question

alias

answer

an assigned name under which certain clients are admitted to (and records kept in) a healthcare facility in order to maintain anonymity.

question

aphasia

answer

an abnormal neurologic condition in which a person is unable to express oneself through speech or writing.

question

assertiveness

answer

conﬁdence without aggression or passivity, an important skill for a nurse to possess in interpersonal communication.

question

body language

answer

impressions one conveys through body movements and posture, eye contact, and other non-verbal means.

question

closed-ended question

answer

questions that can usually be answered by one word, such as "yes" or "no;" also called close-ended questions.

question

communication

answer

giving, receiving, and interpreting information (maybe verbal or nonverbal).

question

eye contact

answer

looking another person in the eye, as in "making eye contact."

question

interview

answer

a goal-directed conversation in which one person seeks information from the other.

question

nonverbal communication

answer

conveying information or messages without speaking or writing. Components include items such as therapeutic touch, gestures, body language, facial expression, and eye contact.

question

open-ended question

answer

questions used in therapeutic communication and interviews that promote in-depth answers and encourage clients to talk about themselves and their concerns.

question

personal space

answer

an invisible, mutually understood area or zone around a per-son that is considered inappropriate for strangers to violate (varies between cultures). If a person invades another's personal space (comes too close), it may cause discomfort. Much nursing care must occur within the client's personal space.

question

proxemics

answer

the use of space in relationship to communication.

question

therapeutic communication

answer

communication (usually verbal) with a client that is helpful and beneficial; creating a healing, curative, and safe milieu by using communication.

question

verbal communication

answer

giving information, news, or messages by speaking or writing.

question

acuity

answer

clearness; or a disorder's level of severity; minimum level or need for healthcare services that must be met for a client to be admitted to an acute care facility.

question

dehumanization

answer

to make a person/client feel like an object, to remove one's dignity.

question

vital signs

answer

measurements of temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure.

question

apical pulse

answer

pulse normally heard at the heart's apex, which usually gives the most accurate assessment of pulse rate.

question

apical-radial pulse

answer

reading done by measuring both the apical and radial pulses simultaneously, used when it is suspected that the heart is not effectively pumping blood.

question

apnea

answer

cessation of breathing

question

auscultation

answer

externally listening to sounds from within the body to determine abnormal conditions, as auscultation of blood pressure with a stethoscope

question

axillary

answer

the underarms

question

bradycardia

answer

abnormally slow heart; slow pulse

question

bradypnea

answer

condition in which breaths are abnormally slow and fall below ten per minute.

question

carotid pulse

answer

pulse felt on either side of the neck, over the carotid artery.

question

Celsius

answer

temperature scale in which water boils at 100 degrees and freezes at zero (formerly centigrade). "Normal" oral body temperature is 37 degrees Celsius. Celsius scale most often used in health care facilities.

question

Normal range oral temperature

answer

35.5-37.5 C (95.5-99.5 F)

question

Normal range respriatory rates adult Men

answer

12-18

question

Normal range respriatory rates adult

answer

16-20

question

Normal blood pressure parameters for adults

answer

120/80

question

Normal pulse rate for adults

answer

60-80 BPM ( beats per minute)

question

base of support

answer

balance or stability provided by the feet and their positioning.

question

body mechanics

answer

use of safe and efficient methods of moving and lifting.

question

center of gravity

answer

the center of one's weight; half of one's body weight is below and half above, and half to the left and half to the right of the center of gravity. This concept is important in body mechanics.

question

circumduction

answer

circular movement of a limb or the eye.

question

client reminder device

answer

piece of equipment, most often a vest or a belt, used to ensure the safety of the client (ie, helping client to remain in a chair without falling); also called a client reminder device.

question

contracture

answer

abnormal shortening of muscles with resultant deformity.

question

contralateral

answer

the opposite side.

question

dangling

answer

positioning of a client so that he or she is sitting on the edge of the bed with legs down and feet supported by a footstool or the floor. This is an exercise in preparation for sitting in a chair and/or walking.

question

eversion

answer

turning inside out; turning outward

question

footdrop

answer

contracture deformity that prevents the client from putting the heel on the floor; results from improper positioning or anterior leg muscle paralysis; abnormal plantar flexion of foot.

question

Fowler's position

answer

examination position in which the client is lying on his or her back with the head elevated.

question

gait

answer

manner or style of walking

question

gait belt

answer

sturdy webbed belt used by the nurse to help provide support to the weak or unsteady person.

question

gravital plane

answer

direction of gravitation pull; an imaginary vertical line through the top of the head, center of gravity, and base of support.

question

gurney

answer

our-wheeled cart; also called gurney, wheeled stretcher. A litter scale is used to weigh clients who cannot stand.

question

hemiplegia

answer

paralysis on one side of the body.

question

inversion

answer

turning inside out; reversing.

question

isometric

answer

having the same length or dimensions, as isometric exercises(pushing against stable resistance);also called muscle setting.

question

lateral

answer

side-lying

question

line of gravity

answer

direction of gravitation pull; an imaginary vertical line through the top of the head, center of gravity, and base of support.

question

lithotomy

answer

examination position in which the client is lying on his or her back with the feet in stirrups.

question

litter

answer

same as gurney

question

logroll turn

answer

method of turning a client that keeps the body in straight alignment, used for clients with injuries to the back and/or spinal cord.

question

orthopneic position

answer

difficult breathing, relieved by sitting or standing erect; orthopneic position: sitting and leaning forward, to facilitate breathing.

question

paralysis

answer

motion loss or impairment of sensation in a body part.

question

paraplegia

answer

paralysis of the legs and sometimes the lower part of the body; a person with this condition is called a paraplegic.

question

pronation

answer

turning the hand so that the palm faces downward or backward.

question

prone

answer

positioning a client so that he or she is lying on the stomach

question

protective device

answer

same as client reminder device

question

rotation

answer

process of turning about an axis, as rotation of the hand.

question

Sims' position

answer

examination position in which the client is lying on his or her left side with right knee ﬂexed.

question

supine

answer

lying on back

question

transfer belt

answer

sturdy webbed belt used by the nurse to help provide support to the weak or unsteady person.

question

transfer board

answer

board made of hard plastic used to move patients who are unable to stand from the side of the bed to a chair.

question

trochanter roll

answer

padding placed onsides of legs and feet of a client in bed, to prevent abnormal outward rotation and related sequela.

question

bed cradle

answer

a frame used to prevent bedclothes from touching all or part of a person's body.

question

closed bed

answer

bed used when preparing a unit for a new client—an unoccupied bed

question

egg crate mattress

answer

a foam pad, shaped like an egg carton, which is used on top of a regular bed mattress to provide comfort and to pre-vent pressure areas.

question

ﬂotation mattress

answer

mattress or pad ﬁlled with a gel-type material which supports the body in a way to pro-vide comfort and avoid creating pressure points, thereby helping to prevent skin breakdown.

question

footboard

answer

vertical support at the foot of a bed, helps to prevent footdrop.

question

footdrop

answer

contracture deformity that prevents the client from putting the heel on the ﬂoor; results from improper positioning or anterior leg muscle paralysis; abnormal plantar ﬂexion of the foot.

question

mitered (corners)

answer

the type of beveled corners used when making a hospital bed.

question

occupied bed

answer

bed holding a client that is unable to get up as a result of his or her condition or generalized weakness.

question

open bed

answer

bed that allows linens to be turned down, making it easier for a person to get into or out of.

question

postoperative bed

answer

bed prepared for a client who is returning from surgery or another procedure that requires transfer into the bed from a stretcher or wheelchair.

question

traction

answer

exertion of a pulling force; an apparatus attached to the client to maintain stability of a joint or aligned fracture or to exert a pulling force elsewhere, as in the lower back, to relieve pressure.

question

trapeze

answer

horizontal bar suspended above and attached to the bed, which is used to pull up to a sitting position or to lift the shoulders and hips off the bed.

question

unoccupied bed

answer

bed that is empty at the time it is made up.

question

dental caries

answer

The formation of cavities in the teeth by the action of bacteria; tooth decay.

question

friable

answer

fagile; easily broken

question

halitosis

answer

bad breath

question

nits

answer

lice eggs

question

pediculosis

answer

infested with lice

question

perineal care

answer

bathing genitals and surrounding area

question

pyorrhea

answer

copious discharge of pus

question

smegma

answer

sebaceous gland secretion that may collect under foreskin of penis in an uncircumcised male.

question

sordes

answer

foul, dark matter that collects around the teeth and lips in low grade fever

question

base of support

answer

balance or stability provided by the feet and their positioning

question

body mechanics

answer

use of safe and efficient methods of moving and lifting

question

center of gravity

answer

the center of one's weight; half of one's body weight is below and half above, and half to the left and half to the right of the center of gravity. This concept is important in body mechanics.

question

circumduction

answer

circular movement of a limb or the eye.

question

client reminder device

answer

piece of equipment, most often a vest or a belt, used to ensure the safety of the client (ie, helping client to remain in a chair without falling); also called a client reminder device.

question

contracture

answer

abnormal shortening of muscles with resultant deformity.

question

contralateral

answer

the opposite side

question

dangling

answer

positioning of a client so that he or she is sitting on the edge of the bed with legs down and feet supported by a footstool or the floor. This is an exercise in preparation for sitting in a chair and/or walking.

question

eversion

answer

turning inside out; turning outward

question

footdrop

answer

contracture deformity that prevents the client from putting the heel on the floor; results from improper positioning or anterior leg muscle paralysis; abnormal plantar flexion of foot.

question

Fowler's position

answer

examination position in which the client is lying on his or her back with the head elevated.

question

gait

answer

manner or style of walking

question

gait belt

answer

sturdy webbed belt used by the nurse to help provide support to the weak or unsteady person.

question

gravital plane

answer

direction of gravitation pull; an imaginary vertical line through the top of the head, center of gravity, and base of support.

question

gurney

answer

our-wheeled cart; also called gurney, wheeled stretcher. A litter scale is used to weigh clients who cannot stand.

question

hemiplegia

answer

paralysis on one side of the body.

question

inversion

answer

turning inside out; reversing.

question

isometric

answer

having the same length or dimensions, as isometric exercises(pushing against stable resistance);also called muscle setting.

question

lateral

answer

side-lying

question

line of gravity

answer

direction of gravitation pull; an imaginary vertical line through the top of the head, center of gravity, and base of support.

question

lithotomy

answer

examination position in which the client is lying on his or her back with the feet in stirrups.

question

litter

answer

same as gurney

question

logroll turn

answer

method of turning a client that keeps the body in straight alignment, used for clients with injuries to the back and/or spinal cord.

question

orthopneic position

answer

difficult breathing, relieved by sitting or standing erect; orthopneic position: sitting and leaning forward, to facilitate breathing.

question

paralysis

answer

motion loss or impairment of sensation in a body part.

question

paraplegia

answer

paralysis of the legs and sometimes the lower part of the body; a person with this condition is called a paraplegic.

question

pronation

answer

turning the hand so that the palm faces downward or backward.

question

prone

answer

positioning a client so that he or she is lying on the stomach.

question

protective device

answer

same as client reminder device

question

rotation

answer

process of turning about an axis, as rotation of the hand

question

Sims' position

answer

examination position in which the client is lying on his or her left side with right knee ﬂexed.

question

supine

answer

lying on back

question

transfer belt

answer

sturdy webbed belt used by the nurse to help provide support to the weak or unsteady person.

question

transfer board

answer

board made of hard plastic used to move patients who are unable to stand from the side of the bed to a chair.

question

trochanter roll

answer

padding placed onsides of legs and feet of a client in bed, to prevent abnormal outward rotation and related sequela.

question

bed cradle

answer

a frame used to prevent bedclothes from touching all or part of a person's body.

question

closed bed

answer

bed used when preparing a unit for a new client—an unoccupied bed

question

egg crate mattress

answer

a foam pad, shaped like an egg carton, which is used on top of a regular bed mattress to provide comfort and to pre-vent pressure areas.

question

ﬂotation mattress

answer

mattress or pad ﬁlled with a gel-type material which supports the body in a way to pro-vide comfort and avoid creating pressure points, thereby helping to prevent skin breakdown.

question

footboard

answer

vertical support at the foot of a bed, helps to prevent footdrop.

question

footdrop

answer

contracture deformity that prevents the client from putting the heel on the ﬂoor; results from improper positioning or anterior leg muscle paralysis; abnormal plantar ﬂexion of the foot.

question

mitered (corners)

answer

the type of beveled corners used when making a hospital bed.

question

occupied bed

answer

bed holding a client that is unable to get up as a result of his or her condition or generalized weakness.

question

open bed

answer

bed that allows linens to be turned down, making it easier for a person to get into or out of.

question

postoperative bed

answer

bed prepared for a client who is returning from surgery or another procedure that requires transfer into the bed from a stretcher or wheelchair.

question

traction

answer

exertion of a pulling force; an apparatus attached to the client to maintain stability of a joint or aligned fracture or to exert a pulling force elsewhere, as in the lower back, to relieve pressure.

question

trapeze

answer

horizontal bar suspended above and attached to the bed, which is used to pull up to a sitting position or to lift the shoulders and hips off the bed.

question

unoccupied bed

answer

bed that is empty at the time it is made up.

question

dental caries

answer

The formation of cavities in the teeth by the action of bacteria; tooth decay.

question

friable

answer

fragile; easily broken

question

halitosis

answer

bad breath

question

nits

answer

lice eggs

question

pediculosis

answer

infested with lice

question

perineal care

answer

bathing genitals and surrounding area

question

pyorrhea

answer

copious discharge of pus

question

smegma

answer

sebaceous gland secretion that may collect under foreskin of penis in an uncircumcised male.

question

sordes

answer

foul, dark matter that collects around the teeth and lips in low grade fever

question

abscess

answer

collection of pus in a localized area

question

accommodation

answer

adjustment, as the accommodation of the lens of the eye.

question

acuity

answer

clearness; or a disorder's level of severity; minimum level or need for healthcare services that must be met for a client to be admitted to an acute care facility.

question

acute disease

answer

disease or illness that develops suddenly and runs its course in days or weeks; illnesses that interfere with the continuum for a short period of time.

question

auscultation

answer

externally listening to sounds from within the body to determine abnormal conditions, as auscultation of blood pressure with a stethoscope.

question

biopsy

answer

removal of a sample of body tissue or ﬂuid for diagnostic examination, usually microscopic; most often used to detect the presence of cancer.

question

chronic disease

answer

a disease of long duration that generally manifests itself in an individual as recurring problems that tend to worsen in severity over time.

question

cognitive function

answer

ability to think and reason.

question

complication

answer

an unexpected event in a disease's course that delays a person's recovery.

question

conjunctivitis

answer

commonly called pinkeye; inﬂammation of the conjunctiva.

question

crackle

answer

on auscultation, an abnormal discontinuous non-musical respiratory sound heard on inspiration; formerly called rale.

question

diplopia

answer

double vision

question

dysphasia

answer

difﬁculty in understanding or expressing language.

question

ecchymosis

answer

bleeding into the tissue sunder the skin, leaving small bruise.

question

emaciation

answer

a wasting away of the ﬂesh, causing extreme leanness, starvation. (adj: emaciated).

question

endoscope

answer

a tube-shaped, lighted device used to visualize or operate on hollow organs or within body cavities. Specialized endoscopes include the gastroscope, broncho-scope, and proctoscope. (Process of visualization using this tool is called endoscopy.)

question

erythema

answer

skin redness produced by capillary congestion, as may follow a tuberculin test; bright red color associated with capillary dilation, can indicate fever or infection.

question

exudate

answer

material that escapes from blood vessels and is deposited in tissues or on tissue surfaces; usually contains protein substances.

question

ﬁstula

answer

an abnormal tube-like passage or channel, as an anal ﬁstula or sinus tract.

question

granulation tissue

answer

new tissue that forms when old destroyed tissue is sloughed off.

question

guaiac

answer

tool examination for blood; also known as Hemoccult.

question

Hemoccult

answer

a test for occult (hidden)blood in stool or body secretions.

question

hemorrhage

answer

excessive bleeding(internal or external); escape of blood from non-intact blood vessels.

question

herniation

answer

abnormal protrusion of an organ or tissue through the structure usually containing it, as an inguinal hernia or hiatal hernia; rupture; condition is called herniation.

question

Homans' sign

answer

a test for thrombophlebitis in which pain occurs behind the knee when the foot is hyper ﬂexed upward (dorsiﬂexion).

question

induration

answer

a hardened place, a lump, as in the skin in a positive reaction to a tuberculin test.

question

infection

answer

the invasion and multiplication of infective agents in body tissues with a resultant reaction(illness or injury) to their presence and/or their toxins.

question

inﬂammation

answer

a condition resulting from irritation in any body part, marked by pain, heat, redness, and swelling.

question

inspection

answer

careful, close, and detailed visual examination of a body part.

question

keloid

answer

scar or scar tissue

question

kyphosis

answer

an abnormal increase in the thoracic curvature of the spine, giving a hunchback appearance, commonly as a result of osteoporosis.

question

lordosis

answer

an abnormal increase in the thoracic curvature of the spine, giving a hunchback appearance, commonly as a result of osteoporosis.

question

macule

answer

a ﬂat discolored spot on the skin (also, macule); a dense scar of the cornea that can be seen without optical aids.

question

malaise

answer

feeling of illness; general bodily discomfort.

question

necrosis

answer

tissue death

question

nodule

answer

type of skin lesion appearing as a small knot or protuberance

question

observation

answer

assessment tool that relies on the use of the ﬁve senses to discover objective information about the client.

question

pain

answer

feeling of suffering, distress or agony, caused by stimulation of specialized nerve endings, a protective device of the body; a subjective sensation (reported by the client).

question

pallor

answer

absence of skin pigment; paleness.

question

palpation

answer

the act of feeling with the hand, placing the ﬁngers on the skin to determine the condition of under-lying parts.

question

papule

answer

small, solid, circumscribed skin elevation, less than 0.5-1.0 cm in diameter.

question

percussion

answer

tapping a body part with short sharp blows to elicit sounds or vibrations that aid in diagnosis; often refers to the use of a percussion hammer to elicit a reﬂex.

question

primary disease

answer

a disease that occurs independently, not related to another disease.

question

purulent

answer

consisting of or secreting pus.

question

pustule

answer

a small elevation of the skin ﬁlled with pus or lymph.

question

rhonchi

answer

rattling sounds in the throat that resemble snoring (singular, rhonchus).

question

risk factor

answer

a factor that increases a person's likelihood of developing a certain disease.

question

scoliosis

answer

lateral curvature of the normally straight, vertical line of the spine, sometimes is S-shaped ("curvature of the spine").

question

secondary disease

answer

a disease that directly results from or depends on another disease.

question

sequela

answer

an illness or injury that follows as a direct result of a previous condition or event.

question

serosanguineous

answer

ﬂuid drainage com-posed of serum and blood.

question

serous

answer

containing clear ﬂuid; drainage made up of serum

question

sign

answer

objective evidence of disease that another person can note (as opposed to symptom, which only the client can describe).

question

slough

answer

to shed; to cast off (noun: slough—a mass of dead tissue).

question

strabismus

answer

a deviation of the eye; squint. (Convergent strabismus is called cross-eye; divergent strabismus is called exotropia or walleye. Other types include cyclotropia ,esotropia, hypertropia, and hypotropia.)

question

striae

answer

stretch marks

question

stridor

answer

a shrill and harsh sound (usually refers to the inspiratory sound that occurs when the larynx is obstructed).

question

suppuration

answer

formation or discharge of pus (adj: suppurative).

question

symptom

answer

functional evidence of a disease or condition that a client perceives subjectively (as opposed to signs, which the examiner or others perceive).

question

thrombophlebitis

answer

formation of a blood clot in a vein, with inﬂammation.

question

tumor

answer

an abnormal new tissue growth that has no physiologic use and grows independent of its surrounding structures. May be benign or malignant.

question

turgor

answer

skin resiliency and plumpness; also called skin turgor.

question

ulcer

answer

pen sore on an external or internal body surface that causes gradual disintegration of tissues, often an ulcer of the stomach (pepticulcer) or a pressure sore (decubitus ulcer).

question

vesicle

answer

small sac containing liquid; small blister.

question

wheal

answer

a smooth, slightly elevated skin area, usually pale in the center with are ddened periphery, often accompanied by severe itching when caused by an allergic reaction; small elevation caused by injection of an intra-dermal medication, such as the PPD test for tuberculosis or other skin test

question

wheeze

answer

a whistling respiratory sound, typical of asthma.

question

wound sinus

answer

canal or passage leading to an abscess.

question

anuria

answer

complete suppression of urine secretion in the kidney.

question

calculi

answer

an abnormal concretion usually composed of mineral salts, occurring in the hollow body organs; a "stone," as a calculus in the kidney (pl: calculi); deposit on the teeth (tartar).

question

constipation

answer

difﬁcult or infrequent and hardened bowel movements.

question

cystitis

answer

inﬂammation of any bladder(most often refers to urinary bladder)

question

defecation

answer

discharge of solid waste matter (feces) from the intestines.

question

diarrhea

answer

abnormal frequency and ﬂuidity of discharge from the bowels

question

distention

answer

swelling or fullness, as in urinary distention.

question

dysuria

answer

difﬁcult or painful urination or voiding.

question

enema

answer

an injection of ﬂuid or medication into the rectum, usually to induce evacuation of the bowel

question

enuresis

answer

involuntary urine discharge, usually occurring during sleep; bedwetting.

question

fecal impaction

answer

accumulation of hardened stool in the rectum.

question

ﬂatus

answer

gas in the intestines or stomach; gas expelled through the anus.

question

incontinence

answer

inability to control urination or defecation (adj: incontinent).

question

Kegel exercises

answer

exercises designed to increase sphincter tone by tightening, holding, and releasing the muscles of the pelvic ﬂoor and sphincter, used to improve incontinence.

question

melena

answer

passage of dark-colored stools containing partially or fully digested blood; also used to mean abnormal blood in the stool or vomitus.

question

micturition

answer

passage of urine from the urinary bladder; also called voiding, urinating.

question

nocturia

answer

excessive voiding (urination) during the night.

question

oliguria

answer

deﬁcient urinary secretion or infrequent urination

question

polyuria

answer

voiding an excessive amount of urine.

question

projectile vomiting

answer

emesis expelled with great force.

question

renal colic

answer

severe, penetrating lower back pain, caused by a stone becoming lodged in the ureter

question

steatorrhea

answer

The excretion of abnormal quantities of fat with the feces owing to reduced absorption of fat by the intestine.

question

urgency

answer

desire or sensation of needing to void immediately.

question

urinary catheter

answer

tube inserted into the bladder through the urethra to remove urine.

question

urinary frequency

answer

voiding more often than usual without an increase in total urine volume

question

urinary retention

answer

inability to empty the bladder of urine.

question

urinary suppression

answer

stopping or inhibition of urination. Suppression of secretion urine is not formed. Suppression of excretion urine is not expelled

question

voiding

answer

to cast out wastes, as to urinate, micturate.

question

vomitus

answer

stomach contents expelled by vomiting or emisis

question

expectorate

answer

spitting out and coughing up mucus or other ﬂuid from the lungs and the throat.

question

guaiac

answer

tool examination for blood; also known as Hemoccult.

question

Hematest

answer

a test for occult (hidden) blood in stool or body secretions.

question

Hemoccult

answer

a test for occult (hidden) blood in stool or body secretions

question

hydrometer

answer

urinometer (used to measure speciﬁc gravity of a liquid, such as urine).

question

occult

answer

hidden

question

residual urine

answer

amount of urine that remains in the bladder after voiding at least once.

question

speciﬁc gravity

answer

a substance's weight, as compared with another. Fluids, such as urine, are compared to (pure water, which has a speciﬁc gravity of 1.000) and (Urine 1.010-1.025)

question

urinalysis

answer

examination of urine

question

urinometer

answer

an instrument that deter-mines urine's speciﬁc gravity; also called urometer, hydrometer.

question

venipuncture

answer

puncture of a vein, usually with a needle. May be used to obtain a blood specimen or to start an intravenous infusion (IV).

question

antiembolism stockings

answer

also called TED socks; elastic stockings that cover the foot (not the toes) and the leg, up to the knee or mid-thigh.

question

Kerlix

answer

type of stretchy gauze used to hold dressings in place.

question

maceration

answer

softening of a solid due to soaking, until connective tissue ﬁbers are dissolved, such as maceration of the skin under a cast or bandage

question

Montgomery straps

answer

easily removable straps that stay in place to facilitate dressing removal

question

peripheral neurovascular assessment

answer

method for evaluating the status of an extremity in a bandage or case

question

aquathermia pad

answer

pad which produces a dry heat by the use of temperature-controlled water ﬂowing through a waterproof shell.

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hypothermia blanket

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cooling blanket; also called hypothermia blanket

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sitz bath

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a bath used to apply heat to the pelvic area.

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tepid sponge bath

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bath with water below body temperature, 70 to 85º F, used to reduce fever

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acute pain

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acute pain; a pain sensation that results abruptly.

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adjuvant

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assisting or enhancing therapy given, especially in cancer, to prevent further growth or pain; therapy used which was originally intended for another purpose.

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analgesics

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an agent that relieves pain without causing unconsciousness.

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body cue

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feelings experienced in response to body rhythms, self-monitoring

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cancer pain

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speciﬁc type of pain identiﬁed by IASP, caused by a malignancy; often intractable and severe; usually chronic

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chronic pain

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pain that lasts more than six months; neuropathic pain.

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endorphins

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a naturally occurring analgesic that the body produces in response to exercise and other stimuli

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guided imagery

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a process through which the client receives a suggestion that helps control his or her pain or disease. The person learns to visualize himself or herself as powerful and able to conquer pain or disease.

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intractable pain

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that which cannot be relieved; continuous, relentless, as in intractable pain.

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neuropathic pain

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chronic pain or discomfort that continues for six months or longer and interferes with normal functioning.

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nociception

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normal pain transmission

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nociceptive pain

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acute pain; a pain sensation that results abruptly

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pain

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feeling of suffering, distress or agony, caused by stimulation of specialized nerve endings, a protective device of the body; a subjective sensation (reported by the client).

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pain threshold

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lowest intensity of a stimulus that causes a subject to recognize pain.

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pain tolerance

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point at which a per-son can no longer tolerate pain.

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referred pain

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(referring to pain) pain that is felt at a location other than its origination; when one physician sends (refers) a client to another physician or specialist.

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anesthesia

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complete or partial loss of sensation.

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atelectasis

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collapse of all or part of a lung.

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conduction block

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a form of regional anesthesia, also known as conduction block.

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conscious sedation

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condition in which internal sedative medications are used alone or in conjunction with local anesthetics and the client has a depressed level of consciousness but is still able to breathe and respond to verbal stimuli.

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dehiscence

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opening or separation of the surgical incision.

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elective

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case in which the client's condition is not life-threatening and may choose whether or not to have surgery; also called optional surgery

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embolus

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a foreign substance, blood clot, fat globule, piece of tissue, or air bubble carried in a blood vessel, which partially or completely obstructs blood ﬂow (embolism; pl. emboli)

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evisceration

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the protrusion of the intestines through an abdominal wound; removal of the internal body contents.

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general anesthesia

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the blockage of all body sensations, causing un-consciousness and loss of reﬂexes.

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hemorrhage

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excessive bleeding(internal or external); escape of blood from non-intact blood vessels.

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hypothermia

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low body temperature; also a syndrome (accidental hypothermia), caused by exposure to cold, which may be fatal. Hypothermia may also be induced for therapeutic purposes such as surgery, or pathologic as a result of faulty thermoregulation (temperature control)

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hypoxemia

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interference with blood oxygenation.

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hypoxia

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abnormal reduction of oxygen in the tissues.

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incentive spirometer

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a device used to force the client to concentrate on inspiration and promote full inﬂation of the lungs, while providing immediate feedback; used particularly after surgery and in lung disorders.

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intraoperative

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occurring during a surgical operation.

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local anesthesia

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disruption of sensation to a speciﬁc body area without causing unconsciousness; caused by inﬁltration or topical application of anesthetic, usually to a small area; not general.

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perioperative

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the period surrounding surgery; includes the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative periods

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pneumonia

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lung inﬂammation, with consolidation and drainage

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postoperative

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after surgery

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preoperative

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before surgery

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regional anesthesia

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interruption of sensory nerve conductivity to speciﬁc area of the body (includes conduction block, ﬁeld block, nerve block).

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spinal anesthesia

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anesthetic injected into the subarachnoid space of the spinal cord providing an extensive conduction block. Many types of surgery can be performed in this manner.

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splinting

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use of a pillow or large towel to provide support along a suture line.

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suture

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thread used to hold an incision together while it heals; also called stitches.

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thrombolytic

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type of medication designed to dissolve a clot and clear a blocked blood vessel.

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thrombophlebitis

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formation of a blood clot in a vein, with inﬂammation

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venous access lock

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catheter used to maintain an open route to a client's venous system to give ﬂuids and/or medications.

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client-oriented

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focused on meeting individualized needs.

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critical thinking

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mix of inquiry, knowledge, intuition, logic, experience, and common sense.

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evaluation

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in nursing process, measuring the effectiveness of the other steps.

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goal-oriented

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establishment of objectives or speciﬁc desired outcomes early in the nursing process.

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implementation

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in nursing process, the carrying out of nursing care plans; also called interventions.

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long-term goal

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an outcome or goal that a client hopes to achieve but may require an extended amount of time to do so

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nursing assessment

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systematic and continuous collection and analysis of information about the client

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nursing care plan

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guidelines used by healthcare facilities to plan the care for clients.

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nursing diagnosis

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a statement about the client's actual or potential health concerns that can be managed through independent nursing intervention.

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nursing process

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systematic method in which the nurse and client work together to plan and carry out effective nursing care. (The steps include assessment, nursing diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation.)

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planning

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in nursing process, developing goals to prevent, reduce, or eliminate problems and identifying nursing interventions that will assist in meeting these goals.

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prioritization

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prioritizing: in the nursing process, following speciﬁc steps to determine the client's most important needs.

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scientiﬁc problem-solving

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precise method of investigating problems and arriving at solutions

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short-term goal

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an expected outcome or goal that a client can reasonably meet in a matter of hours or days.

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trial and error problem-solving

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experimental problem solving that tests ideas to decide which methods work and which do not.

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data analysis

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analyzing each piece of information to determine its relevance to a client's health problems and its relationship to other pieces of information.

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health interview

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way of soliciting information from the client; may also be called a nursing history.

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nursing assessment

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systematic and continuous collection and analysis of information about the client

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nursing history

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way of soliciting information from the client; may also be called a health interview.

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nursing progress notes(nurses' notes):

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documentation by nurses of care given and observations made; charting data input

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objective data

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all measurable and observable pieces of information about a client and his or her overall state of health

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observation

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assessment tool that relies on the use of the ﬁve senses to discover objective information about the client.

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potential needs

answer

in the nursing process, needs which may occur; identiﬁed as at risk for...

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subjective data

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information that consists of the client's opinions and feeling about what is happening, conveyed to the nurse either directly or through body language

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collaborative problem

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problem in which nurses work with physicians or other healthcare providers.

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expected outcome

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measurable behavior that indicates whether a person has achieved the expected beneﬁt of nursing care

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Kardex

answer

a ﬂip ﬁle with card slots or a notebook for each client on a unit or nursing care team; a system for recording background information and care related to a client's treatment.

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long-term objective

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an outcome or goal that a client hopes to achieve but may require an extended amount of time to do so.

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medical diagnosis

answer

statement formulated by a primary healthcare provider that identiﬁes the disease a person is believed to have, which provides a basis for prognosis and treatment decisions.

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nursing diagnosis

answer

a statement about the client's actual or potential health concerns that can be managed through independent nursing intervention.

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planning

answer

in nursing process, developing goals to prevent, reduce, or eliminate problems and identifying nursing interventions that will assist in meeting these goals..

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prognosis

answer

projected client outcome.

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short-term objective

answer

an expected outcome or goal that a client can reasonably meet in a matter of hours or days.

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