Vocab Flashcards
Abstain
To voluntarily refrain from something.
Example: the dental hygienist instructed the pt to abstain from smoking
Accountable
To be responsible.
Example: paramedics are accountable for maintaining up to date knowledge of resuscitation techniques
Acute
Sudden, intense.
Example: the nurse administered the prescribed pain med to the pt who was experiencing acute pain after surgery
Adhere
To hold fast or stick together.
Example: the tape must adhere to the patient’s skin to hold the bandage in place
Adverse
Undesired, possibly harmful.
Example: vomiting is an adverse effect of many medications
Ambivalent
Uncertain, having contradictory feelings.
Example: after learning she had breast cancer, the pt was ambivalent about having a mastectomy
Ambulate
To walk
Example: the pt left the hospital as soon as he was able to ambulate independently
Apply
To place, put on, or spread something
Example: the nurse will apply a medication
Assent
To give consent; to agree
Example: the pt was asked to assent to the surgery by signing the informed consent document
Audible
Able to be heard
Example: the respiratory therapist noted the patient’s audible wheezing
Bacteria
Single celled, microscopic organisms
Bilateral
Present on two sides
Cardiac
Of or relating to the heart
Cavity
An opening or an empty area
Example: the nurse inspected the pt’s oral cavity
Cease
To come to an end or bring to an end
Example: the pt’s breathing ceased so the paramedics began resuscitation meausures
Chronic
Lasting or recurring over a long period of time
Example: the patient has suffered chronic migraines since a car accident 6 months ago
Chronology
Order of events as they occurred; timeline.
Example: the police interviewed witnesses to determine the chronology of the accident
Compensatory
Offsetting or making up for something
Example: the pt’s BP decreased and the nurse noticed the HR increased which was recognized as a compensatory action
Concave
Rounded inward
Example: the nurse noticed that the pt was very thin and the abdomen appeared concave
Concise
Brief, to the point.
Example: when teaching the pt, the nurse tried to be concise so the instructions would be easy to remember
Congenital
Present at birth
Example: the pt had surgery as a child to correct a congenital heart defect
Consistency
Degree of viscosity; how thick or thin a fluid is in relation to how it flows.
Example: the patient’s mucus was a thin, watery consistency.
Constrict
To draw together or become smaller
Example: the small blood vessels will constrict when ice is applied
Contingent
Dependent
Example: the dentist told the pt that a healthy mouth is contingent on careful daily brushing.
