Response to Patients' Personal & Physical Needs

catheter

a hollow, flexible tube that can be inserted into a vessel or cavity of the body to withdraw or to instill fluids, monitor various types of information, or to visualize a vessel or cavity.

colostomy

surgical creation of an artificial anus (stoma) on the abdominal wall by incising the colon and drawing it out to the surface.

decubitus ulcer

lesion that develops over a bony prominence when pressure is exerted for any length of time; also called a bedsore.

emesis

the act of vomiting, or a term for vomit.

Fowler position

a modification of the supine position in which the patient's upper body is elevated.

kyphosis

posterior curvature of the spine, characteristic of the thoracic spinal segments. When abnormally exaggerated, kyphosis results in protrusion of the upper back.

lordosis

anterior curvature of the spine, characteristic of both the cervical and lumbar spinal segments.

nonaccidental trauma (NAT)

physical abuse; another term for battered child syndrome or elder abuse.

nothing by mouth (NPO)

abbreviation for nothing by mouth.

prone

being in the position of lying face down.

recumbent

lying down or leaning backward.

Sims position

lateral oblique position in which the leg farthest from the supporting surface is anterior to the body.

supine

the position in which the patient is lying on his or her back.