BMDC RQE key terms

Death of heart muscle caused by prolonged loss of blood supply, usually from a blocked coronary artery. It produces chest pain, ECG changes and raised cardiac troponin, and needs urgent reperfusion.

A protein released into blood when heart muscle cells are damaged. Highly sensitive assays detect small amounts, and a rising or falling pattern supports a diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction.

Restoring blood flow to obstructed tissue, in the heart by thrombolytic drugs or primary percutaneous coronary intervention. Earlier treatment saves more muscle, so delay directly worsens outcome.

A state in which oxygen delivery fails to meet tissue demand, causing cellular dysfunction and organ failure. It is classified as hypovolaemic, cardiogenic, distributive or obstructive, and is recognised by low perfusion signs.

Life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. It is identified by a rise in the sepsis-related organ failure score and requires prompt antibiotics and source control.

A surgical connection between two tubular structures, such as bowel ends or a vessel to a graft. Its integrity depends on blood supply, tension-free technique and adequate nutrition for healing.

Failure of a surgical join allowing intestinal contents to escape into the abdomen or chest. It presents with fever, pain, tachycardia and peritonitis, and often needs reoperation and drainage.

A pregnancy disorder marked by new hypertension after 20 weeks with proteinuria or other organ involvement. It can progress to seizures, liver and kidney injury, and is cured only by delivery.

The occurrence of generalised seizures in a woman with preeclampsia, without another cause. It is a maternal emergency treated with magnesium sulphate and controlled delivery.

A severe pregnancy complication featuring haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets. It causes upper abdominal pain and malaise and threatens both mother and fetus, requiring urgent delivery.

Excessive bleeding after childbirth, commonly defined as more than 500 mL after vaginal birth or 1000 mL after caesarean. Uterine atony is the leading cause and is managed with massage and uterotonics.

Yellow discolouration of skin and eyes in a newborn from raised bilirubin. It is common and usually harmless but needs monitoring because severe cases risk brain injury from kernicterus.

Permanent brain damage caused by bilirubin depositing in the basal ganglia of a jaundiced newborn. It causes lethargy, poor feeding, abnormal tone and later hearing and movement problems.

A rapid newborn assessment at one and five minutes after birth scoring heart rate, breathing, tone, reflexes and colour. It guides resuscitation decisions but does not by itself diagnose asphyxia.

A structured sequence of warming, drying, airway positioning, stimulation and assisted breathing given to a newborn who does not breathe adequately. Chest compressions and drugs follow if the heart rate stays very low.

The movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from a region of lower solute concentration to one of higher solute concentration. It explains fluid shifts between body compartments and red cell behaviour in different solutions.

The concentration of dissolved particles in a fluid, expressed as particles per kilogram of solvent. It governs water movement between compartments and is regulated in plasma mainly by sodium and antidiuretic hormone.

The apparent volume relating the amount of drug in the body to its plasma concentration. A large value indicates extensive tissue uptake, and the value helps calculate loading doses.

The time taken for the amount or concentration of a substance to fall by half. It determines dosing intervals and the time to reach steady state, which is about four to five half-lives.

The volume of plasma from which a substance is completely removed per unit time. It reflects eliminating organ function and, together with volume of distribution, determines half-life.

The lowest concentration of an antimicrobial that prevents visible growth of a microorganism in a standard laboratory test. It quantifies susceptibility and guides choice and dosing of antibiotics.

Coordinated efforts to use antimicrobials responsibly by choosing the right drug, dose and duration. It aims to improve outcomes while limiting resistance, side effects and unnecessary cost.

The number of new cases of a disease arising in a defined population over a stated period. It measures risk and is used to compare disease occurrence between groups and over time.

The total number of existing cases of a disease in a population at a given time. It depends on both incidence and how long people survive with the condition.

The proportion of people who truly have a disease and are correctly identified as positive by a test. A highly sensitive test is useful for ruling out disease when negative.

The proportion of people without a disease who are correctly identified as negative by a test. A highly specific test is useful for confirming disease when positive.

The probability that a person with a positive test result actually has the disease. Unlike sensitivity, it changes with the prevalence of the condition in the tested population.

Stiffening of muscles after death as ATP is depleted and actin and myosin bind irreversibly. It begins in small muscles, spreads, then resolves as tissue decomposes, helping estimate time since death.

Purple discolouration of dependent skin after death as blood settles under gravity. Its pattern and whether it blanches on pressure help assess body position and time since death.

The time elapsed between death and examination of the body. It is estimated from body temperature, stiffness, lividity, decomposition and scene findings, each with recognised limitations.

Opacity of the crystalline lens of the eye that reduces vision. It is mostly age-related, progresses gradually and is treated surgically by removing the lens and implanting an artificial one.

A group of optic neuropathies characterised by progressive loss of retinal ganglion cells, often with raised intraocular pressure. Peripheral vision is lost first and damage is irreversible, so early detection matters.

Reduced hearing caused by obstruction or disease of the outer or middle ear that impairs sound transmission. Common causes include wax, effusion and ossicular disease, and it is often treatable.

Hearing loss arising from damage to cochlear hair cells or the auditory nerve. It is usually permanent, affects higher frequencies, and rehabilitation relies on hearing aids or implants.

A chronic immune-mediated skin disease producing well-demarcated red plaques with silvery scale, often on elbows, knees and scalp. It may involve joints and is linked with metabolic and cardiovascular disease.

A mental state in which contact with reality is impaired, shown by delusions, hallucinations or disorganised thinking. Causes include schizophrenia, mood disorders, substances and organic brain disease.

An acute fluctuating disturbance of attention and awareness, usually caused by physical illness, drugs or withdrawal. It is common in hospitalised elderly patients and is often reversible when the cause is treated.

Agreement to treatment given by a competent patient after receiving adequate information about the nature, benefits, risks and alternatives. It must be voluntary and documented, respecting autonomy.

A person's ability to make a particular decision, judged by understanding, retaining, weighing and communicating relevant information. It is decision-specific and presumed present unless there is reason to doubt it.

The professional duty to keep patient information private and share it only with those involved in care or where law permits. Breach may be justified by consent, legal requirement or serious public risk.