Certification Terms and Definitions

A collection of flashcards covering essential certification terms and definitions relevant to healthcare, first-aid, and patient care.

Abandonment

The action or fact of abandoning or abandoned.

Abdominal thrust

First-aid technique to dislodge a foreign object blocking someone’s airway.

Abductor wedge

A foam or padded support, placed between the legs to keep them separated, used after hip surgery or for individuals with disabilities.

Abnormal vital signs

Measurement outside typical ranges for heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, temperature, and oxygen saturation.

Abuse

Treat a person with cruelty or violence.

Accidents

Undesirable or unfortunate happenings that occur unintentionally, usually resulting in harm, injury, damage, or loss.

Accountable

Required or expected to justify actions or decisions; responsible.

Activities

Things that a person or group has done.

Acute

Sharp, severe, or intense.

Adaptive devices

Tools or devices that simplify caregiving or make the environment safer for a person who is ill, disabled, or elderly.

Adduction

The movement of a limb or other part toward the midline of the body or toward another part.

ADL

Activities of daily living.

Admitting resident

The individual being accepted into a long-term care facility.

Advance directives

Legal documents outlining preferences for medical treatment if unable to communicate.

Afebrile

Not feverish.

Affected side

The part of the body weakened or impaired due to injury or illness.

Aging process

A gradual biological decline marked by accumulated cellular damage.

Agitation

A state of anxiety or nervous excitement.

AIDS

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Airborne transmitted diseases

Bacteria or viruses transmitted through small respiratory droplets.

Alzheimer's

A progressive brain disorder causing memory and cognitive decline.

Ambulation

The ability to walk or move from place to place.

Amputees

Individuals who have had part or all of a limb removed.

Anemia

A common blood disorder where the blood lacks enough healthy red blood cells.

Angina

A type of chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart.

Anterior

Nearer the front of the body.

Anti-embolitic stocking

Medical compression socks that improve blood flow and reduce clot risk.

Antibiotics

Medicines that fight bacterial infections.

Anxiety

Excessive, persistent fear and worry disrupting daily life.

Aphasia

A language disorder impairing speaking and understanding caused by brain damage.

Apical

Relating to or located at the apex of a structure.

Apnea

A temporary pause in breathing.

Arthritis

Inflammation of one or more joints causing pain and stiffness.

Aspiration

Accidentally inhaling food or liquid into the airway.

Assault

An act or threat causing fear of imminent harmful contact.

Assistive device

Any tool or equipment that helps people with disabilities perform daily tasks.

Atrophy

Wasting or shrinking of body tissue due to lack of use or nutrition.

Axillary temperature

A reading taken under the armpit.

Bacteria

Small single-celled organisms.

Basic needs

Essential resources required for human survival and health.

Bloodborne pathogen

Infectious microorganisms in human blood, capable of causing disease.