Layman's explanation
Bump on skin or a painful swelling
Used in a sentence
If you see a bump or a painful swelling on your skin, please tell your doctor or nurse.
Abduction (related to joint movement)
Moving a limb away from the body
The action of moving his limb away from the body.
Acute
Sudden
If you feel a sudden loss of hearing in the next few weeks after your discharge, please go to the nearest A&E immediately.
Acute Kidney Injury
Sudden malfunction of the kidneys, leading to build-up of waste and fluids in the body
Your blood test results show that your kidneys are not functioning as it should, which could lead to build-up of waste and fluids in the body.
Acute Retention of Urine (ARU)
Cannot pass urine properly
If you cannot pass urine properly, please see the doctor.
Adduction (related to joint movement)
Moving a limb towards the body
The action of moving his limb towards the body.
Advance Care Planning (ACP)
How you would like to be cared for should you become unable to speak for yourself
We would like to discuss and write down how you would like to be cared for should you become unable to speak for yourself.
Ambulant
Able to move around by oneself
Mr Tan is able to move around by himself.
Ambulate
Moving around
Your father needs help with moving around.
Analgesia
Medicine to reduce your pain
We will give you some medicine to reduce your pain after the operation.
Angina
Chest discomfort or tightening
The chest discomfort or tightening you feel is due to the poor blood and oxygen circulation to your heart.
Anticoagulation / anticoagulants
Medicines to prevent blood clots
Due to your condition, we will have to prescribe medicines to prevent blood clotting.
Aphasia
A communication disorder affecting speaking and/or understanding of language
Due to his illness, the patient has difficulty speaking and understanding language.
Apraxia of speech
A speech disorder affecting your ability to plan and coordinate speech sounds
As a result of his illness, the patient has reduced ability to plan and coordinate speech sounds.
Aspiration
When food, drink or other substances accidentally enter the lungs instead of going down the throat into the stomach
Mr Tan has difficulty swallowing, which increases his risk of food or liquid entering his airway and lungs which may cause infections.
Asymptomatic Microscopic Haematuria (AMH)
Blood found in urine through a special test. Most patients have no other symptoms.
We found blood in your urine during the test. Most patients have no other symptoms.
At-own-risk (AOR) feeding
When patient and/or family members make the decision for oral feeding with acknowledged risks of choking on food and drinks leading to possible chest infection despite Speech Therapist’s advice
Mr Lee’s family was advised on the risk of oral feeding that includes choking on food and drinks, potentially leading to chest infections. His family made the decision to proceed with oral feeding at their own risk.
Atrial fibrillation
Irregular heartbeat
Our assessment showed that you have irregular heartbeat, so we will need to investigate further.
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
Communication modes that support and/or replaces verbal speech
For patients who have difficulty with speech, there are other communication modes that can support or even replace verbal speech.
Auscultate
To listen to your organs using the stethoscope
We will need to listen to your organs using the stethoscope.
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