ADL's (feeding, sleeping, peeing, pooping)

urination

the act of passing urine from the bladder through the urethra; also called micturition or voiding.

fracture pan

a flatter bedpan used for people with fractures or limited movement.

portable commode

a chair with a toilet seat and removable container; also called bedside commode.

urinary incontinence

inability to control the bladder, causing involuntary urine loss.

urinary tract infection (UTI)

bacterial infection of the urinary system causing burning during urination and frequent urges to urinate.

kidney stones

crystals that form in the kidneys and may block the urinary tract, causing severe pain; also called renal calculi.

renovascular hypertension

high blood pressure caused by blocked kidney arteries.

chronic renal failure (CRF)

condition where kidneys cannot remove waste products properly; also called chronic kidney failure.

dialysis

artificial removal of body waste when kidneys cannot function properly.

catheter

a thin tube inserted into the body to drain or inject fluids.

urinary catheter

catheter used to drain urine from the bladder.

straight catheter

urinary catheter removed immediately after urine is drained or collected.

indwelling catheter

urinary catheter that remains in the bladder for a period of time; also called Foley catheter.

condom catheter

catheter attached to the penis to collect urine; also called Texas catheter.

specimen

a sample collected for testing and diagnosis.

routine urine specimen

urine sample collected anytime a person voids.

hat

plastic container placed in a toilet to collect and measure urine or stool.

clean-catch specimen

urine sample collected without the first and last urine stream; also called midstream specimen.

24-hour urine specimen

all urine collected during a 24-hour period.

defecation

the act of passing feces out of the body through the anus.

peristalsis

involuntary contractions that move food through the digestive tract.

constipation

difficulty or inability to eliminate stool, causing hard, dry bowel movements.

enema

fluid introduced into the colon to stimulate bowel elimination.

fecal impaction

hard stool stuck in the rectum that cannot be expelled.

hemorrhoids

enlarged veins in or around the rectum causing itching, pain, and bleeding.

diarrhea

frequent elimination of liquid or semiliquid feces.

fecal incontinence

inability to control bowel movements causing involuntary stool passage.

flatulence

gas in the intestine that passes through the rectum; also called flatus.

lactose intolerance

inability to digest lactose found in milk and dairy products.

malabsorption

inability to properly absorb or digest nutrients.

gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

condition where stomach contents flow back into the esophagus.

heartburn

burning sensation in the esophagus caused by stomach acid reflux.

ulceration

process of wearing away or forming sores.

peptic ulcers

painful sores in the stomach causing pain, belching, and vomiting.

irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

condition causing repeated diarrhea, constipation, or both.

inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

chronic inflammation of the bowel.

ulcerative colitis

chronic inflammation of the large intestine causing pain, diarrhea, bleeding, and weight loss.

Crohn’s disease

inflammatory disease affecting any part of the digestive tract, commonly the small intestine.

stoma

artificial opening in the body.

colorectal cancer

cancer of the colon or gastrointestinal tract.

occult

hidden or difficult to detect.

ostomy

surgically created opening from inside the body to the outside.

ureterostomy

surgical opening from the ureter to the abdomen for urine elimination.

colostomy

surgical opening through the abdomen into the large intestine for stool removal.

ileostomy

surgical opening into the end of the small intestine for stool removal.

hygiene

practices that keep the body clean and healthy.

grooming

personal care practices such as caring for hair and fingernails.

activities of daily living (ADLs)

daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, eating, walking, and elimination.

perineal care

care of the genital and anal area.

pressure points

areas of the body that support much of the body weight.

bony prominences

areas where bones are close to the skin.

pressure injuries

wounds caused by skin breakdown and shearing; also called pressure ulcers or bed sores.

foot drop

weakness of foot and ankle muscles causing difficulty walking.

orthotic device

device that supports and aligns a limb to improve function.

orthosis

another name for an orthotic device.

partial bath

bath that includes washing the face, hands, underarms, and perineum when a full bath is not done.

axillae

underarms.

perineum

genital and anal area.

additive

a substance added to another substance to change its effect.

groin

area between the pubis and upper thighs.

shower chair

sturdy chair used in a shower or bathtub to help weak individuals bathe safely.

safety razor

razor with a protective casing to prevent cuts.

disposable razor

single-use razor discarded after use.

electric razor

battery or electric-powered razor that does not require shaving cream.

pediculosis

infestation of lice.

dandruff

excessive shedding of dead scalp skin cells.

affected side

weakened side of the body due to stroke or injury.

involved side

another term for affected side.

oral care

care of the mouth, teeth, and gums.

dental floss

string used to clean between teeth.

halitosis

bad breath.

dentulous

having no teeth.

aspiration

inhaling food, drink, or foreign material into the lungs.

dentures

artificial teeth.

nutrition

how the body uses food to maintain health.

nutrient

substance that provides energy, supports growth, and regulates metabolism.

complex carbohydrates

carbohydrates broken down into simple sugars for energy; found in foods like bread, rice, pasta, fruits, and vegetables.

simple carbohydrates

sugars found in sweets and syrups with little nutritional value.

parenteral nutrition (PN)

nutrients given through an IV directly into the bloodstream.

nasogastric tube

feeding tube inserted through the nose into the stomach.

percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube

feeding tube inserted into the stomach through the abdominal wall.

gastrostomy

surgically created opening into the stomach for tube placement.

diet cards

cards containing resident diet information, allergies, preferences, and instructions.

therapeutic diets

special diets prescribed for medical conditions or allergies.

modified diets

another term for therapeutic diets.

special diets

another term for therapeutic diets.

diuretics

medications that reduce fluid in the body.

puree

food blended into a thick paste.

dysphagia

difficulty swallowing.

aspiration

inhalation of food, drink, or foreign material into the lungs.

intake

fluids consumed by a person; also called input.

input

fluids consumed by a person; also called intake.

output

fluids eliminated through urine, feces, vomit, perspiration, breathing, and wound drainage.

fluid balance

equal intake and output of fluids.

NPO

medical order meaning nothing by mouth.

dehydration

condition caused by too little fluid in the body.

fluid overload

condition caused by too much fluid in the body.

edema

swelling caused by excess fluid in body tissues.