Category: P
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Potassium chloride
Salt of potassium used to treat potassium deficiency, which is usually the result of diuretic intake. A salt of potassium used to prevent and treat potassium deficiency, especially during treatment with certain diuretics. It is administered by mouth or injection; some irritation in the digestive system may occur after oral administration. A mineral/electrolyte administered orally…
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Postmature infant
Infant born after 42 weeks gestation and usually showing signs of placental insufficiency. The child usually has dry, peeling skin, skin folds, and long nails, is prone to electrolyte imbalance and hypoglycemia, and may have lost weight the last few days in utero.
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Posthumous birth
Birth of a child by Caesarean section after the death of the mother. The birth of a baby that occurs after its father has passed away.
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Posterior pituitary gland
Posterior lobe of the pituitary gland that secretes two hormones: antidiuretic hormone, or vasopressin, which acts on the kidney to reduce urine production; and oxytocin, which produces contractions of the pregnant uterus and causes milk to flow from the breasts of lactating women; also called neurohypophysis.
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Portacaval shunt
Communication surgically created between the portal vein and the inferior vena cava so that blood drained from abdominal organs bypasses the liver and is channeled directly to the inferior vena cava for movement to the heart; it is used to decrease portal hypertension. Surgical creation of a connection between the portal vein and the vena…
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Polysomy
Presence of one or more extra chromosomes in somatic cells as a result of nondisjunction of chromosomes during gamete formation. It is usually associated with congenital defects.
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Polyclonal
Arising from different cell types or lines. Often used regarding antibodies that arise from many different cellular sources in the body. Compare to monoclonal, arising from similar cell types or lines.
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Poliovirus vaccine
Vaccine prepared from poliovirus to provide immunity to poliomyelitis. The live oral form of the vaccine, called the Sabin vaccine, is routinely given to children under the age of 18; inactivated polio vaccine, known as the Salk vaccine, usually is given subcutaneously to infants and unvaccinated adults.
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Poliosis
Depigmentation (loss of normal pigment) of the hair. Whiteness of the hair, especially when due to a hereditary condition or as a result of infection. Early onset of grey hair.
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Pneumoencephalography
Technique for X-ray visualization of some brain tissues that involves the injection of oxygen or other gas into the ventricles of the brain to displace cerebrospinal fluid and provide a contrast medium. An X-ray study of fluid-containing structures of the brain, using sterile gas injected into the spinal cord as contrast medium. A technique used…