| ventil/o |
to breathe, fan |
mechanical ventilation |
Use of a machine to assist or replace spontaneous breathing in critically ill patients. |
| seps/o |
infection, decay |
sepsis |
Life-threatening organ dysfunction due to a dysregulated response to infection. |
| shock |
sudden collapse of circulation |
septic shock |
A severe form of sepsis with persistent hypotension requiring vasopressors and high lactate levels. |
| cardi/o |
heart |
cardiac arrest |
Sudden loss of heart function, breathing, and consciousness—requires immediate CPR. |
| pneum/o, pulmon/o |
lung, air |
pneumonia |
Infection causing inflammation of the air sacs in one or both lungs; common in ventilated ICU patients. |
| hypox/o |
low oxygen |
hypoxemia |
Low oxygen levels in arterial blood (PaO₂ <80 mmHg), often requiring oxygen therapy or ventilation. |
| hypercapn/o |
excess carbon dioxide |
hypercapnia |
Elevated CO₂ levels in blood (PaCO₂ >45 mmHg), seen in respiratory failure or inadequate ventilation. |
| vas/o |
vessel |
vasopressor |
Medication (e.g., norepinephrine) that constricts blood vessels to raise blood pressure in shock. |
| ren/o |
kidney |
acute kidney injury (AKI) |
Sudden decline in kidney function, often requiring CRRT in ICU patients. |
| neur/o |
nerve |
neuromuscular blockade |
Use of paralytic agents (e.g., rocuronium) to facilitate intubation or mechanical ventilation. |
| an- |
without |
anuria |
Absence of urine output (<100 mL/day), indicating severe renal dysfunction. |
| brady- |
slow |
bradycardia |
Heart rate <60 bpm; may require atropine or pacing in unstable ICU patients. |
| tachy- |
fast |
tachycardia |
Heart rate >100 bpm; common in pain, sepsis, or hypovolemia. |
| glyc/o |
sugar |
hyperglycemia |
Elevated blood glucose (>180 mg/dL); common in critically ill patients due to stress response. |
| acid/o |
acid |
acidosis |
Blood pH <7.35; may be metabolic (e.g., lactic acidosis) or respiratory (e.g., CO₂ retention). |
| alkal/o |
base |
alkalosis |
Blood pH >7.45; can result from hyperventilation or excessive diuretic use. |
| hem/o |
blood |
hemodynamic instability |
Abnormal blood pressure, heart rate, or perfusion requiring ICU-level monitoring or intervention. |
| intub/o |
tube |
endotracheal intubation |
Insertion of a tube through the mouth into the trachea to secure the airway and enable ventilation. |
| extub/o |
remove tube |
extubation |
Removal of the endotracheal tube after successful weaning from mechanical support. |
| delir/i |
confusion |
ICU delirium |
Acute brain dysfunction characterized by inattention, disorganized thinking, and altered consciousness. |
| sedat/o |
calm |
sedation |
Pharmacologic reduction of anxiety, agitation, or pain—often with propofol, midazolam, or fentanyl. |
| tox/o |
poison |
toxic shock |
A severe form of shock caused by bacterial toxins (e.g., *Staphylococcus aureus*). |
| thromb/o |
clot |
thromboembolism |
Obstruction of a blood vessel by a dislodged clot—common in immobilized ICU patients (e.g., PE, DVT). |
| stoma |
mouth, opening |
tracheostomy |
Surgical opening in the trachea for long-term airway access or weaning from ventilation. |
| ox/y |
oxygen |
oxygenation |
Process of delivering oxygen to the blood; monitored via SpO₂ and PaO₂ in ICU. |
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