Vocabulary Flashcards
Abstain
to voluntarily refrain from something.
Example: The dental hygienist instructed the patient to abstain from smoking to improve his breath odor.
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 medication to the patient 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.
Aegis
Control, protection.
Example: unit staffing decisions are under the agis of the nurse manager.
Ambivalent
uncertain, having contradictory feelings.
example: After learning that she had breast cancer, the patient was ambivalent about having a mastectomy.
Apply
To place, put on, or spread something.
Example: The nurse will apply medication to the wound before covering the wound with a bandage.
Assent
to give consent; to agree.
Example: The patient was asked to assent to the surgery by signing the informed consent documentation.
Audible
able to be heard
Example: the respiratory therapist noted the patient’s audible wheezing as a symptom of the patient’s asthma.
Bacteria
Single-celled, microscopic organisms.
Example: The physician ordered a laboratory test to confirm that the patient’s illness was caused by bacteria rather than a virus.
Bilateral
Present on two sides
Example: The unlicensed assistive personnel repored to the nurse that the patient had bilateral weakness in the legs when walking.
Cardiac
Of or relating to the heart.
Example: Smoking increases the risk of cardiac disease.
Cavity
An opening or empty area
Example: The nurse inspected the patient’s oral cavity for lesions.
Cease
Come to an end or bring to an end
Example: Because the patient’s breathing had ceased, the paramedic began resuscitation measures.
Chronology
Order of events as they occurred; timeline.
Example: the police interviewed witnesses and first responders to determine the chronology of the accident.
Compensatory
offsetting or making up for something.
Example: When the patient’s blood pressure decreased, the paramedic noted that the heart rate increased which the paramedic recognized as compensatory action.
Concave
Rounded inward
Example: The dietician noticed that the patient was very thing and that the patient’s abdomen appeared concave.
Concise
Brief, to the point
Example: When teaching a patient, the nurse tried to be concise so that the instructions would be ease to remember.
Consistency
Degree of viscosity; how thick or thin a fluid is in relation to how it flows
Example: The respiratory therapist noticed that the mucus the patient was coughing was of a thin, water consistency.
Constrict
To draw together or become smaller
Example: The nurse knows that the small blood vessels of the skin will constrict when ice is applied to the skin.
Contingent
Dependent
Example: The hygienist told the patient that a healthy mouth is contingent on careful daily brushing and flossing.
Contraindication
A reason something is not advisable or should not be done.
Example: The patient’s excessive bleeding was a contraindication for discharge from the hospital.
Convulsive
Having or causing convulsions, i.e, violent shaking of the body
Example: Epilepsy is a convulsive disorder.
Cursory
Quick, perfunctory, not thorough.
Example: During triage, the paramedic gave each accident victim a cursory examination.
Defecate
Expel feces
Example: the unlicensed assistive personnel helped the patient to the toilet when the patient needed to defecate.
Deficit
A deficiency or lack of something
Example: The therapist explained that the patient will experience a fluid deficit if the patient continues to perspire heavily during exercise without drinking enough
Depress
Press downward
Example: The nurse will depress the patient’s skin to see if any swelling is present
Depth
Downward measurement from a surface
Example: The physician measures the depth of a wound by inserting cotton swab into the wound.
Deteriorating
Worsening
Example: the dental hygienist explains the condition of the patient’s gums is deteriorating and treatment by the dentist is needed right away.
Device
Tool or piece of equipment
Example: A thermometer is a device used to measure the patient’s body temperature.
Diagnosis
Identification of an injury or disease.
Example: The patient received a diagnosis of pancreatitis.
Dilate
To enlarge or expand
Example: When shining a light into the patient’s eyes the nurse looks to see if both pupils dilate in response to the light.
Dilute
to make liquid less concentrated
Example: the pharm tech suggests that the patient use fruit juice to dilute a foul-tasting drug so that the medication will be easier to swallow.
Discrete
distant, separate
Example: The paramedic observed several discrete bruise marks on the patient’s body.
Distal
Distant;away from center (such as of the body)
Example: The paramedic suspected that the patient had a dislocated knee and knew it was important to check a distal pulse in the ankle.
Distended
Enlarged or expanded from pressure
Example: When a blood vessel is distended, the laboratory technician can easily insert a needle to obtain a blood sample.
Dysfunction
Impaired or abnormal functioning.
Example: Family dysfunction may increase when a member experiences an acute physical illness.
Empathy
Ability to share what others are feeling’ understanding the feelings of another.
Example: After being diagnosed with cancer, the physician felt more empathy toward patients with cancer.
Equilibrium
Balance.
Example: The nurse suspected that an ear infection was the cause of the patient’s lack of equilibrium
Etiology
The origin or cause of a disease or condition
Example: The nurse interviewed the patient to determine the etiology of the patient’s food poisoning.
Exacerbate
to make worse or more severe
Example: The physical therapist recognized that too much exercise would exacerbate the patient’s breathing difficulties
Expand
Increase in size or amount
Example: The unlicensed assistive personnel turned the patient frequently so that the skin sore would not expand any further.
Exposure
To come in contact
Example: The nurse taught the parents of a newborn to avoid exposure to people with severe infections
Extension
Lengthening; unending a joint
Example: The physical therapist helped the patient perform extension and flexion exercises.
External
Located on outside of the body
Example: The assistant measure the amount of blood in the external drain after the patients surgery.
Fatal
resulting in death
Example: The emergency medical technicians arrived too late to save any lives at the scene of a fatal car accident
Fatigue
Extreme tiredness, exhaustion.
Example: the dietician explained to the patient that eating more iron-rich foods may help reduce feelings of fatigue
Flexion
bending a joint
Example: Arthritis can make flexion of the fingers difficult
Flushed
Reddened or ruddy appearance
Example: The therapist observed that the patient’s face was flushed after the patient completed the exercises.
Gastrointestinal
Of or relating to the stomach and the intestines
Example: the patient was diagnosed with a gastrointestinal disease.
Hematologic
Of or relating to blood
Example: Pregnancy can put a woman at risk for anemia, which is a hematologic disorder.
Hydration
Maintenance of body fluid balance
Example: The medical assistant explains that adequate hydration helps keep the skin soft and supple.
Hygiene
Measures contributing cleanliness and good health
Example: The dental assistant teaches patients about good hygiene practices to maintain strong teeth.
Impaired
Diminished or lacking some usual quality or level.
Example: The paramedic stated that the patient’s impaired speech was obvious in the way she slurred her words.
Impending
Occurring in the near future, about to happen.
Example: The nurse manager increased emergency room staffing in anticipation of accidents being caused by the impending snowstorm.
Impervious
Impenetrable, not allowing anything to pass.
Example: Standard precautions require the use of impervious gloves when bodily fluids are handled.
Imply
To suggest without explicitly stating.
Example:The look on the administrators face implied that was happy about the results of the inspection.
Incidence
Occurrence.
Example: In the recent years there has been increased incidence of infections that do not respond to antibiotics.
Infection
Contamination or invasion of body tissue by pathogenic organisms.
Example: The doctor prescribed antibiotics for the patient with the bacterial infection.
Infer
to conclude or deduce.
Example: when the patient started crying while receiving an injection, the nurse inferred that the patient was in pain.
Inflamed
Reddened, swollen, warm, and often tender.
Example: The nurse observed that the skin around the patient’s wound was inflamed.
Ingest
To swallow for digestion.
Example: The paramedic may contact the poison control center when providing emergency care for a child who has ingesting cleaning fluid.
Initiate
To begin or put into practice.
Example: The nurse decided to initiate safety measures to prevent injury because the patient was very weak.
Insidious
So gradual as to not become apparent for a long time.
Example: The physician explained that the cancer probably started years ago but had not been detected because its spread was insidious.
Intact
In place, unharmed.
Example: The nurse observed that the patient’s band-aid was intact.
Internal
Located within the body.
Example: The paramedic reported that the patient was unconscious due to internal bleeding.
Invasive
Inserting or entering into a human body part.
Example: The laboratory technician is careful when obtaining blood samples because this invasive procedure may cause problems such as infection or bruising.
Kinetic
Of or related to movement.
Example: Kinetic energy from the battery of the assistants tablet caused the device to feel warm to the touch.
Labile
Changing rapidly and often.
Example: Because the child’s temperature was labile, the nurse instructed the unlicensed assistive personnel to check the temperature frequently.
Laceration
Cut; tear.
Example: Afer the accident, the paramedic examined the patient’s laceration.
Latent
Present but not active or visible.
Example: The latent infection produced symptoms only when the patient’s condition was weakened from another illness.
Lateral
On the side.
Example: The physician therapist recommended exercise to help increase the strength of the patient’s lateral muscles.
Lethargic
Difficult to arouse.
Example: The unlicensed assistive personnel observed that on the morning after a patient received a sleeping pill, the patient was too lethargic to eat breakfast.
Manifestation
an indication or sign of a condition.
Example: The dietician looked for manifestations of poor nutrition, such as excessive weight loss and poor skin condition.
Musculoskeletal
Of or relating to muscle and skeleton
Example: As a result of overtraining, the athlete suffered a musculoskeletal injury.
Neurologic
of or relating to the nervous system
Example: The nurse checked the neurologic status of the patient who was brought to the emergency room after a motorcycle accident
Neurovascular
of or relating to the nervous system and blood vessels
Example: Strokes and aneurysms are neurovascular disorders.
Nutrient
Substance or ingredient that provides nourishment
Example: The dietician explains that fruits and vegetables contain nutrients that reduce risk of some cancers.
Occluded
Closed or obstructed.
Example: Becuase the patient’s foot was cold and blue, the nurse reported that the patient’s circulation to that foot was occluded.
Ongoing
continuous
Example: The nurse instructed that patient that the treatment would be ongoing throughout the patient’s entire hospital stay.
Oral
Given through or affecting the mouth.
Example: The nurse instructs the patient that the treatment would be ongoing throughout the patient’s entire hospital stay.
Otic
of the ear.
Example: The physician prescribed an otic medication to treat the patient’s ear infection.
Parameter
A characteristic or constant factor, limit.
Example: The dietician explained that the number of calories needed for energy is one of the important parameters of a healthy diet.
Patent
Open.
Example: The nurse checked to see whether the intravenous needle was patient before giving the patient a medication.
Pathogenic.
Causing or able to cause disease.
Example: Viruses and bacteria are pathogenic organisms.
Pathology
Processes, causes and effects of a disease; abnormaility.
Example: The doctor called to request the pathology report for her patient.
Posterior
Located behind; in the back.
Example: The dentist examined the posterior surface of the tooth for a cavity.
Potent
Producing strong effect.
Example: The potent medication immediately relieved the patient’s pain.
Potential
Capable of occurring or likely to occur.
Example: Becuase the patient was very weak, the therapist felt the patient had a high potential for falling.
Precaution
Preventative measure
Example: The laboratory technician wore gloves as a precaution against blood contamination.
Precipitous
Rapid, uncontrolled.
Example: The paramedic assisted the pregnant woman during a precipitous delivery in her home.
Predispose
The make more susceptible or more likely to occur.
Example: The dietician explains that high dietary fat intake predisposes some people to heart disease.
Preexisting
Already present.
Example: The nurse notified the physician that the patient has a preexisting condition that might lead to complications during the emergency surgery.
Primary
First or most significant.
Example: The patient’s primary concern was when he could return to work after the operation.
Priority
Of great importance.
Example: The lab tech was gentle when inserting the needle because it is a high priority to ensure that the patient does not experience excessive pain and discomfort during the procedure.
Prognosis
The anticipated or expected course or outcome.
Example: The physician explained that, with treatment, the patient’s prognosis was for a long healthy life.
Rationale
The underlying reason.
Example: To make sure that the patient will follow the diet instructions, the medical assistant explains the rationale for the low-salt diet.
Recur
to occur again
Example: To make sure that a tooth cavity does not recur, the dental hygienist instructs the patient to use toothpaste with fluoride regularly.
Renal
of or relating to the kidneys
Example: The nurse closely monitored the oral intake and urinary output of the patient with acute renal failure.
Respiration
Inhalation and exhalation of air.
Example: Exercise increases the rate and depth of an individual’s respirations.
Restrict
To limit.
Example: The unlicensed assistive personnel removed the water pitcher from the room to assist the patient in following instructions to restrict the intake of fluids.
Retain
To hold or keep.
Example: The nurse administered a medication to prevent the patient from retaining excess body fluid, which might cause swelling.
Serene
Calm, tranquil.
Example: The massage therapist played serene music during the massage session to help the patient relax.
Status
Condition.
Example: The paramedic recognized that the patient’s status was unstable, which necessitated immediate transport to the nearest medical center.
Sublingual
Under the tongue.
Example: the patient was prescribed a sublingual medication for chest pain.
Supplement
To take in addition to or to complete.
Example:The dietician instructed the patients to supplement their diets with calcium tablets to help build strong bones.
Suppress
To stop or subdue.
Example: When the child’s temperature decreased, the nurse checked to see if any medications had been given that would have suppressed the fever.
Symmetric (symmetrical)
Being equal or the same in size, shape and relative position.
Example: The paramedic observed that the movement of both sides of the patient’s chest was symmetrical after the accident.
Symptom
An indication of a problem.
Example: The nurse recognized that the patient’s weakness was a symptom of bleeding after surgery.
Syndrome
Group of symptoms that, when occurring together, reflect a specific disease or disorder.
Syndrome After reviewing the patient’s symptoms, which included pain and tingling in the hand and fingers, the physician made a diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Therapeutic
Of or relating to the treatment of a disease or a disorder.
Example: Therapeutic diets may include calorie and salt restrictions.
Toxic
Causing harm, poisonous.
Syndrome The pediatrician recommended that the parents of a toddler keep all toxic substances out of the toddler’s reach.
Transdermal
Crossing through the skin.
Example: The physician prescribed a transdermal nicotine patch for a patient participating in the smoking cessation progam.
Transmission
Transfer, such as of a disease from one person to another.
Example: Nurses should wash their hands to prevent the transmission of infections.
Trauma
Injury, wound.
Example: The accident victim had severe facial trauma.
Triage
Process used to determine the priority of treatment for patients according to the severity of a patient’s condition and the likelihood of benefit from the treatment.
Example: When the paramedic arrived at the scene of the accident they had to triage the patients.
Ubiquitous
Being or seeming to be everywhere at one.
Example: The patient noticed the ubiquitous no smoking signs in the clinic.
Urinate
Excrete or expel urine.
Example: The patient was instructed to urinate into the container so the nurse could send a urine sample to the laboratory.
Vascular
Of or relating to the blood vessels.
Example: The patient underwent vascular surgery for repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Verbal
Spoken, using words.
Example: The paramedic called in a verbal report on the patient’s condition to the emergency room nurse while transporting the patient to the hospital.
Virulent
Extremely harmful and severe.
Example: The virulent infection required and aggressive treatment regimen.
Virus
Microscopic infectious agent capable of replicating on lin living cells, usually causing infectious disease.
Example: A person with a cold who goes shopping can transmit the virus to others.
Vital
Essential.
Example: The paramedic knows that it is vital to learn what type of poison was taken when caring for a poisoning victim.
Volume
Amount of space occupied by fluid.
Example: The nurse recorded the volume of cough syrup administered to the patient.
