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.