Knowledge Test Vocabulary List

atrophy

(n.) the wasting away of a body organ or tissue; any progressive decline or failure; (v.) to waste away

adaptive

Able to change as needed

abuse

physical or emotional harm to someone

bacteria

single-celled organisms that lack a nucleus; prokaryotes

assistive device

tool, software, or hardware to assist in performing daily activities

chemotherapy

treatment of cancer with drugs

ambulation

walking

bed height

The height or level the bed is at.

apical

apex of the heart

anatomy

study of structure

axillary temperature

Temperature taken at the armpit

behavioral care plan

a detailed method worked out in advance for the attainment of a goal

brittle bones

osteoporosis

chemical disinfection

A chemical that destroys, neutralizes, or Inhibits the growth of disease-carrying microorganisms.

anemia

A condition in which the blood is deficient in red blood cells, in hemoglobin, or in total volume.

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

bipolar disorder

A mood disorder in which the person alternates between the hopelessness and lethargy of depression and the overexcited state of mania.

body fluid

Any secretion or excretion from the human body such as vaginal, cerebrospinal, synovial, pleural, pericardial, peritoneal, amniotic, sputum, and saliva

aspiration

Breathing fluid, food, vomitus, or an object into the lungs

brain stem

Connects the brain and spinal cord

choking

Food or foreign object blocks the airway or throat.

abductor wedge

Is designed to separate the legs of a patient, often used after hip surgery.

abandonment

Leaving a patient after care has been initiated and before the patient has been transferred to someone with equal or greater medical training.

adduction

Movement toward the midline of the body

acute

New, usually of rapid onset and of concern, opposite of chronic

cc's in an ounce

One ounce = 30 cc

care planning

Process of making a care plan

bed making

Rearrange a bed and its coverings to its condition before it was slept in.

anxiety

The condition of feeling uneasy or worried about what may happen

acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)

The most advanced, and fatal, stage of an HIV infection.

bath water temperature

The temperature of the water used to give a bath, should be between 105-115 degrees Fahrenheit

absorption

The transport of dissolved substances into cells.

basic needs

These are the things people cannot live without, such as food, clothing, and shelter.

catheter

Tube inserted into vessels or body cavities to permit injection or withdrawal of fluids or to keep a passage open

biohazard

a biological or chemical substance or situation that is dangerous to human beings and the environment

angina

a condition of episodes of severe chest pain due to inadequate blood flow to the myocardium

bed cradle

a metal or plastic frame suspended over the hospital bed to keep the weight of the linen off the resident's body

abdominal thrust

a method of attempting to remove an object from the airway of someone who is choking

charge nurse

a nurse responsible for a team of healthcare workers

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 jobsite.

Alzheimer's disease

a progressive and irreversible brain disorder characterized by gradual deterioration of memory, reasoning, language, and, finally, physical functioning

cast

a solid copy of the shape of an organism

burnout

a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion created by long-term involvement in an emotionally demanding situation and accompanied by lowered performance and motivation

agitation

a violent stirring or movement; noisy confusion, excitement; a stirring up of public enthusiasm

affected side

a weakened side from a stroke or injury; also called the "weaker" or "involved" side.

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

cerebrovascular accident (CVA)

a.k.a. "Stroke". Lack of blood supply to the brain causing brain damage

apnea

absence of breathing

call light

allows the patient to call for help via light and/or sound

accidents

an unfortunate event resulting from carelessness or ignorance

chemical restraint

any drug that is used for discipline or convenience and not required to treat medical symptoms

abnormal vital signs

any reading outside of these ranges: Heart Rate 60-100, Blood Pressure 120/80, Temperature 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, 37 degrees Celsius, Respiratory rate 12-20 breaths/minute, Pulse Ox >95%; You report/Communicate to charge nurse.

activities of daily living (ADLs)

basic self-care tasks such as eating, bathing, toileting, walking, and dressing

central nervous system

brain and spinal cord

arteries

carry blood away from the heart

bladder training

client postpones voiding, resists or inhibits the sensation of urgency, and voids according to a timetable rather than according to the urge to void

cataract

clouding of the lens of the eye

cardiac arrest

complete stopping of heart activity

antibiotics

compounds that block the growth and reproduction of bacteria

bedrest

confinement to bed continuously (as in the case of some sick or injured persons)

chronic

continuing for a long time

cancer

disorder in which some of the body's cells lose the ability to control growth

care impaired

doing most if not all of the ADLs for an impaired resident

cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

emergency procedure consisting of external cardiac compressions and artificial ventilation

accountable

expected to answer for one's actions; responsible, liable, answerable

anterior

front of the body

body system

group of organs that work together to perform a specific function

arteriosclerosis

hardening of the arteries

audiologist

hearing specialist

cardiovascular system

heart and blood vessels

bleeding

hemorrhage

aphasia

impairment of language, usually caused by left hemisphere damage either to Broca's area (impairing speaking) or to Wernicke's area (impairing understanding).

blindness

inability to see

arthritis

inflammation of a joint

burns

injury to tissues caused by heat contact

adaptive equipment

modification of equipment or devices to improve the function and independence of a person with a disability

breathing

movement of air into and out of the lungs

circulation

movement of substances in body fluids

afebrile

no fever

body language

nonverbal communication through gestures, facial expressions, behaviors, and posture

behavior

observable actions of human beings and nonhuman animals

bone loss

osteoporosis

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

permanent, destructive pulmonary disorder that is a combination of chronic bronchitis and emphysema

bowel program

program that manipulates factors within a person's control (timing of defecation, exercise, diet) to produce a regular pattern of comfortable defecation without medication or enemas

admission

right to enter; access

amputee

someone who has had a limb removed by amputation

Anti-embolic stockings

special stockings used to help prevent swelling and blood clots and aid circulation; also called elastic stockings

beliefs

specific ideas that people hold to be true

activities

specific tasks that need to be accomplished as part of the process

bathing

the act of washing yourself (or another person)

cc's consumed

the amount of cc's that a resident has consumed

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

admitting resident

the individual being accepted into a Long Term Care Facility

chain of command

the line of authority that moves from the top of a hierarchy to the lowest level

aging process

the natural occurrences in the body that produce the changes associated with growing old

bed position

the position the bed is in. also controlled by buttons on the control of the bed.

body mechanics

the proper use of the body to facilitate lifting and moving and prevent injury

body alignment

the way the head, trunk, arms, and legs are aligned with one another; posture

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

assault

threat or attempt to injure