| A | B |
|---|
| abandonment | leaving resident unattended |
| abduction | away from the center (midline) of the body |
| abrasion | a scraping or rubbing off of the skin |
| abuse | the infliction of physical, sexual, or emotional injury or harm |
| Active-Resistance ROM | the nurse assistant assists the resident in performing the exercise |
| Active Range of Motion exercises | movements carried out by the resident |
| Activities of Daily Living (ADL) | any activity that is performed in one's life on a daily basis |
| acute | developing rapidly with pronounced symptoms and lasting a short time; rapid onset, short-term |
| adduction | toward the center (midline) of the body |
| admission | process of checking a resident into the facility |
| advance directive | a document that designates the resident's wishes in the event that he/she is unable to speak for himself/herself |
| advocate | a person who defends someone else |
| afebrile | without fever |
| agitation | vocal or motor behaviors such as shouting, fidgeting, pacing, screaming, or wandering |
| agnosia | loss of the ability to recognize familiar objects |
| Alzheimer's disease | a progressive impairment of memory, reasoning, and judgment that is related to cellular changes within the brain and that leads to loss of independence in activities of daily living |
| ambulation | ability to walk |
| ambulatory | able to walk |
| anterior | toward the front |
| anti-embolism stockings | elastic hosiery used to minimize the occurrence of edema and blood clots |
| body mechanics | using correct techniques in performing certain functions in a manner that does not add undue strain to the 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 movement | solid waste eliminated from the digestive tract |
| bowel obstruction | a blockage in the intestine |
| brachial artery | the artery in the antecubital space in front of the elbow |
| bradycardia | slow pulse rate, usually less that 60 beats per minute |
| bronchi | two large branches of the trachea through which air moves in and out of the lungs |
| call bell | see call system |
| call light | see call system |
| call system | in the patient unit, this consists of a signal cord or button. This signal activates a bell, light, or intercom system used to request assistance. The cord or button must be placed within the patient's reach at all times. |
| cannula | a plastic or metal tube |
| care plan | an individual plan of care for each resident |
| cataract | clouding of the lens of the eye |
| catastrophic reaction | overreaction to circumstances |
| catheter | a sterile tube inserted into the bladder to drain urine |
| Cheyne-Stokes | a pattern of breathing in which respirations gradually increase in rate and depth and then become shallow and slow; breathing may stop for 10 to 20 seconds |
| chronic | continuing over a long period of time or recurring frequently; chronic conditions begin insidiously, and symptoms are not as noticeable as in acute condition; long, drawn out, long term |
| circumcision | surgical removal of the end of the foreskin of the penis |
| coccyx | the bone at the base of the spine (tailbone) |
| cognitive | dealing with the thoughts and emotions |
| colostomy | an artificial opening made in the abdominal wall to allow the passage of feces through a stoma (opening) |
| combativeness | physically aggressive behavior, hitting, kicking, scratching, biting |
| communication | the exchange of information accomplished by sending and receiving messages. Communication requires both a sender and receiver. |
| dangle | to sit on the side of the bed with the legs over the edge of the mattress |
| deafness | inability to hear |
| death | a natural part of life where all vital functions of the body cease |
| decubitus ulcer | an inflammation, sore, or lesion that develops over areas where the skin and tissue underneath are injured due to a lack of blood flow |
| defecation | passing feces from the body; passing of stool |
| deficiency | a written notice of inadequate care or sub-standard practice |
| dehydration | loss of body's normal water content, which can affect both physical and mental functions |
| delirium | memory and thinking impairment that comes |
| dementia | severe impairment of cognitive functions such as thinking, memory, and personality; comes on slowly and worsens over time; usually irreversible, depending on the cause of the dementia |
| dentures | artificial or "false" teeth |
| dependent | unable to care for one's self |
| diabetes | a chronic disease characterized by insufficient insulin production |
| diagnosis | determining what kind of disease or medical condition a person has; the nurse assistant can find out by looking in the chart; the doctor determines the problem based on tests, observations, etc. |
| diaphoresis | excessive sweating |
| diarrhea | frequent passage of liquid stool |
| diastolic pressure | the pressure in the arteries when the heart is at rest (the bottom number) |
| digestion | process by which food is broken down, mechanically and chemically, and changed to a form that can be absorbed by the body |
| dilate | to get larger |
| discharge | the resident goes to another facility, home, to the home of a relative/friend, or if the resident dies |
| disorientation | the state of mental confusion or loss of bearings in relation to the sense of person, place, or time |
| distention | the state of being inflated or enlarged |
| diversionary | to draw attention to something else or to amuse |
| dysphagia | difficulty swallowing |
| dyspnea | difficulty in breathing |
| anus | outlet of the rectum |
| aphasia | language difficulty due to brain damage, which can affect listening, speaking, reading, and writing skill; loss of the ability use or understand language |
| apical pulse | pulse taken at the apex of the heart |
| apraxia | loss of the ability to carry out planned movements at will |
| arteries | blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart |
| arteriosclerosis | loss of elasticity in the walls of the blood vessels |
| arthritis | inflammation of a joint |
| asepsis | the absence of germs |
| aseptic | free of microorganisms |
| aspiration | to draw fluid or object into the lung when breathing in |
| assault | threat or attempt to injure another in an unlawful manner |
| assessment | an appraisal of the whole person to establish a baseline and determine the resident's potential and his need for help |
| atherosclerosis | accumulation of fat deposits inside of arteries, making them more narrow |
| atrophy | wasting away of muscle tissue leading to weakness |
| axilla | armpit |
| basic human needs | activities required by all people to successfully and satisfactorily live their lives |
| bacteria | single-celled organisms that can cause disease/illness |
| battery | unlawful application of force to the person of another |
| bladder | a muscular sac that stores the urine in the body |
| blindness | inability to see |
| blood pressure | the amount of force exerted against the walls of an artery by the blood |
| coccyx | the bone at the base of the spine (tailbone) |
| cognitive | dealing with the thoughts and emotions |
| colostomy | an artificial opening made in the abdominal wall to allow the passage of feces through a stoma (opening) |
| combativeness | physically aggressive behavior, hitting , kicking, scratching, biting |
| communication | the exchange of information accomplished by sending and receiving messages. Communication requires both a sender and receiver. |
| competency | the ability to properly perform a specific task |
| condom catheter | an external catheter applied to males (Texas catheter) |
| conduct | one's actions in general; behavior |
| confidential | personal; not known to others |
| confused | state of being mixed up |
| confusion | a mental state characterized by disorientation regarding time, place, or person |
| congestive heart failure (CHF) | the inability of the heart to pump an adequate quantity of blood |
| consent | permission granted voluntarily by a person in his/her (sound/clear) mind |
| constipation | the passage of unusually dry, hard stools |
| constrict | get smaller |
| contaminated | exposed to germs |
| contracture | shortening of muscles and tendons, which causes deformity of joint and a decrease in joint motion and muscle wasting |
| contusion | an injury that does not break the skin, caused by a blow to the body and characterized by swelling, discoloration, and pain |
| cyanotic | a bluish-gray color of the skin, lips, or nail beds due to lack of oxygen |
| edema | swelling due to an accumulation of watery fluid in the tissue |
| elimination | to rid the body of wastes, such as urine or stool |
| emesis | vomiting |
| emotion | one's feelings |
| emphysema | respiratory condition in which the elasticity of the alveoli is lost, resulting in difficulty in breathing |
| esophagus | a tube connecting the throat to the stomach through which food passes |
| ethical | relating to a set of moral principles and values |
| ethics | the discipline that addresses what is good and bad and what is moral duty and obligation |
| evaluate | to decide if a course of action was the correct one to take |
| eversion | a turning outward |
| expectorate | coughing up matter from respirator tract and spitting it out |
| exploitation | illegal or improper use of a person's property or resources to the degree that substantial risk of harm exists |
| extension | to straighten, to extend |
| external rotation | to move the extremity in a circular motion away from the center of the body |
| extremities | the arms, legs, hands, and feet |
| false imprisonment | unjustified detention of a person |
| febrile | feverish |
| feces | waste products in the bowel; same as stool or BM |
| fever | elevation of body temperature above normal |
| flatus | gas in the bowel |
| flexion | to bend |
| flushed | reddened color of the skin |
| foot board | a piece of wood or plastic at the end of the bed for positioning the resident's feet |
| foot cradle | a metal or plastic frame over the foot of the bed that lifts the weight of the sheets off of the resident's feet |
| foreskin | loose skin at and covering the end of the penis |
| fracture | a broken bone |
| gait belt | canvas belt placed around the resident's waist to assist with ambulation and transfers |
| gangrene | death of tissue usually due to deficient or absent blood supply |
| germ | microorganism |
| glaucoma | increase of pressure within the eye, resulting in blindness if left untreated |
| graduate | a container marked with lines for measuring liquids |
| halitosis | bad breath |
| hallucination | sensory perceptions that seem real to the person experiencing them but are not perceived by others |
| heart attack/myocardial infarction (MI) | a blockage or clot occurring in an artery in the heart, resulting in chest pain due to tissue damage |
| hemiplegia | loss of sensation or movement in one side of the body |
| hemorrhage | excessive, uncontrolled bleeding |
| hemorrhoids | varicose veins in the rectum that can become painful, itch, and bleed |
| hospice | a type of care that provides comfort for terminally ill persons |
| hospice care | care provided to meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of patients with terminal illnesses and their families |
| hygiene | personal cleanliness |
| hyperextension | extensive extension |
| hyperglycemia | high blood sugar |
| hypoglycemia | low blood sugar |
| hypertension | high blood pressure; persistent BP measurements above the normal systolic (150 mm Hg) or diastolic (90 mm Hg) pressures |
| hypotension | low blood pressure; condition in which systolic BP is below 100 mm Hg and diastolic is below 60 mm Hg. |
| hypothermia | when the temperature of the body is below the individual's normal range |
| I & O (intake & output) | to measure and record all liquids ingested and expelled by the resident |
| immobility | inability to move |
| impaction | hard stool that cannot pass from the rectum normally |
| incontinent | unable to control the passage of urine |
| independent | self-reliant, able to care for oneself |
| indwelling urinary catheter (foley) | a sterile tube inserted through the urethra into the bladder to drain urine; held in place by a small inflated balloon |
| infection | invasion of the body by a disease-producing (pathogenic) microorganism |
| inflammation | reaction of tissue to injury of any kind |
| inhale | to breathe in |
| intermediate care facility (ICF) | a facility that provides 24-hour room, board, personal care, and basic health and nursing care services to three or more residents. The care is provided under the daily supervision of a licensed nurse and under the direction of a licensed physician. |
| internal rotation | to move the extremity in a circular motion towared the center of the body |
| invasion of privacy | a civil wrong that unlawfully makes public knowledge of any private or personal information without the consent of the wronged person |
| inversion | a turning inward (feet only) |
| jaundice | yellow discoloration of skin due to bile |
| kidneys | filtering system of the body |
| labia | the skin folds that are on both sides of the urethra and vagina |
| laceration | wound produced by cutting or tearing |
| larynx | the voice box |
| lateral | to the side |
| legal | relating to the law |
| libel | a false and malicious publication in writing about an individual or group to a third party |
| malpractice | improper or negligent treatment of a resident or patient resulting in damage or injury |
| meatus | opening of the urethra on the body surface through which urine is discharged |
| micro | small |
| microorganism | a very small living thing (a germ) that can only be seen with a microscope |
| milliliter (ml | same as cubic centimeter (cc) |
| mm Hg | millimeters of mercury; the unit measurement used when taking blood pressure |
| mobility | ability to move |
| morals | one's own personal values |
| mucous membranes | tissues that secrete mucous in nose, mouth |
| mucus | sticky substance secreted by mucous membranes mainly in the lungs, nose, and parts of the rectal and genital areas |
| neglect | failure of person(s) responsible for an individual to provide necessary services to maintain the physical and mental health of the individual when such failure presents an imminent or probable danger to the individual |
| negligence | failure to perform in a reasonably prudent manner or by acceptable health care practices |
| nocturia | the need to urinate at night |
| nonintact skin | skin that is broken, chapped, or cracked |
| nosocomical infection | an infection acquired after admission to the facility |
| nursing process | a problem-solving technique that consists of eight steps: data collection, assessment, problem, need, goal, approach, implementation, and outcome/evaluation |
| nutrient | food that supplies the body with its necessary elements |
| nutrition | the process of taking in food and producing energy from it |
| obese | extremely fat |
| objective | way to reach a goal |
| obstruction | a blockage |
| ombudsman | one who speaks on behalf of another; a volunteer individual who helps reseidents in long-term care facilities |
| orthostatic hypotension | a sudden drop in blood pressure when the resident moves from a lying to a sitting or standing position; results in fainting; inability of cardiovascular system to respond quickly enough to body position change, causing a drop in blood pressure, often accompanied by dizziness, fainting, and falls |
| osteoporosis | a loss of mineral in the bone resulting in loss of bone density |
| ovaries | glands in the female that produce ovum (eggs) and hormones |
| pallor | paleness |
| paralyzed | absence of movement or sensation |
| paranoia | suspiciousness inappropriate to reality; individual feels that everyone is picking on him/her or out to get him/her |
| paraplegia | paralysis of the legs |
| passive range of motion exercises | movements the staff routinely conduct to prevent complications |
| pathogens | microbes that cause disease |
| peri care | cleaning the genital and anal areas; part of bath or shower procedure or a separate procedure |
| perineal | the genital and anal area |
| peristalsis | wavelike movements of the digestive tract that move food through the intestinal tract |
| perpetrator | person who inflicts harm |
| pharynx | the throat |
| physical | relating to the body and bodily functions |
| physical restraint | any manual method or physical or manual device, material, or equipment attached or adjacent to the resident's body that the individual cannot remove easily and that restricts freedom of movement or normal access to one's body |
| plaque | sticky, transparent bacterial flim found on the teeth |
| pneumonia | inflammation of the lungs with fluid accumulation in the affected alveoli |
| posterior | toward the back |
| postmortem | after death |
| pressure ulcer | an ulcer that forms on the skin over a bony area as a result of pressure |
| priority | that which should be considered or done first |
| privileged communication | any personal or private information that is relevant to a resident's care that the resident gave to medical personnel |
| projectile vomiting | vomitus forcibly ejected without nausea |
| pronation | to turn downward |
| psychological | associated with the thought processes of the brain |
| pulse | the beat of the heart felt at an artery as a wave of blood passes through the artery |
| pulse rate | the number of heartbeats or pulses felt in 1 minute |
| purulent | containing pus |
| pus | thick, yellowish secretion formed in certain kinds of inflammation |
| quadraplegia | paralysis of arms and legs |
| range of motion (ROM) | the extent of movement of a joint (maximum flexion to maximum extension) |
| reality orientation | techniques used to assist a person to become aware of the world in which he/she lives |
| rectum | last 6-8 inches of the large intestine |
| rehabilitation | restoring of an ill or injured resident so he/she will be able to help himself/herself to live at his/her highest potential |
| resident | a person who, due to aging or illness, receives or requires care and the services furnished by a facility and who lives at the facility |
| residential care facility (RCF) I or II | a facility licensed by the state of Missouri to provide 24-hour room, board, and protective oversight. The facility may provide assistance with medications, care during recovery from short-term illness, supervision of diets, and assistance with personal care. |
| residue | what remains of something after a part is removed |
| resistance | ability to fight off |
| respirations | act of breathing in and out of the lungs (inhalation/exhalation) |
| responsible party | a family member/friend of the resident who the resident designates in writing to handle matters and receive reports related to the resident's general condition |
| restorative | returning a resident to health or consciousness |
| restorative nursing | the process by which a disabled or ill person is helped to reach the highest possible level of wellness, considering his/her limitations |
| retention | inability to empty the bladder |
| rigor mortis | temporary rigidity of muscles of the body occurring after death |
| rotation | to move a joint in a circular motion |
| roughage/fiber | indigestible fiber of ruits, vegetables, and cereal that acts as a stimulus to aid intestinal peristalsis (e.g., bran, potato skins, fruit skins) |
| scrotum | the pouch containing the testicles |
| seizure | sudden, periodic attacks of muscles contracting and relaxing |
| shearing | occurs when the body slides on a surface that moves the skin in one direction and the underlying bones in the opposite direction |
| signal light | see call system |
| skilled nursing facility (SNF) | a facility that provides 24-hour room, board, and skilled nursing care and treatment to at least three residents. Skilled nursing care and treatment services are those performed by or under the supervision of a registered nurse for individuals requiring 24-hour-a-day care by licensed nursing personnel and under the direction of a licensed doctor. |
| slander | to make any oral defamatory false remark about another; spoken words that tend to damage the reputation of another |
| social | relating to human society; getting along with others |
| social service designee | social services representative appointed to take care of certain responsibilities and receive reports related to a resident's personal possessions and property |
| sphincter muscles | a circle of muscle fibers around the outlet of the urethra and rectum that is normally closed but can be relaxed to allow passage of urine and stool |
| sphygmomanometer | instrument used to measure BP that consists of a cuff that is applied to the upper arm and a measuring device |
| sputum | waste material coughed up from lungs or trachea |
| sterile | free of all germs |
| stethoscope | instrument used to listen to the sounds produced by the heart, lungs, and other body organs |
| strategy | a plan or method |
| sundowning | phenomenon when confusion becomes worse in the evening |
| supination | to turn upward |
| supine | lying on one's back |
| suppository | a semisolid substance that may contain medicine that dissolves when inserted into the rectum or vagina |
| systolic pressure | amount of force it takes to pump blood out of the heart into the arterial circulation (the top number) |
| tachycardia | fast pulse rate greater than 100 beats per minute |
| TED hose | elastic stockings applied to the legs to reduce inflammation of the veins and the formation of blood clots |
| temperature | measurment of heat within the body |
| terminal disinfection | thorough cleaning of room with disinfectant solution after transmission-based procedure is discontinued |
| toxin | a poisonous substance |
| transfer | to move |
| transient ischemic attack (TIA) | an episode of poor circulation to the brain characterized by visual disturbances, dizziness, weakness, numbness, or loss of consciousness. The attack is usually brief, lasting a few minutes. |
| transmitted | transferrred or spread |
| tuberculosis | an infection, primarily of the lung, from mycobacterium tuberculosis |
| unconscious | an individual's lacking in awareness |
| ureters | tubes that carry urine from kidneys to urinary bladder |
| urethra | the small passage from the bladder through which urine leaves the body |
| urinary catheter | a sterile tube inserted into bladder to drain urine |
| urinate (void) | to pass urine |
| validation therapy | a technique that creates a climate of acceptance by encouraging the resident who is confused to explore personal thoughts; it helps to confirm the emotions being experienced |
| value system | behavior related to a pattern of conduct or ideas that is accepted as worthwhile or meaningful |
| ventilate | to give air to |
| void | to pass urine |
| vital signs | temperature, pulse, respirations, and blood pressure |
| wandering | aimless walking, which may result in a resident becoming lost |
