Open RN Nursing Assistant — Chapter Glossaries

A.M. care

Personal care performed in the morning.

Abduction

The movement of a limb away from the body’s midline. For example, hip abduction is the movement of the leg away from the midline of the body when getting out of bed.

Active assist range of motion

Movement of a joint by an individual with partial assistance from an outside force.

Active listening

Listening while communicating verbally and nonverbally that we are interested in what the other person is saying and also verifying our understanding with the speaker.

Active range of motion

Movement of a joint by the individual with no outside force aiding in the movement.

Activities of daily living (ADLs)

Daily basic tasks that are fundamental to everyday functioning (e.g., hygiene, elimination, dressing, eating, ambulating/moving).

Activities of daily living (ADLs)

Hygiene, grooming, dressing, fluid and nutritional intake, mobility, and elimination needs of clients.

Activity intolerance

The reduction of a person’s stamina and their ability to perform activities.

Acute pain

Pain with limited duration and associated with a specific cause. It usually causes observable responses such as increased pulse, respirations, and blood pressure. The person may also have diaphoresis.

Adaptive behavior

The skills and abilities to live independently.

Adduction

The movement of a limb towards the midline. For example, if a person has their fingers spread wide apart, bringing them back together is adduction.

Advance directives

Legal documents including the health care power of attorney (POA) and living will.

Aggression

The act of attacking without provocation.

Aggressive communicators

Individuals who come across as advocating for their own rights when communicating despite possibly violating the rights of others.

Agitation

Behaviors that fall along a continuum ranging from verbal threats and motor restlessness to harmful aggressive and destructive behaviors.

Agnosia

The failure to recognize or identify objects despite intact sensory function.

Airborne precautions

Transmission-based precautions used for clients with diagnosed or suspected pathogens spread by very small airborne particles from nasal and oral secretions that can float long distances through the air, such as measles and tuberculosis.

Ambulating

Walking.

Ambulation

A medical term used for walking.

Angina

Sudden chest pain beneath the sternum (breastbone) associated with a heart attack (myocardial infarction), often radiating down the left arm in male patients.

Anxiety

A universal human experience that includes feelings of apprehension, uneasiness, uncertainty, or dread resulting from a real or perceived threat.

Anxiety disorder

A condition diagnosed when an individual experiences more than temporary worry or fear that interferes with their daily functioning.

Aphasia

A condition with difficulty processing what one is hearing or responding to questions due to dementia, brain injuries, or strokes.

Apraxia

The impaired ability to carry out motor activities despite intact motor function. This means the person can understand instructions and has the ability to complete an action but cannot process the cue to actually perform the task.

Aspiration

Inadvertently breathing fluid or food into the airway instead of swallowing it.

Assertive communication

A way of conveying information that describes the facts and the sender’s feelings without disrespecting the receiver’s feelings.

Assertive communicators

Individuals who respect the rights of others while also standing up for their own ideas and rights when communicating.

Assistive devices

Devices such as gait belts and walkers that are used when moving a patient.

Autonomy

Each individual’s right to self-determination and decision-making based on their unique values, beliefs, and preferences.

Axillary temperature

Temperature taken in the armpit using the same device as when taking an oral temperature. It can be as much as one degree lower than the oral temperature.

Bariatric lifts

Mechanical lifts that support a client weighing 600 or more pounds.

Belongingness

A human emotional need for interpersonal relationships, connectedness, and being part of a group.

Bipolar disorder

A condition that includes shifts in mood from abnormal highs (called manic episodes) to abnormal lows (i.e., depressive episodes) that cause significant impairment on the person’s functioning socially or at work.

Blood pressure

The force of blood against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps blood through the body reported in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). It is expressed as two numbers: systolic pressure and diastolic pressure.

Blood-borne pathogens

Infectious microorganisms in blood and body fluids that can cause disease, including hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Blood-borne pathogens

Pathogenic microorganisms present in blood and body fluids that can cause disease such as hepatitis B (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Body alignment

Good posture principles that prevent musculoskeletal injuries.

Body mass index (BMI)

A calculated measure of body fat based on a person’s height and weight.

Bolus

A slippery mass of partially broken-down food that moves down the digestive tract as you swallow.

Bony prominences

Areas of the body where a bone lies close to the skin’s surface, such as the back of the head, shoulders, elbows, heels, ankles, tops of the toes, hips, and coccyx.

Built-up handles

Specialized silverware that allows the use of utensils by individuals with limited functional ability of their fingers (such as severe arthritis) to hold a smaller handle.

Cardiac arrhythmias

Irregularities in a person’s heart rate and/or rhythm.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

Emergency treatment provided when a patient’s blood flow or breathing stops and may involve chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth breathing, electric shocks to restart the heart, breathing tubes to open the airway, or cardiac medications.

Carrier

An individual who is colonized with an infectious agent.

Cataracts

A vision condition causing clouding of the clear lens of the eye.

Cerebrovascular attack (CVA)

The medical term for what is commonly referred to as a “stroke,” caused by a lack of blood flow and oxygen to the brain.

Chain of infection

The process of how an infection spreads based on six links of transmission: Infectious Agent, Reservoir, Portal of Exit, Modes of Transmission, Portal of Entry, and Susceptible Host.

Charting by exception (CBE)

A common type of health care documentation where routine care is provided and notes are only written for abnormal findings or anything out of the ordinary. It is designed to keep documentation concise and reduce the amount of time required for documentation.

Chemical digestion

Digestion of food by enzymes found in saliva that break down food particles into smaller components.

Chemical restraint

A drug used to manage a patient’s behavior, restrict the patient’s freedom of movement, or impair the patient’s ability to appropriately interact with their surroundings, that is not standard treatment or dosage for the patient’s condition.

Cheyne-Stokes

Irregular respirations associated with approaching death that are observed as gaps in breathing of several seconds and long and labored or quick and shallow inhalation and exhalation.

Chronic pain

Ongoing and persistent pain for longer than six months. It typically does not cause a change in vital signs or diaphoresis.

Citation

A problem or discrepancy found during a survey of a facility by the Department of Health Services.

Clock method

A method used with clients with visual impairments to describe where the food on their plate is located. For example, state, “Your mashed potatoes are at 10 o’clock, the green beans are at 2 o’clock, and the meat loaf is at 6 o’clock on your plate.”

CLOWD

An acronym to consider after providing personal care but before leaving the room that stands for Comfort; Light, Lock and Low; Open; Wash; and Document.

Coagulate

Form a clot.

Coccyx

Tailbone.

Colonization

A condition when a person carries an infectious agent but is not symptomatic or ill.

Colostomy

Surgery to create a stoma in the colon.

Colostomy

A surgically placed opening when a client’s colon function is impaired. A piece of the colon is diverted to an artificial opening in the abdominal wall called a stoma, and feces is collected in a pouch.

Commode

A movable device with a bucket underneath the seat that is used for elimination when the client has difficulty getting to the bathroom.

Communication

A process by which information is exchanged between individuals through a common system of symbols, signs, or behavior.

Comorbidities

Coexisting health conditions.

Competitive listening

Listening that occurs when we are primarily focused on sharing our own point of view instead of listening to someone else.

Complete bed bath

A bath provided in bed for clients who have difficulty getting out of bed, are experiencing excessive pain, or have other physical or cognitive issues that make other types of bathing less tolerable.

Compression stockings

Stockings that apply gentle pressure to a limb to reduce edema; also referred to as thrombo-embolic-deterrent (TED) hose.

Contact precautions

Transmission-based precautions used for clients with known or suspected infections transmitted by touch such as C-difficile (C-diff), methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin resistant enterococcus (VRE), or norovirus.

Cyanosis

Blue coloration around the mouth and in the extremities (i.e., feet and hands) that occurs when there is decreased oxygenated blood flow to the tissues.

Cyanotic

A bluish discoloration of the skin.

Daily weights

Client weight taken at the same time every day, on the same scale, in similar clothing, and before any food or fluids are consumed.

Dangle

Sitting up on the edge of bed for a few minutes before standing to prevent orthostatic hypotension and dizziness.

Deep-vein thrombosis (DVT)

A blood clot that forms within the deep veins, usually of the lower leg, but can occur anywhere within the cardiovascular system.

Delirium

Psychosis caused by medical conditions or substance use that starts suddenly and is reversible by treating the cause of the delirium.

Delusions

Unshakable beliefs in something that isn’t true or based on reality.

Delusions

Fixed, false beliefs held by a person even though there is concrete evidence they are not true.

Dementia

A general term for loss of memory, language, problem-solving, and other thinking abilities that are severe enough to interfere with daily life. There are several types of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia.

Depressive episode

A condition where the person experiences a depressed mood (feeling sad, irritable, or empty) or a loss of pleasure or interest in activities they normally enjoy. Other symptoms may include poor concentration, feelings of excessive guilt or low self-worth, hopelessness about the future, thoughts about dying or suicide, disrupted sleep, changes in appetite or weight, and feeling especially tired.

Depth perception

The ability to determine distance between oneself and another object.

Developmental disorders

Disorders caused by impairments in the brain or central nervous system due to problems that occurred during fetal development.

Diaphoresis

Excessive sweating.

Diastole

The phase between each contraction of the heart when the ventricles are filling with blood.

Diastolic blood pressure

Resting pressure within the arteries during diastole.

Diet and fluid orders

Orders regarding what the resident is permitted to eat and drink.

Disinfection

The removal of microorganisms. However, disinfection does not destroy all spores and viruses.

Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) order

A medical order that instructs health care professionals to not perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if a patient’s breathing stops or their heart stops beating. A DNR order is only written with permission by the patient (or the patient’s health care power of attorney, if activated).

Documentation

A legal record of patient care completed in a paper chart or electronic health record (EHR).

Doff

Take off personal protective equipment (PPE).

Don

Put on personal protective equipment (PPE).

Droplet precautions

Transmission-based precautions used for clients with a diagnosed or suspected pathogen that is spread in small droplets from sneezing or in oral and nasal secretions, such as influenza or pertussis.

Dysphagia

A swallowing disorder.

Dysphagia

Difficulty swallowing that can cause aspiration of liquids and food into one’s lungs and lead to life-threatening pneumonia.

Edema

Fluid retention causing swelling in the extremities.

Elder abuse

An intentional act, or failure to act, that causes or creates a risk of harm to someone 60 or older. The abuse occurs at the hands of a caregiver or a person the older adult trusts.

Elimination needs

Assistance the resident requires for urinating and passing stool.

Elopement

An event when a resident who is incapable of protecting themselves from harm is able to successfully leave the facility unsupervised and unnoticed and possibly enter into harm’s way.

End-of-life care

Term used to describe care provided when death is imminent and life expectancy is limited to a short number of hours or days.

Epiglottis

The anatomical flap that covers the trachea and prevents liquids from entering the lungs when swallowing.

Epiglottis

A small flap that closes over the trachea when swallowing to prevent food and fluids from going into the lungs.

Esophagus

The muscular tube from the mouth to the stomach.

Expressive aphasia

A speech disorder where a person understands what other people say but struggles to form words.

Extension

Movement that increases the angle between two bones. For example, extension occurs when doing a bicep curl and the arm is  straightened back to starting position, increasing the angle between the elbow joint.

Eye protection

Face shields, visors attached to masks, and goggles that are used to protect the eyes from blood or body fluids.

FAST

An acronym used to remember the early signs of a stroke: Facial drooping, Arm weakness, Slurred speech, and Time (meaning the quicker the response, the better the outcome).

Fever

A temperature of 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 degrees F).

Fine motor skills

Small movements such as those in the wrists and hands.

Flexion

Movement that decreases the angle between two bones. For example, contracting the bicep to lift a weight upwards is flexion.

Foam boots

Specialized soft boots used to support the ankles and keep the heels floated off the bed.

Foot cradle

A device used to keep the sheets and blankets off the tops of a client’s toes.

Fowler’s position

A position where the client is lying on their back with their head elevated between 30 and 90 degrees.

Friction

Injury caused to skin when it is rubbed by clothing, linens, or another body part.

Glaucoma

A visual condition that occurs due to high pressure on the optic nerve that results in loss of peripheral vision, blind spots, or even blindness across the entire visual field.

Grooming

Maintaining a resident’s appearance through shaving, hair, and nail care.

Gross motor skills

Large movements controlled by the legs and trunk of the body.

Hallucinations

A symptom of psychosis when someone perceives seeing, hearing, feeling, tasting, or smelling something that is not actually present. Some people are aware that their hallucinations are not real while others cannot separate their hallucinations from reality.

Hallucinations

A condition where a person senses things such as visions, sounds, or smells that seem real but are not.

Hand hygiene

The process of removing, killing, or destroying microorganisms or visible contaminants from the hands. There are two hand-hygiene techniques: handwashing with soap and water and the use of alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR).

Hand mitt

A large, soft glove that covers a confused patient’s hand to prevent them from inadvertently dislodging medical equipment such as a catheter, feeding tube, or intravenous (IV) catheter.

Health Care Power of Attorney (POA)

Legal identification of a trusted individual to serve as a decision-maker for health issues when the patient is no longer able to speak for themselves. It is the responsibility of this designated individual to carry out care actions in accordance with the patient’s wishes.

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA)

Legislation that required the creation of national standards to protect sensitive patient health information from being disclosed without the patient’s consent or knowledge.

Healthcare-associated infection (HAI)

An infection that develops in an individual after admission to a health care facility or undergoing a medical procedure.

Heimlich maneuver

A procedure used for someone who is choking that uses abdominal thrusts to clear the airway so they can breathe.

Holistic care

Health care that addresses a patient’s physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs.

Hospice care

Care provided to patients who are terminally ill when a health care provider has determined they are expected to live six months or less. Hospice provides comfort to the client and supports the family, but curative medical treatments are stopped. It is based on the idea that dying is part of the normal life cycle.

Hygiene

Keeping the body clean and reducing pathogens by performing tasks such as bathing and oral care.

Hypertension (HTN)

Elevated blood pressure.

Hypotension

Low blood pressure.

Immobility

The loss of independent control of one’s body to change positions and function safety within the environment.

Impaired skin integrity

Skin that is damaged or not healing normally. An example of impaired skin integrity is a pressure injury (also called a bedsore or pressure ulcer) with damage to the skin and surrounding tissue.

In-patient therapy

Rehabilitation treatment that occurs in a facility where the client is staying.

Incontinence

Failure of voluntary control of urination.

Incontinence

A lack of voluntary control over urination or defecation.

Incontinence briefs or pads

Disposable products used for clients with little to no control over bladder or bowel function.

Infection control

Methods to prevent or stop the spread of infections in health care settings.

Infectious agent

Microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites that can cause infectious disease.

Inflammation

Redness, warmth, swelling, and tenderness associated with early signs of infection.

Insensible losses

Fluid loss that cannot be measured, such as fluids lost through the respiratory system, sweat, and stool.

Intake and output (I&O)

Fluid intake and output measured and documented every shift.

Involuntary muscle

Muscles controlled by the autonomic nervous system, including smooth muscle within the digestive system and respiratory system and the cardiac muscle in the heart that pumps blood throughout the body.

Isolation gowns

Protective garments worn to protect clothing from the splashing or spraying of body fluids and reduce the transmission of microorganisms.

Large intestine

The long, tube-like organ that is connected to the small intestine at one end and the anus at the other.

Lateral (side-lying) position

A position that places the client on their left or right side to relieve pressure on the coccyx or increase blood flow to the fetus in pregnant women.

Living will

A legal document that describes the patient’s wishes if they are no longer able to speak for themselves due to injury, illness, or a persistent vegetative state. The living will addresses issues like ventilator support, feeding tube placement, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and intubation.

Macronutrients

Carbohydrates, proteins, and fats that make up most of a person’s diet and provide energy, as well as essential nutrient intake.

Macular degeneration

A visual condition that causes a blind spot in the center field of vision and is the leading cause of vision loss in people over 50.

Malaise

A feeling of discomfort, illness, or lack of well-being that is often associated with infection.

Mandated reporter

Nursing assistants and other health care professionals are referred to as mandated reporters because they are required by state law to report suspected neglect or abuse of the elderly, vulnerable adults, and children. As a caregiver, you are required to report any signs or symptoms that are suspicious for abuse or neglect to the nurse.

Manic episode

An elevated or irritable mood with abnormally increased energy that lasts at least one week.

Masks

Protective coverings worn by health care providers to protect the mucous membranes of their nose and mouth.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

A theory stating that unless basic human needs within a hierarchy are met, humans cannot experience higher levels of psychological and self-fulfillment needs.

Mechanical digestion

Digestion that begins with chewing when teeth crush and grind large food particles into smaller pieces that are easy to swallow.

Medical asepsis

Techniques used to prevent the transfer of microorganisms from one person or object to another but do not completely eliminate microorganisms.

Military time

A standard for recording time that avoids confusion between daytime and nighttime hours because each hour of the day is represented by a number ranging from 00:00 to 24:59.

Minimum Data Set (MDS)

A standardized assessment tool for all residents of long-term care facilities certified to receive reimbursement by Medicare or Medicaid.

Mobility

The ability to move one’s body parts, change positions, and function safely within the environment. It is one of the most important factors for remaining independent.

Mode of transmission

The way an infectious agent travels to other people and places.

Modified diet

Any diet altered to include or exclude certain components. For example, a low-salt diet is an example of a modified diet.

Moments of hand hygiene

Appropriate times during patient care to perform hand hygiene, including immediately before touching a patient; before performing an aseptic task; before moving from a soiled body site to a clean body site; after touching a patient or their immediate environment; after contact with blood, body fluids, or contaminated surfaces (with or without glove use); and immediately after glove removal.

Myocardial infarction (MI)

The medical term for what is commonly referred to as a “heart attack,” caused by a lack of blood flow and oxygen to the heart.

Neglect

Failure to provide care to oneself or to someone for whom you are enlisted to care.

Neurotransmitters

Chemicals in the body used for nerve communication.

Nonskid footwear

Shoes or socks with rubberized soles used to prevent falls.

Nonspecific defenses

Generic barriers that prevent pathogens from entering the body, including physical, mechanical, or chemical barriers.

Nonverbal communication

Communication that includes body language and facial expressions, tone of voice, and pace of the conversation.

NPO

A common medical abbreviation referring to “nothing by mouth.”

Nursing care plan

A type of documentation created by registered nurses (RNs) that describes the individualized planning and delivery of nursing care for each specific patient using the nursing process.

Nursing process

A critical thinking model based on a systematic approach to patient-centered care that nurses use to perform clinical reasoning and make clinical judgments when providing patient care. The nursing process is based on the Standards of Professional Nursing Practice established by the American Nurses Association (ANA). The mnemonic ADOPIE is an easy way to remember the ANA Standards and the six components of the nursing process: Assessment, Diagnosis, Outcomes Identification, Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation.[1]

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Objective information

Anything that can be observed through sight, touch, hearing, or smell, referred to as “signs.” An example of objective information is the client’s temperature was 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit.

Obstructive sleep apnea

A condition where one’s breathing temporarily stops while sleeping.

Occupational therapists

Therapists who assess, plan, implement, and evaluate interventions to help clients achieve their highest possible level of independence in completing their activities of daily living (ADLs), such as bathing, grooming, eating, and dressing.

Older adults

Adults aged 65 years old or older.

Oral temperature

Temperature taken in the mouth under the tongue.

Orthostatic hypotension

A sudden drop in blood pressure that can cause clients to feel dizzy and increase their risk for falls.

Orthotic

A support, brace, or splint used to support, align, prevent, or correct the function of movable parts of the body.

Osteoarthritis

A type of arthritis causing inflammation or swelling of the joints due to daily wear and tear on the body.

Osteoarthritis

A medical diagnosis that refers to inflammation of joints due to wear and tear throughout one’s life.

Out-patient therapy

Rehabilitation treatment that occurs when an individual is staying at home and visits a therapist once or twice a week.

Output

Fluids that leave the body, including urine output that is measured.

Oxygen saturation (SpO2)

Oxygenation status by a pulse oximeter based on how much of hemoglobin in red blood cells is “saturated” with oxygen.

P.M. care

Personal care performed in the evening.

Pain

An unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with, or resembling that associated with, actual or potential tissue damage.

Panic attacks

Sudden periods of intense fear that come on quickly and reach their peak within minutes. Attacks can occur unexpectedly or can be brought on by a trigger, such as a feared object or situation. People experiencing a panic attack may exhibit symptoms such as sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, increased heart rate, or feelings of losing control.

PAPR

An air-purifying respirator that uses a blower to force air through filter cartridges or canisters into the breathing zone of the wearer. This process creates an air flow inside either a tight-fitting facepiece or loose-fitting hood or helmet, providing a higher level of protection against aerosolized pathogens.

Partial bath

Washing the face, underarms, arms, hands, and perineal area. Partial baths are given daily to maintain hygiene. They preserve skin integrity by not drying out skin with excessive soap and water use.

PASS

An acronym for using a fire extinguisher that stands for the following: P: Pull the pin on the fire extinguisher. A: Aim the extinguisher nozzle at the base of the fire. S: Squeeze or press the handle. S: Sweep from side to side at the base of the flame until the fire appears to be out.

Passive communicator

Individuals who put the rights of others before their own when communicating.

Passive listening

Listening that occurs when we are not interested in listening to the other person or we assume we correctly understand what the person is communicating without verifying their message.

Passive range of motion

When passive range of motion is applied, the joint of an individual receiving the exercise is completely relaxed while the outside force moves the body part.

Patient-centered care

A model of health care where an individual’s specific health needs and desired health outcomes are the driving force behind all health care decisions. Patients are partners with the health care team members, and health care professionals treat patients not only from a clinical perspective, but also from an emotional, mental, spiritual, social, and financial perspective.

Perineal

The genital and anal area.

Perineal care

Cleansing the genital and rectal areas of the body.

Peristalsis

Contractions that move the bolus through the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine.

Perseverating

The act of repeating a task or thought over and over.

Person-centered care

A care approach that considers the whole person, not just their physical and medical needs. It also refers to a person’ autonomy to make decisions about their care, as well as participate in their own care.

Personal care

Care that a client needs to maintain hygiene, well-being, self-esteem, and dignity.

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

Equipment used to prevent transmission of blood-borne pathogens and infection, including gloves, masks, goggles, gowns, and other types of protective equipment.

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

Specialized clothing or equipment used to prevent the spread of infection, including gloves, gowns, facial protection (masks and eye protection), and respirators.

Personality disorder

A pattern of inner experiences and behaviors that deviates from the expectations of the individual’s culture.

Pharynx

The hollow tube that starts behind the nose and ends at the trachea and esophagus.

Phobia

An intense fear of specific objects or situations (such as flying, heights, spiders, or social events).

Physical therapists

Health specialists who evaluate and treat movement disorders.

Physical therapists

Licensed health care professionals who assess, plan, implement, and evaluate interventions related to clients’ functional abilities in terms of strength, mobility, balance, gait, coordination, and joint range of motion.

Pocketing

The act of keeping food or medications in one’s cheeks and not swallowing it.

Portal of entry

The route by which an infectious agent enters a new host.

Portal of exit

The route by which an infectious agent escapes or leaves the reservoir.

Postmortem care

Care provided after death has occurred through transfer to a morgue or funeral provider.

Presbycusis

Hearing loss that occurs due to the aging process.

Pressure injuries

Localized damage to the skin or underlying soft tissue, usually over a bony prominence, as a result of intense and prolonged pressure and/or shear.

Progressive relaxation

Stress management techniques that focus on reducing muscle tension and using mental imagery to induce calmness.

Prone position

A position where the client is placed on their stomach with their head turned to one side.

Prosthetics

An addition or attachment to the body that replicates the function of a lost or dysfunctional limb.

Psychosis

Conditions when a person experiences a loss of contact with reality and has difficulty understanding what is real and what is not real. Symptoms of psychosis include hallucinations and delusions.

Pulse

The pressure wave that expands and recoils arteries when the left ventricle of the heart contracts. It can be palpated at many points throughout the body.

Pureed diet

A diet order indicating all food is blended to smooth consistency.

Purulent drainage

Yellow, green, or brown drainage associated with signs of infection.

Quality of life

The degree to which an individual is healthy, comfortable, and able to participate in or enjoy life events.

RACE

An acronym for responding to a fire that stands for the following: R: Rescue anyone in immediate danger from the fire if it doesn’t endanger your life. A: Activate the alarm by pulling the nearest fire alarm or calling 911. C: Contain the fire by closing all doors and windows. E: Extinguish the fire if it is small enough using a fire extinguisher and the PASS method. Evacuate patients and oneself if the fire cannot be extinguished.

Receptive aphasia

A speech condition that causes difficulty in understanding conversations.

Rectal temperature

Temperature taken in the rectum. It provides the most accurate temperature measurement but is considered an invasive procedure.

Rehabilitation

Therapy to help people regain body functions they lost due to medical conditions or injury.

Relaxation breathing

A stress management technique focused on becoming aware of one’s breathing.

Reporting

Oral communication between care providers that follows a structured format and typically occurs at the start and end of every shift.

Reservoir

The host in which infectious agents live, grow, and multiply.

Resident mentor

A resident who can answer questions and encourage interaction for a new resident recently admitted to a long-term care facility.

Respirations

The movement of air into and out of the lungs. Inspiration refers to the process causing air to enter the lungs, and expiration refers to the process causing air to leave the lungs.

Respirator masks

Masks with N95 or higher filtration worn by health care professionals to prevent inhalation of infectious small airborne particles.

Respiratory distress

Problems breathing.

Respiratory hygiene

Methods to prevent the spread of respiratory infections, including coughing/sneezing into the inside of one’s elbow or covering one’s mouth/nose with a tissue when coughing and promptly disposing of used tissues. Hand hygiene should be immediately performed after contact with one’s respiratory secretions. A coughing person should also wear a surgical mask to contain secretions.

Respiratory therapists

Therapists who treat respiratory-related conditions in patients.

Restraints

Devices used in health care settings to prevent patients from causing harm to themselves or others when alternative interventions are not effective.

Resume

A factual presentation of yourself that lists your various skills and accomplishments.

Routine cares

Personal cares provided to every resident every day, such as assisting them in getting dressed for breakfast.

Scope of practice

Services that a trained health professional is deemed competent to perform and permitted to undertake according to the terms of their professional license.[2]

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Seclusion

The confinement of a patient in a locked room from which they cannot exit on their own. It is generally used as a method of discipline, convenience, or coercion.

Segmenting ADLs

Breaking up activities of daily living (ADLs) to accommodate a client’s activity intolerance.

Seizure

A transient occurrence of signs and/or symptoms due to abnormal neuronal activity in the brain.

Sepsis

Life-threatening infection that has spread throughout the body.

Sharps injury

A penetrating wound from a needle, scalpel, or other sharp object that may result in exposure to blood-borne pathogens.

Shear

Injury to skin that occurs when skin moves one way, but the underlying bone and muscle stay fixed or move the opposite direction.

Shortness of breath (SOB)

Difficulty breathing or a feeling of not being able to catch one’s breath.

Signs

Objective information obtained through the senses of sight, hearing, smell, or touch.

Sims’ position

A position similar to the lateral position, but the client is always placed on their left side and their left arm is placed behind their body.

Skeletal muscle

Muscle that produces movement, assists in maintaining posture, protects internal organs, and generates body heat.

Skin breakdown

Damage to the skin due to common preventable causes like immobility and incontinence.

Skin tear

A separation of skin layers caused by shear, friction, and/or blunt force.

SKWIPE

An acronym to consider before providing cares to clients that stands for Supplies, Knock, Wash, Introduce, Privacy, and Explain.

Small intestine

A long tube-like organ that connects the stomach and the large intestine where nutrients are absorbed from a food bolus.

Snellen chart

A common tool used for assessing distant vision.

Specific defenses

Immune system processes like white blood cells attacking particular pathogens.

Speech therapists

Therapists who assess, diagnose, and treat communication and swallowing disorders.

SPICES

An acronym that stands for observing the following aspects of well-being for older adults: Sleep, Problems eating, Incontinence, Confusion, Evidence of falls, and Skin breakdown.

Staffing ratios

The number of patients assigned each shift to nurses and nursing aides.

Standard precautions

Precautions used by health care workers during client care when contact or potential contact with blood or body fluids may occur based on the principle that all blood, body fluids (except sweat), nonintact skin, and mucous membranes may contain transmissible infectious agents. These precautions reduce the risk of exposure for the health care worker and protect patients from potential transmission of infectious organisms.

Sterilization

A process used on equipment and the environment that destroys all pathogens, including spores and viruses. Sterilization methods include steam, boiling water, dry heat, radiation, and chemicals.

Stoma

A surgically created opening in the abdominal wall where a healthy part of the intestine is attached.

Stress response

The body’s response to stress that can include irritability, sweaty palms, a racing heart, difficulty concentrating, and impaired sleep.

Subjective information

Information reported by clients or their family members referred to as “symptoms.” An example of subjective information is the resident stating, “I have a headache.”

Substance use disorder (SUD)

An illness caused by the repeated misuse of substances such as alcohol, caffeine, cannabis, hallucinogens, inhalants, opioids, sedatives, stimulants, or misuse of other prescription or over-the-counter medications. All these substances taken in excess have a common effect of intensely activating the reward system in the brain so much that normal life activities may be neglected.

Sundowning

Restlessness, agitation, irritability, or confusion that typically begins or worsens as daylight begins to fade and can continue into the night, making it difficult for patients with dementia to sleep.

Supine position

A position where the client is lying flat on their back.

Surgical asepsis

The absence of all microorganisms during any type of invasive procedure; used for equipment used during invasive procedures, as well as the environment.

Survey

An evaluative visit by state Department of Health Services (DHS) employees to observe care provided to residents, watch preparation and serving of food, review resident care plans and facility documentation, interview residents and families, and look at every aspect of the facility. The surveyors are ensuring that each aspect of residents’ physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs are met.

Susceptible host

A person at elevated risk of developing an infection when exposed to an infectious agent.

Symptoms

Subjective information reported by clients or their family members. Symptoms are documented by using quotes around the exact words expressed by the client or their family member. For example, the client reported, “I have a headache.”

Systole

The phase of the heartbeat when the ventricles contract, causing the ejection of blood into the aorta and pulmonary arteries.

Systolic blood pressure

The maximum pressure within the arteries during systole.

Temporal temperature

Temperature taken by using a device placed on the forehead that measures the heat on the surface of the skin resulting from blood moving through the temporal artery in the forehead.

Tendons

Strong bands of dense, regular connective tissue that connect muscles to bones.

Therapeutic communication

A type of professional communication used with patients defined as the purposeful, interpersonal, information-transmitting process through words and behaviors based on both parties’ knowledge, attitudes, and skills that leads to patient understanding and participation.

Thrombolytic medication

Medication (such as tPA) used to dissolve clots in arteries.

Timed voiding

Encourages the patient to urinate on a set schedule.

Trachea

The hollow tube, otherwise known as the windpipe, that leads to the lungs.

Transfer status

Assistance the patient requires to be moved from one location to another, such as from the bed to a chair.

Transfer status

How a resident moves from one place to the other, such as from a bed to wheelchair or a wheelchair to toilet.

Transfer status orders

Orders that establish how much assistance is required for moving a client based on how much body weight they can independently bear and how much weight an assistant is required to support. Transfer status orders include independent, contact-guard-assist (CGA), 1 assist (1A), 2 assist (2A), sit-to-stand lift, or full-body mechanical lift.

Transient ischemic attack (TIA)

A medical term for what is commonly referred to as a ministroke. A TIA is a temporary period of symptoms similar to those of a stroke that usually last only a few minutes and don’t cause permanent brain damage.

Transmission-based precautions

Specific types of personal protective equipment (PPE) and practices used with clients with specific types of infectious agents based on the pathogen’s mode of transmission.

Trauma

An event, series of events, or set of circumstances that is experienced by an individual as physically or emotionally harmful or life-threatening and can have lasting adverse effects on their functioning and mental, physical, social, emotional, or spiritual well-being.

Tripod position

A position that people experiencing respiratory distress naturally assume by leaning forward and placing their arms or elbows on their knees or on a bedside table to help improve lung expansion.

Trisomy

A condition of having an extra copy of a chromosome.

Tympanic temperature

Temperature taken using a device placed in the ear. It is more accurate than oral or axillary measurement because the tympanic membrane in the ear shares the same artery that perfuses the hypothalamus (the part of the brain that regulates the body’s temperature).

Urge incontinence

A condition where as soon as the person feels the need to empty their bladder they have very little time before urine escapes.

Urinary catheter

A device placed into the bladder by a nurse using sterile technique that allows the urine to drain into a collection bag.

Urinary tract infection (UTI)

A common infection that occurs when bacteria, typically from the rectum, enter the urethra and infect the bladder or kidneys.

Urostomy

A surgically placed opening to collect urine from a person’s ureters when their bladder is diseased or has been removed. Urostomies are typically located on the lower right side of the abdomen, and urine is collected into a drainage bag.

Validation therapy

A method of therapeutic communication used to connect with someone who has moderate to late-stage dementia and avoid agitation.

Validation therapy

A technique used when caring with individuals with dementia that involves supporting the reality the person is experiencing.

Vertigo

A sensation that the room is spinning.

Vital signs

Vital signs include temperature recorded in Celsius or Fahrenheit, pulse, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation using a pulse oximeter.

Voluntary muscle

Muscle that a person is able to consciously control.

Vulnerable populations

Patients who are children, older adults, minorities, socially disadvantaged, underinsured, or those with certain medical conditions. Members of vulnerable populations often have health conditions that are exacerbated by unnecessarily inadequate health care.[3] This work is a derivative of Nursing Fundamentals by Chippewa Valley Technical College and is licensed under CC BY 4.0 ↵ This work is a derivative of Nursing Fundamentals by Chippewa Valley Technical College and is licensed under CC BY 4.0 ↵ Waisel, D. B. (2013). Vulnerable populations. Current Opinion in Anesthesiology, 26(2), 186-192. https://doi.org/10.1097/aco.0b013e32835e8c17 ↵

[3]Nursing FundamentalsChippewa Valley Technical CollegeCC BY 4.0↵Nursing FundamentalsChippewa Valley Technical CollegeCC BY 4.0↵https://doi.org/10.1097/aco.0b013e32835e8c17↵

Wandering

The simple act of a person walking around with no purpose due to their confusion regarding their location or environment.

Weighted silverware

Specialized silverware with a weighted handle for individuals with tremors or unsteady hands.

Wet voice

Vocalization with sounds as if food or fluids remain in the mouth or throat.

Work-related musculoskeletal symptoms (WRMS)

Symptoms from musculoskeletal injuries experienced at work, such as lower back pain, that are attributed to manual handling of clients, heavy physical loads, frequent awkward positions, and repetitive movements.