Definition

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation—the technique of manually pumping someone's heart and breathing for them when their body has decided to take an unscheduled break from living. Hollywood makes it look gentle; reality involves breaking ribs.

Example Usage

I performed CPR for eight minutes until the paramedics arrived, and yes, I heard the ribs crack like everyone warned me about.

Origin

Modern technique developed in late 1950s, combining earlier chest compression and mouth-to-mouth methods

Fun Fact

CPR survival rates outside hospitals are only 10-12%, but TV medical dramas show success rates around 75%, creating wildly unrealistic expectations.

Source: Emergency medicine terminology

Related Terms

Advanced

diluent

A substance used to dilute or thin out another material, typically a solvent that makes concentrated solutions more manageable for testing or application. In lab settings, it's the boring liquid that turns your scary-strong sample into something that won't melt the equipment. Think of it as the mixer in your chemistry cocktail, except without the fun hangover.

🏥 Healthcare / Medical
Advanced

Ischemia

Inadequate blood supply to tissues or organs, essentially a localized shipping crisis where oxygen deliveries are critically delayed. Left unchecked, it leads to tissue death and very bad outcomes.

🏥 Healthcare / Medical
Intermediate

hyperlipidemia

Abnormally elevated levels of lipids (fats) in the blood, including cholesterol and triglycerides. Your bloodstream's version of too much cream in the coffee.

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Beginner

specimen

In medical contexts, it's the official term for that vial of your bodily fluids or tissue sample that gets sent to the lab for testing, because saying "pee cup" lacks professional gravitas. Scientists use this word to make collecting and analyzing your blood, urine, or other substances sound dignified and scientific. It's the difference between "we need a specimen" and "we need you to fill this cup."

🏥 Healthcare / Medical
Intermediate

metastasis

The spread of cancer cells from the original tumor to distant body sites via blood or lymph. When cancer decides one location isn't enough and goes on a hostile takeover tour.

🏥 Healthcare / Medical
Beginner

prescribed

What doctors do when they scribble illegibly on a pad to authorize your access to drugs, or what authorities do when they mandate exactly how a ritual must be performed. It's the act of laying down rules like you're Moses with the tablets, except it's usually just about taking two pills with food. Breaking from prescribed procedures is how you get compliance violations or, worse, side effects.

🏥 Healthcare / Medical

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