Diagnosis
Diagnosis: 1 The nature of a disease; the identification of an illness. 2 A conclusion or decision reached by diagnosis. The diagnosis is rabies. 3 The identification of any problem. The diagnosis was a plugged IV.
The word diagnosis comes directly from the Greek, but the meaning has been changed. To the Greeks a diagnosis meant specifically a “discrimination, a distinguishing, or a discerning between two possibilities.” Today, in medicine that corresponds more closely to a differential diagnosis.
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- Diagnosis, differential
Diagnosis, differential: The process of weighing the probability of one disease versus that of other diseases possibly accounting for a patient’s illness. The differential diagnosis of rhinitis (a runny nose) includes allergic rhinitis (hayfever), the abuse of nasal decongestants and, of course, the common cold.
- Diagnostic mammogram
An X-ray of the breast done to evaluate: Abnormalities seen or suspected on a prior screening mammogram; Subjective or objectives abnormalities in the breast such as a lump, pain, thickening, nipple discharge or a inexplicable change in breast size or shape; Breasts for which it is difficult to obtain a clear X-ray by a screening […]
- Dialectical behavioral therapy
Dialectical behavioral therapy: A mode of treatment designed for people with borderline personality disorder (BPD), particularly those with suicidal behavior. Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) aims to help people with BPD to validate their emotions and behaviors, examine those behaviors and emotions that have a negative impact on their lives, and make a conscious effort to […]
- Dialysis
hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Each type of dialysis has advantages and disadvantages. Patients can usually choose the type of long term dialysis that best matches their needs.
- Dialysis machine
A machine used in dialysis that filters a patient’s blood to remove excess water and waste products when the kidneys are damaged, dysfunctional, or missing. The dialysis machine itself can be thought of as an artificial kidney. Inside, it consists of more plastic tubing that carries the removed blood to the dialyser, a bundle of […]