medical terminology
word
[healing by] primary
intention
grammar
definition
tends to heal quickly and results in minimal scar formation.
[healing by]
secondary intention
new tissue must fill in from the bottom and sides of the wound
until the wound bed is filled with new tissue.
a.c., ac
before meals (”anti-consume”).
aa
of each.
absorption
movement of the smaller elements through the walls of the
digestive tract and into the blood.
acute
temporary, resolves when underlying injury heals.
acute wound
wound that heals in a rapid, uncomplicated manner.
ad lib.
as desired, freely.
adaptive immunity
acquired/specific immunity. provides long-term immunity
when the body is exposed to an antigen. (two types of
adaptive immunity: humoral [antibody-mediated] & cellular
[cell-mediated]).
afebrile
a person who maintains normal body temperature (97.6 99.6 degrees F).
afterload
resistance that has to be exceeded to eject the blood during
systole.
albinism
congenital loss of pigmentation characterized by a
generalized lack of melanin pigment in eyes, skin, and hair.
allergies
life-threatening. the immune system produces antibodies to
fight an ingredient of the food.
allodynia
pain for non-injury stimuli.
am
morning, before noon.
amino acids
organic compounds that make up proteins.
amp
ampule.
medical terminology
1
word
grammar
definition
anabolism
the use of energy to change simple materials into complex
body substances and tissue.
analgesic (drug)
pain reliever/painkiller.
anorexia
loss of appetite from illness, medication, allergies, treatments,
etc. that comes back after resolution of underlying condition.
anorexia nervosa
life-threatening eating disorder characterized by strict dietary
intake regulations and distorted body image.
anosmia
the complete loss of smell.
antibodies
immunoglobulin molecules that recognize foreign invaders.
antigen
any substance that provokes an adaptive immune response.
antioxidants
beta carotene, selenium, vitamin C, & vitamin E.
antioxidants
substances that may protect body cells against effects of free
radicals.
anuria
the failure of the kidneys to produce or excrete urine (results
from any process that limits blood flow through the kidney).
failure to excrete 50 to 100 mL of urine in 24 hours.
apical pulse
apical pulse can be auscultated over apex of the heart at the
point of maximum impulse (PMI). this is located at the mitral
valve.
apnea
absence of breathing. (brain damage occurs 4-6 minutes into
apnea).
approximated
brought together (i.e. in terms of edges of a wound).
aq
aqueous, water.
asepsis
freedom from and prevention of disease-causing
contamination.
assault
threat of bodily harm or violence.
axillary temperature
temperature taken from the center of the axilla (armpit).
b.i.d.
twice a day.
b.i.w.
twice a week.
basal metabolic rate
(BMR)
the minimum amount of energy required to maintain body
functions in the resting, awake state.
battery
actual physical harm caused to a person.
medical terminology
2
word
grammar
definition
belief
a mental representation of a reality or a person’s perceptions
about what is correct/true/real, or what a person expects to
happen in a situation.
Biot breathing
respirations abnormally shallow for two or three breaths,
followed by irregular period of apnea. symptom of meningitis
or severe brain injury.
bradycardia
slow heart rate (less than 60 BPM in adults).
bradypnea
a decrease in respiratory rate to less than 10 BPM (in adults).
bulimia nervosa
characterized by bingeing (eating excessive amounts of food)
and purging (vomiting) with the idea to avoid weight gain from
the excess food.
burns
tissue injuries to the skin caused by heat, electricity,
chemicals, radiation, extreme cold, or friction.
cap, caps
capsule.
capillary closing
pressure/critical
closing pressure
the minimum pressure required to collapse a capillary.
carbohydrates
chemical substances composed of carbon, hydrogen, and
oxygen molecules.
cardiac output
heart rate (BPM) x stroke volume (L/beat).
caring
having concern or regard for another.
case law (common
law)
judicial decisions from individual court cases.
catabolism
the breaking down of substances from complex to simple,
resulting in a release of energy.
cataract
clouding of the lens of the eye.
cathartics
shortens transit time of stool; strong laxative.
CD
controlled dose.
cellular immunity
involves defense by WBCs against any microorganisms that
the body does not recognize as its own.
cerebrovascular
accident (CVA)
a stroke. occurs when an area of the brain is deprived of
blood flow.
medical terminology
3
word
grammar
definition
chain of infection
infectious agents —> source of infection —> portal of exit —>
mode of transmission —> portal of entry —> susceptible host.
Cheyne-Stokes
respirations
shallow to deep (potential apnea) randomized respirations.
symptom of renal failure.
cholecystectomy
removal of gallbladder.
chronic
ongoing.
chronic wound
fails to progress in a timely manner, often remaining open for
an extended period of time.
chyme
semiliquid mass that travels through the intestines.
clean contaminated
wound
similar to a clean wound, but if surgery involves organ
systems that are likely to contain bacteria, the risk for
infection is greater.
clean wound
no infection, risk for developing an infection is low.
clinical pathways
multidisciplinary resources designed to guide patient care.
developed through EBP research.
closed wound
the skin is still intact (i.e. bruising).
cognition
knowing, influenced by awareness and judgment.
collaborative
interventions
collaboration among healthcare professionals and UAP. (i.e.
physical therapy, home health care, personal care, spiritual
counseling, hospice care).
colonized wound
one or more organisms are present on the surface of the
wound when a swab culture is obtained, but there is no overt
sign of an infection in the tissue below the surface. (common
in chronic wounds, may delay wound healing).
compassion fatigue
physical and emotional exhaustion and an extreme inability to
empathize.
concensual
reflex response of an organ to the reflex action of another
(usually paired) organ.
conceptual
framework/model
a collection of interrelated concepts that provides direction for
nursing practice, research, and education.
conduction
the transfer of and reaction to heat through direct contact.
constipation
infrequent or difficult bowl movements, as well as having
fewer than 3 bowel movements per week.
medical terminology
4
word
grammar
definition
constitutional law
derived from the constitution of the U.S.
contaminated wound
results from a break in sterile technique during surgery;
perforation of an organ (i.e. colon, small bowel, appendix)
before surgery, which allows for spillage of bacteria-laden
material into the wound; or from certain types of trauma or
accidents, such as penetrating trauma or a fall.
convection
the transfer of heat by movement or circulation of warm
matter such as air or water.
coudé catheter
double-lumen, indwelling catheter.
CPOE
computerized provider order entry.
CR
controlled release.
cue
indication/hint of a potential disease process or disorder.
cyanosis
bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes.
c̄
with (”con” in spanish).
data clustering
involves organizing patient assessment data into grouping
with similar underlying causes.
defamation of
character
false public statements about a person. [LIBEL: written
defamation; SLANDER: oral defamation].
dehiscence
partial/complete separation of the tissue layers during the
healing process.
delirium
reversible state of acute confusion.
dementia
permanent decline in mental function.
dependent nursing
interventions
interventions that originate from health care provider orders.
(i.e. orders for oxygen administration, dietary requirements,
medications, and diagnostic tests).
depression
mood disorder, characterized by a sense of
hopelessness/persistent unhappiness.
diabetes
failure of the pancreas to produce adequate insulin.
diabetic retinopathy
complication of diabetes mellitus in which blood vessels of
the retina become damaged.
medical terminology
5
word
grammar
definition
dialysis
a technique by which fluids and molecules pass through an
artificial semipermeable membrane and are filtered through
means of osmosis.
diarrhea
intestinal disorder characterized by an abnormal frequency
and fluidity of bowel movements.
digestion
the breaking down of food into smaller particles of nutrients.
dil.
dilute.
diplopia
seeing double.
direct care
interventions that are carried out by having personal contact
with patients (i.e. cleaning an incision, ambulating with a
patient…). can be carried out by RN, LPN, or UAP.
discipline
a specific field of study or branch of instruction or learning.
distress
negative stress (hard to cope with).
dorsal recumbent
position
lay on back, legs bent, & feet pointed outwards.
DS
double strength.
dysesthesia
unpleasant, abnormal sensation.
dysphagia
difficulty in swallowing.
dyspnea
shortness of breath (rapid, shallow pattern).
dysrhythmia/arrythmia
irregular rhythm in pulse (early/late/missed heart beat).
dysuria
painful urination. (many causes, i.e. UTI, STI, kidney/bladder
stones, irritation, etc).
EBP
evidence-based practice.
EC
enteric coated.
EHR
electronic health record.
elevated systolic BP
120-129 mmHg.
elix.
elixir.
EMR
electronic medical record.
ER
extended release.
erythema
redness of the skin.
medical terminology
6
word
grammar
definition
eupnea
normal respiration rate and depth for a person’s age (12-20
RR in adults).
eustress
positive/motivational stress.
evaluation
focuses on the patient’s response to nursing interventions
and outcome/goal attainment.
evaporation
the process by which a liquid is changed to a vapor through
heat.
evisceration
total separation of the tissue layers, allowing the protrusion of
visceral organs through the incision.
external female
wicking material placed between labia and gluteal folds, with
catheters
continuous suction tubing.
external male
(most common) are condom catheters that apply over the tip
and shaft of the penis, or some only attach to the head of the
catheters
faith
false imprisonment
penis (helpful for uncircumcised/retracted penises).
a belief beyond self that is based on trust and life experience
rather than scientific data.
unauthorized restraint/detention of a person.
vitamin A, D, E, K. excess fat-soluble vitamins are stored in
fat-soluble vitamins
the liver and fat tissue. NOT excreted by the kidneys.
because of this, if excessive amounts are taken, it may result
in toxicity.
fats
composed of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen.
febrile
a person with a fever/pyrexia.
fiber
complex carbohydrate classified as soluble or insoluble.
fistula
fl, fld.
flatulence
foley catheter
forced expiratory flow
(FEF)
medical terminology
abnormal connection between an internal organ and (through
the skin) the outside of the body.
fluid.
the production of a mixture of gases in the intestine, byproducts of the digestive process. normal bodily function.
double-lumen, indwelling catheter.
maximal flow rate attained during middle of FVC maneuver.
7
word
forced expiratory
volume in 1 second
(FEV1)
grammar
definition
volume of air expelled in the first 1 second of FVC (FEV1 is
around 75% to 85% of FVC).
forced vital capacity
(FVC)
amount of air that can be forcefully exhaled after lungs are
maximally inflated (FVC is around 4L in adults).
fowler position
back of bed inclined, sitting 45-60 degrees.
molecules produced when the body breaks down food or is
free radicals
subjected to environmental exposures to potential toxins,
such as tobacco smoke or radiation.
friction
the rubbing together of two surfaces (i.e. skin and bed).
full-thickness wound
involves the epidermis, dermis, subcutaneous layer, and may
even extend farther to the muscle, bone, etc.
functional residual
capacity (FRC)
the volume of air left in lungs after normal expiration (FRC is
around 2.3L in adults).
each person’s deeply felt internal and individual experience of
gender identity
gender (may or may not correspond with the sex assigned at
birth).
glaucoma
serious medical condition of the eye.
grief
the emotional response to a loss.
GT
gastrostomy tube.
gtt
drop.
h, hr
hour.
healing ridge
hematuria
1cm wide ridge palpated next to incision line. indicates new
collagen being laid down in the wound.
abnormal presence of red blood cells in the urine. bleeding
may originate anywhere along the urinary tract.
patient’s blood flows continuously from the body through
hemodialysis
vascular catheters to the dialysis machine (which filters the
toxins out), and back to the body.
hemoptysis
presence of blood in the sputum.
holistic
physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, & social.
homeostatis
the body’s regulation of systems to maintain a steady state.
medical terminology
8
word
hope
humoral immunity
definition
grammar
confident expectation of a positive outcome in the face of
challenging circumstances.
involves WBCs (B lymphocytes) that produce antibodies in
response to antigens or pathogens circulating in the lymph
and blood. enables production of inflammatory molecules.
hyperalgesia
hypercapnia
excessive sensitivity.
abnormally high levels of carbon dioxide in blood (greater
than 45mmHg in arterial blood).
hyperpathia
greatly exaggerated pain reaction to stimuli.
hypertension
elevated blood pressure.
hypertension stage 1
systolic 130-139, diastolic 80-89.
hypertension stage 2
systolic 140+, diastolic 90+.
hyperthermia
high body temperature (greater than or equal to 102 degrees
F).
hypertonicity
increased muscle tone.
hyperventilation
deep, rapid respirations.
hypervolemia
fluid overload.
hypotension
systolic less than 90mmHg, diastolic less than or equal to
60mmHg.
hypothermia
low body temperature (less than or equal to 93.6 degrees F).
hypotonicity
decrease in muscle tone.
hypoventilation
shallow respirations.
ID
intradermal.
a type of ostomy. bypasses the entire large intestine and may
ileostomy
not result in an actual stoma (attaches to the anus). stools are
frequent, liquid, and can not be regulated.
IM
intramuscular.
3rd line of defense. inflammation activates the immune
immune response
response, which is the body’s attempt to protect itself from
foreign and harmful substances. the immune response is
initiated by recognition of antigens.
medical terminology
9
word
grammar
definition
passive immunity. occurs when a person receives an
antibody produces in another body. provides immediate but
short-term protection against antigens. infants acquire
immunologic memory
passive immunity naturally in utero or via breast milk. passive
immunity can be acquired artificially when antibodies are
transferred from one person to another by injection of
antibody-rich serum.
implementation
incontinence
consists of performing a task (i.e. repositioning, administering
meds…) and documentation of each intervention.
loss of voluntary control of fecal/gaseous discharges through
the anus.
independent nursing
nurses initiate these interventions independently as they see
interventions
necessary (i.e. giving patient an ice pack for swelling).
infected wound
infection
shows clinical signs of infection, including redness, warmth,
and increased drainage that may or may not contain pus, and
has a bacterial count in the tissue of at least 10^5 per gram of
tissue sampled when cultured.
the establishment of a pathogen in a susceptible host.
a disease of the reproductive system defined by the failure to
infertility
achieve a clinical pregnancy after 12 months or more of
regular unprotected sexual intercourse.
2nd line of defense. a local response to cellular injury or
inflammatory
response
infection that includes capillary dilation and leukocyte
infiltration. redness, heat, pain, and swelling. leukocytes
release a chemical that increases temperature in the area.
nonspecific immunity. gain this immunity from birth. provides
innate immunity
immediate defense against foreign antigens. barrier to
infectious agents, produces chemical mediators to fight
infection, removes foreign substances, and activates the
adaptive immune system.
international unit
intolerance
medical terminology
a unit of potency used to measure things such as vitamins
and chemicals.
uncomfortable, but not life-threatening. irritation of the
digestive tract; inability to break down the food.
10
word
grammar
definition
public disclosure of private information (intrusion into a
invasion of privacy
person’s place of solitude, using someone’s name, accessing
unnecessary medical records…). HIPAA violations.
IV
intravenous.
IVPB
intravenous piggyback.
IVSS
intravenous Soluset.
jaundice
a yellow hue to the skin, mucous membranes, or eyes.
ketones
produced from incomplete fat oxidation when carbohydrates
aren’t available.
kilocalorie
the amount of heat energy it takes to raise the temperature of
1000g of water by 1 degree Celsius.
knee-chest position
downwards dog position. butt in air, and knees bent up to
chest.
Korotkoff I: faint but clearly audible tapping sounds, increases
Korotkoff sounds
to thud/loud tap (systolic). Korotkoff II: muffled, swishing
sounds. Korotkoff III: crisp, loud sounds as blood flows
through open artery. Korotkoff IV: distinct, muffled sound.
Korotkoff V: last sound before silence (diastolic).
Kussmaul breathing
respirations that are abnormally deep, regular, and increased
in rate. symptom of diabetic ketoacidosis.
KVO
keep vein open.
kwashiorkor
lack of protein accompanied by fluid retention.
LA
long acting.
laxatives
medication to make stooling easier.
left lateral recumbent
position
patient lays on left side.
lipids
any fat found within the body (including fatty acids,
cholesterol, and phospholipids).
lithotomy position
same as dorsal recumbent, but feet on stands and legs
spread (pap smear position).
localized infection
specific to the affected area.
LOS
length of stay.
medical terminology
11
word
grammar
definition
loss
the absence of something to which the affected person has
formed an attachment (people, place, things…)
LPN
licensed practical nurse.
macertation
a condition in which excessive moisture causes a softening of
the skin.
macronutrients
macular degeneration
malabsorption
nutrients that are needed in large amounts. composed of
carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and water.
loss of vision in central visual fields (leading cause of visual
defects in the US).
problematic or inadequate absorption of nutrients in the
intestinal tract.
malnutrition
an imbalance in the amount of nutrient intake and the body’s
needs.
MAR
medication administration record.
marasmus
protein and calorie deficiency.
menopause
permanent cessation of menstrual activity.
metabolism
composed of anabolism and catabolism.
the process of chemically changing nutrients, such as fats
metabolism
and proteins, into end products that are used to meet the
energy needs of the body or stored for future use, thereby
helping maintain homeostasis in the body.
metaparadigm
an overarching set of concepts that provide the broad
conceptual boundaries of a discipline.
micronutrients
nutrients needed by the body in limited amounts. composed
of minerals and vitamins.
milliequivalents (mEq)
used to measure electrolytes (e.g. potassium) and the ionic
activity of a medication.
milliunit
1/1000th of a unit.
min
minute.
minerals
mix
medical terminology
potassium (K+), sodium (Na), chloride, calcium, phosphorus,
& magnesium.
mixture.
12
word
moisture-associated
skin damage (MASD)
grammar
definition
general term for inflammation/skin erosion caused by
prolonged exposure to a source of moisture. (i.e. urine, stool,
sweat, wound drainage, mucous…)
myocardial necrosis
death of heart muscle cells.
myopia
nearsightedness.
n.p.o., NPO
nothing by mouth.
NAS
intranasal.
NG, NGT
nasogastric tube.
noc, noct
at night.
nocturia
normal flora
excessive urination at night. may awaken several times
during the night to urinate.
1st line of defense. a group of microorganisms that live in/on
the body, but do not carry disease. found on skin, eyes, nose,
mouth, upper throat, lower urethra, small intestine, and large
intestine.
NPA
nurse practice act.
NS, NIS
normal saline.
nursing diagnosis
the nurse’s clinical judgment about a client’s response to
actual or potential health conditions or needs.
nursing process
ADPIE. assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation,
evaluation.
nursing theory
represents a group of concepts that can be tested in practice.
composed of macronutrients and micronutrients. the
necessary substances obtained from ingested food that
nutrients
supply the body with energy; build and maintain bones,
muscle, and skin; and aid in the normal growth and function
of each body system.
nutrition
the body’s intake and use of adequate amounts of necessary
nutrients for tissue growth and energy production.
obesity
adults with a body mass index (BMI) or 30 or higher.
objective data
can be measured or observed.
ODT
orally disintegrating tablet.
medical terminology
13
word
grammar
definition
reduced urine volume (less than 1mL/kg/hr in an infant, less
oliguria
than 0.5mL/kg/hr in children/adults, or less than 500mL/day in
adults).
open wound
oral temperature
orthopnea
orthostatic
hypotension
osteomyelitis
characterized by an actual break in the skin’s surface.
temperature taken under the tongue. (wait 30 minutes after
eating/drinking hot/cold beverages before taking oral temp).
difficulty breathing when lying flat that is relieved by sitting or
standing.
a sudden drop of 20mmHg in systolic and 10mmHg in
diastolic pressure when patient moves from lying to sitting to
standing.
infection of the bone.
a surgically created bowel opening that allows for fecal matter
ostomy/stoma
to exit through the abdomen, and bypass the remaining parts
of the GI tract. classified based on location along the GI tract.
OTC
over the counter [medication].
outcome identification
listing observable behaviors or items that indicate attainment
of a goal.
p.c., pc
after meals (”post-consume”).
p.o.
by mouth, orally.
p.r.
by rectum.
p.r.n., prn
when necessary/as needed.
pain threshold
pain tolerance
lowest intensity at which the brain recognizes the stimulus as
pain.
the intensity/duration of pain that a patient is able or willing to
endure.
pallor
a pale or lightened skin tone (usually uniform).
partial-thickness
involves the epidermis and dermis but not the subcutaneous
wound
layer.
PCP
patient care provider.
per
through or by.
medical terminology
14
word
perimenopause
peripheral neuropathy
grammar
definition
phase prior to the onset of menopause and the first year after
menopause.
damage to sensory nerve fibers in the arms and legs can
cause this. damage away from the center of the body.
peripheral pulse can be palpated over arteries located away
peripheral pulse
from the heart (wrist, foot, neck… radial artery, dorsalis pedis,
carotid artery…)
peristalsis
peritoneal dialysis
phantom pain
phenylketonuria
philosophy
a wavelike muscular movement that propels waste products
through the intestines, rectum, and anus.
performed by instilling dialysis solution into the patient’s
abdominal cavity through an external catheter.
occurs when the brain continues to receive messages from
the area of an amputation.
a condition in which an infant’s body fails to metabolize the
amino acid phenylalanine.
a statement about the beliefs and values of nursing in relation
to a specific phenomenon (such as health).
plasticity
adaptation to the loss of a limb and pain stopping.
pm
evening, before midnight.
polyuria
prayer
preload
excessive volume of urine formed and excreted each day
(greater than or equal to 2500mL/day).
spoken or unspoken communication with a higher power.
amount of blood and pressure in the ventricle at the end of
diastole.
presbycusis
age-related hearing loss.
presbyopia
farsightedness (age-related).
pressure injury
damage to the skin in an area that may include soft-tissue
damage, and is usually found over bony prominences.
primary data
data obtained directly from the patient.
primary hypertension
occurs when there is no known cause for high BP.
profession
an occupation that requires a specialized body of knowledge
& training.
medical terminology
15
word
prone position
grammar
definition
lay flat on your front.
written plans that can be generalized to groups of patients
protocols
with the same/similar clinical needs that do not require a
physician’s order.
pulse pressure
the difference between systolic and diastolic pressure.
purpura
bleeding underneath the skin.
pyrexia
fever.
p̄
after (”post”).
q.
every.
q.s.
sufficient amount/as much as needed.
q2h
every 2 hours.
qam
every morning.
qh
every hour.
qid
4 times a day.
radiation
the transfer of heat as waves or particles of energy.
rect
rectum.
rectal temperature
temperature taken in the rectum. very accurate.
the process of contemplating experiences, sometimes even
reflection
life-changing experiences and searching for meaning in those
life events.
regulatory law
religion
residual volume (RV)
reticular activating
system (RAS)
created by state boards of nursing.
provides a structure for understanding spirituality and
involves rites and rituals within a faith community.
amount of air remaining in the lungs after forced expiration
(RV is around 1L in adults).
the area of the brain that controls alertness and attention.
RN
registered nurse.
S&S
swish and swallow.
s.o.s., SOS
may be repeated once if necessary.
medical terminology
16
word
grammar
definition
avascular mass of collagen that gives strength to the repaired
scar tissue
wound. scar tissue will NOT have the same strength of
unwounded tissue. only achieves approx. 80% of previous
tensile strength.
secondary data
secondary
hypertension
sensation
sensory adaptation
sentinel event
data obtained from family, friends, and healthcare team.
caused by a known illness process, such as renal failure.
a feeling, within or outside the body, of conditions resulting
from stimulation of sensory receptors.
during times of alertness, some impulses are ignored by the
brain if they are not assigned priority.
safety occurance that affects a patient and causes death,
serious/permanent/temporary injury, or requires interventions
to sustain life. signals the need for investigation & response.
sexual health
a state of physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being in
relation to sexuality.
a central aspect of being human throughout life that
sexuality
encompasses sex, gender identities and roles, sexual
orientation, eroticism, pleasure, intimacy, and reproduction.
skin lesions
lesions of the skin.
sl, SL
sublingual.
sol, soln
solution.
solubility
the disposition of something (i.e. fiber) when mixed with
another substance (i.e. water).
a mutual, purposeful, interactive process between a nurse
spiritual care
and a patient (which may include family) to promote the
patient’s spiritual health.
spiritual distress
disruption of a belief or value system.
spirituality
the expression of meaning and purpose in life, or the
manifestation of one’s innermost self.
SpO2
SR
medical terminology
reflects the % of hemoglobin that combines with oxygen
(normally 95-100%).
sustained release.
17
word
grammar
definition
pre-approved standardized set of physician orders. (i.e.
standing orders
“standing orders for patients with chest pain: assess vital
signs, initiate oxygen therapy at 2L per nasal cannula, etc”).
stat
immediately, at once.
statutory law
created by Congress & state legislatures (NPA).
stimulus
a change in the environment sufficient to evoke a response.
strabismus
crossed eyes.
straight catheter
single-lumen, indwelling catheter. short term use.
subcut
subcutaneous.
subjective data
spoken info/symptoms that are hard to validate.
superficial wound
involves only the epidermis.
supine position
lay flat on your back.
supp
suppository.
surgical placement of a suprapubic catheter is placed with
suprapubic catheters
local/general anesthesia through abdominal wall (approx. 4-5
cm above symphysis pubis) and secured with sutures.
susp
suspension.
syp, syr
syrup.
systemic infection
infections that infiltrate the bloodstream and affect the entire
body.
s̅
without (”sin” in spanish).
t.i.d., tid
3 times a day.
tab
tablet.
tachycardia
fast heart rate (greater than 100 BPM in adults).
tachypnea
an increase in respiratory rate of more than 24 RR (in adults).
taxonomy
unified language classification system.
temporal temperature
temperature taken from the forehead/temporal artery. (wait 15
minutes after face washing before taking temporal temp).
thermoregulation
medical terminology
the balance between the heat your body produces and the
heat that it loses.
18
word
grammar
definition
a ringing or other abnormal sound in the ear, and progressive
tinnitus
hearing loss caused by excess fluid accumulation in the
labyrinth of the inner ear.
tr., tinct
tincture.
transcendence
the process of moving beyond one’s current self.
triglycerides
the most abundant lipids in food.
triple-lumen catheter
triple-lumen catheter, used for bladder irrigation.
temperature taken in the ear. good for unconscious people.
tympanic temperature
(wait 5 minutes after removing hearing aids before taking
tympanic temp).
UAP
unlicensed assistive personnel.
ung., oint
ointment.
units
the amount of medication present in 1 mL of solution.
a surgical procedure performed when bladder function is
impaired owing to trauma or disease involving the bladder,
urinary diversion
distal ureters, or (rarely) the urethra. diverts urine from
kidneys using a resected (cut-out) piece of intestine, away
from bladder and to a stoma.
urinary incontinence
the inability to control the passage of urine.
the inability of the bladder to empty. caused by an obstruction
urinary retention
in the urinary tract, neurologic disorders, childbirth, injuries,
tumors, bladder stones, medications, etc.
urinary tract infections
(UTIs)
result of bacteria in the urine. bacteria from the digestive tract
(usually Escherichia Coli) invade the urethra and multiply.
MOST COMMON hospital-acquired infection.
UTA
unable to assess.
vag, v
vaginally.
enduring ideas about what a person considers is the
values
good/best/”right” thing to do (and the opposite, what is the
bad/worst/”wrong” thing to do) and about what is
desirable/has worth in life.
vertigo
sensation that objects are moving around you.
vitiligo
a loss of skin pigment.
medical terminology
19
word
grammar
definition
vitamin C & B complex. water-soluble vitamins dissolve in the
water-soluble
body and are excreted in the urine. they are easily destroyed
vitamins
by air, light, and heat (cooking). must be ingested daily
because they are NOT stored in the body.
WDL
within defined limits (normal).
XL
long acting.
XR
extended release.
ā
before.
medical terminology
20