4.6 Diseases and Symptoms

This section focuses on abbreviations related to diseases and symptoms. The tables below list the more common abbreviations that you might see in a healthcare setting. The key concepts and some example orders are provided to help you understand the terms by explaining how they could be used.

Table 4.22. Diseases and Symptoms

Key Concepts

Cerebral palsy (CP), which literally means “weakness pertaining to the brain,” is one of the most common childhood disorders that affects

mobility (CDC, 2022). It is caused either by some sort of trauma to the brain or abnormal brain development. The severity of the disorder varies from person to person. Some individuals will rely on equipment to assist with mobility, whereas others do not use aids but might find ambulating a little more difficult.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is one of the most common genetic diseases that affects children. It predominantly affects the digestive system and the lungs (Cystic Fibrosis Canada, 2020). Fig. 4.13 shows some additional effects of CF on the body’s organs. Some of the common complications of CF include poor nutrition related to the inability to digest fats and recurring lung infections that in turn lead to lung damage.

 

Examples of orders related to diseases and symptoms:

1. Dx L side CVA
2. Hx of ASHD

Explanation of orders related to diseases and symptoms :

1. Diagnosis of left-side cerebral vascular accident.
2. History of arteriosclerotic heart disease.

 Table 4.23. Diseases and Symptoms

Key Concept

Open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) is a surgery performed to any fracture that cannot be repaired by casting or other non-surgical methods (Healthline, 2018). “Open” means that an incision needs to be performed, and “internal fixation” means that the bones must be realigned using some sort of hardware (screws, wires, or plates) to keep them in place. This a a common surgery on an orthopedic unit. Fig. 4.14 is an image of an ORIF of fractures to the left radius and ulna that have been repaired using screws to realign each bone.

 

Examples of orders related to diseases and symptoms:

1. Patient has abdominal pain, NYD
2. ORIF to L wrist Fx

Explanation of orders related to diseases and symptoms:

1. Patient has abdominal pain, not yet diagnosed.
2. Open reduction internal fixation to left wrist fracture.

 

Table 4.25. Diseases and Symptoms

ABBREVIATION	MEANING
PVD	peripheral vascular disease
SARS	severe acute respiratory syndrome
SIDS	sudden infant death syndrome
SOB	shortness of breath
Staph	bacterial infection (Staphylococcus)
STD/STI	sexually transmitted disease/infection
Strep	bacterial infection (Streptococcus)
TB	tuberculosis
TIA	transient ischemic attack
UTI	urinary tract infection
VT, V tach	ventricular tachycardia

Examples of orders related to diseases and symptoms:

1. Keep head of bed elevated due to SOB
2. Hx of PVD and TIA

Explanation of orders related to diseases and symptoms:

1. Keep head of bed elevated due to shortness of breath.
2. History of peripheral vascular disease and transient ischemic attack.

References

Bernstein, S. (2020). Delirium tremens. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/delirium-tremens#:~:text=Delirium%20tremens%2C%20also%20called%20DTs,as%20long%20as%20a%20week

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2022). What is cerebral palsy? https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/cp/facts.html#:~:text=Cerebral%20palsy%20(CP)%20is%20a,problems%20with%20using%20the%20muscles

Cystic Fibrosis Canada. (2020). What is cystic fibrosis? https://www.cysticfibrosis.ca/about-cf/what-is-cystic-fibrosis

Healthline. (2018). Repairing major bone breaks with open reduction internal fixation surgery. https://www.healthline.com/health/orif-surgery

Mayo Clinic. (2022). Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sudden-infant-death-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20352800

Image Credits (images are listed in order of appearance)

Blausen 0286 CysticFibrosis by BruceBlaus, CC BY 3.0

FracRadUlnaMarkRepair by James Heilman, MD, CC BY-SA 4.0