question

Abduction

answer

moving a body part away from the body.

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Abuse

answer

purposely causing physical, mental, or emotional pain or injury to someone.

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Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)

answer

personal care tasks a person does every day to care for him- or herself; include bathing, dressing, caring for teeth and hair, toileting, eating and drinking, and moving around.

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Activity Therapy

answer

therapy for people with Alzheimer's djsease that uses activities to prevent boredom and frustration.

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Acute

answer

an illness that has severe symptoms.

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Acute care

answer

care performed in hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers.

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Adaptive devices

answer

special equipment that helps a person who is ill or disabled to perform ADLs; also called assistive devices.

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Adduction

answer

moving a body part toward the body.

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Adult daycare

answer

care given at a facility during daytime hours; generally for people who need some help but are not seriously ill or disabled.

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Advance directives

answer

documents that allow people to choose what kind of medical care they wish to have if they are unable to make those decisions themselves.

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Affected side

answer

a weakened side from a stroke or injury; also called the "weaker" or "involved" side.

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Ageism

answer

prejudice toward, stereotyping of, and/or discrimination against older persons or the elderly.

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Airborne Precautions

answer

used for diseases that can be transmitted through the air after being expelled.

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Ambulation

answer

walking.

question

Amputation

answer

removal of some or all of a body part.

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Angina pectoris

answer

chest pain.

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Anxiety

answer

uneasiness or fear, often about a situation or condition.

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Apathy

answer

a lack of interest.

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Aphasia

answer

the inability to speak or to speak clearly.

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Asepsis

answer

term meaning that no infection is present.

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Aspiration

answer

the inhalation of food or drink into the lungs; can cause pneumonia or death.

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Assault

answer

when a person feels fearful that he will be touched without his permission.

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Assisted living

answer

facilities where residents live who need some assistance; they do not usually require skilled care.

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Assistive devices

answer

special equipment that helps a person who is ill or disabled to perform ADLs; also called adaptive devices.

question

Atrophy

answer

the wasting away, decreasing in size, and weakening of muscles.

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Autoimmune illness

answer

condition in which the body's immune system attacks normal tissue in the body.

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Battery

answer

when a person is touched without his or her permission.

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Bloodborne pathogens

answer

microorganisms found in human blood; can cause infection and disease in humans.

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Body mechanics

answer

the way the parts of the body work together whenever a person moves.

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Bony prominences

answer

areas of the body where the bone lies close to the skin.

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Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

answer

medical procedures used when a person's heart or lungs have stopped working.

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Care plan

answer

a plan developed for each resident to achieve certain goals.

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Care team

answer

people with different education and experience who help care for residents.

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Catastrophic reaction

answer

overreacting to something in an unreasonable way.

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Catheter

answer

a tube used to drain urine from the bladder.

question

C. difficile (C. diff clostridium difficile)

answer

a bacterial illness that can cause diarrhea and colitis; spread by spores in feces that are difficult to kill.

question

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

answer

a federal government agency that issues guidelines to protect and improve health.

question

Chain of command

answer

the order of authority within a facility.

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Chain of infection

answer

a way to describe how disease is transmitted from one living being to another.

question

Charting

answer

writing down information.

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Chronic

answer

refers to the fact that a disease or condition is long-term or long-lasting.

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Cliches

answer

phrases that are used over and over again and do not really mean anything.

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Closed bed

answer

a bed completely made with the bedspread and blankets in place.

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Cognition

answer

the ability to think logically and quickly.

question

Combative

answer

violent or hostile behavior.

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Combustion

answer

the process of burning.

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Communication

answer

the process of exchanging information with others.

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Compassionate

answer

caring, concerned, empathetic, and understanding.

question

Condom catheter

answer

an external catheter that has an attachment on the end that fits onto the penis; also called a Texas catheter.

question

Confidentiality

answer

keeping private things private.

question

Confusion

answer

the inability to think clearly.

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Conscientious

answer

always trying to do one's best.

question

Considerate

answer

being understanding of residents' feelings and privacy.

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Constipation

answer

the difficult and often painful elimination of a hard, dry stool.

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Constrict

answer

to close.

question

Contact Precautions

answer

used when a resident is at risk of transmitting or contracting a microorganism from touching an infected object or person.

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Contractures

answer

the permanent and often painful stiffening of a joint and muscle.

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Cultural diversity

answer

the variety of people living and working together in the world.

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Culture

answer

a system of behaviors people learn from the people they grow up and live with.

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Dangle

answer

to sit up with the feet over the side of the bed to regain balance.

question

Defense mechanisms

answer

unconscious behaviors used to release tension or cope with stress.

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Dehydration

answer

a serious condition in which there is not enough fluid in the body.

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Delusions

answer

believing things that are not true.

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Dementia

answer

a serious loss of mental abilities such as thinking, remembering, reasoning, and communicating.

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Dentures

answer

artificial teeth.

question

Dependable

answer

being on time and helping others when they need it.

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Diabetes

answer

a condition in which the pancreas does not produce enough insulin; causes problems with circulation and can damage vital organs.

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Diagnosis

answer

a medical condition.

question

Diastolic

answer

phase when the heart relaxes.

question

Diet cards

answer

cards that list the resident"s name and information about special diets, allergies, likes and dislikes, and other instructions.

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Digestion

answer

the process of breaking down food so that it can be absorbed into the cells.

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Dilate

answer

to widen.

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Disinfection

answer

measure used to decrease the spread of pathogens and disease by destroying pathogens.

question

Disorientation

answer

confusion about time or place.

question

Diuretics

answer

drugs that reduce fluid in the body.

question

Domestic violence

answer

abuse by spouses or intimate partners.

question

Dorsiflexion

answer

bending backward.

question

Double-bagging

answer

putting waste in a trash bag, closing it, and putting the first bag in a second, clean trash bag and closing it.

question

Draw sheets

answer

turning sheets that are placed under residents who are unable to assist with turning, lifting, or moving up in bed.

question

Droplet Precautions

answer

used when the disease-causing microorganism does not stay suspended in the air and travels only short distances after being expelled.

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Dysphagia

answer

difficulty swallowing.

question

Edema

answer

swelling caused by excess fluid in body tissues.

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Elimination

answer

the process of expelling solid wastes that are not absorbed into the cells.

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Emotional lability

answer

laughing or crying without any reason, or when it is inappropriate.

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Empathy

answer

being able to enter into the feelings of others.

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Enema

answer

a specific amount of water flowed into the colon to eliminate stool.

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Ergonomics

answer

the practice of designing equipment and work tasks to suit the worker's abilities.

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Ethics

answer

the knowledge of right and wrong.

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Expiration

answer

exhaling air out of the lungs.

question

Extension

answer

straightening a body part.

question

False imprisonment

answer

the unlawful restraint of someone which affects the person's freedom of movement; includes both the threat of being physically restrained and actually being physically restrained.

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Fecal impaction

answer

a hard stool stuck in the rectum that cannot be expelled.

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Financial abuse

answer

stealing, taking advantage of, or improperly using the money, property, or other assets of another.

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First aid

answer

care given in an emergency before trained medical professionals can take over.

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Flammable

answer

easily ignited and capable of burning quickly.

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Flexion

answer

bending a body part.

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Fluid balance

answer

maintaining equal input and output, or taking in and eliminating equal amounts of fluid.

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Fluid overload

answer

a condition in which the body is unable to handle the amount of fluid consumed.

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Force fluids

answer

a medical order for a person to drink more fluids.

question

Fowler's

answer

position with the person partially reclined.

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Fracture

answer

a broken bone.

question

Fracture pan

answer

a bedpan used for residents who cannot assist with raising their hips onto a regular bedpan.

question

Gait

answer

manner of walking.

question

Gastrostomy

answer

an opening in the stomach and the abdomen.

question

Gestational diabetes

answer

a condition in which pregnant women who have never had diabetes before have high blood sugar levels during pregnancy.

question

Glands

answer

structures that secrete fluids.

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Hallucinations

answer

seeing or hearing things that are not there.

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Hand hygiene

answer

handwashing with soap and water and using alcohol-based hand rubs.

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Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

answer

a law that requires health information be kept private and secure; organizations must take special steps to protect health information.

question

Hemiparesis

answer

weakness on one side of the body.

question

Hemiplegia

answer

paralysis on one side of the body, weakness, or loss of movement.

question

Hepatitis

answer

the inflammation of the liver caused by different viruses.

question

Hoarding

answer

collecting and putting things away in a guarded way.

question

Home care

answer

care provided in a person's home.

question

Homeostasis

answer

the name for the condition in which all of the body's systems are working their best.

question

.Hormones

answer

chemicals that control numerous body functions.

question

Hospice

answer

care for individuals who have six months or less to live; provides physical and emotional care and comfort.

question

Hypertension

answer

high blood pressure.

question

Incident

answer

an accident or an unexpected event during the course of care.

question

Incontinence

answer

the inability to control the bladder or bowels.

question

Indwelling catheter

answer

a catheter that stays in the bladder for a period of time.

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Infection control

answer

set of methods used to control and prevent the spread of disease.

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Inflammation

answer

swelling.

question

Informed consent

answer

the process in which a person, with the help of his doctor, makes informed decisions about his health care.

question

Inspiration

answer

breathing air into the lungs.

question

Insulin

answer

a hormone that converts glucose, or natural sugar, into energy for the body.

question

Intake

answer

the fluid a person consumes.

question

Intravenous (IV)

answer

into a vein.

question

Involuntary seclusion

answer

confinement or separation from others in a certain area; done without consent or against one's will.

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Lateral

answer

position with person on his or her side.

question

Laws

answer

rules set by the government to protect the people and to help them live peacefully together.

question

Liability

answer

a legal term that means someone can be held responsible for harming someone else.

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Localized infection

answer

an infection limited to a specific part of the body; the infection has local symptoms.

question

Logrolling

answer

moving a person as a unit, without disturbing the alignment of the body.

question

Long-term care (LTC)

answer

care for persons who require 24-hour care and assistance.

question

Masturbation

answer

to touch or rub sexual organs in order to give oneself or another person sexual pleasure.

question

Menopause

answer

the stopping of menstrual periods.

question

Metabolism

answer

the body's physical and chemical processes.

question

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)

answer

an infectious disease caused by bacteria that are resistant to many antibiotics.

question

Microorganism

answer

a tiny living thing always present in the environment; not visible to the eye without a microscope.

question

Modified diet

answer

a special diet for people who have certain illnesses; also called special or therapeutic diet.

question

Nasogastric tube

answer

a special feeding tube that is inserted into the nose going to the stomach.

question

Neglect

answer

failing to provide needed care.

question

Negligence

answer

the failure to provide the proper care for a resident, resulting in unintended injury.

question

Nonverbal communication

answer

communication without using words.

question

Non-weight bearing (NWB)

answer

the inability to support any weight on one or both legs.

question

Nosocomial infection

answer

an infection acquired in a hospital or other healthcare facility; also known as hospital-acquired infection (HAI).

question

Nutrition

answer

how the body uses food to maintain health.

question

Objective information

answer

information based on what is seen, heard, touched, or smelled.

question

OBRA (Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act)

answer

law passed by the federal government that established minimum standards for nursing assistant training.

question

Obsessive compulsive disorder

answer

disorder in which a person uses obsessive behavior to cope with anxiety.

question

Obstructed airway

answer

a condition in which a person has something blocking the tube through which air enters the lungs.

question

Occupied bed

answer

a bed made while a person is in the bed.

question

Ombudsman

answer

a legal advocate for residents who visits the facility, listens to residents, and decides what course of action to take if there is a problem.

question

Open bed

answer

folding the linen down to the foot of the bed.

question

Oral care

answer

care of the mouth, teeth, and gums.

question

OSHA (The Occupational Safety and Health Administration)

answer

a federal government agency that makes rules to protect workers from hazards on the job.

question

Osteoarthritis

answer

a type of arthritis that usually affects hips and knees and joints of the fingers, thumbs, and spine.

question

Osteoporosis

answer

a condition in which the bones become brittle and weak; may be due to age, lack of hormones, not enough calcium in bones, alcohol, or lack of exercise.

question

Ostomy

answer

the surgical removal of a portion of the intestines.

question

Outpatient care

answer

care usually provided for less than 24 hours for persons who have had treatments or surgery requiring short-term skilled care. .

question

Output

answer

eliminated fluid in urine, feces, and vomitus; it also includes perspiration and moisture in the air that is exhaled.

question

Pacing

answer

walking back and forth in the same area.

question

Palliative

answer

care that focuses on the comfort and dignity of the person, rather than on curing him or her.

question

Panic disorder

answer

a disorder in which a person is terrified for no known reason.

question

Paraplegia

answer

loss of function of lower body and legs.

question

Partial weight bearing (PWB)

answer

the ability to support some weight on one or both legs.

question

Pathogens

answer

harmful microorganisms. Pediculosis$an infestation of lice.

question

PEC tube

answer

a feeding tube placed through the skin directly into the stomach.

question

Perineum

answer

the area between the genitals and anus.

question

Perseverating

answer

the repetition of a word, phrase, question, or activity over and over.

question

Personal

answer

refers to life outside one's job, such as family, friends, and home life.

question

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

answer

a barrier between a person and disease.

question

Phantom sensation

answer

pain or feeling from a body part that has been amputated.

question

Phobia

answer

intense form of anxiety.

question

Physical abuse

answer

any treatment, intentional or not, that causes harm to a person's body; includes slapping, bruising, cutting, burning, physically restraining, pushing, shoving, or rough handling.

question

Pillaging

answer

taking things that belong to someone else.

question

Policy

answer

a course of action that should be taken every time a certain situation occurs.

question

Portable commode

answer

a chair with a toilet seat and a removable container underneath.

question

Positioning

answer

helping people into positions that will be comfortable and healthy.

question

Postmortem care

answer

care of the body after death.

question

Post-traumatic stress disorder

answer

anxiety-related disorder caused by a traumatic experience.

question

Pre-diabetes

answer

a condition in which a person's blood glucose levels are above normal but not high enough for a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes.

question

Pressure points

answer

areas of the body that bear much of its weight.

question

Pressure sore

answer

a serious wound resulting from skin breakdown; also known as a bed sore or decubitus ulcer.

question

Procedure

answer

a particular method, or way, of doing something.

question

Professional

answer

having to do with work or a job.

question

Professionalism

answer

how a person behaves when he or she is on the job.

question

Pronation

answer

turning downward.

question

Prone

answer

position with person lying on his or her stomach.

question

Prosthesis

answer

an artificial body part.

question

Psychological abuse

answer

emotionally harming a person by threatening, scaring, humiliating, intimidating, isolating, insulting, or treating him or her as a child; also includes verbal abuse.

question

Psychosocial needs

answer

needs which involve social interaction, emotions, intellect, and spirituality.

question

Puree

answer

to chop, blend, or grind food into a thick paste of baby food consistency.

question

Quadriplegia

answer

loss of function of legs, trunk, and arms.

question

Radial pulse

answer

the pulse site found on the inside of the wrist.

question

Range of motion (ROM) exercises

answer

exercises that put a particular joint through its full arc of motion. .

question

Reality Orientation

answer

uses calendars, clocks, signs, and lists to help people with Alzheimer's disease remember who and where they are.

question

Rehabilitation

answer

managed by professionals to restore a person to the highest possible level of functioning after an illness or injury.

question

Reminiscence Therapy

answer

therapy for people with Alzheimer's disease that encourages talking about the past.

question

Reproduce

answer

to create new human life.

question

Residents

answer

the people who live in nursing homes.

question

Residents' Rights

answer

numerous rights identified by the OBRA law for residents in long-term care facilities or nursing homes; purpose is to inform residents and others of their rights within these facilities and to provide an ethical code of conduct for healthcare workers.

question

Respiration

answer

the process of breathing air into the lungs and exhaling air out of the lungs.

question

Restorative services

answer

care used to keep a person at the level achieved by the rehabilitation team.

question

Restraint

answer

a physical or chemical way to restrict voluntary movement or behavior.

question

Restraint alternatives

answer

any intervention used in place of a restraint or that reduces the need for a restraint.

question

Restraint-free

answer

an environment in which restraints are not used for any reason.

question

Restrict fluids

answer

a medical order for a person to limit fluids.

question

Rheumatoid arthritis

answer

a type of arthritis in which joints become red, swollen, and very painful, and movement is restricted.

question

Rotation

answer

turning a joint.

question

Scalds

answer

burns caused by hot liquids.

question

Scope of practice

answer

defines the things a nursing assistant is allowed to do and how to do them correctly.

question

Sexual abuse

answer

forcing a person to perform or participate in sexual acts.

question

Sexual harassment

answer

any unwelcome sexual advance or behavior that Creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment.

question

Shock

answer

a condition in which the organs and tissues in the body do not receive adequate blood supply.

question

Skilled care

answer

medically necessary care given by a skilled nurse or therapist.

question

Sims'

answer

position with person lying on his or her left side with one leg drawn up.

question

Special diet

answer

a diet for people who have certain illnesses; also called therapeutic or modified diet.

question

Specimen

answer

a sample.

question

Sputum

answer

mucus coughed up from the lungs.

question

Sterilization

answer

measure used to decrease the spread of pathogens and disease by destroying all microorganisms, not just pathogens.

question

Stoma

answer

an artificial opening in body.

question

Straight catheter

answer

a catheter that does not stay in the body and is removed immediately after urine is drained.

question

Stress

answer

the state of being frightened, excited, confused, in danger, or irritated.

question

Stressor

answer

something that causes stress.

question

Subacute care

answer

care performed in either a hospital or a traditional nursing home.

question

Subjective information

answer

information that cannot be or was not observed; based on what a person thinks or something that was reported by another that may or may not be true.

question

Substance abuse

answer

the use of legal or illegal drugs, cigarettes, or alcohol in a way that harms oneself or others.

question

Supination

answer

turning upward.

question

Supine

answer

position with person lying flat on his or her back.

question

Suppository

answer

a medication given rectally to cause a bowel movement.

question

Sympathy

answer

sharing in the feelings and difficulties of others.

question

Systemic infection

answer

an infection that occurs when pathogens enter the bloodstream and move throughout the body; causes general symptoms.

question

Systolic

answer

phase where the heart is at work, contracting and pushing blood out of the left ventricle.

question

Tact

answer

the ability to understand what is proper and appropriate when dealing with others.

question

Terminal illness

answer

a disease or condition that will eventually cause death.

question

Therapeutic diet

answer

a special diet for people who have certain illnesses; also called special or modified diet.

question

Total parenteral nutrition (TPN)

answer

a special type of feeding in which a person receives nutrients directly into the bloodstream.

question

Transfer belt

answer

a belt made of canvas or other heavy material used to assist residents who are weak, unsteady, or uncoordinated; also called a gait belt.

question

Tuberculosis (TB)

answer

a bacterial infection that affects the lungs; causes coughing, difficulty breathing, fever, and fatigue.

question

Tumor

answer

a group of abnormally growing cells.

question

Unoccupied bed

answer

a bed made while no person is in the bed.

question

Validating

answer

giving value to or approving.

question

Validation Therapy

answer

therapy for people with Alzheimer's disease that lets them believe they live in the past or in imaginary circumstances.

question

Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus (VRE)

answer

a resistance caused by a person not taking all of a powerful antibiotic called Vancomycin.

question

Verbal abuse

answer

oral or written words, pictures, or gestures that threaten, embarrass, or insult a person.

question

Verbal communication

answer

written or spoken messages.

question

Wandering

answer

walking aimlessly around the facility.

question

Workplace violence

answer

abuse of staff by residents or other staff members; can be verbal, physical, or sexual.

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