| A | B |
|---|
| nasal bone | Bone of the nose |
| nasal cannula | A tube inserted into the nose to deliver low-flow oxygen |
| nasogastic (NG) tube | Tube inserted into the nasal passage for decompression of the stomach or proximal bowel or for gastric lavage |
| nasopharyngeal airway (NPA) | A soft rubber airway device inserted through the nose; designed to maintain an open airway by displacing the tongue off the pharynx |
| nasopharynx | Part of pharynx above the level of the soft palate |
| nature of illness | The type of condition or complaint a medical patient has |
| near drowning | An immersion situation from which the patient is resuscitated and survives for at least 24 hours |
| nebulizer | Device for administering vaporized liquid medication |
| negligence | Failure to act as a reasonable, prudent, similarly trained person would act under similar circumstances |
| nitroglycerin (NTG) | Medication that dilates blood vessels and decreases the workload of the heart; taken sublingually by tablet or by spray for relief of chest pain |
| non-rebreather mask | High-flow oxygen delivery device characterized by an inflatable oxygen reservior bag and a one-way valve that prevents exhaled air from being reinhaled |
| non-urgent (routine) moves | Lifting and moving patients when there is no immediate threat to life |
| obstetrics | The medical specialty concerned with the care of women during pregnancy and child birth |
| occlusive dressing | A dressing that forms an air-tight seal; often applied to open neck, chest or abdominal wounds; items commonly used include defibrillation pads or thick plastic wrap |
| olecranon | Elbow bone; tip of the elbow |
| ongoing assessment | Frequent reevaluation of a patient after initial assessment and primary interventions; to identify changes in patient condition and ensure appropriate care |
| open head injury | A severe traumatic head injury in which the skull is fractured |
| open soft tissue injury | Open wound in which muscle, vessels, and/or skin is damaged |
| oral mucosa | Pink membrane lining the inside of the mouth |
| orbit | Eye socket |
| oropharyngeal airway | A curved plastic device with a flange inserted in the patient's mouth; used to keep the tongue from blocking the pharynx |
| oropharynx | Part of pharynx between the soft palate and upper end of epiglottis |
| orotracheal intubation | Technique involving insertion of a tube through the mouth and into the trachea; also endotracheal intubation |
