Chapter 2 Key terms Flashcards
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.
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.
impairment
a loss of function or ability.
mental health
the normal functioning of emotional and intellectual abilities.
combative
violent or hostile.
posture
the way a person holds and positions his body.
body mechanics
the way the parts of the body work together when a person moves.
fracture
a broken bone
disorientation
confusion about person, place, or time.
scalds
burns caused by hot liquids.
abrasion
an injury that rubs off the surface of the skin.
Occupational safety and health administration (OSHA)
a federal government agency that
makes rules to protect workers from hazards on the job.
conscious
the state of being mentally alert and having awareness of surroundings, sensations,
and thoughts.
first aid
emergency care given immediately to an injured person by the first people to respond in
an emergency.
obstructed airway
a condition in which something is blocking the tube through which air enters
the lungs.
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
medical procedures used when a person’s heart or lungs
have stopped working
abdominal thrusts
method of attempting to remove an object from the airway of someone who
is choking
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 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
microorganism (MO)
a living thing or organism that is so small that it can be seen only through
a microscope.
expressive aphasia
trouble communicating thoughts through speech or writing.
direct contact
a way of transmitting pathogens through touching the infected person or his or
her secretions.
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.
receptive aphasia
difficulty understanding spoken or written words.
causative agent
a pathogenic microorganism that causes disease.
infection
the state resulting from pathogens invading the body and multiplying.
mode of transmission
the method of describing how a pathogen travels.
pathogens
microorganisms that are capable of causing infection and disease.
chain of infection
way of describing how disease is transmitted from one human being to
another.
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.
reservoir
a place where a pathogen lives and multiplies
portal of exit
any body opening on an infected person that allows pathogens to leave.
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
personal protective equipment (PPE)
equipment that helps protect employees from serious
workplace injuries or illnesses resulting from contact with workplace hazards.
communication
the process of exchanging information with others by sending and receiving
messages.
clean
in health care, a condition in which objects have not been contaminated with pathogens.
doff
to remove
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC
a federal government agency that issues
guidelines to protect the health of individuals and communities.
surgical asepsis
the state of being completely free of all microorganisms; also called sterile
technique.
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.
sharps
needles or other sharp objects
perineal care
care of the genital and anal area.
sputum
thick mucus coughed up from the lungs.
dirty
: in health care, a condition in which objects have been contaminated with pathogens.
hand hygiene
washing hands with soap and water and using alcohol-based hand rubs.
Transmission-Based Precautions
method of infection prevention used when caring for persons
who are infected or may be infected with a disease.
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).
don
to put on.
nonintact skin
skin that is broken by abrasions, cuts, rashes, pimples, lesions, surgical incisions,
or boils.
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.
bloodborne pathogens
microorganisms found in human blood, body fluid, draining wounds,
and mucous membranes that can cause infection and disease in humans.
disposable
only to be used once and then discarded.
VRE (vancomycin-resistant enterococcus)
bacteria (enterococci) that have developed
resistance to the antibiotic vancomycin.
hepatitis
inflammation of the liver caused by certain viruses and other factors, such as alcohol
abuse, some medications, and trauma
MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus)
bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) that
have developed resistance to many antibiotics.
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.
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.
