Author: Glossary

Evaluation of the results of an examination, especially a mammogram, by two individuals.  

In ethics, the doctrine or principle explaining under what conditions one may perform an act that has both good and bad consequences. In medicine, an example of the double effect is that the medications used in palliative care may have the side effect of hastening death even though the intent of the practitioner is to…

A colloquial term, also known as “hybrid diabetes,” “type 3 diabetes,” or “type 1 and a half’ diabetes in which patients have clinical features of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus.  

A pejorative term for cognitive impairment.  

The body weight to be used for calculating the appropriate dosage of a medication for those whose weight exceeds the usual average range. Weight-based dosing is used to correct for different drug distributions and pharmacodynamics in overweight or obese patients.  

An estimate of the total exposure of a person or population to the environmental release of a toxic substance, such as a pollutant or a sudden burst of radiation.  

The sum of the radiation to which a patient or area of tissue is exposed during the taking of a series of images.  

A progressive increase in the strength of any treatment (e.g., a drug or a radiation dose), to improve its tolerability or maximize its effect.