Abandonment
Leaving a patient after care has been initiated and before the patient has been transferred to someone with equal or greater medical training.
abdominal thrusts
a method of attempting to remove an object from the airway of someone who is choking
abductor wedge
Is designed to separate the legs of a patient, often used after hip surgery.
abnormal vital signs
vital signs that are not in normal range
Absorption
the process or action by which one thing absorbs or is absorbed by another.
abuse
physical or emotional harm to someone
Accidents
an unfortunate incident that happens unexpectedly and unintentionally, typically resulting in damage or injury.
activities
specific tasks that need to be accomplished as part of the process
acute
sharp; shrewd
adaptive
Able to change as needed
adaptive devices
special equipment that helps a person who is ill or disabled to perform ADLs; also called assistive devices.
adaptive equipment
modification of equipment or devices to improve the function and independence of a person with a disability
Adduction
Movement toward the midline of the body
ADL
activities of daily living
admisson
right to enter; access
admitting resident
the individual being accepted into a Long Term Care Facility
advance directives
A legal document designed to indicate a person's wishes regarding care in case of a terminal illness or during the dying process
Afebrile
without fever
affected side
a weakened side from a stroke or injury; also called the "weaker" or "involved" side.
aging process
the natural occurrences in the body that produce the changes associated with growing old
agitation
a state of anxiety or nervous excitement
AIDS
acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, an often fatal disease of the immune system caused by HIV infection
alarm
fear or anxiety caused by the sudden realization of danger
alternating pressure mattress
air forced through mattress on alternating basis to decrease pressure on the body
Alzheimer's disease
a progressive and irreversible brain disorder characterized by gradual deterioration of memory, reasoning, language, and, finally, physical functioning
alzheimer's care
special care units (SCUs), memory care units usually provide 24-hour supervised care
Ambulation
the act of walking
amputees
an individual who has had a limb removed
Anatomy
The study of body structure
anger
a strong feeling of displeasure
Angina
chest pain caused by decreased blood flow to heart muscle
Antibiotics are
a medicine (such as penicillin or its derivatives) that inhibits the growth of or destroys microorganisms
Anti-embolic stockings
special stockings used to help prevent swelling and blood clots and aid circulation; also called elastic stockings
anxiety
The condition of feeling uneasy or worried about what may happen
aphasia
inability to speak, caused by brain damage
apnea
absence of breathing
appropriate response
The correct response to a given situation.
Arteries
Blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart
arthritis
inflammation of a joint
aseptic
free from disease-causing microorganisms (germs)
aspiration
Breathing fluid, food, vomit, or an object into the lungs
Assult
threat or attempt to injure
assistive devices
Special equipment that helps a person who is ill or disabled to perform ADLS; also called adaptive devices.
atrophy
to waste away
Attitudes
feelings, often influenced by our beliefs, that predispose us to respond in a particular way to objects, people, and events
authorized duty
a person approved or assigned by the employer to perform a specific type of duty or duties or to be at a specific location or locations at the job site.
axillary temperature
Temperature taken at the armpit
Bacteria
single-celled organisms that lack a nucleus; prokaryotes
Bargaining
Making a deal, in return for a cure, they will fulfill promises.
basic needs
food, water, air, and shelter that an organism needs to survive
basic skin care
care provided for resident's skin that involves cleaning, drying, and moisturizing
bath water temperature
The temperature of the water used to give a bath, should be between 105-115 degrees Fahrenheit
bathing
the act of washing yourself (or another person), safety of resident
bed cradle
a metal or plastic frame suspended over the hospital bed to keep the weight of the linen off the resident's body
bed making
Rearrange a bed and its coverings to its condition before it was slept in.
bed position
the position the bed is in, the head of the bed is raised between 45 and 60 degrees
Bed rails
The metal or plastic sides of a hospital bed that are used to prevent a client from falling out of bed
bed rest
Placement of the patient in bed for therapeutic reasons for a prescribed period.
bed sore
pressure ulcer
behavior
The way an organism reacts to changes in its internal condition or external environment.
behavioral care plan
principles for managing a patient (treat behavior/mental)
Beliefs
specific ideas that people hold to be true
Biohazard
a biological or chemical substance or situation that is dangerous to human beings and the environment
bladder training
goal is to gain control of urination done as directed by nurse and care plan person uses toilet/pan at frequent regular intervals and is slowly increased. Person has catheter which is clamped to prevent urine flow for periods of time (1-2hrs at first then up to 3-4hrs) to train bladder
blindness
inability to see
blood pressure
Pressure exerted by the blood upon the walls of the blood vessels, especially arteries, usually measured by means of a sphygmomanometer and expressed in millimeters of mercury.
body alignment
Position of the body so it can function properly
body fluids
blood, pus, liquid from sores, urine, stool, tears, spit, droplets from sneezes and coughs, and sputum, refers to any fluid produced by a living organism
body mechanics
the proper use of the body to facilitate lifting and moving and prevent injury
Body System
groups of organs that perform specific functions in the human body
body temperature
the amount of heat in the body that is a balance between the amount of heat produced and the amount lost by the body
bowel program
The establishment of a "habit program" or a specific time to empty the bowel.
BP
blood pressure
breathing
movement of air into and out of the lungs
burnout
state of emotional, mental, and even physical exhaustion
Burns
injury to tissues caused by heat contact
call light
allows the patient to call for help via light and/or sound
Cancer
any malignant growth or tumor caused by abnormal and uncontrolled cell division
cardiac arrest
complete stopping of heart activity
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
emergency procedure consisting of external cardiac compressions and artificial ventilation
cardiovascular system
The transport system of the body responsible for carrying oxygen and nutrients to the body and carrying away carbon dioxide and other wastes; composed of the heart, blood vessels, and blood.
care impaired
When a person has trouble remembering, learning new things, concentrating, or making decisions that affect their everyday life.
care plan
a written plan for each resident created by a nurse; outlines the steps taken by the staff to help the resident reach his or her goals
care planning
Care options and services.
cast
orthopedic devices that are used to protect and support fractured or injured bones and joints
cataract
clouding of the lens of the eye
catheter
A tube used to drain or inject fluid through a body opening
catheter care
thorough cleaning of the perineal area (especially around the urethra) and the catheter tubing that extends outside of the body, to prevent infection
cc's in an ounce
One ounce = 30 cc
Central Nervous System (CNS)
brain and spinal cord
Cerebral Vascular Accident (CVA)
stroke; caused by interruption in blood flow to the brain due to a blockage or bleeding in a cerebral artery
chain of command
the order of authority within a facility
charge nurse
a nurse responsible for a team of healthcare workers
chemical restraint
intentional use of any medications to subdue, sedate, or restrain an individual
Chemical Safety
the practice of using occupational chemical substances in a manner that ensures the safety and health of humans and prevents damage to the environment
chemotherapy
The use of drugs to treat diseases such as cancer
CHF
congestive heart failure
choking
a complete blockage of the airway requiring immediate action
chronic
continuing for a long time
circulation
Short-term, repetitive, or cyclical movements that recur on a regular basis.
circulatory system
the organs and tissues involved in circulating blood and lymph through the body
clarification
the act of making clear or understandable
cleaning
The process of removing dirt, dust, blood, or other visible contaminants from a surface.
cleaning spills
apply gloves, wipe up immediately (outside to inside), cleaning solution, becareful of sharp objects and if spill gets on you wash immediately tell proper people. wash hands.
clear liquid diet
a diet that consists of foods that are liquid at room temperature and leave little residue in the intestine. Ex: Water, Sprite, Ginger Ale, all beverages without any residue, broth, Jello
Clergy
Ordained individuals who perform spiritual and/or religious functions.
cognitively impaired
A brain disorder in which thinking abilities are mildly impaired.
cold application
Minimizes swelling and reduces bleeding by constricting the blood vessels. Should never be done directly to the skin as it will cause cell damage. Should never be done for more than 20 minutes as damage may occur.
cold compress
a cold folded and moistened cloth or towel that is placed over a small area of the body for moist cold therapy
colostomy bag
Is a medical device prosthetic that provides a means for the collection of waste.
Colostomy care
Keep the patient as free of odors as possible; empty the appliance frequently.Inspect the patient's stoma regularly.Note the size, which should stabilize within 6 to 8 weeks.Keep the skin around the stoma site clean and dry.Measure the patient's fluid intake and output.Explain each aspect of care to the patient and self-care role.Encourage patient to care for and look at ostomy.
coma
state of profound unconsciousness
combative resident
resident with violent or hostile behavior.
Communicable
contagious
Communication
The imparting or exchanging of information or news
Compression
A force that pushes on or squeezes a material.
conduct
lead; guide; escort
confedientiality
not talking about company business with other people
Conflict
A struggle between opposing forces
conflict resolution
the process of ending a conflict through cooperation and problem solving
confused resident
A resident who is unable to think with clarity or act with understanding.
congestive heart failure (CHF)
heart is unable to pump its required amount of blood
constipation
the passage of a hard, dry stool
constrist
get smaller
contact isolation
Is a name for safety procedures that prevent specific germs from spreading in the care facility.
contamination
The introduction of dangerous chemicals, disease, or infectious materials.
Continuity
the property of a continuous and connected period of time
contract
To draw together, to reduce in size