FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING PRACTICE AND COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSING - VOCABULARY FLASHCARDS

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering IM and SQ injections, suctioning, enema, catheterization, postpartum/Newborn care, CHN concepts, health care delivery systems, and related obstetric and neonatal topics drawn from lecture notes.

Intramuscular injection

Administration of medication into a muscle using a syringe and needle; requires appropriate site selection (ventrogluteal preferred for adults/children, deltoid for vaccines, vastus lateralis for infants), appropriate syringe (2–3 mL for adult IM), needle gauge (18–27), needle length by site/age, 90° insertion angle, aspiration, and site rotation to avoid lipohypertrophy.

Unregulated care provider (UCP)

A worker who cannot be delegated injection administration; UCPs must report potential medication side effects or vital sign/level of consciousness changes immediately.

MAR (Medication Administration Record)

Legal printout used to verify medication orders against the patient; illegible MARs are a known source of medication errors; MAR is checked against the prescriber’s order.

Vacant terms: Ventrogluteal site

An IM injection site in the gluteal region, preferred for adults and children when possible; landmarks include the greater trochanter, anterior superior iliac spine, and iliac crest; usual needle length ~3.8 cm.

Deltoid site

A common IM injection site for adults’ immunizations; small deltoid muscle near radial nerve/artery; caution due to proximity to nerves/vessels; typical needle length ~1–1.5 inches; commonly administers up to 1 mL.

Lipohypertrophy

Hardening or lump formation in fatty tissue at repeated subcutaneous/intramuscular injection sites; can impair absorption; rotate injection sites to prevent.

Needle gauge

A numeric measure of needle diameter; smaller gauge numbers mean a larger diameter; common IM gauges range from 18 to 27.

Syringe sizes

Syringes come in sizes from 0.5 mL to 60 mL; a 1–3 mL syringe is usually adequate for subcutaneous or intramuscular injections; using a syringe larger than 5 mL is unusual due to discomfort.

Aseptic technique

Methods to keep meds sterile and free from contamination; includes aseptic preparation, checking labels, air expulsion, and proper hand hygiene; ampules and vials require different prep procedures.

Aspiration

Aspiration is pulling back on the syringe plunger after skin entry to check for IV placement; if blood appears, stop injection and reassess before proceeding.

IM injection angle (90 degrees)

Angle at which intramuscular injections are given; 90-degree angle ensures penetration into muscle tissue.

Subcutaneous injection

Injection into the loose connective tissue beneath the dermis; slower absorption than IM; typical needle length 3/8

Subcutaneous anatomy sites (examples)

Outer upper arm, abdomen (fastest absorption), front of thigh, upper back, buttocks; recommended to avoid abuse and ensure absorption; sites chosen to minimize tissue damage.

Enema

Introduction of fluid into the rectum/large intestine to relieve constipation, fecal impaction, flatulence, or to administer medications; types include cleansing (high or low), carminative, and retention; solutions can be hypertonic, hypotonic, isotonic, or soapy.

Cleansing enema - High enema

Cleanses large portion of the colon; typically 1000 mL; inserted about 12 inches; used for thorough cleansing.

Carminative enema

An enema intended to expel gas; typically 60–80 mL.

Retention enema

Enema left in the colon for a period (e.g., 30 minutes) to deliver medication or soften stool.

Suction catheter types

Open-tipped, whistle-tipped, and Yankauer; used for oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal suctioning; chosen based on viscosity of secretions and tissue irritation risk.

Hyperoxygenation (pre-suction)**

Pre-oxygenating the patient before suction to prevent hypoxia during the procedure.

Suction times and limits

Each suction typically lasts 10–15 seconds; total procedure usually limited to about 5 minutes; use intervals of rest to re-oxygenate.

Indications for suctioning

To remove secretions obstructing airway, facilitate ventilation, obtain secretions for testing, and prevent infection from secretions.

Contraindications/risks of suctioning

Patients with head/neck injuries, elderly or pediatric patients, cognitive impairment; suctioning can cause hypoxia, trauma, pain, bradycardia, infection.

Oropharyngeal suctioning

Suctioning of oral cavity and pharynx to clear secretions; insert catheter gently; avoid suction during insertion.

Nasopharyngeal suctioning

Suctioning through the nasopharynx; lubricate distal tip; alternate nares; avoid trauma; ensure oxygenation.

Yankauer suction

Rigid suction device for the oral cavity; reusable; used for suctioning oral secretions.

Gastrointestinal tract anatomy (basics)

Stomach, small intestine (duodenum, jejunum, ileum), large intestine (cecum, colon, rectum), anus; digestion and absorption occur along GI tract.

Lochia

Postpartum vaginal discharge: rubra (red, 1–3 days), serosa (pink/brown, 3–10 days), alba (white/creamy, 10–21 days); indicates involution and healing; increases risk of infection if foul-smelling.

Uterine involution

Return of the uterus to its pre-pregnant size after delivery; rapid and occurs within the first weeks; uterus contracts to prevent hemorrhage; measured by fundal height—descends about 1 fingerbreadth per day.

Lochia monitoring

Regularly assess color, amount, odor, and clots; document changes and notify provider of unusual findings; lochia should progress from rubra to alba as healing occurs.

Episiotomy

Surgical incision of the perineum to enlarge the vaginal opening during delivery; Ritgen maneuver used to protect perineum; not routinely performed; management includes ice, Sitz baths, and perineal care.

APGAR score

Newborn assessment at 1 and 5 minutes (sometimes 10); scores range 0–10 across Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, and Respiration; 7–10 is good; 0–3 indicates severe distress needing resuscitation.

Skin-to-skin contact (Unang yakap)

Immediate and continuous contact of the newborn with the mother's skin after birth to promote bonding and breastfeeding, aid thermoregulation, and reduce infection risk.

Cord clamping and cutting

Clamp the umbilical cord after pulsations stop (approximately 1–3 minutes post-birth); use two clamps and cut between them; facilitates safe transition and reduces blood loss.

Umbilical cord anatomy

Three vessels in the cord: two arteries (deoxygenated blood) and one vein (oxygenated blood); check for AVA (arteries/vein) arrangement; cord abnormalities can indicate neonatal issues.

Hepatitis B vaccine (HepB) in newborns

Vaccine administered to newborns, with HBIG given if mother is HBsAg-positive; timing varies by weight and maternal status.

BCG vaccine

Intracutaneous vaccine against TB given at birth in many settings; risk of adverse reactions (Koch’s phenomenon, abscess, ulceration) monitored by clinician.

PHC and HSRA

Primary Health Care (PHC) aims: accessibility, affordability, acceptability, availability, community participation; HSRA/4mula One for Health: health financing, regulation, service delivery, governance, and accountability to achieve universal health care.

Genogram

A family diagram showing relationships and health history across generations; used in family assessment.

Ecomap

A graphic representation of family interactions with their community and resources; complements genograms in family assessment.

NANDA-I

North American Nursing Diagnosis Association; standardized taxonomy for nursing diagnoses used in planning care.

PES format

Structure for nursing diagnosis: Problem (P) –etiology (E) – signs/symptoms (S); used to formulate clear, actionable diagnoses.

FOB: Primary/Secondary/Tertiary health care levels

Classification of health facilities: Primary (RHU, BHS), Secondary (district hospital), Tertiary (national/teaching hospitals); levels reflect scope, equipment, and staff.

Public Health Nurse (PHN) roles

Nurse who plans, implements, and evaluates community health programs; works with LGUs, DOH, NGOs; engages in health promotion, surveillance, home visits, and education.

Bowel elimination terms: Constipation/Impaction/Diarrhea

Constipation: infrequent/hard stools; Impaction: inability to pass stool; Diarrhea: increased stool frequency; management includes diet, fluids, activity, and sometimes laxatives.

Hypoxemia vs Hypoxia

Hypoxemia: reduced oxygen in blood; Hypoxia: reduced oxygen in tissues; early signs of hypoxia include restlessness and tachypnea.

Ballard scoring

Newborn gestational age assessment based on neuromuscular and physical criteria; complements APGAR in evaluating maturity.

Colostrum

First breast milk rich in antibodies and nutrition; produced in early postpartum; important for neonatal immunity.

CPD (Cephalopelvic Disproportion)

Discrepancy between fetal head size and maternal pelvis; may necessitate cesarean delivery.

Lightening

Descent of the fetal presenting part into the pelvis before labor; relief of SOB but increased urinary frequency; an early sign of approaching labor.

Leopold’s maneuvers

Systematic abdominal palpation to determine fetal presentation, lie, position, attitude, and engagement, typically performed after 32 weeks.