Medical Terminology CNA Course

Abandonment

To leave or desert someone. To withdraw medical care from a patient without providing sufficient notice to the patient.

Abdominal thrust

Method of attempting to remove an object from the airway of someone who is choking.

Abductor wedge

A health device that enables the user to maintain proper leg positioning while recovering from hip replacements or fractures.

Abnormal vital signs

A vital sign that is outside the normal range (body temperature, pulse, respirations, or blood pressure).

Normal temperature

97-99 degrees

Normal pulse

60-100 beats per minute

Normal respirations

12-24 respirations per minute (varies slightly between sources)

Normal blood pressure

90/60 - 180/120

Hypertensive crisis

Emergency situation related to high blood pressure.

Abuse

The willful infliction of injury, unreasonable confinement, intimidation, or punishment with resulting physical harm, pain, or mental anguish.

Accidents

An unfortunate event resulting from carelessness or ignorance. Can be prevented.

Activities

Things that are done for enjoyment or recreation, often done in groups. Helps the residents socialize.

Acute

An acute condition has a sudden onset and short recovery time.

Adaptive

Adaptive equipment/devices help residents complete activities of daily living.

Adaptive devices

Devices that allow a person to perform ADL related tasks they would not otherwise be able to perform.

Adduction

Moving a body part toward the midline of the body.

ADL

Activities of daily living include things like dressing, grooming, bathing, walking, using the restroom, etc.

Admitting resident

Admission of a resident into a long-term care facility.

Advanced directives

Legal documents that allow people to decide what medical care they wish to have if they are unable to make these decisions themselves.

Affected side

A weakened side of the body due to a stroke or injury; also called involved side.

Aging process

The biological changes that take place over time and affect the structure and functioning of the body; pertains to getting older.

Agitation

The state of being restless, irritable, tense, or troubled.

AIDS

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome is a disease of the immune system transmitted through blood products especially by sexual contact or contaminated needles.

Alzheimer's

A progressive incurable disease that causes tangled nerve fibers and protein deposits to form in the brain, which eventually causes dementia.

Ambulation

To walk.

Angina

Chest pain due to lack of blood flow to heart muscle.

Anti-embolic stocking

Special stockings used to help prevent swelling, prevent blood clots, and improve circulation; also called elastic stockings or TED stockings.

Antibiotics

Medications prescribed for bacterial infections.

Aphasia

Loss of speech due to injury or illness.

Apnea

Absence of breathing.

Appropriate response

Responding to a situation correctly or in a way other professionals with similar skills and experience would.

Arthritis

Inflammation of the joints causing pain, stiffness, and decreased mobility.

Aspiration

Inhaling food, drink, or other materials into the lungs.

Assistive device

Special equipment that helps a person who is ill or disabled to perform activities of daily living; also called adaptive devices.

Attitudes

A general way of holding the body.

Authorized duty

Duties a person is authorized to complete.

Axillary temperature

Temperature taken at the armpit. Least accurate way to measure temperature. One degree lower than an oral temperature.

Bacteria

A type of microorganism (germ) that can cause disease. Some bacteria are considered beneficial and are normally present in the body such as normal gut bacteria.

Basic needs

Things people cannot live without, such as water, food, clothing, and shelter.

Bathing

The act of washing oneself or another person. Can be complete, partial, tub, or shower; it is part of hygiene.

Bed bath

Giving a complete bath in bed.

Bed cradle

Metal frame that attaches to foot of bed that keeps the weight of top linens off the feet/toes; helps to prevent pressure sores/injuries.

Bed height

The level/height of a patient's bed, always keep it at the lowest position unless working with resident.

Bedrails

A device that serves as a guard or barrier along the side of the bed; also called side rails.

Behavior

The way in which one acts or conducts oneself, especially towards others.

Behavioral care plan

A care plan to encourage modification of a resident's behavior that includes goals to improve behavior.

Beliefs

Accepting something to be true; can include personal beliefs, religious beliefs, etc.

Biohazard

Biological agent or condition that constitutes a hazard to humans.

Bladder training

Helps gain control of urination. When a client postpones voiding, resists or inhibits the sensation of urgency and voids according to a timetable rather than according to the urge to void.

Bleeding

Loss of blood, can happen when one gets a cut or wound. Can also be internal. Severe bleeding can cause death quickly and must be controlled. Apply pressure to slow/stop bleeding.

Blindness

The inability to see.

Blood pressure

One of the vital signs that measures the force of the blood against the walls of the arteries.

Blood supply

Another name for circulation or blood flow which supplies body tissues with oxygen and nutrients.

Body alignment

Body positioning that promotes proper body functioning; posture.

Body language

Nonverbal communication through gestures, facial expressions, behaviors, and posture.

Body mechanics

Using muscles correctly and positioning the body correctly when moving people or objects to avoid personal injury.

Body temperature

The amount of heat in the body that is a balance between the amount of heat produced and the amount lost by the body.

Bone loss

The reduction of bone mass; Osteoporosis.

Bowel program

Program that manipulates factors within a person's control to produce a regular pattern of bowel movements without medication or enemas. Bowel programs prevent incontinence and constipation.

Break time

Designated times for employees to take a break.

Breathing

The process of inhalation and exhalation.

Brittle bones

Instead of being strong and resilient, bones are weak, brittle, and can break easily.

Call light

A bedside button tethered to the wall in a patient's room, which directs signals to the nursing station; a call light usually indicates that the patient has a need requiring attention from the nurse on duty.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

Medical procedure used when a person's heart has stopped beating. The 3 basic skills used are: chest compressions, open airway, and rescue breaths.

Cardiovascular system

Also known as the circulatory system which is made up of the heart, blood, and blood vessels. Its primary function is to carry oxygen and nutrients to the body.

Care impaired

Doing most if not all of the ADLs for an impaired resident.

Care plan

An individualized plan developed for each resident to achieve certain goals. Specific action steps to achieve goals are defined and all staff must follow the care plan.

Cast

Bandage consisting of a firm covering that immobilizes broken bones while they heal.

Cataract

A condition in which cloudy spots develop in the lens of the eye, causing vision loss.

Catheter

Thin tube inserted into the body to drain fluids or inject fluids.

Catheter care

Cleaning of a urinary catheter, washing, rinsing and drying at least 4 inches of the catheter, starting at the urinary meatus/opening and moving away from the meatus.

CC's in an ounce

30 CC's in one ounce. Milliliters (mL's are the same as CC's).

Central nervous system (CNS)

The part of the nervous system that is composed of the brain and spinal cord.

Charge nurse

Registered nurse or licensed practical nurse that supervises and supports nursing staff of a particular unit and treats a certain number of residents.

Chemical restraint

Using medications to control a person's mood or behavior.

Chemotherapy

Medication given, usually intravenously to fight cancer. Certain drug that destroys cancer cell and limit their growth, can be toxic to the body causing severe side effects, nausea, vomiting, hair loss, fatigue, and decreased resistance to infection.

Chest pain

Pain, tightness, or heaviness felt around the chest area.

Choking

A blockage of the upper airway/windpipe by food or other objects, which prevents a person from breathing effectively.

Chronic

A long-term health condition that may not have a cure.

Circulation

The movement of blood through the body's blood vessels and heart to allow for the transport of oxygen and nutrients throughout the body.

Circulatory system

The system that circulates blood through the body, consisting of the heart, blood vessels, and blood. Also called cardiovascular system.

Cleaning

The process of removing unwanted substances, such as dirt, infectious agents, and other impurities, from an object or environment.

Clear liquid diet

A diet that consists of foods that are clear (can see through it) and liquid at room temperature.

Clergy

Religious officials who perform religious services such as priests, ministers, or rabbis.

Cognitively impaired

A problem with a person's ability to think, learn, remember, use judgement, and make decisions.

Colostomy

Surgically created opening (stoma) through the abdomen into the large intestines to allow stool to be expelled.

Colostomy care

The process of changing, emptying, and cleaning a colostomy bag and cleaning the skin surrounding the stoma.

Coma

A state of prolonged unconsciousness in which a person is unable to respond.

Combative resident

A resident who is violent or hostile.

Communicable

A communicable disease is a contagious disease that can be transmitted to others.

Communication

The process of exchanging information with others by sending and receiving messages.

Competency evaluation

Another term for state exam for nursing assistants.

Conduct

How a person acts or behaves.

Confidentiality

The legal and ethical principle of keeping information private.

Conflict resolution

A way for two or more parties to find a peaceful solution to a disagreement among them.

Digestion

The process of breaking down food into particles that are small enough to be absorbed into the blood stream.

Dirty linen

Linens that have been used (bed sheets, towels, wash cloths).

Disease process

How the disease progresses.

Disinfection

The process of cleaning a surface or object with a chemical to eliminate most microorganisms including bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

Disoriented

Confused as to person, place, or time; out of touch with reality.