Glossary Flashcards
All Vocab from the back of the book glossary
Abdominal Thrusts
A method of attempting to remove an object from the airway of someone who is choking.
Abduction
Moving a body part away from the midline of the body.
Abrasion
An injury that rubs off the surface of the skin.
Absorption
The transfer of nutrients from the intestines to the cells.
Abuse
Purposeful mistreatment that causes physical, mental, or emotional pain or injury to someone.
ADLs
(Activites of Daily Living) daily personal care tasks, such as bathing; dressing ; caring for the skin, nails, hair, and teeth; eating; drinking; walking; transferring; and elimination.
Acute Care
24-hour skilled care given in hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers for people who require short-term, immediate care for illnesses and injuries.
Adduction
Moving a body part toward the midline of the body.
Adult Day Services
care for people who need some help during certain hours, but who do not live in the facility where care is given.
Advance Directives
legal documents that allow people to choose what medical care they wish to have if they are unable to make those decisions themselves.
Affected Side
a side of the body that is weakened due to a stroke or injury; also called “weaker” or “involved” side.
Ageism
prejudice toward, stereotyping, of, and/or discrimination against older persons or the elderly.
Alzheimer’s Disease
a progressive, incurable disease that causes tangled nerve fibers and protein deposits to form in the brain, which eventually cause dementia.
Ambulation
walking.
Ambulatory
capable of walking.
Amputation
the surgical removal of some or all of a body part, usually a hand, arm, leg, or foot.
Angina
chest pain, pressure, or discomfort.
Anxiety
uneasiness, worry, or fear, often about a situation or condition.
Apathy
a lack of interest in activities.
Aspiration
the inhalation of food, fluid, or foreign material into the lungs.
Assault
a threat to a person, resulting in the person feeling fearful that he will be harmed.
Assisted Living
residences for people who do not need 24-hour skilled care, but do require some help with daily living.
Assistive Devices
special equipment that helps a person who is ill or disabled to perform activities of daily living.
Atrophy
the wasting away, decreasing in size, and weakening of muscles from lack of use.
Autoimmune Illness
an illness in which the body’s immune system attacks normal tissue in the body.
Battery
the intentional touching of a person without their consent.
Bias
prejudice.
Bipolar Disorder
a mental health disorder that causes a person to swing from periods of deep depression (a depressive episode) to periods of extreme activity (a manic episode).
Bloodborne Pathogens
microorganisms found in human blood, body fluid, draining wounds, and mucous membranes that can cause infections and disease in humans.
Body Mechanics
the way the parts of the body work together when a person moves.
Bony Prominences
areas of the body where the bone lies close to the skin.
Brachial Pulse
the pulse located inside the elbow, about 1 to 1 1/2 inches above the elbow.
CPR
(Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) medical procedures used when a person’s heart or lungs have stopped working.
Care Plan
a plan developed for each resident to achieve certain goals; it outlines the steps and tasks that the care team must perform.
Catastrophic Reaction
reacting to something in an unreasonable, exaggerated way.
Catheter
a thin tube inserted into the body to drain or inject fluids.
Causative Agent
a pathogenic microorganism that causes disease.
CDC
(Center for Disease Control and Prevention) a federal government agency that issues guidelines to protect the health of individuals and communities.
CVA
(Cerebrovascular Accident) 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 a stroke.
Chain of Command
the line of authority within a facility.
Chain of Infection
way of describing how disease is transmitted from one human being to another.
Charting
documenting information and observations about residents.
Cheyna-Stokes
alternating periods of slow, irregular breathing and rapid, shallow breathing, along with periods of not breathing.
Chronic
long-term or long-lasting.
Cite
in a long-term care facility, to document a problem through a survey.
Clean
in health care, a condition in which objects are not contaminated with pathogens.
Clean-Catch Specimen
a urine specimen that does not include the first and last urine voided; also called midstream specimen.
Cliches
phrases that are used over and over again and do not really mean anything.
Closed Bed
a bed completely made with the bedspread and blankets in place.
C. Diff; C. Difficile
(Clostridioides 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.
Cognition
the ability to think logically and clearly.
Cognitive
related to thinking and learning.
CBT
(Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) a type of psychotherapy that is often used to treat anxiety disorders and depression and focuses on skills and solutions that a person can use to modify negative thinking and behavior patterns.
Cognitive Impairment
the loss of ability to think logically and clearly.
Combative
violent or hostile.
Combustion
the process of burning.
Communication
the process of exchanging information with others by sending and receiving messages.
Compassionate
being cared, concerned, considerate, empathetic, and understanding.
Condom Catheter
a type of urinary catheter that has an attachment on the end that fits onto the penis; also called Texas catheter.
Confidentiality
the legal and ethical principle of keeping information private.
Confusion
the inability to think logically and clearly.
Conscientious
guided by a sense of right and wrong; principled.
Conscious
the state of being mentally alert and having awareness of surroundings, sensations, and thoughts.
Constipation
the inability to eliminate stool, or the infrequent, difficult, and often painful elimination of hard, dry stool.
Constrict
to narrow.
Contracture
the permanent and often painful shortening of a muscle or tendon, usually due to a lack of activity.
COVID-19
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 serve symptoms, even death, especially in people who are older, have underlying health conditions, or are unvaccinated.
Cultural Diversity
the different groups of people with varied backgrounds and experiences who live together in the world.
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.
Cyanotic
blue or gray, in reference to skin color.
Dangle
to sit up with the legs hanging over the side of the bed in order to regain balance and stabilize blood pressure.
Defense Mechanisms
unconscious behaviors used to release tension or cope with stress.
Dehydration
a serious condition that results from inadequate fluid in the body.
Delirium
a state of severe confusion that occurs suddenly and is usually temporary.
Delusions
persistent false beliefs.
Dementia
the serious loss of mental abilities, such as thinking, remembering, reasoning, and communicating.
Dentures
artificial teeth.
Depression
a mental health disorder that causes pain, fatigue, apathy, sadness, irritability, anxiety, sleeplessness, and loss of appetite, as well, as other symptoms; also called Major Depressive Disorder.
Developmental Disabilities
disabilities that are present at birth or emerge during childhood up to age 22 that restrict physical and/or mental ability.
Diabetes
a condition in which the pancreas produces no insulin, too little insulin or does not properly use insulin.
DKA
(Diabetic Ketoacidosis) a complication of diabetes that is caused by having too little insulin in the body.
Diagnoses
medical conditions determined by a doctor.
Diastolic
the second measurement of blood pressure; phase when the heart relaxes or rests.
Digestion
the process of preparing food physically and chemically so that it can absorbed into the cells.
Dilate
to widen.
Direct Contact
a way of transmitting pathogens through touching the infected person or his secretions.
Dirty
in health care, a condition in which objects have been contaminated by pathogens.
Disinfection
a process that destroys most, but not all, pathogens; it reduces the pathogen count to a level that is considered not infectious.
Disorientation
confusion about person, place, or time.
Disposable
only to be used once and then discarded.
Disposable Razor
a type of razor that is discarded in a biohazard container after one use; requires the use of shaving cream or soap.
Diuretics
medications that reduce fluid volume in the body.
Doff
to remove.
Domestic Violence
physical, sexual, or emotional abuse by spouses, intimate partners, or family members.
Don
to put on
DNR
(Do Not Resuscitate) a medical order that instructs medical professionals not to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the event of a cardiac or respiratory arrest.
Dorsiflexion
bending backward.
Draw Sheet
an extra sheet placed on top of the bottom sheet; used for moving residents in bed.
Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care
a signed, dated, and witnessed legal document that appoints someone else to make the medical decisions for a person in the event she becomes unable to do so.
Dysphagia
difficulty swallowing.
Dyspnea
Difficulty breathing.
Edema
swelling caused by excess fluid in body tissues.
Electric Razor
a type of razor that runs on electricity; does not require the use of soap or shaving cream.
Elimination
the process of expelling wastes that are not absorbed into the cells.
Elope
in medicine, when a person with Alzheimer’s disease wanders away from a protected area and does not return.
Embolism
an obstruction of a blood vessel, usually by blood clot.
Emesis
the act of vomiting, or ejecting stomach contents through the mouth and/or nose.
Emotional Liability
inappropriate or unprovoked emotional responses, including laughing, crying, and anger.
Empathy
identifying with the feelings of others.
Enema
a specific amount of water, with or without an additive, that is introduced into the colon to stimulate the elimination of stool.
Ergonomics
the science of designing equipment, areas, and work tasks to make them safer and to suit the worker’s abilities.
Ethics
the knowledge of right and wrong.
Ethnicity
one aspect of a person’s identity, often reflecting a combination of race, culture, language, nationality, and other factors.
Expiration
the process of exhaling air out of the lungs.
Expressive Aphasia
trouble communicating thought through speech or writing.
Extension
straightening a body part.
False Imprisonment
the unlawful restraint of someone that affects the person’s freedom of movement; includes both the threat of being physically restrained and actually being physically restrained.
Fecal Incontinence
the inability to control the bowels, leading to a involuntary passage of stool.
Financial Abuse
the improper or illegal use of a person’s money, possessions, property, or other assets.
First Aid
emergency care given immediately to an injured person by the first people to respond to an emergency.
flammable
easily ignited and capable of burning quickly.
Flexion
bending a body part.
Fluid Balance
taking in and eliminating equal amounts of fluid.
Fluid Overload
a condition that occurs when the body cannot handle the amount of fluid consumed.
Foot Drop
a weakness of muscles in the feet and ankles that causes problems with the ability to flex and the ankles and walk normally.
Fowler’s
semi-sitting position in which a person’s head and shoulders are elevated 45 to 60 degrees.
Fracture
a broken bone.
Fracture Pan
A bedpan that is flatter than a regular bedpan.
FWB
(Full Weight Bearing) a doctor’s order stating that a person has the ability to support full body weight (100%) on both legs.
Gait
manner of walking
Gastrostomy
a surgically created opening into the stomach in order to insert a tube.
GAD
(Generalized Anxiety Disorder) an anxiety disorder that is characterized by chronic anxiety and worry, even when there is no cause for these feelings.
Gestational Diabetes
type of diabetes that appears in pregnant women who have never had diabetes before but who have high glucose levels during pregnancy.
Glands
organs that produce and secrete chemicals called hormones.
Glucose
natural sugar.
Gonads
sex glands
Grief
deep distress or sorrow over a loss.
Grooming
practices to care for oneself, such as caring for fingernails and hair.
Hallucinations
false or distorted sensory perceptions.
Hand Hygiene
washing hands with soap and water and using alcohol-based hand rubs.
Hat
in health care, a collection container that can be inserted into a toilet bowl to collect and measure urine or stool.
HAI
(Healthcare-Associated Infection) an infection acquired within a healthcare setting during the delivery of medical care.
HIPAA
(Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) a federal law that requires health information be kept private and secure and that organizations take special steps to protect this information.
Hemiparesis
weakness on one side of the body.
Hemiplegia
paralysis on one side of the body.
Hepatitis
inflammation of the liver caused by certain viruses and other factors, such as alcohol abuse, some medications, and trauma.
Hoarding
collecting and putting things away in a guarded manner.
Holistic Care
type of care that involves caring for the whole person - the mind as well as the body.
Home Health Care
health care that is provided in a person’s home.
Homeostasis
the condition in which all of the body’s systems are working at their best.
Hormones
chemical substances created by the body that control numerous body functions.
Hospice Care
holistic, compassionate care given to people who have approx six months or less to live.
Hygiene
practices that keep bodies clean and healthy.
HTN
(Hypertension) high blood pressure, regularly measuring 130/80 mmHg or higher.
Impairment
a loss of function or ability.
Incident
an accident, problem, or unexpected event during the course of care that is not part of the normal routine in a healthcare facility.
Incontinence
the inability to control the bladder or bowels.
Indirect Contact
a way of transmitting pathogens from touching an object contaminated by the infected person.
Indwelling Catheter
a type of urinary catheter that remains inside the bladder for a period of time; also called Foley catheter.
Infection
the state resulting from pathogens invading the body and multiplying.
Infection Prevention
the set of methods practiced in healthcare facilities to prevent and control the spread of disease.
Infectious
contagious
Inflammation
swelling
Informed Consent
the process in which a person, with the help of a doctor, makes informed decisions about their healthcare.
Input
the fluid a person consumes; also called intake.
Inspiration
The process of inhaling air into the lungs.
Insulin
a hormone that works to move glucose from the blood and into the cells for energy for the body.
Insulin Reaction
a complication of diabetes that can result from either too much insulin or too little food; also known as Hypoglycemia.
Intake
the fluid a person consumes; also called input.
IV
(Intravenous Therapy) the delivery of medication, nutrition, or fluids through a person’s vein.
Involuntary Seclusion
the separation of a person from others against their will.
Involved Side
a side of the body that is weakened due to a stroke or injury; also called weaker or affected side.
Lateral
body position in which a person is lying on either side.
Laws
rules set by the government to help people live peacefully together and to ensure safety.
Length of Stay
the number of days a person stays in a healthcare facility.
Liability
a legal term that means someone can be held responsible for harming someone else.
Living Will
a document that outlines the medical care a person wants, or does not want, in case she becomes unable to make those decisions.
Localized Infection
an infection that is limited to a specific location in the body and has local symptoms.
Logrolling
moving a person as a unit without disturbing the alignment of the body.
LTC
(Long-Term Care) care given in long-term care facilities for people who need 24-hour skilled care.
Malpractice
injury to a person due to professional misconduct through negligence, carelessness, or lack of skill.
Masturbation
to touch or rub sexual organs in order to give oneself or another sexual pleasure.
Medicaid
a medical assistance program for people who have a low income, as well as for people with disabilities.
Medical Asepsis
measures used to reduce and prevent the spread of pathogens.
Medicare
a federal health insurance program for people who are 65 or older, have certain disabilities or permanent kidney failure, or are ill and cannot work.
Menopause
the end of menstruation; occurs when a woman has not had menstrual period for 12 months.
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.
Metabolism
physical and chemical processes by which substances are broken down or transformed into energy or products for use by the body.
MO
(Microorganism) a living thing or organism that is so small that it can be seen only under a microscope; also called microbe.
MDS
(Minimum Data Set) a detailed form with guidelines for assessing residents in long-term care facilities.
Mode of Transmission
how a pathogen travels.
Modified Diets
diets for people who have certain illnesses, condition, or food allergies, also called special or therapeutic diets.
MRSA
(Methicillin-resistant Staphylococus Aureus) bacteria that have developed resistance to the antibiotic Methicillin.
Mucous Membranes
the membranes that line body cavities that open to the outside of the body, such as the lining of the mouth, nose, eyes, rectum, or genitals.
MI
(Myocardial Infarction) 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.
Nasogastric Tube
a feeding tube that is inserted into the nose and goes to the stomach.
Neglect
the failure to provide needed care that results in physical, mental, or emotional harm to a person.
Nonintact Skin
skin that is broken by abrasions, cuts, rashes, pimples, lesions, surgical incisions, or boils.
Nonverbal Communication
communication that does not use words.
NWB
(Non-Weight Bearing) a doctor’s order stating that a person is unable to touch the floor or support any body weight on one or both legs.
NPO
abbreviation meaning “nothing by mouth”.; medical order that means a person should not have anything to eat or drink.
Nutrient
A necessary substance that provides energy, promotes growth and health, and helps regulate metabolism.
Nutrition
How the body uses food to maintain health.
Objective Information
information based on what a person sees, hears, touches, or smells; also called signs.
OCD
(Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder) a mental health disorder characterized by obsessive behavior or thoughts, which may cause the person to repeatedly perform a behavior or routine.
Obstructed Airway
a condition in which something is blocking the tube through which air enters the lungs.
OSHA
(Occupational Safety and Health Administration) a federal government agency that makes rules to protect workers from hazards on the job.
Occupied Bed
a bed made while a person is in bed.
Ombudsman
a legal advocate for residents in long-term care facilities who helps resolve disputes and settle conflicts.
OBRA
(Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) a federal law that includes minimum standards fro nursing assistant training, staffing requirements, resident assessment instructions, and information on rights for residents.
Open Bed
a bed made with linen folded down to the foot of the bed.
Opposition
touching the thumb to any other finger.
Oral Care
care of the mouth, teeth, and gums.
Orthotic Device
a device that helps support and align a limb and improve its functioning; also called orthosis.
Osteoporosis
a disease that causes bones to become porous and brittle, causing them to break easily.
Ostomy
a surgically created opening from an area inside the body to the outside.
Outpatient Care
Care given to people who have had treatments, procedures, or surgeries and need short-term skilled care.
Output
all fluid that is eliminated from the body; includes urine, feces, vomitus, perspiration, moisture that is exhaled in the air, and wound drainage.
Oxygen Therapy
the administration of oxygen to increase the supply of oxygen to the lungs.
Pacing
Walking back and forth in the same area.
Palliative Care
care given to people who have serious diseases or who are dying that emphasizes relieving pain, controlling symptoms, and preventing side effects.
Panic Disorder
a disorder characterized by a person having regular panic attacks or living with constant anxiety about having another attack.
Paraplegia
the loss of function of the lower body and legs.
PN
(Parenteral Nutrition) the intravenous infusion of nutrients administered directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system.
Partial Bath
a bath given on days when a complete bath or shower is not done; includes washing the face, hands, underarms, and perineum.
PWB
(Partial Weight-Bearing) a doctor’s order stating that a person is able to support some body weight on one or both legs.
Pathogens
microorganisms that are capable of causing infection and disease.
Pediculosis
an infestation of lice
PEG
(Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy) a feeding tube that is placed into the stomach through the abdominal wall.
Perineal Care
care of the genital and anal area.
Perineum
the genital and anal area.
Perseveration
the repetition of words, phrases, questions, or actions.
Personal
relating to life outside one’s job, such as family, friends, and home life.
PPE
(Personal Protective Equipment) equipment that helps protect employees from serious workplace injuries or illnesses resulting from contact with workplace hazards.
Person-centered Care
a type of care that places the emphasis on the person needing care and individuality and capabilities.
Phantom Limb Pain
pain in a limb (or extremity) that has been amputated.
Phantom Sensations
warmth, itching, or tingling in a body part that has been amputated.
Phobia
an intense, irrational fear of or anxiety about an object, place, or situation.
Physical Abuse
any treatment, intentional or not, that causes harm to a person’s body.
Physiological Needs
needs that relate to the processes and activities that keep living things alive.
Policy
a course of action that should be taken every time a certain situation occurs.
Portable Commode
a chair with a toilet seat and a removable container underneath that is used for elimination; also called bedside commode.
Portal of Entry
any body opening on an uninfected person that allows pathogens to enter.
Portal of Exit
any body opening on an infected person that allows pathogens to leave.
Positioning
the act of helping people into positions that promote comfort and health.
Postmortem Care
care of the body after death
PTSD
(Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) a mental health disorder caused by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic experience.
Posture
the way a person holds and positions his body.
Prediabetes
a condition that occurs when a person’s blood glucose levels are above normal but are not high enough for a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.
Pressure Injuries
injuries or wounds that result from skin deterioration and shearing; also called pressure ulcers, pressure sores, bed sores, or decubitus ulcers.
Pressure Points
areas of the body that bear much of the body weight.
Procedure
a method or way of doing something.
Professional
having to do with work or a job.
Professionalism
the act of behaving properly when working.
Pronation
turning downward.
Prone
a body position in which a person is lying on his stomach, or front side of the body.
Prosthesis
a device that replaces a body part that is missing or deformed because of an accident, injury, illness, or birth defect.
PHI
(Protected Health Information) a person’s private health information, which includes name, address, telephone number, social security number, email address, and medical record number.
Psychological Abuse
emotional harm caused by threatening, scaring, humiliating,intimidating, isolating, or insulting a person, or by treating an adult as a child.
Psychosocial Needs
needs that involve social interactions, emotions, intellect, and spirituality.
Psychotherapy
a method of treating mental health disorders that involves talking about one’s problems with mental health professionals.
Puree
to blend or grind food into a thick paste of baby food consistency.
Quadriplegia
loss of function of legs, trunk, and arms.
Race
grouping of people based on physical characteristics shared by people with common ancestry.
Radial Pulse
the pulse located on the inside of the wrist, where the radial artery runs just beneath the skin.
ROM
(Range of Motion) exercises that put a joint through its full arc of motion.
Receptive Aphasia
difficulty understanding spoken or written words.
Rehabilitation
care that is given by specialists to help restore or improve function after an illness or injury.
Reproduce
to create a new human life.
Reservoir
a place where a pathogen lives and multiplies.
Resident’s Rights
numerous rights identified in OBRA that relate to how residents must be treated while living in a facility; they provided an ethical code of conduct for healthcare workers.
Respiration
the process of inhaling air into the lungs and exhaling air out of the lungs.
Restorative Care
care given after rehabilitation to maintain a person’s function, improve his quality of life, and increase his independence.
Restraint
a physical or chemical way to restrict voluntary movement or behavior.
Restraint Alternatives
measures used in place of a restraint or that reduce the need for a restraint.
Restraint-free Care
an environment in which restraints are not kept or used for any reason.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
a type of arthritis in which joints become red, swollen, and very painful, resulting in restricted movement and possible deformities.
Rotation
turning a joint.
Routine Urine Specimen
a urine specimen that can be collected any time a person voids.
Rummaging
going through drawers, closets, or personal items that belong to oneself or others.
Safety Razor
a type of razor that has a sharp blade with a special safety casing to help prevent cuts; requires the use of shaving cream or soap.
Scalds
burns caused by hot liquids.
Schizophrenia
a type of psychotic disorder that causes problems with thinking, communication, and the ability to manage emotions, make decisions, and understand reality.
Scope of Practice
the range of tasks that healthcare providers are legally allowed to do according to state or federal law.
Sexual Abuse
nonconsensual sexual contact of any type.
Sexual Harassment
any unwelcome sexual advance or behavior that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working environment.
Sharps
needles or other sharp objects.
Shearing
rubbing or friction that results from the skin moving one way and the bone underneath it remaining fixed or moving in the opposite direction.
Shock
a condition that occurs when organs and tissues in the body do not receive an adequate blood supply.
Sims’
a body position in which a person is lying on his left side with the upper knee flexed and raised toward the chest.
Skilled Care
medically necessary care given by a skilled nurse or therapist.
Social Anxiety Disorder
a disorder in which a person has anxiety about social situations.
Special Diets
diets for people who have certain illnesses, conditions, or food allergies; also called modified or therapeutic diets.
Specimen
a sample that is used for analysis in order to try to make a diagnosis.
Sputum
thick mucus coughed up from the lungs.
Standard Precautions
a method of infection prevention in which all blood, body fluids, non-intact skin, and mucous membranes are treated as if they were infected with an infectious disease.
Sterilization
a cleaning measure that destroys all microorganisms, including pathogens.
Stoma
an artificial opening of the body.
Straight Catheter
a type of urinary catheter that is removed immediately after urine is drained or collected.
Stress
the state of being frightened, excited, confused, in danger, or irritated.
Stressor
something that causes stress.
Subacute Care
care given in hospitals or in long-term care facilities for people who need less care than for an acute illness, but more care than for a chronic illness.
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.
Substance Abuse
the repeated use of legal or illegal substances in a way that is harmful to oneself or others.
Sundowning
becoming restless and agitated in the late afternoon, evening, or night.
Supination
turning upward.
Supine
a body position in which a person lies flat on his back.
Surgical Asepsis
the state of being completely free of all microorganisms; also called sterile technique.
Susceptible Host
an uninfected person who could get sick.
Sympathy
sharing in the feelings and difficulties of others.
Syncope
loss of consciousness; also called fainting.
Systemic Infection
an infection that travels through the bloodstream and is spread throughout the body, causing general symptoms.
Systolic
the first measurement of blood pressure; phase when the heart is at work, contracting and pushing the blood out of the left ventricle of the heart.
Tactful
showing sensitivity and having a sense of what is appropriate when dealing with others.
Terminal Illness
a disease or condition that will eventually cause death.
Therapeutic Diets
diets for people who have certain illnesses, conditions, or food allergies; also called modified or special diets.
Transfer Belt
a belt made of canvas or other heavy material that is used to help people who are weak, unsteady, or uncoordinated to transfer.
TIA
(Transient Ischemic Attack) a warning sign of a CVA/stroke resulting from a temporary lack of oxygen in the brain; symptoms may last up to 24 hours.
Transmission
passage or transfer
Transmission-Based Precautions
method of infection prevention used when caring for persons who are infected or may be infected with certain infectious diseases.
Trauma-Informed Care
an approach to patient care that recognizes that people may have experienced trauma in their lives and that their trauma, experiences, and preferences should be considered while providing care.
TB
(Tuberculosis) a highly contagious disease caused by bacterium that is carried on mucous droplets suspended in the air; usually affects the lungs and causes coughing, trouble breathing, weight loss, and fatigue.
Tumor
a cluster of abnormally growing cells.
Unoccupied Bed
a bed made while no person is in the bed.
Urinary Catheter
a type of catheter that is used to drain urine from the bladder.
Urinary Incontinence
the inability to control the bladder, which leads to an involuntary loss of urine.
Validating
giving value to or approving.
Verbal Abuse
the use of spoken or written words, pictures, or gestures that threaten, embarrass, or insult a person.
Verbal Communication
communication involving the use of spoken or written words or sounds.
Vital Signs
measurements - temperature, pulse, respirations, and blood pressure - that monitor the functioning of the vital organs of the body.
Voids
urinates
VRE
(Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus) bacteria (enterococci) that have developed resistance to antibiotic vancomycin
Wandering
walking aimlessly around the facility or facility grounds.
Workplace Violence
verbal, physical, or sexual abuse of staff by other staff members, residents, or visitors.
