Category: N

  • Nasal douche

    An injection of fluid into the nostril with fluid escaping through the nasopharynx out of the mouth. The patient should keep the mouth open and the glottis closed to prevent fluid from entering the throat and bronchus, and should not blow his or her nose during the treatment. The force of the douche, must be…

  • Naked DNA

    DNA that has been modified to remove the proteins that normally surround it; used for genetic transfers and vaccine manufacture, among other purposes.    

  • Neglected disease

    Any disease affecting a large number of persons (especially in developing nations) that receives little attention from governments, medical researchers, and pharmaceutical companies. The term is used to raise social awareness of the illness among public health practitioners and citizens of Western nations. Examples of neglected diseases include Chagas’ disease, leishmaniasis, malaria, malnutrition, sleeping sickness,…

  • Nonlaxative diet

    A low-residue diet containing boiled milk and toasted crackers. No strained oatmeal, vegetable juice, or fruit juice is given. Fats and concentrated sweets are restricted.  

  • National renal diet

    A diet designed by the American Dietetic Association (ADA) and the National Kidney Foundation for the treatment of kidney disease. It consists of six food planning systems based on the ADA Exchange Lists. The presence of diabetes and the use of peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis are considered.  

  • National cholesterol education program diet

    A two-step approach designed to lower blood cholesterol in adults, children, and adolescents. It is similar to the Step I and Step II diets designed by the American Heart Association.  

  • Needleless device

    A device used to inject drugs and fluids that has no exposed sharp surface. It is designed to decrease the risk of needle-stick injuries by health care professionals.  

  • Nonsyndromic deafness

    Any form of hereditary hearing impairment caused by one of many genetic mutations (e.g., in somatic, mitochondrial, or X-linked genes).  

  • Nerve deafness

    Deafness due to a lesion of the auditory nerve or central neural pathways.  

  • Nonradiometric culture

    A culture medium in which the growth of microorganisms is detected without the use of radioactive isotopes.