Lay Language

abdomen belly, stomach

abdominal distention bloating
absorb take up fluids, take in
acid taste sour taste
acidosis condition when blood contains more acid than normal
acuity clearness, keenness, esp. of vision and airways
acute new, recent, sudden, urgent
gall stones, which may cause upper abdominal pain and require
acute cholecystitis hospitalization and surgery
adenopathy swollen lymph nodes (glands)
adjuvant helpful, assisting, aiding, supportive
agent drug, medication
albumin protein found in blood
allergic reaction rash, hives, swelling, trouble breathing
alopecia loss of hair
ambulate/ambulation/
ambulatory walk, able to walk
analgesic pain-relieving drug
anaphylaxis serious, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction
build up of fluid throughout the whole body, which occurs in
anasarca severely ill people
low number of red blood cells, can causes tiredness and
anemia shortness of breath. May require a blood transfusion
a drug or agent used to decrease the feeling of pain, or eliminate
anesthetic the feeling of pain by putting you to sleep
angina chest pain due to decreased oxygen getting to the heart.
anorexia disorder in which person will not eat; lack of appetite
antecubital related to the inner side of the forearm
antibody protein made in the body in response to foreign substance
anticonvulsant drug used to prevent seizures
antiemetic medication to prevent nausea/vomiting
antilipemic a drug that lowers fat levels in the blood
antimicrobial drug that kills bacteria and other germs
antiretroviral drug that works against the growth of certain viruses
antitussive a drug used to relieve coughing
aplastic anemia a disorder caused by decreased production of red blood cells
arrhythmia irregular heart beat
blood clot in an artery that blocks the artery. This could be serious
arterial thrombosis and life threatening
arterial catheter small tube placed in an artery
arthralgia joint pain
build up of fluid in the abdomen, which causes bloating and
discomfort. This could require that the fluid be removed by a
ascites procedure called paracentesis
aspiration fluid entering the lungs, such as after vomiting
assay lab test
asthenia feeling weak and having no energy
 lung disease associated with tightening of air passages, making
asthma breathing difficult
this is when your immune system attacks normal cells in your
body, including the cells that line your digestive tract. This may
result in bleeding and inflammation of the esophagus, bowel
(intestines), and lower gi tract (colon), which can cause bleeding,
diarrhea and perforations (holes). This could be serious or life
threatening. Hospitalization and treatment with medications
(steroids) may be necessary. This can become severe and may
require surgical removal of parts of the intestines or colon. These
surgical procedures might result in your having a stoma (hole)
autoimmune enteritis though which digested food passes
axilla armpit

1. Information gathered at the beginning of a study from which

variations found in the study are measured. 2. A known value or
quantity with which an unknown is compared when measured or
assessed. 3. The initial time point in a clinical trial, just before a
participant starts to receive the experimental treatment which is
being tested. At this reference point, measurable values such as
cd4 count are recorded. Safety and efficacy of a drug are often
baseline determined by monitoring changes from the baseline values.
benefit a valued or desired outcome; an advantage
benign not malignant, without serious consequences
bilirubinemia high levels of bilirubin in the blood
the extent to which a drug or other substance becomes available
bioavailability to the body
any therapeutic serum, toxin, anti-toxin, or analogous microbial
product applicable to the prevention, treatment, or cure of
biologic diseases or injuries
biopsy removal and examination of tissue
a randomized trial is "blind" if the participant is not told which arm
blind of the trial he is on
bolus a large amount given all at once
the amount of calcium and other minerals in a given amount of
bone mass bone
bowel perforation perforation of the digestive system
bradycardia slow heartbeat
accumulation of fluid around the brain stem, this can be life
brain stem edema threatening
bronchospasm breathing distress caused by narrowing of the airways
carcinogenic cancer-causing
cardiac related to the heart
cardiac arrest sudden, unexpected stopping of the heart.
cardiac effusion collection of fluid around the heart
cardiac toxicity damage to the heart
heart muscle becomes damaged and the heart doesn’t pump
cardiomyopathy properly
cardiovascular heart and blood vessels
cardioversion return to normal heartbeat by electric shock
a research strategy that focuses on one case (an individual, a
group, an organization, etc.) within its social context during one
case study time period
catheter a tube for withdrawing or giving fluids
central nervous
system (CNS) brain and spinal cord
cerebral trauma damage to the brain
cessation stopping
chemotherapy treatment of disease, usually cancer, by chemical agents
chronic continuing for a long time, ongoing
clinical pertaining to medical care
a probability sample that is determined by randomly selecting
clusters of people from a population and subsequently selecting
cluster sample every person in each cluster for inclusion in the sample
having either a psychiatric disorder (e.g., psychosis, neurosis,
personality or behavior disorders, or dementia) or a
developmental disorder (e.g., mental retardation) that affects
cognitive or emotional functions to the extent that capacity for
cognitively impaired judgment and reasoning is significantly diminished
a group of subjects initially identified as having one or more
cohort characteristics in common who are followed over time
coma unconscious state
a method of providing experimental therapeutics prior to final FDA
compassionate use approval for use in humans
payment or medical care provided to subjects injured in research;
does not refer to payment (remuneration) for participation in
compensation research
a legal term to indicate a person’s capacity to act on one’s own
behalf; a person’s ability to understand information presented, to
realize the consequences of acting (or not acting) on that
competence information, and to make a choice.
complete response total disappearance of disease
any factor that might serve as an alternative explanation for a
study’s result; confounding factors include non-randomized
samples, selection bias, and any arbitrary differences between
confounding factor people that are being compared.
congenital present before birth
conjunctivitis redness and irritation of the thin membrane that covers the eye
treatment phase intended to make a remission permanent (follows
consolidation phase induction phase)
constipation difficulty passing stools
contract an agreement
disadvantageous, perhaps dangerous; a treatment that should not
be used in certain individuals or conditions due to risks. For
instance, a drug may be contraindicated for pregnant women and
contraindicated people with high blood pressure
 in many clinical trials, one group of patients will be given an
experimental drug or treatment, while the control group is given
control group either a standard treatment for the illness or a placebo

research study in which the experimental treatment or procedure

controlled trial is compared to a standard (control) treatment or procedure
a non-probability sample that is determined by selecting
participants that are readily accessible (convenient) to the
researcher, (examples in studies of Stanford students might
include going to an organizational meeting or hanging out outside
of rastall and asking students exiting the lunchroom to take a
convenience sample survey)
cooperative group association of multiple institutions to perform clinical trials
related to the blood vessels that supply the heart, or to the heart
coronary itself
a relationship where two variables are associated (this can be
correlational measured in terms of strength and direction using statistical tests)
relationship but not causally related
a type of clinical trial in which each subject experiences, at
cross-over design different times, both the experimental and control therapy
culture test for infection, or for organisms that could cause infection
cumulative added together from the beginning
cutaneous relating to the skin
debilitation weakened condition
giving participants previously undisclosed information about the
research project following completion of their participation in
research. In studies involving deception, if the participants are not
informed of the deception in the informed consent, the IRB-SBS
requires a signed debrief form for each participant following
debrief completion of his/her participation in the study
the intentional withholding of information from participants, or
deception about the study’s purpose and exact nature, that is
deemed necessary by the researcher in order to meet the study’s
deception goals
dehydrate lose water or body fluids
dermatitis skin irritation, rash
dermatologic pertaining to the skin
deteriorate condition to grow worse
refers to trials that are are conducted to find better tests or
diagnostic trials procedures for diagnosing a particular disease or condition

frequent, loose watery stools, which can cause dehydration and

diarrhea may require hospitalization and treatment with intravenous fluids
diastolic lower number in a blood pressure reading
distal toward the end, away from the center of the body
distal parathesias numbness and tingling in the hands and feet.
diuretic water pill or drug that causes increase in urination
doppler device using sound waves to diagnose or test
 a clinical trial in which two or more doses of an agent (such as a
drug) are tested against each other to determine which dose
dose-ranging study works best and is least harmful
an experiment in which neither the participants nor the research
staff who interact with them knows the memberships of the
experimental or control groups. Also known as double-masked
double-blind design design (see single-blind design and open design)
duration length of time involved
dysplasia abnormal cells
echocardiogram using soundwaves for examination of the heart
edema build up of fluid in the body causing swelling.
efficacy effectiveness
electrocardiogram electrical tracing of the heartbeat (ECG or EKG)
changes in electrolytes (body salts), which usually do not cause
any symptoms but that can sometimes cause fatigue, muscle
electrolyte changes weakness, cramping, rigidity, irregular heart beat, or seizures
may indicate inflammation of the pancreas, which could result in
elevated lipase, abdominal pain and discomfort and could require hospitalization
amylase and intravenous treatment
elevated uric acid may worsen kidney function; cause joint pain (gout) and kidney
levels stones
summary criteria for participant selection; includes inclusion and
eligibility criteria exclusion criteria
a legal status given to those individuals who have not yet attained
the age of legal competency as defined by state law, but who are
entitled to adult treatment because of assuming adult
responsibilities such as being self-supporting and not living at
emancipated minor home, marriage, or procreation
emesis vomiting, throwing up
empirical based on experimental data, not on a theory.
encephalopathy disease of the brain that severely alters thinking.
endoscopic
examination examination of an internal part of the body with a lighted tube
endpoint overall outcome that the protocol is designed to evaluate
enteral by way of the intestines
enzyme a chemical in the blood that causes chemical changes

The branch of medical science that deals with the study of

epidemiology incidence and distribution and control of a disease in a population.
epidural outside the spinal cord
epistaxis bloody nose
fair or just; used in the context of selection of participants to
indicate that the benefits and burdens of research are fairly
equitable distributed
erythema redness of the skin
ethnographic
research ethnography is the study of people and their cultures
evaluated, assessed examined for a medical condition
excrete discharge, pass
 refers to any of the FDA procedures, such as compassionate use,
parallel track, and treatment IND that distribute experimental
drugs to participants who are failing on currently available
treatments for their condition and also are unable to participate in
expanded access ongoing clinical trials
a drug that is not FDA licensed for use in humans, or as a
experimental drug treatment for a particular condition

the group in an experimental design study that receives treatment

experimental group in the form, or in various forms, of the independent variable
external outside the body
extravasate to leak outside of a planned area, such as out of a blood vessel
fatigue feeling tired
fetus unborn baby
fever abnormally high body temperature
fibrillation irregular beat of the heart or other muscle
fibrosis scars
fibrous having many fibers, such as scar tissue
behavioral, social, or anthropological research involving the study
of people or groups in their own environment and without
field research manipulation for research purposes
fluoroscope x-ray machine
fungus form of infection
gait walk
gastrointestinal stomach and intestines
pain prevention by giving drugs to cause loss of consciousness,
general anesthesia as during surgery
the ability to apply the results of a specific study to groups or
generalizability situations beyond those actually studied
genetics* the study of heredity
genomics* the sudy of genes and their functions, and related techniques
genetics v. genomics The main difference between genomics and genetics is that
genetics scurtinizes the functioning and composition of the single
*(Based on W.H.O. gene, whereas genomics addresses all genes and their inter-
definitions) relationships in order to identify their combined influence on the
growth and development of the organism
(Based on W.H.O. definitions)
tests to identify persons who have an inherited predisposition to a
certain phenotype or who are at risk of producing offspring with
genetic screening inherited diseases or disorders
genotype the genetic constitution of an individual
gestational pertaining to pregnancy

an individual who is authorized under applicable state or local law

guardian to give permission on behalf of a child to general medical care
headache pain in the head
heart palpitations heart beats that are fast and hard
hematocrit amount of red blood cells in the blood
hematoma blood clot
hematuria blood in urine
hemodynamic
measuring measuring of blood flow
hemolysis breakdown in red blood cells

hemolytic uremic red blood cells begin to dissolve, which leave wastes in the blood
syndrome and the kidneys are unable to get rid of excess fluid and wastes
hemoptysis vomiting blood
hemorrhage loss of blood (heavy bleeding)
hemorrhagic cystitis inflammation of the bladder with severe bleeding
needle placed in the arm with blood thinner to keep the blood from
heparin lock clotting
hepatoma cancer or tumor of the liver
disease that can be transmitted to one’s offspring, resulting in
heritable disease damage to future children
may cause fatigue, weight loss, rapid heartbeat, sweating, trouble
high thyroid function with heat, nervousness
histopathologic pertaining to the disease status of body tissues or cells
holter monitor a portable machine for recording heart beats
hormone a chemical in the body
Individuals whose physiologic or behavioral characteristics and
responses are the object of study in a research project. Under the
federal regulations, human subjects are defined as: living
individual(s) about whom an investigator conducting research
obtains: (1) data through intervention or interaction with the
human subjects individual; or (2) identifiable private information.
hypercalcemia high levels of calcium in the blood
high levels of potassium in the blood, which can cause the heart
hyperkalemia to stop beating
hyperkeratosis thickening of the skin, nails.
hypernatremia high blood sodium level
hyperpigmentation darkening of the skin
hyperpyrexia high body temperature, a fever.
hypertension high blood pressure
excess amount of uric acid in the blood, gout, which can cause
hyperuricemia pain in the joints
decreased levels of potassium in the blood, which can cause
hypokalemia irregular heart beat
low magnesium, which may result in muscle cramps, weakness,
hypomagnesemia tremors or irregular heartbeat
decreased levels of sodium in the blood, which can cause
hyponatremia confusion, seizures, fatigue and low levels of consciousness
low phosphate, which may result in muscle weakness, bone pain,
hypophosphatemia confusion and muscle breakdown
hypopigmentation /
vitiligo patches of the skin turn lighter than the surrounding skin
hypotensive low blood pressure
a supposition or assumption advanced as a basis for reasoning or
hypothesis argument, or as a guide to experimental investigation
 a testable statement of how two or more variables are expected to
hypothesis be related to one another
hypoxemia a decrease of oxygen in the blood
hypoxia a decrease of oxygen reaching body tissues
surgical removal of the uterus, ovaries (female sex glands), or
hysterectomy both uterus and ovaries
iatrogenic caused by a physician or by treatment
idiopathic of unknown cause
immunity defense against, protection from
immunization administration of a substance to prevent disease
immunoglobin a protein that makes antibodies
immunological
effects effect on the immune system
drug which works against the body's immune (protective)
response, often used in transplantation and diseases caused by
immunosuppressive immune system malfunction
giving of drugs to help the body's immune (protective) system;
immunotherapy usually used to destroy cancer cells
refers to a person's mental status and means inability to
understand information presented, to appreciate the
consequences of acting (or not acting) on that information, and to
incapacity make a choice
inclusion/exclusion the medical or social standards determining whether a person
criteria may or may not be allowed to enter a clinical trial
used as a legal term to indicate the inability to manage one’s own
incompetence affairs
induction start
induration hardening
indwelling remaining in a given location, such as a catheter
infarct death of tissue due to lack of blood supply
infectious disease disease that is transmitted from one person to the next
inflammation swollen, red, and painful
the process of learning the key facts about a clinical trial before
informed consent deciding whether or not to participate
slow injection of a substance into the body, usually into the blood
infusion by means of a catheter
ingestion eating; taking by mouth
insomnia inability to sleep
confined, either voluntarily or involuntarily (e.g., a hospital, prison,
institutionalized or nursing home)
interferon drug which acts against viruses; antiviral agent
occurring (regularly or irregularly) between two time points;
intermittent repeatedly stopping, then starting again
interstitial
pneumonitis, inflammation of the lungs, which can cause shortness of breath
pneumonitis and difficulty breathing
includes both physical procedures by which data are gathered and
manipulations of the participant or the participant's environment
intervention that are performed for research purposes
intracatheter small tube in a vein
intramuscular into the muscle; within the muscle
intraperitoneal into the abdominal cavity
intrathecal into the spinal fluid
intravenous (IV) through the vein
intravesical in the bladder
intubate the placement of a tube into the airway
invasive procedure puncturing, opening, or cutting the skin
investigational a treatment method which has not been proven to be beneficial or
method has not been accepted as standard care
the individual(s) designated to have the appropriate level of
authority and responsibility to direct the research project and/or
investigator activity
irradiation x-ray
decreased oxygen in a tissue (usually because of decreased
ischemia blood flow)
jaundice yellowing of the skin
Surgical procedure in which an incision is made in the abdominal
laparotomy wall to enable a doctor to look at the organs inside.
Legally Authorized
Representative a person authorized either by statute or by court appointment to
(LAR) make decisions on behalf of another person
lesion wound or injury; a diseased patch of skin
lethargy sleepiness, tiredness
leukopenia low white blood cell count
lipid fat
creation of insensitivity to pain in a small, local area of the body,
local anesthesia usually by injection of numbing drugs
localized restricted to one area, limited to one area
a study in which data are collected from the same sample at least
longitudinal study two different times
abnormal decrease in sugar in the blood, which can cause
low blood sugar / weakness, fatigue, and if severe, can cause loss of
hypoglycemia consciousness
may cause fatigue, weight gain, fluid retention, feeling cold,
low thyroid function decreased cognitive function
low white cell count increased risk of infection
lumen the cavity of an organ or tube (e.g., blood vessel)
an x-ray of the lymph nodes or tissues after injecting dye into
lymphangiography lymph vessels (e.g., in feet)
a type of white blood cell important in immunity (protection)
lymphocyte against infection
lymphoma a cancer of the lymph nodes (or tissues)
malaise a vague feeling of bodily discomfort, feeling badly
malfunction condition in which something is not functioning properly
cancer or other progressively enlarging and spreading tumor,
malignancy usually fatal if not successfully treated
 someone who has not reached adulthood (as defined by state
law) but who may be treated as an adult for certain purposes (e.g.
mature minor consenting to medical care)
medullablastoma a type of brain tumor
megaloblastosis change in red blood cells
metabolic acidosis the body becomes more acid
metabolism chemical changes which provide energy

metabolize process of breaking down substances in the cells to obtain energy

metastasis spread of cancer cells from one part of the body to another
drug used to treat infections caused by parasites (invading
organisms that take up living in the body) or other causes of
anaerobic infection (not requiring oxygen to survive) mi
metronidazole myocardial infarction, heart attack
minimal slight
a risk is minimal where the probability and magnitude of harm or
discomfort anticipated in the proposed research are not greater, in
and of themselves, than those ordinarily encountered in daily life
or during the performance of routine physical or psychological
minimal risk examinations or tests
a risk is moderate when it includes non-public behavior or data
and/or allows for connection of the response to the individual’s
moderate risk identity
monitor check on; keep track of; watch carefully
the collection and analysis of data as the project progresses to
assure the appropriateness of the research, its design and
monitoring participant protections
morbidity undesired result or complication
mortality death
motility the ability to move
mucosa, mucous moist lining of digestive, respiratory, reproductive, and urinary
membrane tracts
sores in the mouth and esophagus, which may be painful and
mucositis/stomatitis cause difficulty swallowing
myalgia muscle aches
myocardial pertaining to the heart muscle
myocardial infarction heart attack
tube placed in the nose, reaching to the stomach
nasogastric tube nci the national cancer institute
nausea feeling sick to the stomach
necrosis death of tissue
neoplasia/neoplasm tumor, may be benign or malignant
neuroblastoma a cancer of nerve tissue
a neurologic deficit is a decrease in the function of the brain,
neurologic deficits spinal cord, muscles, and/or nerves
neurological pertaining to the nervous system
damage to the nerves which can cause numbness, pain, and
neuropathy weakness
 condition in which the number of white bloods cells called
neutropenia neutrophils is abnormally low
noninvasive not breaking, cutting, or entering the skin
nosocomial acquired in the hospital
the proposition, to be tested statistically, that the experimental
intervention has “no effect,” meaning that the treatment and
null hypothesis control groups will not differ as a result of the intervention
occlusion closing; blockage; obstruction
a drug prescribed for conditions other than those approved by the
off-label use fda.
oncology the study of tumors or cancer
an experimental design in which both the investigator(s) and the
participants know the treatment group(s) to which participants are
open design assigned
open-ended survey questions that allow respondents to answer in their own
questions words
a clinical trial in which doctors and participants know which drug or
open-label trial vaccine is being administered
ophthalmic pertaining to the eye
an infection caused by an organism that usually does not cause
opportunistic illness, but causes disease when a person’s immune response
infections (resistance) to infection is impaired
oral administration by mouth
an FDA category that refers to medications used to treat diseases
orphan drugs and conditions that occur rarely
orthopedic pertaining to the bones
ostealgia bone pain
osteopetrosis rare bone disorder characterized by dense bone
osteoporosis softening of the bones
ovaries female sex glands
palpitation rapid heart beat parameter measure
pancreatitis /
inflammation of the
pancreas inflammation of the pancreas causing pain in the upper abdomen
pancytopenia abnormal decrease in the levels of all type of blood cells
parenteral given by injection
individuals whose physiological or behavioral characteristics and
participant responses are the object of study in a research project
patency condition of being open
making decisions for others against or apart from their wishes with
paternalism the intent of doing them good
pathogenesis development of a disease or unhealthy condition
peer review review of a clinical trial by experts chosen by the study sponsor
percutaneous through the skin
peripheral not central
peripheral blood vein blood
the study of the way the body absorbs, distributes, and gets rid of
pharmacokinetics a drug
phenotype the physical manifestation of a gene function
phlebitis irritation or inflammation of the vein
placebo an inactive substance; a pill/liquid that contains no medicine
a physical or emotional change, occurring after a substance is
taken or administered, that is not the result of any special property
placebo effect of the substance
placenta afterbirth
plasma fluid found in the blood
platelet part of blood that causes clots
collection of fluid around the lungs in the chest cavity, which can
pleural effusion cause shortness of breath and may require treatment

the entire group (or set or type) of people from which a researcher
population samples, and to which she or he would ideally like to generalize
potential possible
increase or multiply the effect of a drug or toxin (poison) by giving
another drug or toxin at the same time (sometimes an
potentiate unintentional result)
potentiator an agent that helps another agent work better
refers to the testing of experimental drugs in the test tube or in
animals - the testing that occurs before trials in humans may be
preclinical carried out
prenatal before birth

refers to trials to find better ways to prevent disease in people who

prevention trials have never had the disease or to prevent a disease from returning
a person’s capacity to control the extent, timing, and
circumstances of shared oneself (physically, behaviorally, or
privacy intellectually) with others
includes information about behavior that occurs in a context in
which an individual can reasonably expect that no observation or
recording is taking place, and information which has been
provided for specific purposes by an individual and which the
private information individual can reasonably expect will not be made public
a subset of the population chosen in such a way that every
member of the population has a known (nonzero) chance of being
probability sample selected into the sample
prognosis outlook, probable outcomes
prone lying on the stomach
prophylaxis use of drugs to prevent disease

studies designed to observe outcomes or events that occur after

the group of participants has been identified. prospective studies
do not have to involve manipulation or intervention but may be
prospective studies purely observational or involve only the collection of data instead.
prosthesis artificial part, most often limbs, such as arms or legs
 name, address, elements of dates related to an individual (e.g.,
birthdate), email address, numbers; telephone, fax, social
security, medical record, health beneficiary/health insurance,
certificate or license numbers, vehicle, account numbers,
characteristics, or codes (e.g., global positioning system (gps)
readings), web urls, internet protocol (io) addresses, biometric
protected health identifiers (e.g. voice, fingerprints), full face photographs or
information comparable images
proteinuria excess protein in the urine
protocol a study plan on which all clinical trials are based
proximal closer to the center of the body, away from the end
pruritis itchy skin
psychosis nervous breakdown
pulmonary pertaining to the lungs
a blood clot that causes a sudden blockage in a lung artery,
pulmonary embolism usually due to a blood clot that traveled to the lung from the leg
tissue in the lungs becomes stiff making breathing difficult,
resulting in shortness of breath, and if severe, can cause heart
pulmonary fibrosis failure
pulmonary abnormally high blood pressure in the blood vessels in the lungs,
hypertension which makes it harder to pump blood into the lungs
an experimental design that is missing one or more aspects of the
quasi-experiment (classic) controlled experiment.
radiation therapy x-ray or cobalt treatment
random by chance (like the flip of a coin)
a method based on chance by which study participants are
randomization assigned to a treatment group
an autoimmune disorder causing blood vessels to spasm when
Raynaud’s Syndrome exposed to cold
recombinant formation of new combinations of genes
reconstitution putting back together the original parts or elements
the period during which a trial is attempting to identify and enroll
recruiting participants
recruitment status indicates the current stage of a trial
recur happen again
refractory not responding to treatment
regeneration re-growth of a structure or of lost tissue
regimen pattern of giving treatment
relapse the return of a disease
reliability the degree to which a measure yields consistent results
remission disappearance of evidence of cancer or other disease
payment for participation in research; this is different from
compensation, which typically refers to payment for research-
remuneration related injuries
renal pertaining to the kidneys
replicable possible to duplicate
a sample in which the participants closely match the
representative characteristics of the population, and thus, all segments of the
sample population are represented in the sample
 a systematic investigation (i.e., the gathering and analysis of
information) designed to develop or contribute to generalizable
research knowledge
resect remove or cut out surgically
difficulty breathing with low levels of oxygen in the blood, which
could be serious and life threatening and require you to have a
tube inserted into your windpipe that is hooked up to a machine to
respiratory failure help you breathe
research participants, who fill out a survey, are interviewed,
participate in an experiment, are observed in a naturalistic setting,
respondents or who are otherwise studied
rhabdomyolysis rhabdomyolysis is a breakdown of muscle fibers.
rigors chills and shivering
saline salt water solution
sample a subset of a given population used for research purposes
sarcoma a type of cancer
screening examination, test
secretion release
sedative a drug to calm or make less anxious
seizures convulsions
seminoma a type of testicular cancer (found in the male sex glands)
sequentially in a row, in order
side effects any undesired actions or effects of a drug or treatment
simultaneous at the same time
typically, a study design in which the investigator, but not the
participant, knows the identity of the treatment assignment.
occasionally the participant, but not the investigator, knows the
single-blind design assignment. also known as single-masked design
a non-probability sample that is created by using members of the
group of interest to identify other members of the group (for
example, asking a participant at the end of an interview for
snowball sample suggestions about who else to interview)
social systematic manipulation of, or experimentation in, social or
experimentation economic systems; used in planning public policy
somnolence sleepiness
a sample, as of human tissue, blood or urine, used for diagnostic
specimen or pathological analyses
an instrument to measure the amount of air taken into and
spirometer exhaled from the lungs
staging an evaluation of the extent of the disease
a treatment plan that the majority of the medical community would
standard of care accept as appropriate
a treatment currently in wide use and approved by the FDA,
considered to be effective in the treatment of a specific disease or
standard treatment condition
 the probability that an event or difference occurred by chance
alone. In clinical trials, the level of statistical significance depends
statistical on the number of participants studied and the observations made,
significance as well as the magnitude of differences observed

stenosis narrowing of a duct, tube, or one of the blood vessels in the heart
Stevens-Johnson skin condition that causes painful blisters and sores of the skin
syndrome and mucous membranes, especially in the mouth
stimuli something which causes a change
stomatitis mouth sores, inflammation of the mouth
arrange in groups for analysis of results (e.g., stratify by age, sex,
stratify etc.)
a data collection method in which an interviewer reads a
standardized interview schedule to the respondent and records
structured interview the answers
a primary or secondary outcome used to judge the effectiveness
study endpoint of a treatment
stunned state in which it is difficult to get a response or the
stupor attention of the subject
subclavian under the collarbone
subcutaneous under the skin
supine lying on the back
supine position lying on the back
supplement add
general medical care aimed at symptoms, not intended to improve
supportive care or cure underlying disease
a study in which the same data are collected from all members of
the sample using a highly structured questionnaire and analyzed
survey using statistical tests
syndrome a condition characterized by a set of symptoms
top number in blood pressure; pressure during active contraction
systolic of the heart
T-lymphocytes type of white blood cells
tachycardia fast heart rate
capable of causing malformations in a fetus (developing baby still
teratogenic inside the mother’s body)
testes/testicles male sex glands
a general explanation about a specific behavior or set of events
that is based on known principles and serves to organize related
theory events in a meaningful way

therapy treatment intended and expected to alleviate a disease or disorder

Low number of platelets, which may cause bleeding and bruising.
May require a blood transfusion. Bleeding may be serious or life
thrombocytopenia threatening.
thrombosis clotting
thrombus blood clot
tinnitus ringing in the ears
 a method for deciding on the strength of a drug or solution;
titration gradually increasing the dose
topical on the surface
applied to a certain area of the skin and reducing pain only in the
topical anesthetic area to which applied
toxicity side effects or undesirable effects of a drug or treatment
transdermal through the skin
transiently temporarily
trauma injury; wound
refers to trials which test new treatments, new combinations of
treatment trials drugs, or new approaches to surgery or radiation therapy
an unanticipated problem involving risk to human participants or
others, is one that (1) was unforeseen at the time of its
Unanticipated occurrence, and (2) indicates that participants or others are at an
Problem increased risk of harm
uptake absorbing and taking in of a substance by living tissue
urticaria hives
the degree to which a measure assesses what we think it is
validity assessing
valvuloplasty plastic repair of a valve, especially a heart valve
any characteristic or trait that can vary from one person to another
(race, sex, academic major) or for one person over time (age,
variable political beliefs)
varices enlarged veins
vasospasm narrowing of the blood vessels
a carrier that can transmit disease-causing microorganisms
vector (germs and viruses)
venipuncture needle stick, blood draw, entering the skin with a needle
vertical transmission spread of disease
visual disturbances inability to see properly.
free of coercion, duress, or undue inducement. Used in the
research context to refer to a subject's decision to participate (or
voluntary to continue to participate) in a research activity
persons who are wards of the state or any other agency,
ward institution, or entity