Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.
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PDR
Physicians’ Desk Reference (please see entry to Physicians’ Desk Reference). PDR less frequently stands for “postdelivery room”.
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PCT
The abbreviation “PCT” stands for a number of things including porphyria cutanea tarda, literally, the late skin form of porphyria, a genetic photosensitive (light-sensitive) skin disease with onset in adult life with substances called uroporphyrins in the urine due to a deficiency of uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase (UROD), an enzyme required for the synthesis of heme (part of hemoglobin, the…
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PCR (polymerase chain reaction)
PCR (polymerase chain reaction):?PCR (polymerase chain reaction)?is a technique in molecular?genetics?that permits the?analysis?of any short sequence of?DNA?(or?RNA) even in samples containing only minute quantities of DNA or RNA. PCR is used to reproduce (amplify) selected sections of DNA or RNA for analysis.
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PCP
Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia.
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PCO disease
PCO stands for PolyCystic Ovarian. PCO disease is an hormonal problem that causes women various symptoms including: All women with PCO have irregular or no menses. Women with PCO do not ovulate (do not release an egg every month). Women with PCO are at a higher risk for high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and uterine (endometrial) cancer. Much of this…
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PCO
1. Abbreviation in medical records for “Patient complains of.” 2. Abbreviation for polycystic ovary.
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PCBs
PolyChlorinated Biphenyls, are a group of organic chemicals which can be odorless or mildly aromatic solids or oily liquids. They were formerly used in the USA as hydraulic fluids, plasticizers, adhesives, fire retardants, way extenders, de-dusting agents, pesticide extenders, inks, lubricants, cutting oils, in heat transfer systems, carbonless reproducing paper. In 1974, Congress passed the Safe…
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PCA
Commonly used abbreviation for patient-controlled analgesia. Analgesia simply means relief of pain. PCA is a method by which the patient controls the amount of pain medicine (analgesia) they receive. There are a number of different PCA systems. In the classic PCA system, the patient receives a preset dose of morphine by pressing a button on a computerized pump that is…
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Pavlov pouch
At different points along the dogs’ digestive tracts, the Russian physiologist Ivan Petrovich Pavlov (1848-1936) surgically created pockets (“Pavlov pouches”) from which he could obtain secretions, the aim being to study the physiology of the digestive tract. He did so from the salivary glands down to the stomach, liver and pancreas with considerable success and in 1904…
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Patient autonomy
The right of patients to make decisions about their medical care without their health care provider trying to influence the decision. Patient autonomy does allow for health care providers to educate the patient but does not allow the health care provider to make the decision for the patient.
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