple drugs at the same time

A professional specialised in nutrition who can help to ensure that patients’ nutritional intake is appropriate to their needs

A tube inserted into a patient cavity to help the body to get rid of air, blood or fluids

A test that records the electric activity of the heart, including heart rhythm and heart rate

A test used to record the electrical activity of the brain using electrodes attached to the scalp

A tube inserted into the patient’s windpipe (via mouth or nose) and connected to a ventilator

A rare neurological disorder where the body’s immune system attacks the peripheral nerves, leading to muscle weakness, tingling, and sometimes paralysis. It often follows an infection and can require intensive care in severe cases, though many recover with treatment

Persistently raised arterial blood pressure

A specialised hospital ward designed to provide intensive medical care and monitoring for critically ill patients

A flexible tube inserted through the patient urethra to drain urine from the bladder

Electrical device used to record patients’ vital signs

A medical device used to supply oxygen

A tube inserted into the patient stomach via their nose, to provide nutrition

a method of delivering fluids, medications, or nutrients directly into a vein through a needle or tube

When the heart stops beating suddenly outside of hospital

a vital gas administered to patients to support breathing and maintain adequate blood oxygen levels, often delivered through a mask, nasal cannula, or ventilator in conditions like respiratory distress or cardiac arrest

A healthcare professional specialised in physical rehabilitation

A treatment used to replace kidney function when a patient’s kidneys fail, typically through dialysis or filtration methods, to remove waste, excess fluids, and balance electrolytes in the blood

The use of medication to calm or relax a patient, reducing anxiety, discomfort, or agitation. It can range from mild (awake but relaxed) to deep (unconscious), often used in medical procedures or critical care settings like the ICU

A life-threatening condition caused by the body’s extreme response to an infection, leading to widespread inflammation, organ dysfunction, and potential failure

A valve that allows a person with a tracheostomy to use their voice

A plastic tube used to remove secretions through an endotracheal tube or a tracheostomy

A surgical procedure creating an opening in the windpipe (trachea) to insert a tube, helping patients breathe when they can’t through their mouth or nose. In the ICU, it’s often used for long-term ventilation or airway obstruction

A diagnostic test which uses high frequency sounds waves to reproduce the image of the inside of the body

Piece of equipment used to blow air and oxygen into the patients’ lungs. It can either assist the patient with their own breathing or do all the breathing for them

The process of gradually taking the patient off the ventilator once they are able to breathe on their own

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