Vocabulary (State Exam)

Front 1

White Blood Cells (WBC)

Back 1

aka Leukocytes; produced by bone marrow and protects the body from infection (# is increased when there is an infection)

Front 2

Withdrawal

Back 2

Person has little or no contact with people (may be a sign of physical illness or depression)

Front 3

Urination

Back 3

aka Voiding; process of emptying urine from the bladder - 1500mL daily is normal for healthy people, generally every 2-3 hours

Front 4

BID

Back 4

Twice a day

Front 5

TID

Back 5

Three times a day

Front 6

Urine

Back 6

Normal urine is pale yellow, amber, or straw colored - clear with no particles - faint odor

Front 7

Subjective Data

Back 7

aka Symptoms; things a person tells you about that you cannot observe yourself (ex. nausea)

Front 8

Sterilization

Back 8

Process of destroying ALL microbes (via high temperature and pressure)

Front 9

Standard Precautions

Back 9

Measures to reduce the risk of spreading pathogens/infections - used for ALL people when care is given

Front 10

Soiled Linens (handling procedures)

Back 10

Wear gloves - remove asap after being soiled - roll 1 piece at a time and place in leak-proof bag with hazardous symbol

Front 11

Social Worker

Back 11

Helps people with social, emotional, and environmental issues affecting illness and recovery

Front 12

Sim's Position

Back 12

aka Left side-lying position; right arm and leg are sharply flexed up, and the left arm is behind the person

Front 13

Musculoskeletal System

Back 13

Provides framework for body, protects body, gives shape, lets body move - includes bones, joints, and muscles

Front 14

NPO

Back 14

Nothing by mouth (normally an order 6 hours before surgery or when chewing/swallowing is not possible for a person)

Front 15

Adduction

Back 15

Moving a body part towards the midline

Front 16

Admission

Back 16

Admission Sheet (basic info) + MDS (minimum data set) that is completed once a year + whenever condition changes

Front 17

Affected Side

Back 17

Remove from the strong side and put on the weak side (off with the strong, on with the weak)

Front 18

Alzheimer's Disease

Back 18

Most common type of permanent dimentia; gradual onset usually after 65, but not diagnosed till ~80 - not oriented to person, time, or space

Front 19

Angina Pectoris

Back 19

Chest pain caused by reduced blood flow (caused by CAD, coronary artery disease)

Front 20

CAD

Back 20

Coronary Artery Disease - narrowing of the arteries of the heart

Front 21

Anterior

Back 21

Aka Ventral - at or toward the front of the body or body part

Front 22

Aphasia

Back 22

The inability to speak, often caused by stroke

Front 23

Apical Pulse

Back 23

Taken with a stethescope for people with heart conditions; always taken for a full minute

Front 24

Arthritis

Back 24

Joint inflammation (osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis)

Front 25

Osteoarthritis

Back 25

Occurs with aging, joint injury, obesity - Treatment (excersize, rest, pain meds) done to relieve pain and stiffness

Front 26

Osteoperosis

Back 26

Bones are brittle and porous, causes back pain, loss of height, higher risk of fractures - risk for older people, women, low dietary calcium, immobility

Front 27

Parkinson's Disease

Back 27

Slow, progressive disorder with no cure (degeneration of the brain); risk in people >50 yrs old - symptoms may include aphasia, dysphagia, poor posture

Front 28

Quadriplegia

Back 28

Paralysis from the neck down (caused by spinal injury)

Front 29

Cardiac Arrest

Back 29

Sudden cardiac death caused by myocardial infarction (heart attack)

Front 30

Congestive Heart Failure

Back 30

Heart cannot pump blood normally, blood backs up and causes tissue congestion

Front 31

Left-Sided Failure

Back 31

CHF - left side of the heart is weak, causing blood to back into lungs

Front 32

Right-Sided Failure

Back 32

CHF - right side of the heart is weak, causing blood to back into the venous system (often causes liver failure)

Front 33

Anemia

Back 33

Low amounts of hemoglobin in the blood (for oxygen-carrying) - symptoms are paleness, shortness of breath, fatigue - usually caused by iron deficiency

Front 34

Medicare

Back 34

Federal health program for people over the age of 65 yrs old

Front 35

Medicaid

Back 35

Federal AND state health program for people with disabilities and/or low income

Front 36

Physical Therapist

Back 36

PT - Assists people with musculoskeletal problems, focuses on restoring function and preventing disability

Front 37

Health Team

Back 37

Staff members who work together to provide health care - aka interdisciplinary health care team

Front 38

Negligence

Back 38

Unintentional wrong; person didnt act in a responsible and careful manner and thus caused harm to a person or object

Front 39

Abuse

Back 39

Intentional mistreatment or harm of another person (crime); includes neglect, verbal abuse, involuntary seclusion etc

Front 40

Neglect

Back 40

Form of abuse - Failure to provide goods/services needed to avoid physical harm, mental anguish/illness - this includes failure to answer signal lights!

Front 41

Graphic Sheet

Back 41

Used to record measurements that are made daily, every shift, or 3-4 times a day

Front 42

Flow Sheets

Back 42

Used to record frequent measurements/observations (ADLs)

Front 43

Self-Actualization

Back 43

Experiencing one's full potential, the highest need but one that is rarely met

Front 44

Integumentary System

Back 44

Aka skin, the largest system in the human body; made of 3 layers and appendiges (oil/sweat glands, hair, nails)

Front 45

Blood Flow through the Heart

Back 45

Right atrium receives blood from body; left atrium receives blood from lungs; right ventricle pumps blood to the lungs; left ventricle pumps blood to the body

Front 46

Diastole

Back 46

Resting phase of the heart; blood fills the cambers

Front 47

Systole

Back 47

Heart contracts and blood is pumped through the blood vessels

Front 48

Respiration

Back 48

Pharynx (throat) > Larynx (voice box) > Epiglottis lifts > Trachea (windpipe) > Bronchis > Bronchiole > Alveoli

Front 49

Peristalsis

Back 49

Involuntary muscle contractions in the digestive system that move food through the alimentary canal

Front 50

Insulin

Back 50

Secreted by the pancreas; regulates amt of sugar in the blood available for cell use (low/no insulin or misuse of insulin causes sugar buildup in blood, ie diabetes)

Front 51

Ombudsman

Back 51

Promote needs/interests of another person; nursing centers must post info about ombudsman in plain view

Front 52

Bed Rails

Back 52

If person needs them (care plan), must be up except when giving care; bed rails are RESTRAINTS

Front 53

Restraints

Back 53

Anything that limits or restricts person's movement or access to one's body - used as a last resort to protect person from harming themself or others

Front 54

Pathogens

Back 54

Microbes that are harmful and can cause infections; need warm/moise/dark to thrive

Front 55

Infection

Back 55

Disease resulting from the invasion/growth of microbes in the body

Front 56

Asepsis

Back 56

being free of disease-producing microbes

Front 57

Medical Asepsis (clean techniques)

Back 57

Practices used to remove/destroy pathogens and to prevent pathogens from spreading

Front 58

Contamination

Back 58

The process of becoming unclean - ie, to have pathogens

Front 59

Disinfection

Back 59

Process of destroying pathogens; alcohol is the most common disinfectant; reusable items are disinfected before re-use

Front 60

Isolation Precautions

Back 60

CDC - prevent the spread of contagious diseases; clean v. dirty (clean = free of pathogens)

Front 61

Oral Temperature

Back 61

WNL: 97.6-99.6F; not used it the person is NPO, unconscious, receiving O2, has feeding tube, has seizures, is under 6 yrs old (2-3min)

Front 62

Rectal Temperature

Back 62

WNL: 98.6-100.6; taken when oral route is not available; not used if person has diarrhea/rectal disorder/heart disease/is confused - most accurate temperature (2min)

Front 63

Axillary Temperature

Back 63

WNL: 96.6-98.6F; least reliable route, used as last resort (5-10min)

Front 64

Tympanic Temperature

Back 64

WNL: 98.6F; site has fewer microbes than mouth/rectum, reduces risk of spreading infection

Front 65

Pulse

Back 65

The beat of the heart felt at an artery as a wave of blood passes through the artery

Front 66

Systolic Pressure

Back 66

Amount of force needed to pump blood out of the heart into circulation (first heart sound while taking BP)

Front 67

Diastolic Pressure

Back 67

Pressure in the arteries when the heart is at rest (the last heart sound while taking BP)

Front 68

WNL Systolic B/P

Back 68

100-140mmHg

Front 69

WNL Diastolic B/P

Back 69

60-90mmHg

Front 70

Acute Pain

Back 70

Felt suddenly from injury, disease, trauma, or surgery from tissue damage; lasts <6months

Front 71

Chronic Pain

Back 71

Lasts >6months; may be off and on or constant; no longer tissue damage

Front 72

Random Urine Specimen

Back 72

Routine Urinalysis to check for occult (unseen blood) and pH; no special measures needed

Front 73

Hematuria

Back 73

Blood in the urine

Front 74

Midstream Specimen

Back 74

aka clean-voided, clean-catch specimen; perineal area cleaned, person begins to void in toilet, then in sterile container, then remainder in toilet (middle stream is less concentrated than the rest) - for drug testing

Front 75

Double-Voided Specimen

Back 75

Person voids normally, then voids a 2nd time 30 minutes later into sterile container; used to test for glucose and ketones

Front 76

Stool Specimen

Back 76

Specimen pan placed in toilet or tongue blade used to transfer from bedpan to specimen container; must NOT be contaminated with urine

Front 77

Contracture

Back 77

Lack of joint mobility caused by abnormal shortening of a muscle (muscle is fixed in place and deformed)

Front 78

Footdrop

Back 78

When the foot falls down at the ankle (permanent planar flexion); prevented via a foot board (soles of feet are flush with the board)

Front 79

Trochanter Rolls

Back 79

Prevent the hips/legs from turning outward (generally formed from rolling a bath blanket and tucking along the hip and leg)

Front 80

Flexion

Back 80

Bending a body part

Front 81

Extension

Back 81

Straightening a body part

Front 82

Pronation

Back 82

Turning a joint downward

Front 83

Supination

Back 83

Turning a joint upward

Front 84

Constipation

Back 84

Occurs when feces moves slowly through bowel due to low fiber diet, insufficient fluids, inactivity or disease

Front 85

Fecal Impaction

Back 85

Occurs if constipation isn't relieved; seeping liquid feces, cramping, nausea etc are signs

Front 86

Bowel Training/Bowel Program

Back 86

Goals are to regain control of bowel movement and to develop a regular pattern of elimination

Front 87

Enema

Back 87

Introduction of fluid into rectum/colon to remove feces and/or relieve fecal impaction and constipation; done in the SIMS position

Front 88

Colostomy

Back 88

Surgically created opening between the colon and abdominal wall; permanent if part of bowel was removed or temporary to give bowel time to heal

Front 89

Ostomy Pouch/Bag

Back 89

Bag is emptied whenever it's full of feces or gas; changed every 3-7 days; person is showered before breakfast to reduce chance of elimination

Front 90

DNR

Back 90

Person will NOT be resuscitated; doctor writes orders after consulting with person/family; the family and doctor make the decision if person is not mentally able to

Front 91

Postmortem Care

Back 91

Performed by the Nurse with CNA assisting; begins when the Doctor pronounces the person dead; done to maintain good appearance of the body (body placed in proper alignment before rigor mortis sets in)

Front 92

Gerontology

Back 92

The study of the aging process

Front 93

Geriatrics

Back 93

The care of aging people

Front 94

Dysphagia

Back 94

Difficulty swallowing (risk of aspiration); fowler's position + thickened liquids/pureed

Front 95

Clear Liquid Diet

Back 95

Water, tea, etc; used post-op, for people with nausea/vomit, and before GI exams

Front 96

Low Sodium Diet

Back 96

low salt/unsalted foods, salt in cooking is restricted, no salt added at table (NAS); for heart/liver disease and fluid retention

Front 97

Mechanical Soft Diet

Back 97

semi-solid foods that are easily digested (chopped/shredded); for problems with chewing or GI disorders

Front 98

Complete Bed Bath

Back 98

Water Temperature: 110-115F; uses mitted washcloth, exposure of 1 part at a time, and cleaning from cleanest to dirtiest

Front 99

Partial Bed Bath

Back 99

Water Temperature: 110-115F; washes the face, hands, axillae, back, buttocks, and perineal area

Front 100

Tub Bath

Back 100

Water Temperature: 105F; tub bath doesnt last longer than 20 mins (person may begin to feel faint or weak)

Front 101

Blindness

Back 101

Do not rearrange furniture and equipment; walk slightly in front of the blind person and allow them to touch one arm as they walk; let them know when you enter/leave a room

Front 102

Cataracts

Back 102

Lens of the eye becomes cloudy, causing blurred vision and sensitivity to light/glare; surgical replacement of the lens is the only treatment

Front 103

COPD

Back 103

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease; Chronic Bronchitis, Emphysema, Asthma; all interfere with the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the lungs (obstruct airflow)

Front 104

Coping Mechanisms

Back 104

used to relieve anxiety; eating, smoking, drinking, etc

Front 105

Diabetes

Back 105

Body cannot produce or use insulin properly (needed to regulate sugar use in the body); Type 1 is when pancreas makes little/no insulin usually in childnre; Type 2 is when insulin isnt used properly (usually >40 yrs old, obese, or high BP)

Front 106

Cast Care

Back 106

Don't cover (prevents heat escape, can lead to burns); elevate to reduce swelling; turn person every 2 hours after initial cast (supporting with palms) to allow proper drying; dont insert anything into the cast

Front 107

Fractures

Back 107

A broken bone; open fracture = compound fracture, bone has gone through skin; reduction (bone ends brought into normal alignment) allows healing

Front 108

Multiple Sclerosis

Back 108

Chronic disease in which myelin is hardened/scarred, disrupting normal nerve transmission; symptoms start between 20-40yrs, no cure, goal is to keep them active as long as possible

Front 109

Hepatitis B

Back 109

caused by HBV (virus); inflammation of the liver; rest, diet, fluids, and no alcohol can lead to recovery in 8 weeks; spread by blood and body fluids

Front 110

Hemiplegia

Back 110

Paralysis of one side of the body, often as a result of stroke

Front 111

Incontinence

Back 111

Loss of bladder control; Stress (leakage during laughing etc); Urge (sudden need to void); Overflow (bladder is too full, small amts); Functional (person able to void properly but cant get to toilet in time); Reflex (urine leaks at certain intervals due to NS disorders)

Front 112

Dysuria

Back 112

Pain or difficulty when voiding

Front 113

Foley Catheter

Back 113

aka indwelling catheter; tube left in the bladder to drain urine; last resort for incontinence; bag must be below bladder on the back of chair, bed frame, or lower part of IV pole

Front 114

Bladder Training

Back 114

Goal is to regain control of voiding; person is taken to the toilet every 2-3 hrs and left for 15mins, or catheter is clamped 1-2 hrs and then person encouraged to void every 3-4 hrs after clamp removal

Front 115

Cerebral Vascular Accident

Back 115

CVA, aka stroke; blood flow in brain is disrupted via ruptured vessel or blood clots, reduces O2 in brain cells (causes damage); 3rd leading cause of death and the leading cause of disability in adults in USA

Front 116

Cold Compress

Back 116

Soft/wet pad that is placed over a body part to reduce pain/swelling/blood flow; a MOIST COLD application

Front 117

Cold Application

Back 117

causes blood vessel to constrict, reducing blood flow/pain/swelling; MOIST COLD means water is in direct contact with skin, allowing deeper penetration with higher temperature

Front 118

Heat Application

Back 118

causes blood vessels to dilate, increasing blood flow/relaxing muscles/relieving pain; MOIST HEAT means water is in direct contact with skin, allowing deeper penetration at lower temperature

Front 119

Gloves

Back 119

Outside of gloves are contaminated; wear before contact with OPIM, change after contact, and wash hands

Front 120

Dementia

Back 120

loss of cognitive and social function caused by changes in the brain; alzheimer's disease is the most common type of permanent dementia

Front 121

Diaphragm

Back 121

Separates the lungs from the abdominal cavity

Front 122

Foot Care

Back 122

Only use nail clippers after feet have been soaked 15-20mins; never do people with diabetics/poor circulation

Front 123

Shaving

Back 123

Don't use safety razors for people taking anti-coagulents; shave in the direction of hair growth

Front 124

Alopecia

Back 124

Hair loss that may be hereditary, due to aging, or a result of cancer treatments

Front 125

Hirsutism

Back 125

Excessive body hair in women in children that is hereditary due to an excessive amt of male hormones

Front 126

Pediculosis

Back 126

Lice infestation; either pediculosis capitis (scalp), corporis (body) or pubis (pubic region)

Front 127

Masks

Back 127

Prevent the spread of microbes from the respiratory tract; front of the mask is contaminated

Front 128

Donning PPE

Back 128

Gown, Mask, Eyewear, Gloves

Front 129

Removing PPE

Back 129

Gloves, Eyewear, Gown (all inside room) > Mask (outside room)

Front 130

Elastic Stockings

Back 130

Exert pressure on the veins to promote blood flow and prevent thrombus (blood clots); people at risk for thrombus are on bedrest, had surgery, are pregnant, or have heart/circulatory disorders

Front 131

Decubitus Ulcer

Back 131

Any injury caused by unrelieved pressure; generally caused by friction/pressure/shearing over bony areas

Front 132

Shearing

Back 132

When the skin sticks to a surface while deeper tissues move downward

Front 133

Stasis Ulcer

Back 133

Open wounds on the lower legs and feet caused by poor blood return through the veins; often caused by scratching

Front 134

Arterial Ulcer

Back 134

Open wounds on the lower legs and feet caused by poor arterial blood flow; can be caused by poorly fitting shoes

Front 135

Ice Bags

Back 135

DRY COLD application

Front 136

Sitz Bath

Back 136

Perineal/rectal areas immersed in hot or warm water; increases blood flow to those areas and may cause weakness

Front 137

Dyspnea

Back 137

Difficulty breathing; use Fowler's position, avoid heavy linens, practice turning, repositioning, and deep breathing

Front 138

Hypoglycemia

Back 138

Low blood sugar due to too much insulin, too little food/skipped meal, or too much excersize - S/S are hunger, weakness, low B/P

Front 139

Edema

Back 139

Tissue swelling due to fluid intake exceeding output; common in people with heart/kidney diseases

Front 140

Gastrotomy Tube

Back 140

Inserted into a stoma in the stomach for feeding people who cant chew/swallow; semi-fowlers to prevent aspiration, NPO, oral care every 2 hours

Front 141

Hearing Aid/Hearing Impaired

Back 141

Hearing aids make sounds louder; battery is removed at night; use touch to gain the person's attention

Front 142

Maslow

Back 142

Proposed that basic needs must be met for a person to survive and function; physical needs are lowest/most important to self-actualization (highest)

Front 143

Droplet Precautions

Back 143

Private room; wear a mask when working within 3 feet of the person

Front 144

QD

Back 144

Every day (daily)

Front 145

FWB

Back 145

Full-weight bearing

Front 146

BRP

Back 146

Bathroom Privelages (people without this must use catheter or bedpan)

Front 147

CBR

Back 147

Complete Bedrest

Front 148

C/O

Back 148

Complains of

Front 149

a-, -an

Back 149

without, not, lack of

Front 150

FC or F/C

Back 150

Foley Catheter

Front 151

OD

Back 151

Right Eye

Front 152

OS

Back 152

Left Eye

Front 153

Contact Precautions

Back 153

For infections spread via touch; private room, gloves on entering & remove gloves and wash hands before leaving; gown + gloves for extensive contact

Front 154

Vitamins

Back 154

Needed for certain body functions; some vitamins aren't stored by the body and must be ingested daily

Front 155

Minerals

Back 155

Needed for bone/teeth formation, fluid balance, nerve/muscle function

Front 156

Nasal Cannula

Back 156

Prongs inserted into nose with band going over ears and under chin; check for skin irritation, proper O2 flow, no kinks in tubing

Front 157

Perineal Care

Back 157

Done daily during bath and when the area is soiled with urine or feces; wear gloves, go from clean to dirty, and use 105-109F water temp

Front 158

Mouth Care for the Unconscious Person

Back 158

Position head to the side (to prevent aspiration) over an emesis basin on a towel; use padded tongue blade to open mouth and clean with sponge swab (small amt H20); DONT insert dentures

Front 159

Open Bed

Back 159

A closed bed becomes an open bed by folding back the top linens; made for new admissions, patient out of bed, or resident out of bed for a short amt of time

Front 160

Overbed Table

Back 160

When used as a work area, only place sterile and clean items on top (NEVER the bedpan/urinal) and clean after use

Front 161

ROM

Back 161

Range of Motion, ie the movement of a joint to the extent possible without causing pain

Front 162

Active ROM Excersizes

Back 162

are performed by the person

Front 163

Passive ROM Excersizes

Back 163

are performed by someone else

Front 164

Rehabilitation

Back 164

Process of restoring the person to his/her highest possible level of function; if this isnt possible, the goal is prevent further loss of function

Front 165

Restorative Care

Back 165

Care that helps the person regain their strength/health/independence; prevents unecessary decline in function, and focuses on the person as a whole

Front 166

Aphasia

Back 166

Expressive (difficulty expressing or sending thoughts) or Receptive (difficulty receiving information)

Front 167

Sundowning

Back 167

S/S and behavior of AD increased during the hours of darkness; provide proper lighting and food if the resident is hungry

Front 168

Validation Therapy

Back 168

May be used with people with AD; says that all behavior has meaning; do NOT try to bring the person back to reality or expect them to understand safety rules; provide for their safety yourself!

Front 169

Tachycardia

Back 169

Any pulse that is over 100 beats per minute

Front 170

Vital Signs

Back 170

Should be recorded as TPR B/P (temperature > pulse > respiration > blood pressure) unless emergency (B/P > P)

Front 171

Vomitus

Back 171

Turn person's head to the side and place kidney basin beneath; provide oral care afterward; record amt of vomit and observations, save specimen, and allow nurse to view before discarding

Front 172

Catheter Care

Back 172

Provide normal perineal care, then hold catheter at meatus and use 1 stroke with a clean side of a soapy washcloth to clean from meatus to 4" down; then rinse using the same method

Front 173

Supine

Back 173

aka dorsal recumbent position; back lying with the bed flat and pillows beneath the head and arms

Front 174

Normal I/O

Back 174

Normal daily voiding for health adult is 1500mL, and thus fluid intake per day should also be 1500mL

Front 175

Logrolling

Back 175

Turning the person as a unit, in alignment, with one motion (keeps the spine straight); used for hip fractures, spinal cord injury, arthritic spines/knees; requires 2-3 people

Front 176

Transfers

Back 176

Non-skid footwear, all wheels locked; get them out from their strong side, observe for signs of weakness or fatigue

Front 177

QHS

Back 177

Every night at 9pm (sleeping/psych medications)

Front 178

AC

Back 178

before meals

Front 179

PC

Back 179

after meals

Front 180

Arteriosclerosis

Back 180

Hardening/thickening of the walls of arteries due to fatty deposits, calcification, or chronic hypertension

Front 181

Complete Bed Bath

Back 181

Water Temperature: 110-115F

Front 182

Scabies

Back 182

Red bumpy rash caused by skin mites that causes intense itching, especially at night; transmitted by close skin-skin/sexual contact

Front 183

Plaque

Back 183

Buildup of cholesterol in arteries that narrows their walls (artherosclerosis) which may lead to further problems such as CAD, Angina, and Heart Attack

Front 184

Orthotic Device

Back 184

Any device which supports or corrects musculoskeletal deformities and/or abnormalities of the human body