abduct:to move away from the midline of the body; the opposite of adduct

activities of daily living:activities performed every day, such as bathing, eating, and toileting

adduct:to move toward the midline of the body; the opposite of abduct

advance directive:written legal document that identifies a patient’s wishes in advance about the types of health care he desires should the patient be unable to decide for himself

aerobic:oxygen necessary for growth

affective:pertaining to emotions or feelings

agent:factor that by its presence or absence can lead to disease

agonist:drug that binds to a receptor to elicit a physiologic response

alveolus:in the lung, a small saclike dilation of the terminal bronchioles

American Nurses Association:professional organization for nurses made up of individual state nursing organizations with specialized units representing all nursing practice specialty areas

anaerobic:oxygen not required for growth

anion:ion with a negative electrical charge

anorexia:loss of appetite

antagonist:drug that binds to a receptor but doesn’t produce a response or blocks the response at the receptor

antigen:foreign substance that causes antibody formation when introduced into the body

antiseptic:agent applied to living tissue to stop or slow the growth of microorganisms

apnea:cessation of breathing

asepsis:condition in which disease-producing microorganisms aren’t present

assessment:first step in the nursing process; involves data collection

atrophy:wasting away

auscultation:listening to body sounds using a stethoscope

autonomy:degree of independence of action

basal metabolic rate:amount of energy used by the body at absolute rest when in an awake state

base:substance with the ability to combine with hydrogen ions; alkali

binder:large bandage used to support a body part or keep a dressing in place

blood pressure:force exerted by the blood on the walls of the vessels; expressed in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg)

body image:feelings about one’s body

body mechanics:use of body positioning or movement to prevent or correct problems related to activity or immobility

bone:dense, hard, connective tissue that composes the skeleton

bone marrow:soft tissue in the cancellous bone of the epiphyses; crucial for blood cell formation and maturation

bradycardia:abnormally slow heart rate; usually fewer than 60 beats/minute

bradypnea:abnormally slow respiratory rate; usually fewer than 10 breaths/minute

bronchiole:small branch of the bronchus

buccal:pertaining to the cheek

buffer:substance that helps to control pH through neutralization

bursa:fluid-filled sac lined with synovial membrane

calorie:unit of heat

capillary:microscopic blood vessel that links arterioles with venules

carpal:pertaining to the wrist

cartilage:connective supporting tissue occurring mainly in the joints, thorax, larynx, trachea, nose, and ear

case management:means of providing care that involves coordination of patient services

cation:positively charged ion

central nervous system:one of the two main divisions of the nervous system; consists of the brain and spinal cord

cilia:small, hairlike projections on the outer surfaces of some cells

colloid:fluid containing starches or proteins

communication:exchange of information

conceptual framework:formal explanation of how concepts are linked, with an emphasis on the relationship among them

confidentiality:maintenance of patient information as private

consciousness:state involving full awareness and ability to respond to stimuli

continuity of care:provision of services uninterrupted as the patient moves within the health care system

coping mechanism:method used to manage stress

coronary:pertaining to the heart or its arteries

cortex:outer part of an internal organ; the opposite of medulla

costal:pertaining to the ribs

crystalloid:solution that’s clear

critical thinking:process that’s purposeful and disciplined and requires the use of reason and reflection to achieve insight and determine conclusions

cultural diversity:wide ranging ideas and opinions of persons for behavior that add to the fabric of society

culture:behavior and beliefs of a specific group that’s passed from one generation to the next

cutaneous:pertaining to the skin

cyanosis:bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes

debridement:removal of dead tissue or foreign material from a wound

dehiscence:separation of a wound’s edges

deltoid:shaped like a triangle (as in the deltoid muscle)

dermis:skin layer beneath the epidermis

diaphragm:membrane that separates one part from another; the muscular partition separating the thorax and abdomen

diarrhea:frequent elimination of watery stool

diffusion:movement of particles from an area of higher concentration to one of lower concentration

discharge planning:coordination and arrangement of the patient’s transition from one health care setting to another

disinfectant:solution used to kill microorganisms on inanimate objects

distal:far from the point of origin or attachment; the opposite of proximal

diuresis:formation and excretion of large amounts of urine

documentation:process of writing a record of patient information and care

dorsal:pertaining to the back or posterior; the opposite of ventral or anterior

duct:passage or canal

dyspnea:difficulty or labored breathing

edema:accumulation of fluid in the interstitial space

empathy:process of putting one’s self into the feelings of another

endocrine:pertaining to secretion into the blood or lymph rather than into a duct; the opposite of exocrine

epidermis:outermost layer of the skin; lacking vessels

ethics:professional standards of behavior that indicate right and wrong

evaluation:last step of the nursing process; determines the effectiveness of nursing care

evidence-based care:approach that emphasizes decision making based on the best pertinent research-based evidence

evisceration:internal organ protrusion through an opening in a wound

exocrine:pertaining to secretion into a duct; the opposite of endocrine

extracellular fluid space:space outside of cells that contains fluid

febrile:state of temperature elevation

fistula:abnormal opening between organs or between an organ and body surface

flatus:gas or air in the GI tract

focused health assessment:data collection directly related to the patient’s problems

fossa:hollow or cavity

functional health assessment:data collection focusing on the ability of the patient to perform activities of daily living

fundus:base of a hollow organ; the part farthest from the organ’s outlet

gait:characteristics associated with a patient’s walking

gastric lavage:instillation and removal of solution into the stomach

gland:organ or structure body that secretes or excretes substances

goal:intended purpose; that which is to be achieved with the delivery of care

health:optimal state of well-being

hematuria:blood in the urine

hemoglobin:protein found in red blood cells that contains iron

homeostasis:balance in the body

hormone:substance secreted by an endocrine gland that triggers or regulates the activity of an organ or cell group

host:person or thing that harbors a microorganism and allows it to grow

hypertension:elevated blood pressure

hypertonic:having a greater concentration than body fluid

hypotension:low blood pressure

hypotonic:having a lesser concentration than body fluid

hypoxemia:state in which the blood contains a lower than normal amount of oxygen

hypoxia:state in which the tissues have a decreased amount of oxygen

implementation:fourth step of the nursing process in which the care plan is carried out

infarction:death of tissue due to ischemia

infiltration:seepage or leakage of fluid into the tissues

informed consent:legal document that a patient or legal guardian signs giving permission for a procedure after the patient or guardian has demonstrated an understanding of the procedure

inferior:lower; the opposite of superior

inspection:assessment technique that involves systematic observation

interstitial fluid:fluid contained between the cells

intracellular fluid compartment:fluid contained within the cells

intravascular fluid:fluid contained within the blood vessels and lymphatics

ion:charged particle that forms when an electrolyte separates in solution

ipsilateral:on the same side; the opposite of contralateral

ischemia:insufficient blood supply to a part

isotonic:having the same concentration as body fluid

joint:fibrous, cartilaginous, or synovial connection between bones

justice:treatment of all patients fairly and equally

Korotkoff sounds:sounds heard when auscultating blood pressure denoting systolic and diastolic pressures

laceration:wound caused by tearing of the tissues

laws:standards for human conduct and enforced by the government

lacrimal:pertaining to tears

lateral:pertaining to the side; the opposite of medial

leukocyte:white blood cell

ligament:band of white fibrous tissue that connects bones

living will:advance directive that states the medical care that a person would want or would refuse should the person be unable to give consent or refusal

lumbar:pertaining to the area of the back between the thorax and the pelvis

lymph:watery fluid in lymphatic vessels

maceration:tissue softening resulting from excessive moisture

malpractice:professional negligence

mammary:pertaining to the breast

meatus:opening or passageway

medial:pertaining to the middle; the opposite of lateral

medical asepsis:clean technique involving measures to reduce and control the number of microorganisms

membrane:thin layer or sheet

muscle:fibrous structure whose contraction initiates movement

National League for Nursing:organization responsible for accrediting nursing educational programs

nerve:cordlike structure consisting of fibers that convey impulses from the central nervous system to the body

networking:process of interacting with colleagues who share common interests

neutropenia:decreased number of neutrophils

neutrophil:white blood cell that removes and destroys bacteria, cellular debris, and solid particles

noncompliance:inability to adhere to a prescribed regimen

normal flora:organisms that inhabit the body but usually cause no harm

nurse practice acts:state-established guidelines that govern the practice of nursing

nursing diagnosis:statement of potential or actual health problems for which the nurse can intervene

nursing process:systematic method for delivering nursing care

objective data:information that’s observable and measurable and that can be verified and validated

oliguria:urine output of less than 500 ml in 24 hours

ophthalmic:pertaining to the eye

osmosis:movement of water through a semipermeable membrane from an area of higher water concentration (lower solute concentration) to a lower one (higher solute concentration)

outcome:end product of nursing care, that which is hoped to be achieved

palpation:use of touch to determine size, shape, and consistency of underlying structures

parenteral nutrition:administration of nutrients by I.V. route

pathogen:organism capable of causing disease

percussion:use of tapping on a body surface with fingers to determine density of underlying structure or area

peristalsis:wavelike movement to progress contents through the intestines

phrenic:pertaining to the diaphragm

plantar:pertaining to the sole of the foot

plasma:colorless, watery fluid portion of lymph and blood

platelet:small, disk-shaped blood cell necessary for coagulation

pleura:thin serous membrane that encloses the lung

plexus:network of nerves, lymphatic vessels, or veins

popliteal:pertaining to the back of the knee

posterior:back or dorsal; the opposite of anterior or ventral

primary source:patient

pronate:to turn the palm downward; the opposite of supinate

proximal:situated nearest the center of the body; the opposite of distal

pruritus:itching

pulse deficit:difference between the apical and radial pulse rates

pulse pressure:difference between the systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure readings

purulent:pus producing or pus containing

range of motion:extent to which a person can move his joints or muscles

reflex:involuntary action

renal:pertaining to the kidney

respiration:exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen in tissue and the lungs

restraint:device used to prevent a patient from moving or gaining access

role:expected function and behavior of a person

sanguineous:referring to or containing blood

secondary source:anyone other than the patient who supplies information

self-concept:mental image that a person has of one’s self

serosanguineous:containing blood and serum

serous:serumlike, watery, and thin

spasticity:sudden, involuntary increase in muscle tone or contractions

standard precautions:set of guidelines developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to protect against infection transmission

sternum:long, flat bone that forms the middle portion of the thorax

striated:marked with parallel lines such as striated (skeletal) muscle

subcutaneous:related to the tissue layer under the dermis

sublingual:under the tongue

superior:higher; the opposite of inferior

supinate:to turn the palm of the hand upward; the opposite of pronate

surgical asepsis:sterile technique involving measures to keep an object free from all microorganisms

symphysis:growing together; a type of cartilaginous joint in which fibrocartilage firmly connects opposing surfaces

synapse:point of contact between adjacent neurons

tachycardia:rapid heart rate; usually greater than 100 beats/minute

tachypnea:rapid respiratory rate; usually greater than 20 breaths/minute

temporal artery thermometer:measures the core arterial temperature 0.4 degrees higher than an oral temperature

tendon:band of fibrous connective tissue that attaches a muscle to a bone

therapeutic communication:use of special techniques to interact, enabling a person to express feelings and work out problems

thrombus:blood clot

total parenteral nutrition:administration of highly concentrated nutrient solutions via a central intravenous site

transfusion:administration of whole blood or blood products directly into a person’s circulation

urinal:metal or plastic device used by male patients for urinary elimination

valve:structure that permits fluid to flow in only one direction

venipuncture:insertion of a needle or catheter into a vein

ventilation:movement of air in and out of the lungs

ventral:pertaining to the front or anterior; the opposite of dorsal or posterior

ventricle:small cavity, such as one of several in the brain or one of the two lower chambers of the heart

viscera:internal organs

Z-track:technique of I.M. medication administration that prevents medication from seeping into the tissue