Category: P

Local anesthetic used for epidural, caudal, and other regional anesthesia; it is not used topically. Adverse effects include neurological and cardiovascular reactions. A medication used as a local anesthetic before surgical or dental treatment. Since procaine is short-acting and relatively weak in its anesthetic effect, it is used for minor surgical procedures that require limited…

Antiarrhythmic drug to treat rhythm disturbances of the heart; it is most commonly used in patients who have frequent premature ventricular contractions, or cardiac arrest. Administration is either oral or intravenous, and side effects may include systemic lupus erythematosus or worsened cardiac arrhythmias. A drug used to control irregular or abnormal heart rhythms, monitored to…

Drug that reduces the level of uric acid in the blood and is used in the treatment of gout. Adverse effects include urinary frequency, headache, skin rashes, and stomach upsets. A drug that reduces the level of uric acid in the blood and is used chiefly in the treatment of gout. It is administered by…

Dwarf whose small size is due to a genetic defect in the response to growth hormone; there are normal proportion of body parts and normal mental and sexual development; also called normal dwarf; true dwarf; hypoplastic dwarf. A dwarf who has a selective deficiency of growth hormone but otherwise normal endocrine function.  

Anticonvulsant used to treat grand mal epilepsy and other seizure disorders. Adverse effects include drowsiness, dizziness, ataxia, and blood disorders. An anticonvulsant drug used to treat major (grand mal) epilepsy. It is administered by mouth; common side-effects, which are usually transient, include drowsiness, muscle incoordination, digestive upsets, vertigo, and sight disturbances. An anticonvulsant medication utilized…

Any of various diagnostic procedures to determine whether the fetus has a genetic or other abnormality. The procedures involve X rays and ultrasonography (sonograms), which can reveal structural abnormalities and allow growth to be followed; amniocentesis, in which amniotic fluid is withdrawn for analysis and identification of chromosome and metabolic defects; and fetoscopy, whereby fetal…

Process of growth, differentiation, development, and maturation between fertilization and birth. The fertilized egg immediately begins dividing in the process of cleavage; passes through the stages of morula, blastocyst, gastrula; the three primary germ layers are laid down; and differentiation of the tissues, organs, and organ systems of the body occurs. By 14 weeks all…

Labor beginning before the 37th or 38th week of gestation or before the fetus has reached a weight of 2,000 grams. Premature labor may occur spontaneously without apparent cause, or it may result mom trauma, chronic disease, infection in the mother, placental problems, or other causes; predisposing factors are poor nutrition, low weight gain, smoking,…

Infant born before 37 weeks of gestation regardless of birth weight. A premature infant is usually of low birth weight; has incompletely developed organ systems; appears thin, with little subcutaneous fat; has a large head; and pinkish, translucent skin. The cause of prematurity is unknown in many cases, but in some is associated with toxemia,…

Compound found in the urine of pregnant women and in the urine of women during certain phases of the menstrual cycle. A metabolic product of progesterone; elevated in the urine of women during pregnancy and cyclically with the menstrual cycle; measured to detect ovulation, placental dysfunction, and feminization syndrome in men. A steroid that is…