Chapters 9-16 Flashcards
Vital signs
The measurement of body temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure
Baseline
The initial recording of vital signs taken when a patient is admitted to a facility
Axillary
Relating to or located in the armpit
Pulse
The beat of the heart felt as the rhythmic pressure of blood against the walls of an artery
Respiration
Breathing
Radial pulse
Pulse taken in the wrist
Apical pulse
Pulse taken with a stethoscope on the left side of the chest under the breastbone
Pulse deficit
The difference between the apical pulse rate and the radial pulse rate
Blood pressure
The force of blood as it is pushed against the walls of the arteries
Systolic pressure
The pressure of the blood when the heart contracts and pumps blood into the arteries; the point where the greatest pressure is put on the arteries
Diastolic pressure
The pressure of the blood between contractions of the heart, when the heart relaxes and the pressure on the arteries decreases
Sphygmomanometer
An instrument that along with a stethoscope, is used to measure blood pressure; aka blood pressure cuff
Hypertension
High blood pressure
Hypotension
Low blood pressure
Bariatrics
A medical specialty focused on the care and treatment of patients who are severely obese
Trochanter roll
A roller blanket or towel placed along a patient’s sides to keep the hips and legs from turning out
Footdrop
A condition in which the calf muscle tighten, causing the toes to point downward; occurs with patients who are confined to bed for a long period
Turning sheet
A folded sheet or draw sheet that’s used to turn, lift, or move a patient in bed; aka pull or lift sheet
Logrolling
A 2-person procedure for turning a patient without bending or twisting the spine
Postural support
A device used to help maintain a good posture or body alignment
Transfer belt
A wide belt worn by the patient fastened around the waist, which gives something secure to hold while supporting the patient during transfers; aka gait belt
Stretcher
A rolling table used to transport patients, aka gurney or litter
Mechanical lift
An electric or hydraulic device used to move certain patients into or out of bed, and into wheelchair, bathtubs, and other places
Ambulation
Walking around
Admission
A set of procedures that marks a patient’s entry into a facility
Transfer
A set of procedures that involves movement from the patient unit to another location in the facility or temporary movement of the patient outside the facility
Discharge
The set of procedures that marks a patient’s release from a facility
Draw sheet
A sheet made of plastic or cotton placed crosswise in the middle of a bed over the bottom sheet to protect the bedding from a patient’s discharges and to soften the bed
Closed bed
A bed made after a patient leaves. The top is closed so it will stay clean until a new patient comes in
Open bed
A bed that’s opened by folding the top linens back; made for a new patient or for a patient who will be out of bed for only a short time
Occupied bed
A method of bedmaking used when a patient is confined to the bed. The bed is made while the patient is still in it
Surgical bed
A bed prepared for a patient who’s returning to the unit after surgery. The bed is left at stretcher height, and the covers are fan folded to the far side of the bed
Mitered corner
Method of tucking in the corners of bed linens that keeps them neat and stretched tightly
Dentures
Removable false teeth
Pressure injury
An inflammation, sore, ulcer (open skin) in the skin tissue, generally caused by remaining in a lying (decubitus) position for a long period of time
Shearing
Forces that cause skin to move in 1 direction while the tissue below move in the opposite direction
Pressure point
An area on the body that bears the body’s weight when lying or sitting and where bones lie close to the skin’s surface
Nutrient
1 of many chemical substances in food that promote growth and the maintenance of health
Carbohydrates
A type of nutrient made up of primarily of starches and sugars, which is used by the body to produce heat and energy
Protein
A type of nutrient consisting of amino acids derived from food, which is essential for growth and the repair of body tissue
Fat
A type of nutrient that provides the most concentrated form of energy and that’s used by the body to store energy; types include animal fat and vegetable fat
Vitamin
A type of nutrient of plant or animal origin that triggers a wide variety of bodily processes
Mineral
A type of nutrient made up of nonliving chemical compounds that functions in metabolism and helps build body tissue
Calorie
The measurement of the energy stored in food and also the energy expended by a person
Osteoporosis
A condition characterized by the loss of bone density, causing bones to become more brittle and easily fractured. A calcium poor diet is a potential cause
Anemia
A blood disorder characterized by a lack of the oxygen-carrying component (called hemoglobin) in the red blood cells. The most common type is caused by a lack of iron intake
General diet
A basic, well-balanced diet prepared for patients who don’t have a specific dietary requirement
Therapeutic diet
A special diet designed for a treatment or to meet the particular nutritional needs of a patient
Liberalized diet
A diet that encourages choice to promote greater quality of life
Force fluid
A physician’s order for a patient to take extra fluids
Nasogastric tube feeding
A method of feeding a patient through a tube channeled down the nose and throat and into the stomach; aka gavage
Gastrostomy tube
A tube that feeds a patient through an opening in the abdomen that goes directly into the stomach
Defecation
The discharging of feces from the rectum through the anus
Constipation
A condition in which feces are hard and dry and can’t be easily eliminated from the body
Incontinence brief
Absorbent briefs made of cloth or disposable material used by residents who have difficulty controlling urination or defecation
Bedpan
Portable pan in which all patients defecate and in which female patients urinate while in bed
Portable bedside commode
A moveable chair with a toilet seat that’s used for elimination at the bedside
Perineal care
Cleaning and care of a patient’s genital and anus areas
Perineum
The area between the external genitals and the anus
Urinary catheter
A tube inserted through the urethra and into the bladder to drain urine
Urinary tract infection (UTI)
Infection involving any structure of the urinary system, caused by bacteria invading the urethra, bladder, ureters, and/or kidneys
Foley catheter
A urinary catheter that’s left in the bladder so urine can drain continuously; aka indwelling or retention catheter
Condom catheter
A catheter for male patients that consist of a soft rubber sheath (condom) attached to drainage tube
Urinary meatus
The external opening of the urethra, which is the insertion site of a catheter
