Learn: nursing voacb

Acuity

The level of severity of an illness, determining the type of hospital unit needed.

Altered Mental Status

Sudden or gradual changes in behavior and thinking, such as disorientation, confusion, or coma.

Acute

Having severe symptoms and a short course or duration.

Chronic

Persisting for a long time; indicates a disease showing slow progression over a long period.

Complication

A secondary disease or negative reaction occurring during the course of an illness and aggravating it.

Constrict

To narrow, make smaller, shrink, or contract (e.g., constricted pupils or vasoconstriction).

Dependent Position

A body part positioned lower than the heart, allowing gravity to pull fluids downward.

Dilate

To stretch or enlarge, such as pupils or the vascular system (vasodilation).

Elevate

Positioned higher than the heart; uses gravity to reduce swelling, improve venous return, and decrease bleeding.

End-Stage Disease

A disease that has reached an advanced stage with severe loss of function of the involved organs.

Emergent

Arising suddenly and unexpectedly, calling for quick clinical judgment and prompt action.

Exacerbate

To increase the severity of a disease or any of its signs and symptoms.

Generalized / Systemic

Spreading through or affecting the entire body rather than being localized.

Invasive vs. Non-Invasive

Invasive breaks the skin or enters a body cavity; non-invasive does not break the skin.

Healthcare Provider (HCP)

Licensed/certified professional with authority to prescribe medications and administer interventions (MD, NP, PA).

Hand-off Report

Shift-to-shift report given between the outgoing nurse and the oncoming nurse.

Level of Consciousness

An indication of nervous system functioning, ranging from alert to lethargic, obtunded, stuporous, and comatose.

Localized

Restricted or limited to a specific body part or region.

Manifestation

An objective sign or subjective symptom of a disease or illness.

Insidious

Progressing gradually with no obvious signs or symptoms until reaching a harmful stage.

Inpatient vs. Outpatient

Inpatient requires an overnight hospital stay for observation; outpatient does not require an overnight stay.

Perfusion

Blood flow through the vascular system to cells, tissues, and organs.

Parenteral

Administered by a route other than the GI tract (subQ, IM, IV); memory aid: parenteral = poke.

Stable vs. Unstable

Stable means patient data does not change substantially over time; unstable means critically ill or changing rapidly.

Triage Nurse

A nurse who screens patients, often in the ED, to determine relative priority for treatment.

Adventitious Breath Sounds

Abnormal breath sounds heard when auscultating the lungs with a stethoscope, such as crackles or wheezes.

Expectorate

To clear out the chest and lungs by coughing up and spitting out matter like phlegm or sputum.

Melena

Passage of black, tarry stool composed of blood, often indicating an upper GI bleed.

Ileus

A lack of movement or peristalsis of the intestines.

Angioedema

Swelling of the soft tissue, commonly in the face, lips, or tongue, associated with severe allergic reactions.

Jaundice

Yellowing of the skin, sclera, and mucous membranes due to bilirubin buildup, seen in liver failure.

Contraindicated

Means a drug or procedure should not be given or performed due to specific risks like allergies or organ failure.

Taper or Wean

To gradually reduce or decrease the dosage of a medication over time.

MAR (Medication Administration Record)

The legal electronic or paper record of drugs administered to a patient in a healthcare facility.

Dys- (Prefix)

Prefix meaning 'difficult' or 'bad' (e.g., dyspnea, dysphagia).

-itis (Suffix)

Suffix meaning 'inflammation' (with the exception of osteoarthritis).

-penia (Suffix)

Reduction in number, such as thrombocytopenia (reduced platelet count).

-algia (Suffix)

Refers to pain, such as neuralgia (nerve-based pain).

Brady- vs. Tachy- (Prefixes)

Brady- means slow and tachy- means fast (e.g., bradycardia and tachycardia).

-centesis (Suffix)

A surgical puncture to remove fluid, such as thoracentesis or paracentesis.

Supra- (Prefix)

Means above, such as supraventricular (above the ventricles of the heart).

-uria (Suffix)

Means 'in the urine', such as oliguria, hematuria, or proteinuria.

A- or An- (Prefix)

Means 'absence, lack of, or not', such as anemia or asymptomatic.

High vs. Low Fowler's Positions

High Fowler's is head at 90 degrees; Low Fowler's is 15-30 degrees.

Trendelenburg Position

Toes up in the air, positioned above the level of the head.

Prone vs. Supine

Prone means lying face down; supine means lying face up.

Medial, Proximal, & Distal

Medial is toward midline; proximal is closer to trunk; distal is farther away.

s/s

Abbreviation for signs and symptoms.

c/o

Abbreviation for complains of.

r/t

Abbreviation for related to.

N/V/D

Abbreviation for nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.

ROM

Range of motion (AROM = active, PROM = passive).

Colicky

Pain that comes and goes abruptly; used to describe cramping pain.

Clammy

Cool and moist skin sensation.

Frothy

Often used to describe sputum mixed with air (foamy, bubbled).

Bottom-line

The most important thing to know, learn, or remember; the main point.