|
Glossary
Alpha-fetoprotein - natural human biochemical marker reflects
likelihood of multiple births or birth defects
A. L. S.-Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Lou Gehrig's disease,
characterized by degeneration of the motor neuron cells in the spinal
cord, causes progressive neuromuscular decline and death; no effective
treatment at present
Autonomy-individual independence or freedom
Beneficence-attitude of good will to other persons
Blood gases-a blood test that reflects the degree
of oxygenation of blood, as well as level of Carbon Dioxide, pH,
and other factors.
Brain Stem signs-on physical examination, findings that
reflect integrity of the portion of the brain called the brain stem;
absence of all brain stem signs constitutes brain death
Cardiologist-physician specializing in care of the heart
and circulatory system, who does not perform surgery, but may perform
invasive diagnostic and therapeutic procedures
Code, Code Blue-extensive resuscitation process, usually
involves CPR, defibrillation, and placement of an endotracheal tube
for artificial ventilation
Communitarianism-the political/social philosophy which states
that the interests of the whole group need to be given high priority
in personal decision-making.
Confidentiality-particularly in medical relationships, the
policy of keeping private information secret between patients and
their physicians
Co-pay - amount of money necessarily payable by insured
person to receive health care; may apply to medicines, surgeries,
office visits, or durable supplies
DNA-deoxyribonucleic acid, the building blocks for the genes,
which are located on the chromosomes, which transmit all genetic
information to offspring
Doe v. Bolton-landmark abortion case tried before Supreme
Court, broadly defined health of mother to include emotional health,
thus allowing legal justification for many abortions, 1973
Embryo-the young of a viviparous mammal, in early development,
in the womb; in humans up to the end of the second month of gestation
False Negative-an incorrectly negative answer on a given
medical test. This gives the physician the impression that a given
disease has been ruled out, but this is not true.
False Positive-an incorrectly positive answer on a given
medical test. This gives the physician the impression that a given
disease state has been identified, but this is not true
Fetus-the embryo after the end of the second month gestation
Fiduciary-a person who is in a position of responsibility
and trust, in care of something vital to another person or persons,
such as health or finances
Gamete-a mature reproductive cell, as in an egg or a sperm;
a fertilized gamete is an embryo
Genome-the complete set of hereditary factors contained
in the DNA (see above)
HIV+--(HIV positive) evidencing by blood test the presence
of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus
Hyperovulation-hormonal process by which multiple eggs are
caused to mature simultaneously, usually for harvest for artificial
fertilization
Intensive Care Unit--hospital location for seriously ill
patients, frequently on artificial ventilation or artificial feeding.
Internist-physician specializing in care of adult patients;
training requires a minimum of three years supervised study after
medical school, does not perform surgery (To be differentiated from
Intern, a first-year post-medical school trainee doctor.)
Intubation-placement of endotracheal tube for artificial
ventilation
In Vitro-occurring "in glass", or under laboratory
conditions
In Vivo-occurring "in life", or under normal biological
conditions
Justice-a broad term which includes the meaning of fair
distribution; that is, each person should receive like goods, services,
and opportunities
Neurologist-physician specializing in care of the brain,
spine and nervous system, but who does not perform neurosurgery
Non-maleficence-absence of malice toward other persons
Ova-(plural), Ovum-(singular)-human female egg
Person-seemingly a straightforward word, but in utilitarianism
this is defined as a living thing with the capacity to grow, learn
and establish social ties; thus, many humans are not persons, and
many animals are persons under this model
Respirator, artificial-machines employed to cause patients
to breathe; they control the rate, volume, and oxygen content of
inspired air
Roe v. Wade-landmark Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion
in 1973
Teleology-The study of final causes; in many disciplines
it means a method of explanation in terms of intention or purpose;
in ethical decision-making it identifies a method which focuses
on likely outcomes
Tithe-a tenth part set apart for God; Any tax, levy or the
like, especially a tenth
Utilitarianism-philosophy based on "Most benefit for
the most persons"
Ventilation, artificial-see Respirator, artificial
|
