Nursing Assistant Foundation Key Terms : Ch 12,19, 24

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from Chapters 12, 19, and 24 of Nursing Assistant Foundation.

hygiene

practices to keep the body clean.

grooming

practices to care for oneself, such as caring for fingernails and hair.

partial bath

bath that includes washing the face, underarms, hands, and perineal area.

additive

a substance added to another substance, changing its effect.

edema

swelling in body tissues caused by excess fluid.

axilla

underarm or armpit area.

halitosis

bad breath.

plaque

a substance that accumulates on the teeth from food and bacteria.

tartar

hard deposits on the teeth that are filled with bacteria; may cause gum disease and loose teeth if not removed.

gingivitis

an inflammation of the gums.

periodontitis

gum disease.

edentulous

lacking teeth; toothless.

dentures

artificial teeth.

bridge

a type of dental appliance that replaces missing or pulled teeth.

dandruff

excessive shedding of dead skin cells from the scalp.

pediculosis

an infestation of lice.

lymph

a clear yellowish fluid that carries disease-fighting cells called lymphocytes.

human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

a virus that attacks the body's immune system and gradually disables it; eventually can cause AIDS.

acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)

the final stage of HIV infection, in which infections, tumors, and central nervous system symptoms appear due to a weakened immune system that is unable to fight infection.

opportunistic infection

an illness caused by microorganisms that do not affect people with healthy immune systems but cause disease in people with weakened immune systems.

autoimmune disease

a disease in which the body is unable to recognize its own tissue and begins to attack these tissues.

homophobia

prejudiced speech or actions toward gay, lesbian, bisexual, or queer (LGBTQ) people.

cancer

a general term used to describe a disease in which abnormal cells grow in an uncontrolled way.

tumor

a group of abnormally growing cells.

benign

noncancerous.

malignant

cancerous.

metastasize

to spread from one part of the body to another.

biopsy

a removal of a sample of tissue for examination and diagnosis.

remission

the disappearance of signs and symptoms of cancer or other diseases; can be temporary or permanent.

breakthrough pain

a type of severe pain that happens unexpectedly in people who have cancer.

heart

four-chambered pump that is responsible for the flow of blood in the body.

atria

the upper two chambers of the heart.

ventricles

the lower two chambers of the heart.

systole

phase where the heart is at work, contracting and pushing blood out of the left ventricle.

diastole

phase when the heart muscle relaxes.

artery

vessel that carries blood away from the heart.

capillaries

tiny blood vessels in which the exchange of gases, nutrients, and waste products occurs between blood and cells.

vein

vessel that carries blood to the heart.

occlusion

a complete obstruction of a blood vessel.

ischemia

a lack of blood supply to an area.

coronary artery disease (CAD)

a condition in which the coronary arteries become damaged and narrow over time, causing chest pain and other symptoms.

myocardial ischemia

a condition in which the heart muscle does not receive enough blood and lacks oxygen; can cause angina.

angina pectoris

chest pain, pressure, or discomfort.

stable angina

chest pain that occurs when a person is active or under severe stress.

unstable angina

chest pain that occurs while a person is at rest and not exerting himself.

nitroglycerin

medication that relaxes the walls of the coronary arteries.

cardiomyopathy

a weakening of the heart muscle due to enlargement or thickening, which reduces the heart's ability to pump blood effectively.

sudden cardiac arrest (SCA)

a serious, often fatal condition in which there is a loss of heart function, breathing, and consciousness.

arrhythmia

irregular heartbeat.

peripheral vascular disease (PVD)

a condition in which the legs, feet, arms, or hands do not have enough blood circulation.

phlebitis

inflammation of the veins in the lower extremities.

thrombus

a blood clot in a blood vessel.

deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

a condition in which a blood clot forms in a large vein in the body, most often in the leg.

embolism

the blockage of a blood vessel by a blood clot or a foreign substance.

pulmonary embolism (PE)

a blockage in the pulmonary artery, usually by a blood clot.

compression stockings

stockings that are used to prevent swelling, promote circulation, and possibly prevent blood clots; also called antiembolic or elastic stockings.

sequential compression device (SCD)

a plastic, air-filled sleeve that is placed around the leg and inflates and deflates regularly to help improve circulation and reduce fluid buildup.

congestive heart failure (CHF)

a condition in which the heart muscle is damaged and fails to pump effectively.

orthopnea

shortness of breath when lying down that is relieved by sitting up.

pulmonary edema

a condition in which there is an accumulation of fluid in the lungs; usually due to heart failure.

anemia

a condition in which the amount of red blood cells or hemoglobin in the body is less than normal.

hypoxia

a condition in which the body does not receive enough oxygen.