A
abdominal thrust: force a rescuer exerts when treating obstructed airway (Heimlich maneuver).
abduct: to move away from the center line, as to abduct the arm.
ablative surgery: neurosurgery performed to sever or cut pain pathways.
ABO incompatibility: condition in pregnancy in which mother and baby have incompatible blood types.
abort: to prematurely halt a developmental process, as to abort a pregnancy.
abrasion: a scraping or rubbing off of the skin.
abruptio: separation, as abruptio placentae.
abruptio placentae: condition in which the placenta tears abruptly and prematurely from the uterus.
abscess: collection of pus in a localized area.
absorption: transfer of food into the circulation for transport.
accommodation: adjustment, as the accommodation of the lens of the eye.
accountability: responsibility for all actions that one performs.
accreditation: status given to a program that meets approved standards.
acculturation: the process of adopt-ing cultural beliefs, values and practices.
acetabulum: the depression into which the rounded head of the femur fits; also known as the hip socket.
achalasia: failure of the smooth muscles of the gastrointestinal tract to relax, especially in the lower esophagus.
acid: chemical compound with a pH below 7.
acidosis: pathology resulting from acid accumulation or alkali depletion.
acne: skin disorder characterized by papules or pustules; also called acne vulgaris.
acquired immunity: immunity that one obtains through natural or artificial sources.
acrocyanosis: newborn condition in which the extremities appear cyanotic.
acromegaly: condition resulting from overproduction of a pituitary hormone.
acronym: word formed by combining the letters of a word or phrase.
acrosclerosis: scleroderma of the distal extremities and face.
action potential: state that results when a stimulus causes an organized, rapid exchange of sodium and potassium ions across a cell membrane, which spreads like an electric current along the membrane.
active range of motion: exercises in which the client is able to move without assistance.
activities of daily living (ADLs):normal activities, such as eating, dressing, walking, bathing.
acuity: clearness; or a disorder’s level of severity; minimum level or need for healthcare services that must be met for a client to be admitted to an acute care facility.
acute coronary syndrome (ACS): a group of coronary disorders or conditions such as an acute myocardial infarction (AMI), diagnostic ST changes on an ECG, and unstable angina.
acute disease (acute illness): disease or illness that develops suddenly and runs its course in days or weeks; illnesses that interfere with the continuum for a short period of time.
acute pain: (see nociceptive pain).
acute: of short duration, but with severe symptoms; sharp.
Addison’s disease: a condition caused by the destruction or degeneration of the adrenal cortex. Symptoms include a darkening of the skin and oral mucous membranes, dehydration, anemia, weight loss, low blood pressure, and thinning hair.
adduct: to draw toward the center, as to adduct the arm.
adenohypophysis: the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland.
adhesion: abnormal joining of tissues by a fibrous band, usually resulting from inflammation, injury, or surgery.
adjuvant: assisting or enhancing therapy given, especially in cancer, to prevent further growth or pain; therapy used which was originally intended for another purpose.
adolescence: time between puberty’s onset and cessation of physical growth, ages 11-19.
adrenal glands: two glands, each consisting of an adrenal medulla and a cortex, of which one sits atop each kidney. The adrenal medulla secretes catecholamines, including epinephrine and norepinephrine, which mimic the action of the sympathetic nervous system and help stimulate the “fight or flight” reaction. The adrenal cortex secretes corticosteroids.
adrenal: near or above the kidney.
advance directive: written instructions clients give in advance about the types of healthcare they desire should they become unable to decide for themselves.
advanced cardiac life support: techniques that include starting IV lines, administering fluids and medications, using defibrillation and cardiac monitoring, administering oxygen, and opening and maintaining the airway.
advanced practice nurse: sometimes called a “nurse practitioner,” an RN who is specialized in a particular field and has additional education and experience.
adverse effect: a response to a medication that is not intended or desired; a side effect.
advocate: a person who works to gain or preserve the rights of others; a defender (as in client advocate). (verb: to work for the rights of others, to assist)
aerobe: microorganism that requires oxygen for growth; also called obli gate aerobe.
aesthetic needs: needs more complex than simply physical needs necessary for survival; needs met to give quality to life.
affect: emotional tone, feeling, or the outward manifestation of subjective emotions; also called affectivity.
afferent: sensory neurons that receive messages from all parts of the body and transmit them by way of sensory nerves to the central nervous system; conducting toward the center, as afferent nerves; also applies to blood vessels.
after-care: continued follow-up and therapy after discharge, especially from chemical dependency treatment or psychiatric hospitalization.
afterload: the amount of pressure or resistance the ventricles of the heart must overcome to empty their contents.
afterpains: abdominal discomfort or cramping after delivery caused by uterine contractions.
ageism: prejudice against people based on age.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD or ARMD): a painless disorder associated with aging which results in gradual or rapid destruction of the macula which is the part of the eye which is responsible for sharp, central vision.
agglutination: clumping of blood cells.
agnosia: inability to recognize objects or persons via auditory, visual, sensory, or tactile sensations.
agonist therapy: drug therapy that uses specific agents to occupy opioid receptors, blocking the opioid effects.
agonist: a muscle that contracts to move a body part and is opposed by another muscle (the antagonist); a medication that produces a desired response.
agoraphobia: fear of being in a place from which escape may be difficult or embarrassing.
agranulocytosis: an acute disorder, often caused by drug toxicity, in which granulocyte production greatly decreases, causing neutropenia and rendering the body defenseless against bacterial infections. (Also called malignant neutropenia.)
AIDS: acronym for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
airborne precautions: precautions taken when a person has an illness that can be carried in the air or on dust particles. Common measures include special air handling and ventilation.
akathisia: constant motor activity, inability to sit down or relax, twitching (a common side effect of neuroleptic medications).
akinesia: complete or partial loss of muscle control albumin: a protein substance found in animal and vegetable tissues.
alcohol hallucinosis: vivid and terrifying auditory, visual, and tactile hallucinations a person may experience during alcohol withdrawal.
alias: an assigned name under which certain clients are admitted to (and records kept in) a healthcare facility in order to maintain anonymity.
alimentary canal: tube-like structure responsible for digestion and absorption of food, also known as the digestive tract.
alkalosis: serious condition caused by accumulation of bases or loss of acids; a decrease in hydrogen ion concentration (pH) (opposite of acidosis).
allergen: a substance capable of producing hypersensitivity (allergy).
allergy: a state in which the body is hypersensitive to a substance, usually a protein.
allogeneic: persons who are not genetically related (see allograft).
allograft: a graft between individuals of the same species (as in two unrelated persons).
alopecia: abnormal hair loss, or baldness.
alveolar duct: place in the bronchi where the bronchioles first branch.
alveolar sac: grape-like clusters in the bronchi where the bronchioles end.
alveoli: the lung sacs where gas exchange takes place.
Alzheimer’s disease: a common form of dementia, most often occurring in older adults.
ambiguous loss: the debilitating confusion a family may experience when a living loved one is still physically present but psychologically absent, as in dementia or psychological disorders.
AMBU bag: (see manual breathing bag).
ambulatory: walking or able to walk. (noun: ambulation)
ambylopia: subnormal vision in one eye which may fail to develop due to lack of stimulation as a child continues to use the stronger eye for vision; also called lazy eye.
amenorrhea: absence or abnormal stoppage of menses (menstruation).
amino acids: building blocks of proteins, comprised mainly of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen.
amnihook: special sterile hook used to artificially rupture membranes to stimulate the beginning of true labor or to speed up the active labor process.
amniocentesis: perforation of the amniotic sac through a pregnant woman’s abdomen to obtain a sample of amniotic fluid.
amnion: the inner membrane and fluid surrounding a fetus (“bag of waters”).
amniotic fluid: fluid that suspends the fetus within the amnion, cushioning the fetus from injury, regulating temperature, and allowing the fetus to move freely.
amniotomy: surgical rupture of fetal membranes; artificial rupture of membranes (AROM).
ampule: small, glass-sealed flask, often containing medication.
amputation: removal of a limb or other body part.
anabolism: the constructive phase of metabolism, which involves synthesis of substances to form new, larger substances.
anaerobe: microorganism that cannot survive in the presence of oxygen; also called obligate anaerobe. analgesic: an agent that relieves pain without causing unconsciousness.
anaphylaxis: serious state of shock resulting from hypersensitivity to an allergen; also called anaphylactic effect.
anaplastic cell: cell which lacks orderly growth, arrangement, and does not function normally; these cells are found in malignant tumors.
anasarca: severe generalized edema, a result of abnormal fluid shifts.
anastamose: communication between two blood vessels.
anastomosis: the joining together of two normally distinct spaces or organs.
anatomic position: a standard reference point used by medical texts to present the body in which the model stands erect with the arms at the sides and the palms turned forward.
anatomy: science dealing with body structure.
androgen: a hormone that stimulates male characteristics (steroid).
anemia: a blood deficiency in quality or quantity; reduction in hemoglobin.
anencephaly: congenital disorder in which the skull and brain are absent.
anergic: unable to respond to antigens by producing antibodies; weak, lacking energy.
anesthesia: complete or partial loss of sensation.
anesthetic: a substance that produces loss of feeling or sensation.
aneurysm: a dilation of the wall of a vessel that causes the formation of a sac; a life-threatening situation, as an aortic aneurysm.
angina pectoris: literally “pain in the chest;” occurs when extra exertion calls for the arteries to increase blood supply to the heart and narrow or obstructed arteries are unable to provide the necessary supply and the heart muscle suffers.
angina: a spasmodic, severe attack or pain, as angina pectoris.
angiocardiogram: an x-ray of the heart and major vessels.
angioedema: localized edema deep within or under the skin, producing giant wheals (lumps).
angiogram: a radiograph of any blood vessel.
angioma: birthmark.
angioplasty: surgical repair of a blood or lymph vessel; often refers to repair of coronary vessels.
anhedonia: markedly diminished or lost interest or pleasure in all or most activities.
anion: a negatively charged ion.
ankylosis: abnormal consolidation of a joint, causing immobility.
anorexia: lack or loss of appetite for food, refusal to eat.
anorexia nervosa: a condition in which a person refuses to eat because he or she wants to be thin, although he or she is already very thin.
antagonist: a muscle that exerts an action opposite that of another muscle; a medication that blocks or reverses the action of another medication.
antepartal: occurring before childbirth (in reference to the pregnant woman); antepartum.
antiarrhythmic: a medication that helps regulate the heart’s rhythm.
antibiotic: substance produced by a living organism that can destroy or weaken other organisms.
antibody mediated immunity:immunity that results when an antibody changes an antigen, making it harmless to the body.
antibody: a specific protein that neutralizes foreign antigens (essential to the immune response).
anticipatory guidance: education about expected changes prior to them happening.
anticonvulsant: a medication that reduces, controls, or stops seizure activity.
antidote: an agent that counteracts the effects of a poison.
antiembolism stockings: also called TED socks; elastic stockings that cover the foot (not the toes) and the leg, up to the knee or mid-thigh.
antiemetic: anti-vomiting medication or substance.
antigen: a substance that stimulates the production of antibodies.
antihypertensives: medications that reduce blood pressure.
antimicrobial agent: a chemical that decreases the number of pathogens in an area by suppressing and destroying their growth.
antineoplastic: an agent that inhibits the growth of malignant cells.
Antiretroviral (ARV): Agents that act against retroviruses such as HIV
antiretroviral therapy: medications to specifically combat the retrovirus.
antitussive: an agent that reduces coughing.
anuria: complete suppression of urine secretion in the kidney.
anxiety: apprehensive uneasiness or dread (may be marked by physiologic signs, such as sweating, tension, or increased pulse).
aorta: the largest artery of the body.
aortic valve: valve which separates the left ventricle from the aorta.
apex: lower point of the heart, formed by the tip of the left ventricle.
Apgar score: a method of determining a newborn’s condition at birth by rating the baby’s respiration and responses. aphagia: an abnormal neurologic or psychogenic condition that results in the loss of the ability to swallow.
aphasia: an abnormal neurologic condition in which a person is unable to express oneself through speech or writing.
apical pulse: pulse normally heard at the heart’s apex, which usually gives the most accurate assessment of pulse rate.
apical-radial pulse: reading done by measuring both the apical and radial pulses simultaneously, used when it is suspected that the heart is not effectively pumping blood.
apnea: cessation of breathing.
apnea monitor: machine used to monitor respiratory activity and patterns, especially of infants.
apoptosis: cell self-destruction.
apothecary: one of the oldest measurement systems, based on volume and weight..
approval: status given to a program that allows its graduates to obtain a license.
apraxia: difficulty carrying out purposeful movements.
aquathermia pad: pad which produces a dry heat by the use of temperature-controlled water flowing through a waterproof shell.
aqueous humor: liquid that flows through the anterior and posterior eye chambers in the space between the cornea and the lens.
architectural barriers: building structures that make certain areas inaccessible to individuals with physical disabilities.
arrhythmia: technically means “without a heartbeat;” cardiac standstill.
arterial blood gases: the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood. arteriogram: an x-ray of any artery.
arteriosclerosis: a condition of the arteries that produces abnormal loss of elasticity and hardening of the walls, especially in the middle layer; also called hardening of the arteries.
artery: any vessel through which blood passes from the heart to all body parts.
arthritis: joint inflammation.
arthrogram: x-ray of a joint.
arthroplasty: joint repair. arthrosclerosis: stiffening of the joints.
arthroscope: an endoscope used to examine or do surgery within a joint (arthroscopy).
arthrostomy: creation of an opening drain.
articular: pertaining to a joint.
articulation: point at which bones attach; also known as a joint.
artificial insemination: process in which male sperm is artificially implanted into a woman’s cervix or into an egg.
artificial sphincter: cuff placed around the bladder neck and connected to a reservoir bulb implanted in individuals with a non-functioning urethra.
artificially acquired immunity: immunity that occurs when a person is deliberately exposed to a causative agent, such as during vaccination.
ascites: abnormal fluid collection in the peritoneal cavity.
asepsis: practices that minimize or eliminate organisms that cause infections or disease.
aseptic: free from germs that cause infection or disease.
asexual: without sex; a person who has no interest in sex.
