Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

  • Acute chest syndrome

    A complication of sickle cell disease resulting from vascular occlusion or infection in the lungs and marked by chest pain, tachypnea, fever, rales and rhonchi, leukocytosis, and lobar consolidation.  

  • Acustimulation

    The application of electrical energy (typically 4-4.5 volts at 0.28 mA) to acupuncture points, commonly to control nausea, vomiting, or pan.  

  • Acupoint

    A specific location on the body where an acupuncture needle is inserted or pressure is applied for therapeutic purposes (e.g., the control of postoperative nausea and vomiting).  

  • Near acuity

    The ability to register optical details when objects are only 12-14 in from the eye.  

  • Distant acuity

    The ability to register optical details of objects that are far from the eye, e.g., on a chart positioned 20 ft away from the viewer in a test of visual acuity.  

  • Actuator

    A component of a mechanical or electronic device that initiates a given action.  

  • Activity therapist

    An allied health professional who assists patients or residents of care facilities with activities for leisure, recreation, habilitation, or rehabilitation purposes.  

  • Risk for activity intolerance

    A state in which an individual is at risk of experiencing insufficient physiological or psychological energy to endure or complete required or desired daily activities.  

  • Activity intolerance

    Inadequate mental or physical energy to accomplish daily activities. Risk factors include debilitating physical conditions such as anemia, obesity, musculoskeletal disorders, neurological deficits (such as those following stroke), severe heart disease, chronic pulmonary disease, metabolic disorders, and prolonged sedentary lifestyle.  

  • Activity analysis

    The process used by occupational therapists to determine the social, symbolic, physical, cognitive, and developmental characteristics of a task or activity. Typical characteristics of interest include safety, cost, grad-ability, required space, tools or supplies, complexity, and social or cultural significance or meaning.  

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