CNA Medical Terms A-D Flashcards
Abduction
Movement of the limbs to the
side, away from the middle of the body
Adduction
Movement of the limbs to the
middle of the body
ADEs
Adverse drug effects are unwanted, undesirable effects that are possibly related to a drug.
ADLs
Activities of daily living
AIDS
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; late stage infection by HIV.
Alzheimer’s disease
Type of irreversible dementia in which cognitive function is progressively lost.
Ambulation
The act of walking.
a.m. care
Personal care provided in the morning hours to refresh; usually includes face and handwashing, tooth brushing, grooming, and toileting.
Ambulation assistive device
Any device used to assist in walking, such as a cane, crutches, or a walker.
AMI
Acute myocardial infarction; heart attack.
Analgesia
Without pain; reduction of the sensation of pain.
Angina
Chest pain
Aphasia
Any speech deficit, loss of speech, writing, or signs, or loss of ability to comprehend spoken or written language due to disease or injury of the cerebral cortex.
Antisepsis
The process of inhibiting the growth of some microorganisms. i.e: Isopropyl alcohol, and hydrogen peroxide.
Apical pulse
The pulse heard at the apex (tip) of the heart.
Arteriosclerotic
Narrowing and hardening
of an artery
Autonomy
Being independent and self- directed without outside control; able to make own decisions.
Braden scale
A tool used to assess the degree to which a person is at risk for developing a pressure ulcer.
Cheyne-Strokes respiration
Breathing cycle of rapid breathing, followed by slow breathing and periods where breathing stops. i.e: end of life
Beneficence
Doing good for others
Caring characteristics
Chronic illness
Illness that lasts for an extended period of time.
CVA
Cerebral vascular accident; a brain attack, or stroke.
Coccyx
Tailbone
Comatose
Condition in which a person in unconscious.
Colostomy
An artificial opening into the colon.
Commode
A portable device used for toileting.
Communicable disease
A disease that can spread from one person to another.
Competent
Able to
Incompetent
Not able to
Congestive heart failure
A medical condition in which the heart fails to pump blood efficiently, causing fluids and blood to back up into the lungs or extremities.
Contagion
A pathogen that can be spread from one person or surface to another.
Contracture
A permanent shortening of a muscle resulting in the shortening of associated tendons and ligaments.
Convalescence
The period of recovery from an illness or injury.
Coronary arteries
Arteries that supply the heart muscle with blood and oxygen.
CPR
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Cyanosis
The blue color of the skin is due to a lack of oxygen in the tissues.
Debilitated
Weakened or losing strength.
Defecate
To eliminate solid wastes from the body.
Delirium
Reversible, abrupt onset of confusion.
Dementia
Cognitive impairment that is often progressive and permanent.
Delusion
False idea of reality.
Dentition
The type and arrangement of teeth.
Diabetes
An endocrine disorder marked by the inability of the pancreas to change carbohydrates into fuel needed for energy.
Diastolic pressure
The pressure exerted against the arterial walls when the ventricles are at rest.
Disoriented
Confused as to person, place, time, or circumstance.
D.O.N.
Director of nursing is a licensed nurse who has administrative responsibilities to supervise the nursing care of a facility.
DNR
DO NOT RESUSCITATE
Dorsiflexion
Bending a body part toward the posterior.
Droplet transmission
Travel of droplet, or drop, through the expired air.
Dysphagia
Difficulty or inability to swallow.
Dyspnea
Difficulty breathing
Dysuria
Painful or difficult urination
