Discharge
Discharge has the following meanings in the field of medicine.
1. To release a patient from a hospital. When used in this sense, discharge is often abbreviated in medical charts as "d/c." When patients are released from the hospital, they are usually provided with discharge instructions which provide information about the diagnosis, signs, symptoms, treatment, and follow-up information. The doctor typically writes a note known as a discharge summary which describes the history of the presenting condition, course of treatment, diagnosis, and plan of care.
2. Something that is released or leaves the body as waste. An example would be urine being eliminated from the bladder or feces being eliminated from the intestines. Something that is discharged from the body as waste is known as a secretion. Another form of discharge is secretions. Secretions (such as saliva) are chemical substances released by something in the body, such as a gland.
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3. A release of emotions, as demonstrated by crying, screaming, or other types of emotional displays. Emotional discharges are often accompanied by a variety of voluntary and involuntary reflexes.
4. To release or evacuate a substance or object.
5. The release of energy through or from a nerve cell.
6. To release an electric charge from a source of electricity, such as a battery.
Discharge comes from the Old French word "deschargier" meaning "to expel."
4. To release or evacuate a substance or object.
5. The release of energy through or from a nerve cell.
6. To release an electric charge from a source of electricity, such as a battery.
Discharge comes from the Old French word "deschargier" meaning "to expel."