Chapter 2: Foundations of Resident Care

Objective information/ signs

Information based on what a person sees, hears, touches, or smells.

Subjective information/ symptoms

Information based on reports from the person that may or may not be true and cannot be observed.

Body mechanics

The way the parts of the body work together when a person moves.

Scalds

Burns.

Abrasion

An injury that rubs off the surface of the skin.

P.A.S.S.

Acronym for Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep - steps to operate a fire extinguisher.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

A federal government agency that makes rules to protect workers from job hazards.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

Emergency procedure to revive a person's heart and lungs.

Cyanotic

Skin color turning blue or gray.

Myocardial Infarction (MI/ heart attack)

Condition when the heart muscle lacks oxygen due to blocked blood flow.

Syncope

Fainting.

Insulin reaction (hypoglycemia)

Complication of diabetes from too much insulin or too little.

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)

Diabetes complication due to low insulin levels.

Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA/ stroke)

Occurs when blood supply to the brain is blocked or a blood vessel leaks.

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)

Warning sign of a stroke with temporary lack of brain oxygen.

Hemiplegia

Paralysis on one side of the body.

Hemiparesis

Weakness on one side of the body.

Expressive aphasia

Difficulty communicating thoughts through speech or writing.

Receptive aphasia

Difficulty understanding spoken or written words.

Emesis

Vomiting through mouth or nose.

Localized infection

Infection limited to a specific body location with local symptoms.

Systemic infection

Infection in the bloodstream spreading throughout the body with general symptoms.

Healthcare-associated infection (HAI)

Infection acquired in a healthcare setting during medical care.

Reservoir

Where a pathogen lives and multiplies.

Portal of exit

Body opening allowing pathogens to leave an infected person.

Mode of transmission

Describes how a pathogen travels.

Medical asepsis

Measures to reduce pathogen spread.

Surgical asepsis (sterile technique)

State of being free of all microorganisms.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Federal agency for disease prevention and control.

Sputum

Mucus coughed up.

Sharps

Needles or sharp objects.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Equipment to protect against hazards.

Don

To put on.

Doff

To take off.

Tuberculosis (TB)

Infectious disease affecting the lungs.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

Bacterial infection resistant to certain antibiotics.

Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE)

Bacterial infection resistant to vancomycin.

Clostridioides difficile (C

Bacterial infection causing severe diarrhea.