key terms and acronyms: Special Equipment & Patient Care Environment

Question 1

  The use of drugs to render the blood sufficiently unable to create a clot or mass to discourage thrombosis

Answer 1

Anticoagulation 

Question 2

Variation from the normal rhythm, especially of the heartbeat.

Answer 2

Arrhythmia 

Question 3

A catheter inserted into an artery and attached to an electronic monitoring system to directly measure arterial blood pressure.

Answer 3

Arterial monitoring line (A line)

Question 4

  A rubber, plastic, metal, or glass tube used to remove or inject fluids into a person.

Answer 4

Catheter 

Question 5

  Broken or crushed into small pieces.

Answer 5

Comminuted  

Question 6

  A bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes caused by excessive concentration of reduced hemoglobin in the blood.

Answer 6

Cyanosis 

Question 7

  The diffusion of solute molecules through a semipermeable membrane passing from the side of higher concentration to the side of lower concentration; a method used in cases of defective renal function to remove elements from the blood that are normally excreted in the urine (hemodialysis).

Answer 7

Dialysis 

Question 8

A graphical record of the heart’s electrical action derived by
amplification of the minutely small electrical impulses normally generated by the heart.

Answer 8

Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)

Question 9

  A hollow tube, approximately 10 inches long, with an inflatable cuff near one end that is inserted and positioned in the trachea. After the tube has been positioned, the cuff
is inflated to maintain the tube’s position so the patient can breathe through the tube.

Answer 9

Endotracheal tube (ETT)

Question 10

Any abnormal, tube-like passage within body tissue, usually between two internal organs or leading from an internal organ to the body surface.

Answer 10

Fistula 

Question 11

A position in which the head of the patient’s bed is raised 18 to 20 inches above level, with the knees flexed.

Answer 11

Fowler position

Question 12

Pertaining to the stomach and intestines.

Answer 12

Gastrointestinal (GI)

Question 13

Deficient oxygenation of the blood.

Answer 13

Hypoxemia 

Question 13

Abnormally prolonged and deep breathing.

Answer 13

Hyperventilation 

Question 14

An electronic device designed to automatically control the flow and rate of intravenous fluids into a patient.

Answer 14

Infusion pump (IMED, IVAC) 

Question 15

A system established for reporting the results of blood coagulation or clotting tests.

Answer 15

International Normalized Ratio (INR)

Question 16

Administration of fluids into a vein through the use of a steel needle or plastic catheter.

Answer 16

Intravenous (IV)

Question 17

The introduction of a fluid into a person’s vein; nutrients or medications may be supplied intravenously.

Answer 17

Intravenous therapy

Question 18

The mass of tissues and organs separating the sternum in front and the vertebral column behind, containing the heart and its large vessels, trachea, esophagus, thymus, lymph nodes, and other structures and tissues.

Answer 18

Mediastinum 

Question 19

Voiding of urine.

Answer 19

Micturition 

Question 20

An apparatus designed to observe, report, and measure a given condition or phenomenon
such as blood pressure, heart rate, or respiration rate.

Answer 20

Monitor 

Question 21

Necrosis of the cells of an area of the heart muscle resulting from oxygen deprivation caused by obstruction of the blood supply.

Answer 21

Myocardial infarction (MI) 

Question 22

A plastic tube usually inserted into a nostril and ending in the stomach. It can be used to remove fluid or gas from the stomach, monitor the digestive function of the stomach,
administer medications or nutrients, or obtain specimens of the stomach contents.

Answer 22

Nasogastric (NG) tube

Question 23

A photoelectrical device that measures oxygen saturation of the blood (also known as a pulse oximeter).

Answer 23

Oximeter 

Question 24

Open, unobstructed, or not closed.

Answer 24

Patent 

Question 25

Accumulation of air or gas in the pleural cavity resulting in collapse of the lung on the affected side.

Answer 25

Pneumothorax 

Question 26

  A passage or anastomosis between two natural vessels, especially between blood vessels

Answer 26

Shunt 

Question 27

An artificial permanent opening, especially in the abdominal wall, that is made in surgical procedures.

Answer 27

Stoma 

Question 28

Above the pubis

Answer 28

Suprapubic 

Question 29

Very rapid respirations

Answer 29

Tachypnea 

Question 29

A long intravenous tube inserted into a vein (usually the basilic or subclavian vein) and terminating in the pulmonary artery. A monitor attached to the catheter measures the pulmonary artery pressure and the pulmonary capillary wedge pressure; it permits evaluation of cardiac function.

Answer 29

Swan-Ganz catheter

Question 30

A longitudinal assemblage of tissues or organs—especially a bundle of nerve fibers having a common origin, function, and termination—or several anatomic structures arranged in a series and serving a common function.

Answer 30

Tract 

Question 31

The exertion of a pulling or distracting force to maintain a proper position of bone ends or joints to facilitate the healing process.

Answer 31

Traction 

Question 32

A position in which the patient lies supine with the head lower than the remainder of the body.

Answer 32

Trendelenburg position

Question 33

An apparatus that allows a patient’s position to be changed from supine to prone and vice versa by one person by maintaining the patient’s position between two frames of the apparatus; the patient may be turned horizontally or vertically depending on the apparatus used.

Answer 33

Turning frame

Question 34

A mechanical apparatus designed to intermittently or continuously assist or control pulmonary ventilation (breathing); also referred to as a respirator.

Answer 34

Ventilator 

Question 35

BWICU

Answer 35

: Burn wound intensive care unit

Question 36

ntravascular pressure measured by a catheter inserted into the pulmonary artery (Swan-Ganz catheter) to permit indirect measurement of mean left atrial pressure.

Answer 36

Wedge pressure 

Question 37

CCU

Answer 37

Coronary (cardiac) care unit or critical care unit

Question 38

CSICU

Answer 38

Cardiac surgery intensive care unit

Question 39

CVICU

Answer 39

Cardiovascular intensive care unit

Question 40

ER or ED:

Answer 40

Emergency room or emergency department

Question 41

GICU

Answer 41

Geriatric intensive care unit

Question 42

ICU

Answer 42

Intensive care unit or intermediate care unit

Question 43

MICU

Answer 43

: Medical intensive care unit or mobile intensive care unit

Question 44

MSICU

Answer 44

Medical surgical intensive care unit

Question 45

Neurological (neuro) intensive care unit or neonatal intensive care unit

Answer 45

NICU

Question 46

Open heart recovery unit

Answer 46

OHRU

Question 47

Overnight intensive recovery

Answer 47

OIR

Question 48

Postanesthesia care unit

Answer 48

PACU

Question 49

Pediatric or psychiatric intensive care unit

Answer 49

PICU

Question 50

Respiratory intensive care unit

Answer 50

RICU

Question 51

Special care nursery

Answer 51

SCN

Question 52

Surgical intensive care unit

Answer 52

SICU

Question 53

Surgical trauma intensive care unit

Answer 53

STICU

Question 54

Trauma intensive care unit

Answer 54

TICU

Question 55

Trauma-neuro intensive care unit

Answer 55

TNCC