| A | B |
|---|
| vital signs | Measurements, specifically pulse rate, temperature, respiration rate, and blood pressure, that indicate the state of a patient's essential body functions. |
| experiment | A scientific procedure to make a discovery, test a hypothesis, or demonstrate a known fact. |
| valid | Something that has truth, strong logic, or fact. |
| experimental design | A way to carefully plan experiments to investigate scientific questions or problems. |
| hypothesis | A proposed explanation based on some evidence and used as a starting point to investigate further. |
| variable (experimental design) | An element, feature, or factor that is likely to change. |
| independent variable | A variable that does not depend on the state of another variable. |
| dependent variable | An element, feature, or factor that is likely to change. |
| control | A group or individual used as a standard of comparison for checking the results of a survey or experiment. |
| trial | A test of the performance, qualities, or suitability of someone or something. |
| symptoms | Signs of disease or injury. |
| agent | In disease, a factor, such as a microorganism or a chemical substance, that can impact the development of a disease or illness. |
| virus | Tiny infectious agents that can only multiply when they are inside a host, the living cells of plants, animals, or bacteria. |
| bacteria | Single-celled organisms that do not rely on a host. |
| fungi | Organisms such as yeasts or molds that reproduce quickly in moist, humid environments. |
| microorganisms | A microscopic organism such as a bacterium, virus, or fungus. |
| diagnosis | The identification of an illness or other problem by examination of the medical evidence. |
| antibiotic | A medicine that limits the growth of or destroys microorganisms. |
| microbiologist | An expert in microbiology, the study of microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses. |
| aseptic technique | The use of practices and procedures to prevent contamination from pathogens. |
| agar | Gelatinous substance that provides the proper nutritional environment to promote the growth of microorganisms. |
| personal protective equipment | Specialized clothing or equipment that an employee wears for protection against infectious materials (as defined by OSHA). This includes safety goggles, gloves, and laboratory aprons. |
