Nurse Assistant Skills

Alignment

positioning and supporting the body so that all body parts are in correct anatomical position

Anesthesia

the state of inability to feel sensation, especially the sensation of pain

Binders

devices applied to hold dressings in place, provide support, apply pressure, or limit motion

Catheter

a rubber, metal, or other type of tube that is passed into a body cavity and used for injecting or removing fluids

Closed Bed

bed that is made following the discharge of a patient

Colostomy

an artificial opening into the colon; allows for the evacuation of feces

Complete Bed Bath (CBB)

a bath in which all parts of a patient's body are bathed while the patient is confined to bed

Contracture

tightening or shortening of a muscle

Dangling

positioning the patient in a sitting position with his or her feet and legs over the side of the bed prior to ambulation

Defecate

evacuation of fecal material from the bowel; a bowel movement

Dehydration

insufficient amounts of fluid in the tissues

Edema

swelling; excess amount of fluid in the tissues

Enema

an injection of fluid into the large intestine through the rectum

Fanfolding

folding in accordion pleas; done with bed linens

Ileostomy

a surgical opening connecting the ileum (small intestine) and the abdominal wall

Impaction

a large, hard mass of fecal material lodged in the intestine or rectum; a tooth that does not erupt into the mouth

Intake and Output (I&O)

a record that notes all fluids taken in or eliminated by a person in a given period of time

Mechanical Lifts

special devices used to move or transfer patient

Micturate

another word for urinate; to expel urine

Midstream (clean catch) Specimen

urine specimen in which urination is begun before catching the specimen in the specimen cup

Mitered Corners

special folding technique used to secure linen on a bed

Montgomery Straps

hypoallergenic adhesive straps used to facilitate frequent dressing changes without having to remove and reapply tape

Occult Blood

blood that is hidden; also, a test done on stool to check for the presence of blood

Occupied Bed

a bed that is made while the patient is in the bed

Open Bed

a bed with the top sheets fanfolded to the bottom

Operative Care

care a patient receives before or after surgery

Oral Hygiene

care of the mouth and teeth

Ostomy

a surgically created opening into a body part

Partial Bed Bath

patient is not totally dependent but is given a basin, soap, and water, as well as any assistance needed to maintain good hygiene

Personal Hygiene

care of the body including bathing, hair and nail care, shaving, and oral hygiene

Postmortem Care

care given to the body immediately after death

Postoperative Care

after surgery

Preoperative Care

before surgery

Pressure (decubitus) Ulcer

a pressure sore; a bedsore

Rectal Tube

tube inserted into the rectum to aid in the expulsion of flatus (gas)

Restraints

protective devices that limit or restrict movement

Stoma

the opening of an ostomy on the abdominal wall

Stool Specimen

sample of patient's feces

Suppository

solid medication that has a base of cocoa butter or glycerine and is designed to melt after insertion into a body cavity (e.g., the rectum orvagina)

Surgical (elastic) Hose

used to support leg veins and increase circulation

Surgical Shave

removal of hair and cleansing of skin prior to an operation

24-hour Urine Specimen

special urine test in which all urine produced in a 24-hour period is collected in a special container

Ureterostomy

formation of an opening on the abdominal wall for drainage of a ureter

Urinary-Drainage Unit

special device used to collect urine and consisting of tubing and a collection container usually connected to a urinary catheter

Urinate

to expel urine from the bladder

Urine Specimen

sample of patient's urine