Chapter 2 Key Terms Flashcards
communication
the process of exchanging information with others by sending and receiving messages
verbal communication
communication involving the use of spoken or written words or sounds
nonverbal communication
communication that does not use words
objective information
information based on what a person sees, hears, touches, or smells; also called signs
subjective information
information that a person cannot or did not observe, but is based on something reported to the person that may or may not be true; also called symptoms
incontinence
the inability to control the bladder or bowels
clichés
phrases that are used over and over again and do not really mean anything
defense mechanisms
unconscious behaviors used to release tension or cope with stress
culture
a system of learned beliefs and behaviors that is practiced by a group of people and is often passed on from one generation to the next
impairment
a loss of function or ability
mental health
the normal functioning of emotional and intellectual abilities
mental health disorder
a disorder that affects a person’s ability to function and often causes inappropriate behavior; confusion, disorientation, agitation, and anxiety are common symptoms
combative
violent or hostile
body mechanics
the way the parts of the body work together when a person moves
posture
the way a person holds and positions his body
fracture
a broken bone
disorientation
confusion about person, place, or time
scalds
burns caused by hot liquids
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
a federal government agency that makes rules to protect workers from hazards on the job
abrasion
an injury that rubs off the surface of the skin
conscious
the state of being mentally alert and having awareness of surrounding, sensations, and thoughts
first aid
emergency care given immediately to an injured person by the first people to respond in an emergency
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
medical procedures used when a person’s heart or lungs have stopped working
obstructed airway
a condition in which something is blocking the tube through which air enters the lungs
abdominal thrusts
method of attempting to remove an object from the airway of someone who is chocking
cyanotic
blue or gray, in reference to skin color
shock
a condition that occurs when organs and tissues in the body do not receive an adequate blood supply
Myocardial Infarction (MI)
a condition that occurs when the heart muscle does not receive enough oxygen because blood flow to the heart is blocked; also called heart attack
syncope
loss of consciousness; also called fainting
insulin reaction
complication of diabetes that can result from either too much insulin or too little food; also known as hypoglycemia
Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)
a complication of diabetes that is caused by having too little insulin in the body
Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA)
a condition that occurs when the blood supply to a part of the brain is blocked or a blood vessel leaks or ruptures within the brain; also called stroke
Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)
a warning sign of a CVA/stroke resulting from a temporary lack of oxygen in the brain; symptoms may last up to 24 hours
hemiplegia
paralysis on one side of the body
hemiparesis
weakness on one side of the body
expressive aphasia
trouble communicating thoughts through speech or writing
receptive aphasia
difficulty understanding spoken or written words
emesis
the act of vomiting, or ejecting stomach contents through the mouth and/or nose
infection prevention
the set of methods practiced in healthcare facilities to prevent and control the spread of disease
Microorganism (MO)
a living thing or organism that is so small that it can be seen only through a microscope
infection
the state resulting from pathogens invading the body and multiplying
pathogens
microorganisms that are capable of causing infection and disease
localized infection
an infection that is limited to a specific location in the body and has local symptoms
systemic infection
an infection that is in the bloodstream and is spread throughout the body, causing general symptoms
Healthcare-Associated Infection (HAI)
an infection acquired within a healthcare setting during the delivery of medical care
chain of infection
way of describing how disease is transmitted from one human being to another
causative agent
a pathogenic microorganism that causes disease
reservoir
a place where a pathogen lives and multiplies
portal of exit
any body opening on an infected person that allows pathogens to leave
mode of transmission
the method of describing how a pathogen travels
direct contact
a way of transmitting pathogens through touching the infected person or his or her secretions
indirect contact
a way of transmitting pathogens by touching an object contaminated by the infected person
portal of entry
any body opening on an uninfected person that allows pathogens to enter
mucous membranes
the membranes that line body cavities that open to the outside of the body, such as the linings of the mouth, nose, eyes, rectum, or genitals
susceptible host
an uninfected person who could get sick
transmission
passage or transfer
infectious
contagious
medical asepsis
measures used to reduce and prevent the spread of pathogens
surgical asepsis
the state of being completely free of all microorganisms; also called sterile technique
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
a federal government agency that issues guidelines to protect the health of individuals and communities
Standard Precautions
a method of infection prevention in which all blood, body fluids, nonintact skin, and mucous membranes are treated as if they were infected with an infectious disease
sputum
thick mucus coughed up from the lungs
sharps
needles or other sharp objects
hand hygiene
washing hands with soap and water and using alcohol-based hand rubs
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
equipment that helps protect employees from serious workplace injuries or illnesses resulting from contact with workplace hazards
don
to put on
doff
to remove
perineal care
care of the genital and anal area
nonintact skin
skin that is broken by abrasions, cuts, rashes, pimples, lesions, surgical incisions, or boils
clean
in health care, a condition in which objects have not been contaminated with pathogens
dirty
in health care, a condition in which objects have been contaminated with pathogens
sterilization
a cleaning measure that destroys all microorganisms, including pathogens
disinfection
process that destroys most, but not all pathogens; it reduces the pathogen count to a level that is considered not infectious
disposable
only to be used once and then discarded
Transmission-Based Precautions
method of infection prevention used when caring for persons who are infected or may be infected with a disease
bloodborne pathogens
microorganisms found in human blood, body fluids, draining wounds, and mucous membranes that can cause infection and disease in humans
hepatitis
inflammation of the liver caused by certain viruses and other factors, such as alcohol abuse, some medications, and trauma
tuberculosis (TB)
a highly contagious lung disease caused by a bacterium that is carried on mucous droplets suspended in the air; usually affects the lungs and causes coughing, trouble breathing, weight loss, and fatigue
Covid-19 (Coronavirus Disease)
a droplet and airborne disease transmitted through droplets and particles produced by an infected person; often characterized by respiratory symptoms and capable of progressing to severe symptoms, even death, especially in people who are older, have underlying health conditions, or are unvaccinated
MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus)
bacteria (Staphylococcus Aureus) that have developed resistance to many antibiotics
VRE (Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus)
bacteria (enterococci) that have developed resistance to the antibiotic vancomycin
Clostridioides difficile (C. diff, C. difficile)
a bacterium that is spread by spores in feces that are difficult to kill; it causes symptoms such as diarrhea and nausea and can lead to serious inflammation of the colon (colitis)
