Body systems and Basic Nursing Care

Module 9 vocabulary 2023

Respiratory System

A system of organs functioning in respiration consisting of the nose, nasal passages, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs. The respiratory systems provides a way for oxygen to enter the body and for carbon dioxide to be expelled from the body.

Circulatory System

The system of blood, blood vessels, lymphatics, and heart concerned with the circulation of the blood and lymph.

Integumentary system

The system is the set of organs forming the outermost layer of an animal's body. It consists of the skin and it's appendages, acting as a physical barrier between the external environment and the internal environment and the internal environment that is serves to protect and maintain.

Musculoskeletal system

The system is made up of the body's bones, skeleton, muscles, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, joints, and other connective tissue that supports and binds tissues and organs together.

Gastrointestinal system

The tract of passageway of digestive system that leads from the mouth to the anus. The GI tract contains all the major organs of the digestive system, in humans and other animals, including the esophagus, stomach, and intestines.

Urinary system

The organs of the urinary tract comprising of the kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra.

Central Nervous System

The part of the nervous system which in vertebrates consist of the brain and spinal cord, to which motor impulses pass out, and which coordinates the activity of the entire nervous system.

Quality of life

The perceived quality of individuals daily life, that is, an assessment of their wellbeing or lack of. This includes all emotional, social and physical aspects of the individual's life.

Acute pain

Acute pain begins suddenly and is usually sharp in quality. It serves as a a warning or disease or a threat to the body.

Chronic pain

Chronic pain is long standing pain that persists beyond the usual recovery period or occurs along with a chronic health condition, such as arthritis. Usually pain has been present for several months.

Pain scale

A pain scale measures a resident's pain intensity or other features. A common pain scale is a scale of 1-10.

Pain threshold

The point at which a person becomes aware of pain.

Pain tolerance

Pain tolerance is the maximum level of pain that a person is able to tolerate or stand.

Non-verbal pain signs

These are common facial expressions and body movements associated with pain.

Heat/Cold application

Hot or cold applied to the skin and underlying tissues for the purpose of decreasing pain, muscle spasms, or inflammation.

Phantom pain

pain that feels like it's coming from a body part that's no longer there.

Insomnia

prolonged and usually abnormal inability to get enough sleep especially due to trouble falling asleep or staying asleep

Foot care

Washing and caring for the feet while checking for any inflammation, bruising, cuts, or blisters. It is really important that the feet are monitored especially patients with decreased sensitivity from chronic illness, such as diabetes.

Pressure ulcer/decubitus ulcer/pressure injury

Injury to the skin and underlying tissue resulting from prolonged pressure on the skin. The injuries most often develop on skin that covers bony areas of the body, such as the heels, ankles, hips and tailbone. Also known as bedsores.

Risk factor

Risk factors are characteristics or experiences of patients that make them more likely to develop a disease (or not) or to get better (or worse) when exposed to the risk-increasing factor.

Skin integrity

The skin being intact and complete and dry and not impaired condition.

Skin observation

Observing skin color, skin texture, skin pores, body hair, as well as any abnormal manifestations on the skin. Anything noted needs to be reported immediately

Dry skin

Rough, dry skin that may have scales or cracks. Skin is impaired and not healthy.

Subcutaneous layer

The deepest layer of skin, made mostly of fat cells and connective tissue.

Bony prominence

Areas where bones are close to the surface.

Sitz bath

Type of therapy done by sitting in warm, shallow water to help decrease pain and discomfort and help with cleaning.

IV care

A delivery method for fluids and medication. IV stands for intravenous, which means it is administered through the veins and into the bloodstream. IV administration is outside the CNA scope of practice. The NA will report any abnormal notes such as redness, pain, swelling, etc..

IV therapy/parenteral

Delivering a substance through a route other than by the digestive tract, usually Intravenously.

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

A condition that occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep vein. Symptoms include redness, pain, and swelling, etc...

Scope of Practice

The limit of your knowledge, skills and experience is made up of the activities you carry out within your professional role as a health and care professional.

Glucometer

A small portable machine that's used to measure how much glucose is in the blood.

Topical medications

Applying medication to the skin or mucous membranes allows it to enter the body from there.

Anti-diarrheal

Tending to prevent or relieve diarrhea

Narcotics

A drug (such as opium or morphine) that in moderate doses dulls the senses, relieves pain, and induces profound sleep but in excessive doses causes stupor, coma, or convulsions. There are risks of addiction and other side effects such as constipation.

Non-narcotics

Pain medication that is not a narcotic. May also help to decrease swelling.

Anticoagulants

A medication that hinders coagulation and clotting especially of the blood.

Diuretic

Medication that tends to increase the excretion of urine to decrease the fluid in the body.

Bronchodilators (inhalers)

Drug that relaxes the bronchial muscle (lungs) resulting n the expansion of the bronchial passages.

Insulin

Essential for the metabolism of carbohydrates. Insulin is used for people that need control of blood sugars. People with diabetes may produce little to no insulin or their body has a low sensitivity to insulin.

6 rights of medication administration

1. Right medication 2. Right time 3. Right patient/client 4. Right dose 5. Not expired 6. Right route Prescribed medications are OUTSIDE of the CNA scope of practice. CNA's may apply a non-prescribed ointment such as barrier cream.

Pain:

It is ___1___ of the nursing assistant's scope of practice to administer ___2___ to a patient/resident. If a patient has pain, the nursing assistant should ___3___. A patient's/resident's reported pain is a ___4___ experience. The patient may have signs of pain that are observable such as ___5___.

1. outside

2. medications

3. immediately report to nurse

4. subjective

5. grimacing and an increase in pulse