Category: A

Physical access. Access ordinarily means the ability of patients to physically get to (or into) health care. Facilities and resources must be located where they can be reached, and they must be designed so that handicapped persons may enter.  

An amount paid to an individual, under a life insurance contract, when that individual has been diagnosed with a specific medical condition (generally a terminal illness). After that person’s death, the balance is paid to the beneficiary just like any other life insurance.  

The improper or excessive use of health care products and services. Abuse may result from excessive (unnecessary) use of diagnostic tests, unnecessary surgical and other procedures, and so forth. Abuse may be either intentional or unintentional, and may or may not be illegal.  

To reduce fever. Drugs with this ability are known as antipyretics.  

To decrease the capacity of the blood to coagulate (clot). Drugs with this ability are known as anticoagulants.  

A primary class of the receptors that are responsive to epinephrine and norepinephrine. Alpha receptors are subclassified into alpha-1 and alpha-2 receptors based on their sensitivity to various drugs.  

The group of steroid hormones produced by the adrenal cortex. These drugs include the glucocorticoids (Cortisol, cortisone), mineralocorticoids (aldosterone), and the sex hormones (androgens, estrogens, and progestins).  

In pregnancy, the breaking of the sac holding the amniotic fluid that protects the baby, generally just before the onset of labor.  

Excellence in academic studies; also, and more commonly today, a type of financial aid given to a student for use in meeting the costs of attending a college or private school. Scholarships may be awarded on the basis of scholastic excellence alone, or for other reasons, as with an athletic scholarship to an outstanding player…

The traditional technique for teaching young children legible writing.