Terminology for Fundamentals of Nursing

Hypertension

Characterized by elevated blood pressure over the normal values of 120/80 mmHg in an adult over 18 years of age

Hypotension

An abnormal condition in which the BP is not adequate for normal perfusion and oxygenation of the tissues

Orthostatic

Pertaining to an erect or standing position

Orthostatic hypotension

Abnormally low BP that occurs when an individual suddenly assumes the standing posture. It can produce dizziness and fainting.

Contraindication

A factor that prohibits the administration of a drug or the performance of an act or procedure in the care of a specific patient

Anuria

The absence of urine production or a urinary output of less than 100 mL per day

Oliguria

A diminished capacity to form and pass urine, such that the end products of metabolism cannot be excreted efficiently

Polyuria

The excretion of an abnormally large quantity of urine

Dysuria

Painful, burning urination, usually caused by a bacterial infection, inflammation, or obstruction of the urinary tract

Arrhythmia

Any deviation from the normal pattern of the heartbeat

Erythema

Redness or inflammation of the skin or mucous membranes that is the result of dilation and congestion of superficial capillaries

Brachial

Pertaining to the arm

Dysphagia

Difficulty in swallowing commonly associated with obstructive or motor disorders of the oropharynx, hypopharynx, or esophagus

Dysphasia

Difficulty with speech

Cyanosis

Bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes caused by an excess of deoxygenated hemoglobin in the blood or a structural defect in the hemoglobin molecule, such as in methemoglobin

Hepatic

Pertaining to the liver

Sanguineous

Pertaining to the blood or containing blood, such as full-blooded

Serous

Pertaining to, resembling, or producing serum

Purulent

Producing or containing pus

Dorsal

Pertaining to the back or posterior

Lateral

Pertaining to the side, away from the midsagittall plane, farther from the midsagittal plane, to the right or left of the midsagittal plane, pertaining to a speech sound produced by passing air along one or both sides of the tongue

Medial

Pertaining to, situated in, or oriented toward the midline of the body. Pertaining to the tunica media, the middle layer of a blood vessel wall

Proximal

Nearer to a point of reference or attachment, usually the trunk of the body, than other parts of the body

Distal

1. Away from or the farthest from a point of origin or attachment 2. Away from or the farthest from the midline or a central point

Enteral

Within the small intestine, or via the small intestine

Internal

Within or inside

Colostomy

Surgical creation of an artificial anus on the abdominal wall by incising the colon and drawing it out to the surface

Colectomy

Surgical excision of part or all of the colon

Ophthalmic

Pertaining to the eye

Otic

Pertaining to the ear

Adjuvant

A substance especially a drug, added to a prescription to assist in the action of the main ingredient 2. A substance added to an antigen that enhances or modifies the antibody response to the antigen 3 an additional treatment or therapy

Polypharmacy

The use of a number of different drugs, possibly prescribed by different doctors and filled in different pharmacies by a patient who may have one or several health problems

Prophylactic

1. Preventing the spread of disease 2. An agent that prevents the spread of disease

Bradycardia

A condition in which the heart rate is less than 60 beats/min

Tachypnea

An abnormally rapid rate of breathing

Pathogenic

Capable of causing or producing a disease

Hemiplegia

Paralysis of one side of the body

Edema

The abnormal accumulation of fluid in interstitial spaces of tissues such as in the pericardial sac, intrapleural space, peritoneal cavity, or joint capsules

Asepsis

The absence of germs

Manifestion

The observable or experienced signs and symptoms of a disease, disorder, or pathological condition