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Glossary

Showing 371-380 out of 1184 Terms

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  • Double-blinded

    (DUH-bul BLINE-ded)

    A clinical trial in which the medical staff, the patient, and the people who analyze the results do not know the specific type of treatment the patient receives until after the clinical trial is over.

  • Down syndrome

    (...SIN-drome)

    A genetic condition caused by having an extra chromosome 21 in some or all of the body’s cells. Down syndrome is marked by growth, developmental, and learning delays that vary from mild to severe. People with Down syndrome often have certain distinct physical features, such as a shorter-than-normal height, a flat face with a short nose, eyes that are slanted and almond-shaped, small ears, a short neck, a tongue that tends to stick out of the mouth, small hands and feet, and a deep line that goes across the palm of the hand. People with Down syndrome may also have muscle weakness, loose joints, heart defects, and other health problems.

  • Drain

    In medicine, to remove fluid as it collects; or, a tube or wick-like device used to remove fluid from a body cavity, wound, or infected area.

  • Dressing change

    The act of removing and replacing a medical implement.

  • Drug

    (drug)

    Any substance, other than food, that is used to prevent, diagnose, treat or relieve symptoms of a disease or abnormal condition. Also refers to a substance that alters mood or body function, or that can be habit-forming or addictive, especially a narcotic.

  • Drug abuse

    (drug-uh-BYOOS)

    The use of illegal drugs or the use of prescription or over-the-counter drugs for purposes other than those for which they are meant to be used, or in large amounts. Drug abuse may lead to social, physical, emotional, and job-related problems.

  • Drug accountability record

    (drug-uh-KOWN-tuh-BIH-lih-tee REH-kurd)

    A log of study drugs kept by an investigator running a clinical trial. It lists many things about each drug, including the drug name, lot number, expiration date, the amount of drug received, used, returned, or thrown away, and the amount left. Drug Accountability Records help make sure that a clinical trial is done safely and correctly. Drug Accountability Records are required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Also called DAR.

  • Drug interaction

    (drug-IN-teh-RAK-shun)

    A change in the way a drug acts in the body when taken with certain other drugs, herbals, or foods, or when taken with certain medical conditions. Drug interactions may cause the drug to be more or less effective, or cause effects on the body that are not expected.

  • Drug resistance

    (drug-reh-ZIH-stunts)

    The failure of cancer cells, viruses, or bacteria to respond to a drug used to kill or weaken them. The cells, viruses, or bacteria may be resistant to the drug at the beginning of treatment, or may become resistant after being exposed to the drug.

  • Drug therapy

    (drug-THAYR-uh-pee)

    Treatment with any substance, other than food, that is used to prevent, diagnose, treat, or relieve symptoms of a disease or abnormal condition.