Chapter 22 Nursing Terms

Alignment

Positioning and supporting the body so that all body parts are in the correct anatomical position.  

Anesthesia

The state of inability to feel sensation, especially the sensation of pain.  

Bed Cradle

A device placed on a bed to keep the top bed linens from contacting the legs and feet.  

Binders

Devices applied to hold dressings in place, provide support, apply pressure, or limit motion.

Catheter

A rubber, metal, or other type of tube that is passed into a body cavity and used for injecting or removing fluid.  

Clean Catch (Mid-Stream) Specimen

A urine specimen that is free from contamination. Have patient void in toilet, then catch urine (mid-stream) after the first amount of urine is wasted in toilet.  

Closed Beds

bed that is made following the discharge of a patient.  

Colostomy

An artificial opening to the colon, allows for evacuation of the feces 

Complete Bed Bath (CBB)

A procedure where the patient’s whole body is bathed while confined to the bed**.**   

Contracture

Tightening or shortening a muscle (we learned this in Anatomy class 😊) 

Dangling

positioning the patient in a sitting position with his or her feet and legs over the side of the bed prior to ambulation  

Defecate

to evacuate fecal material from the bowel; to have a bowel movement  

Dehydration

Insufficient amounts of fluids in the tissues. 

Edema

Swelling; excess amounts of fluids in the tissues  

Fan folding

folding in accordion pleats; done with bed linens.  

Ileostomy

A surgical opening connecting the ileum (small intestine) and the abdominal wall.   

Intake and Output (I&O)

Record that notes all fluids taken in or eliminated by a person in each period.  

Mechanical Lifts

Special devices used to transport patients.  

Micturate

emptying the bladder.  

Mitered Corners

used to hold the linen firmly in place, they are a special folding technique that secures the linen under the mattress. 

Montgomery Straps

adhesive strips applied when dressings need to be frequently changed at a surgical site.  

Occult Blood

hidden blood that is within the intestinal tract.  

Occupied Bed

A bed occupied by a patient.  

Open Bed

A bed not occupied by a patient.  

Operative Care

Care that is provided before, during and after surgical procedure.  

Oral Hygiene

Care for mouth and teeth  

Ostomy

Surgical procedure that creates an opening in your abdominal wall.  

Partial Bed Bath

Are given daily to maintain personal hygiene, it includes washing face, underarms, arms, and hands.  

Personal Hygiene

care of the body including bathing, hair, and nail care, shaving and oral hygiene.  

Postmortem care

care given to the body immediately after death.  

Postoperative Care

post=”after”, care provided to patients after surgery  

Pre-operative Care

pre= “before”, healthcare provided before surgery. This is a time when a pre-surgical checklist may be completed on the patient. Provider should be aware of any labs, medications, dietary restrictions needed prior to surgery.   

Pressure Ulcer

A pressure sore; a bedsore.  

Restraints

Restraints in a medical setting are devices that limit a patient's movement.  

Sequential Compression Device (SCD)

SCDs are a form of mechanical thromboprophylaxis (prevention of blood clots) with inflatable sleeves that are connected to a machine.  

Stoma

any opening in the body  

Stool Specimen

feces specimen examined by the laboratory, usually to check for ova and parasites and the presence of fats, microorganisms, and other abnormal substances.  

Surgical (elastic) hose

elastic or support hose used to support leg veins and increase circulation.  

24-hour urine specimen

A simple lab test that measures what’s in your urine over a 24-hour period. This is used to check kidney function. A special collection container is used for the full 24 hours.  

Ureterostomy

To drain the urine from the kidney to inside the bladder, an opening is made in one of the two ureters, where the ureter is then brought to the surface of the abdomen and urine begins to drain from the stoma \[opening\].  

Urinary-drainage unit

A plastic or rubber closed unit that attaches to the catheter to keep microorganisms from entering the catheter and prevent infection.  

Urinate

to expel urine from the bladder  

Urine Specimen

Common specimen, used for a variety of laboratory tests such as urinalysis.   

Void

To empty the bladder; urinate. 

Wound VAC

A medical device that applies negative pressure to a wound to promote healing and prevent infections.