Flashcards: medical terminology

wound tends to heal quickly and results in minimal scar formation. involves use of sutures or other wound closures to approximate the edges of an incision or a clean laceration.

new tissue must fill in from the bottom and sides of the wound until the wound bed is filled with new tissue. occurs slower than primary intention.

occurs with ulcers and wounds, results in scar formation.

movement of the smaller elements through the walls of the digestive tract and into the blood.

temporary, resolves when underlying injury heals.

wound that heals in a rapid, uncomplicated manner.

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]).

a person who maintains normal body temperature (97.6 - 99.6 degrees F).

resistance that has to be exceeded to eject the blood during systole.

congenital loss of pigmentation characterized by a generalized lack of melanin pigment in eyes, skin, and hair.

life-threatening. the immune system produces antibodies to fight an ingredient of the food.

pain for non-injury stimuli.

organic compounds that make up proteins.

the use of energy to change simple materials into complex body substances and tissue.

pain reliever/painkiller.

loss of appetite from illness, medication, allergies, treatments, etc. that comes back after resolution of underlying condition.

life-threatening eating disorder characterized by strict dietary intake regulations and distorted body image.

the complete loss of smell.

immunoglobulin molecules that recognize foreign invaders.

any substance that provokes an adaptive immune response.

substances that may protect body cells against effects of free radicals. (beta carotene, selenium, vitamin C, & vitamin E).

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.

can be auscultated over apex of the heart at the point of maximum impulse (PMI). this is located at the mitral valve.

absence of breathing. (brain damage occurs 4-6 minutes into apnea).

brought together (in terms of edges of a wound).

freedom from and prevention of disease-causing contamination.

threat of bodily harm or violence.

temperature taken from the center of the axilla (armpit).

the minimum amount of energy required to maintain body functions in the resting, awake state.

actual physical harm caused to a person.

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.

respirations abnormally shallow for two or three breaths, followed by irregular period of apnea. symptom of meningitis or severe brain injury.

slow heart rate (less than 60 BPM in adults).

a decrease in respiratory rate to less than 10 BPM (in adults).

eating disorder characterized by bingeing (eating excessive amounts of food) and purging (vomiting) with the idea to avoid weight gain from the excess food.

tissue injuries to the skin caused by heat, electricity, chemicals, radiation, extreme cold, or friction.

the minimum pressure required to collapse a capillary.

chemical substances composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen molecules.

heart rate (BPM) x stroke volume (L/beat).

having concern or regard for another.

judicial decisions from individual court cases.

the breaking down of substances from complex to simple, resulting in a release of energy.

clouding of the lens of the eye.

shortens transit time of stool; strong laxative.

involves defense by WBCs against any microorganisms that the body does not recognize as its own.

a stroke. occurs when an area of the brain is deprived of blood flow.

infectious agents —> source of infection —> portal of exit —> mode of transmission —> portal of entry —> susceptible host.

shallow to deep (potential apnea) randomized respirations. symptom of renal failure.

removal of gallbladder.

ongoing for a long period of time.

wound that fails to progress in a timely manner, often remaining open for an extended period of time.

semiliquid mass that travels through the intestines.

similar to a clean wound, but if surgery involves organ systems that are likely to contain bacteria, the risk for infection is greater.

wound with no infection, and low risk for developing an infection.

multidisciplinary resources designed to guide patient care. developed through EBP research.

wound where the skin is still intact (i.e. bruising).

knowing, influenced by awareness and judgment.

collaboration among healthcare professionals and UAP. (i.e. physical therapy, home health care, personal care, spiritual counseling, hospice care).

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).

physical and emotional exhaustion and an extreme inability to empathize.

reflex response of an organ to the reflex action of another (usually paired) organ.

a collection of interrelated concepts that provides direction for nursing practice, research, and education.

the transfer of and reaction to heat through direct contact.

infrequent or difficult bowl movements, as well as having fewer than 3 bowel movements per week.

law derived from the constitution of the U.S.

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.

the transfer of heat by movement or circulation of warm matter such as air or water.

double-lumen, indwelling catheter. used for patients with an enlarged prostate.

indication/hint of a potential disease process or disorder.

bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes.

involves organizing patient assessment data into grouping with similar underlying causes.

false public statements about a person. [LIBEL: written defamation; SLANDER: oral defamation].

partial/complete separation of the tissue layers during the healing process.

reversible state of acute confusion.

permanent decline in mental function.

interventions that originate from health care provider orders. (i.e. orders for oxygen administration, dietary requirements, medications, and diagnostic tests).

mood disorder, characterized by a sense of hopelessness/persistent unhappiness.

failure of the pancreas to produce adequate insulin.

complication of diabetes mellitus in which blood vessels of the retina become damaged.

a technique by which fluids and molecules pass through an artificial semipermeable membrane and are filtered through means of osmosis.

intestinal disorder characterized by an abnormal frequency and fluidity of bowel movements.

the breaking down of food into smaller particles of nutrients.

seeing double.

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.

a specific field of study or branch of instruction or learning.

negative stress (hard to cope with).

lay on back, legs bent, & feet pointed outwards.

unpleasant, abnormal sensation.

difficulty in swallowing.

shortness of breath (rapid, shallow pattern).

irregular rhythm in pulse (early/late/missed heart beat).

painful urination. (many causes, i.e. UTI, STI, kidney/bladder stones, irritation, etc).

120-129 mmHg.

redness of the skin.

normal respiration rate and depth for a person’s age (12-20 RR in adults).

positive/motivational stress.

focuses on the patient’s response to nursing interventions and outcome/goal attainment.

the process by which a liquid is changed to a vapor through heat.

total separation of the tissue layers, allowing the protrusion of visceral organs through the incision.

wicking material placed between labia and gluteal folds, with continuous suction tubing.

(most common) are condom catheters that apply over the tip and shaft of the penis, or some only attach to the head of the 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 the liver and fat tissue. NOT excreted by the kidneys. because of this, if excessive amounts are taken, it may result in toxicity.

composed of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen.

a person with a fever/pyrexia.

complex carbohydrate classified as soluble or insoluble.

abnormal connection between an internal organ and another part of the body.

the production of a mixture of gases in the intestine, by-products of the digestive process. normal bodily function.

double-lumen, indwelling catheter.

maximal flow rate attained during middle of FVC maneuver.

volume of air expelled in the first 1 second of FVC (FEV1 is around 75% to 85% of FVC).

amount of air that can be forcefully exhaled after lungs are maximally inflated (FVC is around 4L in adults).

back of bed inclined, sitting 45-60 degrees.

molecules produced when the body breaks down food or is subjected to environmental exposures to potential toxins, such as tobacco smoke or radiation.

the rubbing together of two surfaces (i.e. skin and bed).

involves the epidermis, dermis, subcutaneous layer, and may even extend farther to the muscle, bone, etc.

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 (may or may not correspond with the sex assigned at birth).

serious medical condition of the eye.

the emotional response to a loss.

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 vascular catheters to the dialysis machine (which filters the toxins out), and back to the body.

presence of blood in the sputum.

physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, & social.

the body’s regulation of systems to maintain a steady state.

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.

excessive sensitivity.

abnormally high levels of carbon dioxide in blood (greater than 45mmHg in arterial blood).

greatly exaggerated pain reaction to stimuli.

elevated blood pressure.

systolic 130-139, diastolic 80-89.

systolic 140+, diastolic 90+.

high body temperature (greater than or equal to 102 degrees F).

increased muscle tone.

deep, rapid respirations.

fluid overload.

systolic less than 90mmHg, diastolic less than or equal to 60mmHg.

low body temperature (less than or equal to 93.6 degrees F).

decrease in muscle tone.

shallow respirations.

a type of ostomy. bypasses the entire large intestine and may not result in an actual stoma (attaches to the anus). stools are frequent, liquid, and can not be regulated.

intramuscular.

intradermal.

3rd line of defense. inflammation activates the immune response, which is the body’s attempt to protect itself from foreign and harmful substances. the immune response is initiated by recognition of antigens.

passive immunity. occurs when a person receives an antibody produces in another body. provides immediate but short-term protection against antigens. infants acquire 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.

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.

nurses initiate these interventions independently as they see necessary (i.e. giving patient an ice pack for swelling).

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 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 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 immediate defense against foreign antigens. barrier to infectious agents, produces chemical mediators to fight infection, removes foreign substances, and activates the adaptive immune system.

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.

public disclosure of private information (intrusion into a person’s place of solitude, using someone’s name, accessing unnecessary medical records…). HIPAA violations.

intravenous.

intravenous piggyback.

a yellow hue to the skin, mucous membranes, or eyes.