Vocab

Question 1

Abstain

Answer 1

To voluntarily refrain from something.

Example: the dental hygienist instructed the pt to abstain from smoking

Question 2

Accountable

Answer 2

To be responsible.

Example: paramedics are accountable for maintaining up to date knowledge of resuscitation techniques

Question 3

Acute

Answer 3

Sudden, intense.

Example: the nurse administered the prescribed pain med to the pt who was experiencing acute pain after surgery

Question 4

Adhere

Answer 4

To hold fast or stick together.

Example: the tape must adhere to the patient’s skin to hold the bandage in place

Question 5

Adverse

Answer 5

Undesired, possibly harmful.

Example: vomiting is an adverse effect of many medications

Question 6

Ambivalent

Answer 6

Uncertain, having contradictory feelings.

Example: after learning she had breast cancer, the pt was ambivalent about having a mastectomy

Question 7

Ambulate

Answer 7

To walk

Example: the pt left the hospital as soon as he was able to ambulate independently

Question 8

Apply

Answer 8

To place, put on, or spread something

Example: the nurse will apply a medication

Question 9

Assent

Answer 9

To give consent; to agree

Example: the pt was asked to assent to the surgery by signing the informed consent document

Question 10

Audible

Answer 10

Able to be heard

Example: the respiratory therapist noted the patient’s audible wheezing

Question 11

Bacteria

Answer 11

Single celled, microscopic organisms

Question 12

Bilateral

Answer 12

Present on two sides

Question 13

Cardiac

Answer 13

Of or relating to the heart

Question 14

Cavity

Answer 14

An opening or an empty area

Example: the nurse inspected the pt’s oral cavity

Question 15

Cease

Answer 15

To come to an end or bring to an end

Example: the pt’s breathing ceased so the paramedics began resuscitation meausures

Question 16

Chronic

Answer 16

Lasting or recurring over a long period of time

Example: the patient has suffered chronic migraines since a car accident 6 months ago

Question 17

Chronology

Answer 17

Order of events as they occurred; timeline.

Example: the police interviewed witnesses to determine the chronology of the accident

Question 18

Compensatory

Answer 18

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

Question 19

Concave

Answer 19

Rounded inward

Example: the nurse noticed that the pt was very thin and the abdomen appeared concave

Question 20

Concise

Answer 20

Brief, to the point.

Example: when teaching the pt, the nurse tried to be concise so the instructions would be easy to remember

Question 21

Congenital

Answer 21

Present at birth

Example: the pt had surgery as a child to correct a congenital heart defect

Question 22

Consistency

Answer 22

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.

Question 23

Constrict

Answer 23

To draw together or become smaller

Example: the small blood vessels will constrict when ice is applied

Question 24

Contingent

Answer 24

Dependent

Example: the dentist told the pt that a healthy mouth is contingent on careful daily brushing.

Question 25

Contraindication

Answer 25

A reason something is not advisable or should not be done

Example: the pt’s excessive bleeding was a contraindication for discharge from the hospital

Question 26

Convulsive

Answer 26

Having or causing convulsions, violent shaking of the body

Example: epilepsy is a convulsive disorder

Question 27

Cursory

Answer 27

Quick, perfunctory, not thorough

Example: during triage, the paramedic gave each accident victim a cursory examination