Category: A
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Asterixis
A tremor of the wrist when the wrist is extended (dorsiflexion), sometimes said to resemble a bird flapping its wings. Asterixis is seen most often in drowsy or stuporous patients with metabolic encephalopathies, especially in decompensated cirrhosis or acute hepatic failure. It can also be a feature of Wilson’s disease. Involuntary, jerking muscular movements. Gross,…
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Astereognosis
From the Greek “without knowledge of solids,” the inability to recognize objects by touching them even though the sense of touch is intact. This condition is caused by damage to the parietal Lobe of the brain. If the damage is in the right parietal lobe, a person with astereognosis cannot identify objects with his or…
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Association
Relationship between ideas and emotions by contiguity, continuity, or similarity. In epidemiology as one variable changes, there is a change in the quality or quantity of another variable. In epidemiology, the general name of a relationship between two variables. Two related variables, such as age and the incidence of diabetes, are said to be ‘associated.’…
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Assimilation
A term coined by the French development psychologist Jean Piaget (1896-1980); it describes a person’s ability to comprehend and integrate new experiences. The term is also used to describe the process that occurs when a minority person adopts the majority culture. The formation of “self” cellular material from small molecules derived from food. In education,…
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Assessment
The evaluation of patient that leads to diagnosis and treatment. The act of measuring or determining the level of an attribute; such as hearing, vision, achievement. The evaluation of a patient that leads to diagnosis and treatment. In insurance, a charge upon carriers to raise funds for a specific purpose (such as meeting the administrative…
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Assertiveness training
A procedure in which subjects, individuals are taught appropriate interpersonal responses involving frank, honest, and direct expression of their feelings, both positive and negative. Method used in psychotherapy in which one is taught to state negative and positive feelings directly and frankly.
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Assertive community treatment (ACT)
A team treatment approach designed to provide comprehensive, community-based psychiatric treatment, rehabilitation, and support to persons with serious and persistent mental illness (e.g., schizophrenia). Among the services ACT teams provide are case management, initial and ongoing assessments, psychiatric services, employment and housing assistance, family support and education, and substance abuse treatment services to allow individuals…
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Asperger’s disorder
A pervasive developmental characterized by gross and sustained impairment in social interaction and restricted, repetitive, and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests, and activities occurring in the context of preserved cognitive and language development. A developmental disorder characterized by poor social skills, repetitive behaviors, and focused interest in an esoteric topic that limits social and occupational…
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Asendin
An older tricyclic antidepressant that has been reported to cause extrapyramidal reactions (muscle stiffness, motor restlessness, and decreased movements) and tardive dyskinesia. The brand name for amoxapine.
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Asenapine
An atypical antipsychotic medication approved for the treatment of schizophrenia and acute mania associated with bipolar i disorder. Marketed under the brand name saphris (a sublingual tablet).