Medical definitions - P
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZPaO2 – post-ductal arterial saturation.
Patau syndrome – also known as Trisomy 13; The condition of having three copies of chromosome 13 that results in a syndrome characterized by mental retardation and defects to the central nervous system and heart.
Pavulon – a paralyzing medication.
Pectus excavatum - also known as shrunken or funnel chest; a congential condition where the ribs and sternum do not develop normally resulting in a shrunken in appearance of the chest.
PEEP - positive end-expiratory pressure; a method of ventilation in which airway pressure is maintained above atmospheric pressure at the end of exhalation by means of a mechanical impedance, usually a valve, within the circuit. The purpose of PEEP is to increase the volume of gas remaining in the lungs at the end of expiration in order to decrease the shunting of blood through the lungs and improve gas exchange.
Perinatologist – an obstetrical subspecialist concerned with the care of the mother and fetus at higher-than-normal risk for complications.
Peritoneal dialysis – form of dialysis that uses the patient's own body tissues inside of the belly (abdominal cavity) to act as a filter.
Persistent fetal circulation (PFC) – persistent pulmonary hypertension in the newborn infant, without demonstrable cardiac disease.
ph - a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a fluid.
Phrenic nerve - the nerve that controls the diaphragm.
PICU – pediatric intensive care unit; a hospital ward for critically ill children.
Pitocin – brand name of the drug oxytocin; used to induce labor.
Pneumonia - inflammation of one or both lungs; frequently but not always due to infection; the infection may be bacterial, viral, fungal or parasitic.
Pneumothorax - free air in the chest outside the lung.
Polyhydramnios – excess amniotic fluid; can cause pre-term labor and is often an indication of fetal problems. Potassium - the major positive ion (cation) found inside of cells.
PPHN – persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn; occurs when a newborn's circulation system does not adapt to breathing outside the womb.
Pseudomonas – an opportunistic bacteria that likes warm, moist environments; can survive in environments that other bacteria cannot; fairly common to see growing around an ET tube; resistant to many antibiotics.
Pulmonary hypoplasia – underdevelopment of the lungs; decreased lung volume.
Pulse oximeter - a machine that reads the patient's heart rate and blood saturation levels through a probe attached to the patient's toe or finger.