definitions Flashcards
asepsis
absence of disease producing organisms that involves prevention of transfer of micro organisms
contagious
capable of being transmitted from one individual to another
contaminated
introduction of pathogens or infectious material into or on normally clean or sterile objects, spaces or surfaces
disinfectant
substance that prevents infection by killing bacteria
infection
disease caused by micro organisms especially those that release toxins or invade body tissues
infection control
procedures & policies for monitoring & attempting to control the transmission of communicable diseases
medical asepsis
procedures used to reduce the number of and prevent the spread of micro organisms (eg. handwashing)
micro organism
living organism too small to be perceived with the naked eye (eg. virus)
nosocomial infection
infection that results from the delivery of health services in a health care setting and were not present on admission
pathogen
a micro organism capable of producing disease
sterile
free from living micro organisms
susceptible
degree to which a person is prone to disease
virulent
very poisonous - strength; able to overcome the hosts defense mechanisms
body alignment
relationship of one body part to another body part along a horizontal or vertical line
body balance
achieved when a relatively low centre of gravity is balanced over a wide stable base of support and a line falls from the centre of gravity vertically through the base of support
body mechanics
the use of muscles to complete activities safely and effeciently without unnecessary strain on any muscle or joint
term
period of duration - pregnancy 38-42 weeks
trimester
3 month period
preterm
baby born prior to 37th week of pregnancy
EDD
expected due date
labour
repetitive and forceful uterine contractions sufficient to cause dilation of the cervix and ends with delivery of placenta
quickening
awareness of movement of fetus in the womb
lightening
descent of presenting part of fetus into the pelvis
stages of labour
prelabour, 1st stage, active, transition, 2nd stage, 3rd stage, 4th stage
placenta
oval spongy structure which a fetus derives nourishment and oxygen
show
discharge from vagina during 1st stage of labour
ruptured membranes
water breaking
dilation or dilatation
expansion of cervix during labour
effacement
thinning of the cervix
station
manner of standing (where baby is positioned, eg -3)
episiotomy
incision of perineum at end of 2nd stage of labour to avoid tearing and facilitate delivery
primipara
woman who delivers an infant at 500g or 20 weeks gestation
gravida
a pregnant woman
gravid
pregnant, heavy with child
GTPAL
gravida, term, preterm, abortion, living
oxytocin
hormone secreted that stimulates the uterus to contract
VBAC
vaginal birth after cesarian
alternating air mattress
used to reduce pressure on patient’s skin
bed cradle
metal frame that is attached to the mattress to hold the weight of the top covers off the feet and legs
call bell
buzzer that notifies nurses patient requires attention
footboard
covered board placed at foot of bed and situated so feet rest against it and are at right angles to the legs
mitred corner
folded corners of the bed (triangular shape)
side rail
rails that are on either side of the bed to help prevent patient from falling out of bed
auscultation
listening with a stethoscope to sounds produced by the body
inspection
examination of body parts or areas
palpation
use of the hands to touch body parts to make sensitive measurements of specific areas
percussion
striking the body’s surface with a finger to produce a vibration that travels through body tissues
afebrile
without fever
febrile
feverish
hyperthermia
unusually high fever
hypothermia
core body temperature below 35 degrees
hyperpyrexial
malignant hyperthermia - over 41.5 degrees - make go into seizure
pulse
throbbing caused by the regular contraction and alternate expansion of an artery as the wave of blood passes through the vessel as a result of each heartbeat
bradycardia
slow heartbeat - pulse rate below 60 bpm
apnea
temporary cessation of breathing
bradypnea
abnormally slow breathing
cheyne-stokes
breathing pattern marked by a period of apnea lasting 10-60 seconds, following by increased depth and frequency of respirations
eupnea
unimpaired respiration
hyperventilation
increased minute volume ventilation, which results in lowered CO2 levels
hypoventilation
reduced rate and depth of breathing that causes increased CO2
tachycardia
abnormally rapid heart beat - greater than 100 bpm
blood pressure
tension exerted on the walls of arteries by the strength of the contraction of the heart
diastolic
period of cardiac muscle relaxation, alternating in the cardiac cycle with systole contraction
hypertension
high blood pressure - higher than 140mm Hg systolic or 90mm Hg diastolic on three separate readings recorded several weeks apart
hypotension
decrease in the systolic or diastolic blood pressure to below normal - systolic less than 90mm Hg
orthostatic hypotension
when a person with normal blood pressure develops symptoms of low blood pressure when rising to an up right position
pulse pressure
difference between diastolic and systolic pressure
systolic
contraction of the chambers of the heart
abduction
extremity moves away from midline of body
adduction
extremity moves towards midline of body
active ROM
patient able to move all joints through his or her ROM
passive ROM
patient unable to move independently & nurse moves each joint through ROM
circumduction
circular movement of limb in a cone shaped manner
dorsi flexion
toes & foot pointed upward
plantar flexion
toes & foot pointed downward
eversion
turning body part away from body
inversion
turning body part toward midline
external rotation
rotation of joint outward
internal rotation
rotation of joint inward
extension
increasing angle of two adjoining bones
flexion
decreasing angle of two adjoining bones
hyperextension
moving body part beyond its normal resting place
isometric
tightening of a muscle group and holding for a few seconds
isotonic
muscle contraction and changes in muscle length
opposition
touch thumb to each finger of the same hand
pronation
body part moved so its facing downward
supination
movement of body part so its facing upward
activity tolerance
determines ability of patient to assist with transfer
smooth mover
type of sliding board
weight bearing
ability to resist a load or force through bones, joints and associated structures
structural NOT functional - must assess for pain, bones OK to hold weight but must still assess function (eg. muscles, etc.)
transfer belt
helps prevent caregiver back injury and aids in safe transfer of patient
Fowler’s position
head of bed is elevated 45 - 60 degrees and patients knees are slightly elevated without pressure; patient is sitting up in bed
hand rolls
rolls that maintain thumb in slight adduction and in opposition to the fingers - hand roll maintains hand, thumb and fingers in a functional position, preventing contractures
lateral position
side lying with pillow in between legs
prone
lying chest down
semi-Fowlers position
head of bed is elevated to 30 degrees and patients knees are slightly elevated
Sim’s position
semi prone - between chest down and side lying; one leg up
supine
back lying position
trochanter roll
prevents external rotation of the hips when patient in supine position - formed by folding a towel lengthwise to a width that will extend from the greater trochanter to lower border of the popliteal space
wedge (abductor) pillow
triangular shaped pillow made of heavy foam used to maintain the legs in abduction after total hip replacement surgery
dental caries
gradual decay of soft or bony tissue of a tooth
gingivitis
inflammation of the gums characterized by redness, swelling and a tendency to bleed
halitosis
offensive odour of breath
plaque
biofilm that accumulates and grows on crowns of teeth
stomatitis
inflamation of the mouth including lips, tongue and mucous membrane
anabolic
building up of body tissues
anorexia
loss of appetite
catabolic
destructive phase of metabolism
dyspepsia
upper abdominal discomfort, often chronic or persistant, indigestion
dysphagia
inability to swallow or difficulty in swallowing
emaciation
state of being extremely thing
emesis
vomiting
malnutrition
any disease promoting condition due to either an inadequate or excessive exposure to nutrients (eg. undernutrition or overnutrition)
metabolic
all the energy and material transformations that occur within living cells
ceruminous glands
modified sweat gland in the skin lining the external auditory canal that secrete cerumen (ear wax)
hirsutism
excessive growth of hair or presence of hair in unusual places, especially in woman
alopecia
loss of hair all over the body
pustule
small elevated skin lesion filled with WBCs and sometimes bacteria or products of broken down cells
decubitus ulcers
bed sores - pressure sores
ischemia
temporary deficiency of blood flow to an organ or tissue
pruritis
tingling or faintly burning skin sensation prompting a person to rub or scratch - itch
cyanosis
blue gray slate or dark purple discoloration of the skin or mucous membranes caused by reduced hemoglobin in the blood
blanching
to lose colour especially in the face, usually suddenly and in the context of being frightened or sad
