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125 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
- 3rd side (hint)
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Abrupt
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Sudden
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The nurse noticed an abrupt change in the patient's level of pain.
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Abstain
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To voluntarily refrain from something.
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The dental hygienist instructed the patient to abstain from smoking to improve his breath odor.
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Access
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A means to obtain entry or a means of approach
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To administer medications into the patient's vein, the nurse must access the vein with a special needle.
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Accountable
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Responsible
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Paramedics are accountable for maintaining up-to-date knowledge of resuscitation techniques.
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Adhere
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To hold fast or stick together
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The tape must adhere to the patient's skin to hold the bandage in place.
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Adverse
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Undesired, possibly harmful
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Vomiting is an adverse effect of many medications.
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Affect
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Appearance or observable emotions.
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The nurse observed that a depressed patient exhibited no obvious emotion and reported that the patient had a flat affect.
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Annual
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Occurring every year
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The patient told the nurse that she had scheduled her annual mammogram, as she had been instructed.
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Apply
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To place, put on, or spread something
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The physical therapist will apply a medication to the wound before covering the wound with a bandage.
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Audible
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Able to be heard
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The respiratory therapist noticed that when the patient was having difficulty breathing, the therapist could hear an audible wheezing sound.
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Bilateral
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Present on two sides
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The unlicensed assistive personnel reported to the nurse that the patient had bilateral weakness in the legs when walking.
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Cardiac
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Of or relating to the heart
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Smoking increases the risk of cardiac disease
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Cast
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Hard protective device applied to protect a broken bone while the bone heals
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The nurse instructed the child that he could not go swimming while the cast was on his broken arm.
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Cavity
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An opening or an empty area
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The nurse inspected the patient's oral cavity for lesions.
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Cease
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Come to an end or bring to an end
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Because the patient's breathing had ceased, the paramedic began resuscitation measures.
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Compensatory
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Offsetting or making up for something
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When the patient's blood pressure decreased, the paramedic noted that the heart rate increased, which the paramedic recognized as a compensatory action.
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Complication
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An undesired problem that is the result of some other event
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The physician told the patient that loss of eyesight is a possible complication of eye surgery.
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Comply
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Do as directed
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The nurse asked the patient to comply with the instructions for taking the medication
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Concave
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Rounded inward
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The dietician noticed that the patient was very thin and the patient's abdomen appeared concave.
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Concise
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Brief, to the point
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When teaching a patient, the nurse tried to be concise, so the instructions would be easy to remember.
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Consistency
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Degree of viscosity; how think or thin a fluid is
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The respiratory therapist noticed that the mucus the patient was coughing was of a thin, watery consistency.
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Constrict
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To draw together or become smaller
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The nurse knows that the email blood vessels of the skin will constrict when ice is applied to the skin.
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Contingent
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Dependent
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The hygienist told the patient that a healthy mouth is contingent on careful daily brushing and flossing.
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Contour
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Shape or outline of a shape
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While bathing an overweight patient, the unlicensed assistive personnel noticed that the contour of the patient's abdomen was quite rounded.
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Contract
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To draw together, to reduce in size
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The physical therapist exercises the patient's muscles so they contract and expand.
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Contraindication
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A reason why something is not advisable or why it should not be done
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The patient's excessive bleeding was a contraindication for discharge from the hospital.
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Defecate
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Expel feces
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The unlicensed assistive personnel helped the patient to the toilet when he needed to defecate.
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Deficit
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A deficiency or lack of something
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The therapist explained that the patient will experience a fluid deficit if the patient continues to perspire heavily during exercise without drinking enough fluids.
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Depress
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Press downward
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The nurse will depress the patient's skin to see if any swelling is present.
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Depth
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Downward measurement from a surface
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The physician measures the depth of a wound by inserting a cotton swab into the wound.
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Deteriorating
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Worsening
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The dental hygienist explains that the condition of the patient's gums is deteriorating and treatment by the dentist is needed right away.
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Device
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Tool or piece of equipment
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A thermometer is a device used to measure the patient's body temperature.
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Diagnosis
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Identification of an injury or disease
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The patient received a diagnosis of pancreatitis.
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Diameter
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The distance across the center of an object
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When measuring a patient's blood pressure, the nurse knows that when the diameter of a blood vessel increases, the pressure in that blood vessel goes down.
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Dilate
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To enlarge or expabd
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When shining a light in the patient's eyes, the nurse looks to see if both pupils dilate in response to the light.
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Dilute
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To make a liquid less concentrated
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The nurse uses fruit juice to dilute a foul-tasting drug so that the medication will be easier to swallow.
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Discrete
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Distinct, separate
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The paramedic observed several discrete bruise marks on the patient's body.
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Distended
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Enlarged or expanded from pressure
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When a blood vessel is distended, the laboratory technician can easily insert a needle to obtain a blood sample.
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Dysfunction
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Impaired or abnormal functioning
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Family dysfunction may increase when a member experiences an acute physical illness.
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Elevate
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To lift up or place in a higher position
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The paramedic decided to elevate the head of the stretcher to help the patient breathe more easily.
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Endogenous
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Produced within the body
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The nurse explained that endogenous insulin produced by the body's pancreas helps regulate the body's blood sugar levels.
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Exacerbate
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To make worse or more severe
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The physical therapist recognized that too much exercise would exacerbate the patient's breathing difficulties.
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Excess
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More than what is needed or usual.
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The dietician explained that an excess consumption of caffeine may cause unpleasant effects such as feeling nervous and on edge.
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Exogenous
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Produced outside the body
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The nurse explained that people with diabetes often need to receive exogenous forms of insulin because their bodies are unable to produce enough insulin.
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Expand
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To increase in size or amount
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The unlicensed assistive personnel turns the patient frequently so that the size of the skin sore will not expand further.
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Exposure
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Contact
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The nurse taught the parents of a newborn to avoid exposure to people with severe infections.
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External
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Located outside the body
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The unlicensed assistive personnel measured the amount of blood in the external drain after the patient's surgery.
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Fatal
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Resulting in death
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The emergency medical technicians arrived too late to save any lives at the scene of a fatal car accident.
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Fatigue
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Extreme tiredness, exhaustion
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The dietician explained to the patient that eating more iron-rich foods may help reduce feelings if fatigue.
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Flaccid
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Limp, lacking tone
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After her stroke, the patient could not feed herself because her arms were flaccid.
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Flushed
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Reddened or ruddy appearance
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The therapist observed that the patient's face was flushed after the patient completed the exercises.
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Gaping
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Wide open
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In the emergency room, the nurse observed a gaping wound when examining a gunshot victim.
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Gastrointestinal
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Of or relating to the stomach and the intestines
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The patient was diagnosed with a gastrointestinal disease.
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Gender
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Sex of an individual, as in male or female
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Female gender places patients at a higher risk for breast cancer.
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Hematologic
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Of or relating to blood
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Pregnancy can put a woman at risk for anemia, which is a hematologic disorder.
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Hydration
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Maintenance of body fluid balance.
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The nurse explains that adequate hydration helps keep skin soft and supple.
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Hygiene
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Measures contributing to cleanliness and good health
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The dental assistant teaches patients about good hygiene practices to maintain strong teeth.
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Impaired
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Diminished or lacking some usual quality or level.
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The paramedic stated that the patient's impaired speech was obvious in the way she slurred her words.
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Impending
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Likely to occur
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The nurse observed the patient signing the consent form for the impending procedure.
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Incidence
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Occurrence
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In recent years there has been an increased incidence of infections that do not respond to antibiotics.
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Infection
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Contamination or invasion of body tissue by pathogenic organisms.
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The doctor prescribed antibiotics for the patient with a bacterial infection.
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Inflamed
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Reddened, swollen, warm, and often tender
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The nurse observed that the skin around the patient's wound was inflamed.
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Ingest
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To swallow for digestion
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The paramedic may contact the poison control center when providing emergency care for a child who has ingested cleaning fluid.
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Initiate
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To begin or put into practice
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The nurse decided to initiate safety measures to prevent injury because the patient was very weak.
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Insidious
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So gradual as to not become apparent for a long time
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The physician explained that the cancer probably started years ago but had not been detected because it's spread was so insidious.
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Intact
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In place, unharmed
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The nurse observed that the bandage was intact after surgery.
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Internal
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Located within the body
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The paramedic reported that the patient was unconscious because of internal bleeding.
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Invasive
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Inserting or entering into a body part
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The laboratory technician is careful when obtaining blood samples because this invasive procedure may cause problems such as infection or bruising.
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Labile
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Changing rapidly and often
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Because the child's temperature was very labile, the nurse instructed the unlicensed assistive personnel to check the temperature frequently.
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Laceration
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Cut, tear
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After the accident, the paramedic examined the patient's lacerations.
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Latent
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Present but not active or visible
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The latent infection produced symptoms only when the patient's condition was weakened from another illness.
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Lethargic
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Difficult to arouse
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The unlicensed assistive personnel observed that the morning after a patient received a sleeping pill, the patient was too lethargic to eat breakfast.
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Manifestation
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An indication or sign of a condition
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The dietician looked for manifestations of poor nutrition, such as excessive weight loss and poor skin condition.
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Musculoskeletal
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Of or relating to muscle and skeleton
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As a result of overtraining, the athlete suffered a musculoskeletal injury.
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Neurologic
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Of or relating to the nervous system
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The nurse checked the neurologic status of the patient who was brought to the emergency room after a motorcycle accident.
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Neurovascular
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Of or relating to the nervous system and blood vessels
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Strokes and aneurysms are neurovascular disorders.
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Nutrient
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Substance or ingredient that provides nourishment
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The dietician explains that fruits and vegetables contain nutrients that reduce the risk of some cancers.
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Occluded
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Closed or obstructed
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Because the patient's foot was cold and blue, the nurse reported that the patient's circulation to that foot was occluded.
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Ominous
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Significantly important and dangerous
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After a patient sustained a head injury, the paramedic noted that the patient's breathing was irregular, which was an ominous sign that the patient's condition was worsening.
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Ongoing
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Continuous
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The nurse instructed the patient that the treatment would be ongoing thoughout the patient's entire hospital stay.
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Oral
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Given through or affecting the mouth
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The unlicensed assistive personnel reminded the patient not to take any fluids orally because he is scheduled for surgery.
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Overt
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Obvious, easily observed
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The overt symptoms of the disease included vomiting and diarrhea.
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Parameter
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A characteristic or constant factor, limit
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The dietician explained that the number of calories needed for energy is one of the important parameters of a healthy diet.
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Paroxysmal
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Beginning suddenly or abruptly; convulsive
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The respiratory therapist provided a breathing treatment to stop the patient's paroxysmal breathing difficulty.
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Patent
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Open
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The nurse checked to see whether the intravenous needle was patent before giving the patient a medication.
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Pathogenic
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Causing or able to cause disease
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Viruses and bacteria are pathogenic organisms.
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Pathology
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Processes, causes, and effects of a disease; abnormality
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The doctor called to request the pathology report for her patient.
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Posterior
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Located behind; in the back
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The dentist examined the posterior surface of the tooth for a cavity.
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Potent
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Producing a strong effect
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The medication was very potent, and it immediately relieved the patient's pain.
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Potential
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Capable of occurring or likely to occur
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Because the patient was very weak, the therapist felt the patient had a high potential for falling.
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Precaution
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Preventative measure
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The laboratory technician wore gloves as a precaution against blood contamination.
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Precipitous
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Rapid, uncontrolled
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The paramedic assisted the pregnant woman during a precipitous delivery in her home.
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Predispose
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To make more susceptible or more likely to occur
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The dietician explains that Hugh dietary fat intake predisposes some people to heart disease.
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Preexisting
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Already present
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The nurse notified the position that the patient has a preexisting condition that might lead to complications during the emergency surgery.
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Primary
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First or most significant
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The patient's primary concern was when he could return to work after the operation.
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Priority
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Of great importance
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The laboratory technician was gentle when inserting the needle because it is a high priority to ensure that the patient does not experience excessive pain and discomfort during the procedure.
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Prognosis
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The anticipated or expected course or outcome
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The physician explained that with treatment the patient's prognosis was for a long and healthy life.
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Rationale
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The underlying reason
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To make sure that the patient will follow the diet instructions, the dietician explains the rationale for the low-salt diet.
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Recur
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To occur again
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To make sure that a tooth cavity does not recur, the dental hygienist instructs the patient to use toothpaste with fluoride regularly.
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Renal
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Of or relating to the kidneys
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The nurse closely monitored the oral intake and urinary output of the patient with acute renal failure.
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Respiration
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Inhalation and exhalation of air
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Exercise increases the rate and depth of an individual's respirations.
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Restrict
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To limit
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The unlicensed assistive personnel removed the water pitcher from the room to assist the patient in following instructions to restrict the intake of fluids.
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Retain
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To hold or keep
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The nurse administered a medication to prevent the patient from retaining excess body fluid, which might cause swelling.
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Site
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Location
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The nurse selected a site to start the patient's IV based on the patient's comfort.
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Status
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Condition
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The paramedic recognized that the patient's status was unstable, which necessitated immediate transport to the nearest medical center.
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Strict
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Stringent, exact, complete
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The nurse stressed that the patient must follow instructions to maintain strict bed rest to prevent further injury.
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Sublingual
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Under the tongue
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The patient was prescribed a sublingual medication for chest pain.
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Supplement
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To take in addition to or to complete
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The dietician instructed the patient's to supplement their diet with extra calcium tablets to help build strong bones.
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Suppress
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To stop or subdue
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When the child's fever came down, the nurse checked to see if any medications had been given that would have suppressed the fever.
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Symmetric
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Being equal or the same size, shape, and relative position
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The paramedic observed that the movement of both sides of the patient's chest was symmetrical after the accident.
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Symptom
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An indication of a problem
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The nurse recognized that the patient's weakness was a symptom of bleeding after surgery.
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Syndrome
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Group of symptoms that, when occurring together, reflect a specific disease or disorder.
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After reviewing the patient's symptoms, which included pain and tingling in the hand and fingers, the physician made a diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome.
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Therapeutic
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Of or relating to the treatment of a disease or a disorder.
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Therapeutic diets may include calorie and salt restrictions.
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Transdermal
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Crossing through the skin
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The physician prescribed a transdermal nicotine patch for a patient participating in the smoking cessation program.
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Transmission
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Transfer, such as of a disease, from one person to another.
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Nurses should wash their hands to prevent the transmission of infections.
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Trauma
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Injury, wound
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The accident victim had severe facial trauma.
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Triage
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Process used to determine the priority of treatment for patients according to the severity of a patient's condition and likelihood of benefit from the treatment.
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Untoward
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Adverse or negative
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The patient became very confused, which was an untoward effect of the medication received.
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Urinate
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Excrete or expel urine
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The nurse instructed the patient to report any discomfort felt during urination.
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Vascular
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Of or relating to blood vessels
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The patient underwent vascular surgery for repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm.
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Verbal
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Spoken, using words
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The paramedic called in a verbal report on the patient's condition to the emergency room nurse while transporting the patient to the hospital.
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Virus
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Microscopic infectious agent capable of replicating only in living cells, usually causing infectious disease
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A person with a cold who goes shopping can transmit the virus to others
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Vital
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Essential
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The paramedic with a cold who goes shopping can transmit the virus to others.
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Void
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Excrete, or expel urine
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The patient was instructed to void into the container so the nurse could observe the appearance of the urine.
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Volume
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Amount of space occupied by a fluid
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The nurse recorded the volume of cough syrup administered to the patient.
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