Vocab 4 Allied health

Insomnia

Lack of ability to fall or stay asleep

Bony Prominences

Areas of the body where the bone lies close to the skin.

Pressure Ulcer

Serious wound resulting from skin breakdown, also known as pressure sore, decubitus ulcer, or bed sore.

Affected Side

Weakened side of the body as a result of a stroke or injury, also called the weaker or involved side.

Halitosis

Bad breath

Edentulous

Having no teeth

Aspiration

Inhalation of food, fluid, or foreign material into the lungs; can cause pneumonia or death.

Dyspnea

Difficulty breathing

Tachypnea

Rapid breathing

Cheyne-Strokes

Alternating periods of slow, irregular breathing and rapid, shallow breathing.

Systolic

First measurement of blood pressure; phase where the heart is at work and blood is contracting and pushing through the left ventricle.

Diastolic

Second measurement of blood pressure; phase where the heart relaxes or rests.

Hypertension

High blood pressure, measuring 140/90 or higher.

Prehypertension

Condition in which someone has a systolic measurement of 120-139 mm Hg and a diastolic measurement of 80-89 mm Hg; indicates that the person does not have high blood pressure now but is likely to have it in the future.

Hypotension

Low blood pressure, measuring 100/60 or lower.

Oxygen Therapy

The administration of oxygen to increase the supply of oxygen to the lungs.

Oxygen Concentrator

Box like device that changes air in theroom into air with more oxygen

Nasal Cannula

A piece of plastic tubing that fits around the face and is secured by a strap that goes over the ears and around the back of the head.

Diuretics

Medications that reduce fluid volume in the body.

Puree

To chop, blend or grind food into a thick paste of baby food consistency.

Dysphagia

Difficulty swallowing

Fluid Balance

Taking in and eliminating equal amounts of fluid.

Force Fluids (FF)

Medical order to encourage a person to drink more fluids.

Restrict Fluids (RF)

Medical order to limit the amount of fluids a person drinks to the level set by the doctor.

NPO (nothing by mouth)

Medical order to withhold all foods and fluids taken orally.

Edema

Swelling caused by excess fluid in body tissues