What Is the Purpose of a Nephrostomy Tube?

The nephrostomy tube continuously drains the urine from the body into a urine drainage bag. A nephrostomy tube is placed to drain urine from the kidneys when there is a blockage to the flow of urine. The urine is produced by the kidneys and flows through an intricate network of tiny tube-like structures in the kidneys (tubules) to reach the...

What Is End-Tidal Capnography? Purpose

What is end-tidal capnography? The end-tidal capnography is used by emergency physicians and paramedics to determine the respiration of the patient. End-tidal capnography or end-tidal CO2 (EtCO2) monitoring is a non-invasive technique that measures the partial pressure or maximal concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) at the end of an exhaled breath. The normal values are 5-6% CO2, which is equivalent...

What Is a Nervous Breakdown? Common Symptoms

What happens when you have a nervous breakdown? A nervous breakdown is an intense set of emotions a person experiences in a wide variety of mental illnesses, including depression, stress disorder, and anxiety. A nervous or mental breakdown is a general term used to describe a period of overwhelming mental distress. This term is usually used to refer to an intense...

What Is the Most Common Type of Migraine?

There are seven common types of Migraines include complicated migraine, chronic migraine, a hemiplegic migraine, retinal migraine, vestibular migraine, Menstrual migraines, and brainstem aura. The most common type of migraine is migraine without aura (common migraine). 70-90% of people with migraine experience this type. The frequency of this type of migraine may range from once a year to several times...

What Is Phosphoric Acid Used For?

Most of the phosphoric acid produced is used to make fertilizers. The uses of phosphoric acid (H3PO4) are described below. Agriculture: Most of the phosphoric acid produced is used to make fertilizers. It is mainly converted into three phosphate salts that are used as fertilizers. They are as follows: Triple superphosphate (TSP) Diammonium hydrogen phosphate (DAP) Monoammonium dihydrogen phosphate (MAP)...

What Is Electrosurgery Used for?

Electrosurgery is a procedure that converts the electrical energy (current) to heat energy that may be used for various medical purposes Electrosurgery is a procedure that converts the electrical energy (current) to heat energy that may be used for various medical purposes, such as to stop the bleeding (hemostasis) or to destroy abnormal skin growths. Electrosurgery is used for the...

What Is an ERCP Procedure?

ERCP is a combination of X-ray and a long, flexible, lighted tube Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a diagnostic procedure to diagnose and treat problems in the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, and pancreas. It is a combination of X-ray and a long, flexible, lighted tube (endoscope). Doctors usually guide the endoscope through the mouth and throat and then down to...

What Is the Golden Hour in Medicine?

The “golden hour” is the term often used in trauma or emergency care The “golden hour” is the term often used in trauma or emergency care to suggest that an injured or sick person must receive definitive treatment within the first 60 minutes from the time of injury or appearance of symptoms. It was believed that once this time has lapsed,...

What Is an Open Appendectomy? Major Surgery & Recovery

What is an open appendectomy? An open appendectomy is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of the appendix. An appendix is a small, finger-like structure at the junction of the small and large intestine. The function of the appendix is largely unknown and its removal seems to not cause any observable problems. However, its infection can be painful. An...

What Is the Meaning of Being Sensitive?

Sensitivity is a broad term used to describe one’s response to the environment Sensitivity is a broad term used to describe one’s response to the environment, either physical or emotional. For example, sensitivity to cold means there is a decreased tolerance to cold, sensitivity to pain means a person has a relatively lower pain threshold, and sensitivity to pollen means developing an...