quality of life The patient’s ability to enjoy normal life activities. Quality of life is an important consideration in medical care. Some medical treatments can seriously impair quality of life without providing appreciable benefit, whereas others greatly enhance quality of life.
qualitative Having to do with quality, in contrast to quantitative, which pertains strictly to quantity. See also quantitative.
quadriplegia Paralysis of all four limbs, both arms and both legs, as from a high spinal cord accident or stroke.
quadriparesis Weakness of all four limbs, both arms and both legs, as from muscular dystrophy.
quadriceps 1 Any four-headed muscle. 2 The large muscle of the thigh that comes down the bone of the upper leg (femur) and over the kneecap (patella), and then anchors into the top of the large bone in the lower leg (tibia). The function of the quadriceps is to straighten (extend) the leg. Also known…
quadrant A quarter of an area. For example, the liver is in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen.
quackery Deliberate misrepresentation of the ability of a substance, a device, or a person to prevent or treat disease.
quack 1 A practitioner who suggests for prevention or treatment of disease substances or devices that are known to be ineffective. 2 Someone who pretends to be able to diagnose or heal people but is unqualified and incompetent.
q.2h. On a prescription, every 2 hours. See also Appendix A, “Prescription Abbreviations.”
q.3h. On a prescription, every 3 hours. See also Appendix A, “Prescription Abbreviations.”
q.s. On a prescription, as needed. See also Appendix A, “Prescription Abbreviations.”
QRS complex The deflections in an electrocardiogram (EKG) tracing that represent the ventricular activity of the heart.