Vocabulary

Question 1

Attending Physician

Answer 1

The term applied to a physician who admits and is responsible for a hospital patient (MRP)

Question 2

Biomedical Engineering

Answer 2

Responsible for the repair and upkeep of heart monitors, heart-lung machines, CT scanners, addressographs, thermometers, BP cuffs, etc.

Question 3

biopsy tray

Answer 3

Used by the Physician to remove a small specimen of tissue for microscopic examination

Question 4

bone marrow tray

Answer 4

Used by the Physician to obtain a specimen of bone marrow

Question 5

Central Supply Department (CSD)

Sterile Processing Department (SPD)

Answer 5

Wash, clean and sterilize hospital equipment which they deliver to Nursing Units & OR. They assemble procedural trays with correct sterile equipment.

Question 6

Certified Health Unit Coordinator (CHUC)

Answer 6

A health unit coordinator who has successfully passed the national certification examination sponsored by the National Association of Health Unit Coordinators (US based)

Question 7

clinical pathway

Answer 7

A method of outlining a patient’s path of treatment for a specific diagnosis, procedure, or symptom.

Question 8

clinical tasks

Answer 8

Tasks performed at the bedside

Question 9

code blue

Answer 9

A term used in hospitals to announce when a patient has stopped breathing or his or her heart has stopped beating, or both.

Question 10

code cart
or
crash cart

Answer 10

A cart stocked by the nursing and pharmacy staff with emergency medications, advanced breathing supplies, intravenous solutions and appropriate tubing, needles, a heart monitor and defibrillator, an oxygen tank, and a suction machine (used when a patient stops breathing or his or her heart stops beating, or both)

Question 11

Code of Ethics

Answer 11

A set of standards for behaviour based on values

Question 12

critical thinking

Answer 12

Critical thinkers distinguish between fact and opinion; ask questions; make detailed observations, uncover assumptions and define their terms; and make assertions or decisions based on sound logic and solid evidence.

Question 13

cutdown tray

Answer 13

Used by the Physician to expose a vein when one cannot be found to start an I.V.

Question 14

disaster

Answer 14

An event that produces more casualties than hospital departments can usually handle.

Question 15

dumbwaiter

Answer 15

A mechanical device for transporting food supplies from one hospital floor to another

Question 16

Hospitalist

Answer 16

A full-time, acute care specialist whose focus is exclusively on hospitalized patients.

Question 17

incident

Answer 17

An uncommon occurrence in the hospital which is not in accordance with the normal routine. It can involve a patient, visitor or staff.

Question 18

informed consent

Answer 18

A doctrine that states that before a patient is asked to consent to a risky or invasive diagnostic or treatment procedure he or she is entitled to receive certain information:

• a description of the procedure
• any alternatives to it and their risks
• the risks of death or serious bodily disability from the procedure
• the probable results of the procedure, including any problems of recuperation and time of recuperation anticipated
• anything else that is generally disclosed to patients asked to consent to the procedure.

Question 19

inpatient

Answer 19

A patient who has been admitted to a health care facility at least overnight for treatment and care.

Question 20

intercom

Answer 20

A device used to communicate between the nurses’ station and the patient’s room on the nursing unit

Question 21

jugular insertion

Answer 21

To insert a Central Line for TPN (Total Parenteral Nutrition) to be infused

Question 22

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

Answer 22

A graduate of a one year school of nursing who is licensed in the province in which he or she is practicing

Question 23

Most Responsible Physician (MRP)

Answer 23

Term applied to a physician who cares for a hospital patient

Question 24

non-clinical tasks

Answer 24

Tasks performed away from the bedside

Question 25

Nursing Unit

Answer 25

An area within the hospital with equipment and nursing personnel to care for a given number of patients (may also be referred to as a wing, floor, pod, ward, or station)

Question 26

Nursing Unit Clerk (NUC)

Answer 26

The nursing team member who performs the non-clinical patient care tasks for the nursing unit (also called health unit coordinator)

Question 27

paracentesis tray

Answer 27

Used by the Physician for withdrawal of excess fluid from any body cavity

Question 28

pelvic tray

Answer 28

Used by the Physician for a pelvic examination

Question 29

pneumatic tube system

Answer 29

A system in which air pressure transports tubes carrying supplies, requisitions, or messages from one hospital unit or department to another

Question 30

Registered Nurse (RN)

Answer 30

A graduate of a 2-4 year college based school of nursing who is licensed in the province in which he or she is practicing

Question 31

Team Leader

Answer 31

A registered nurse who is in charge of a nursing team

Question 32

thoracentesis tray

Answer 32

Used by the Physician for withdrawal of excess fluid from the thoracic cavity

Question 33

transcription

Answer 33

A process used to communicate the doctors’ orders to the nursing staff and other hospital departments by requisition or computer.

Question 34

voice paging system

overhead pager

Answer 34

The system on which the hospital telephone operator delivers a message to a doctor or makes other announcements; the system reaches all hospital areas

Question 35

white board

Answer 35

Chalkboards or grease boards in the nursing unit used to record important information