Delirium
Delirium: A sudden state of severe confusion and rapid changes in brain function, sometimes associated with hallucinations and hyperactivity, during which the patient is inaccessible to normal contact. Delirium can be due to a number of conditions, including infection, drug toxicity or withdrawal, seizures, brain tumor, poisoning, head injury, and metabolic disturbances.
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Delirium tremens: A central nervous system symptom of alcohol withdrawal that is seen in chronic alcoholism. Symptoms include uncontrollable trembling, hallucinations, severe anxiety, sweating, and sudden feelings of terror. Abbreviated DTs. DTs can be both frightening and, in severe cases, deadly. Treatment includes observation, comfort care, and in some cases medication.
- Delivery, footling
Delivery, footling: There are single-footling or double-footling deliveries depending upon whether the presenting part of the baby at delivery is just one foot or both feet.
- Delivery, breech
Delivery, breech: Delivery in which the buttocks present before the head.
- Delivery, vertex
Delivery, vertex: In a vertex delivery, the top of the baby’s head comes first. The vertex here refers to the top of the head. The word “vertex” in Latin means a “whirlpool, whirlwind, top of the mountain, or the top of the head.” Why “top of the head”? Because the hairs on the top of […]
- D and C
D and C: Stands for dilatation and curettage. This is a very common gynecologic procedure in which the cervix of the uterus is expanded (dilated) so the cervical canal and endometrium (the uterine lining) can be scraped off with a spoon-shaped instrument called a curet or curette. This is a relatively minor procedure.