Nursing Fundamentals: Hygiene, Mobility, Nutrition, and Elimination

Vocabulary flashcards reviewing clinical nursing concepts covering hygiene, activity and mobility, nutritional diets, and bowel elimination.

Caries

Decayed teeth or cavities resulting from bacterial plaque buildup that destroys enamel.

Plaque

An invisible bacterial film that builds up on teeth and destroys enamel.

Gingivitis

Inflammation of the gingiva, the tissue surrounding the gums.

Tartar

Hard deposits formed along gum lines when plaque and bacteria accumulate.

Periodontal Disease

Inflammation of the gums that degenerates the gums and supporting bone structure.

Halitosis

A strong odor or bad taste in the mouth, which serves as the first sign of periodontal disease.

Stomatitis

Inflammation of the oral mucosa caused by bacteria or viruses; symptoms include pain and halitosis.

Glossitis

Inflammation of the tongue caused by deficiencies in vitamins, folic acid, or iron.

Cheilosis

Ulceration and scaling of the lips at the corners of the mouth, caused by Streptococcal infection, vitamin/iron deficiency, or skin irritation.

Cerumen

Wax produced in the ear canal that protects the ear canal, though impaction can cause hearing loss.

Alopecia

The absence or loss of hair, which is more common in men and can be caused by pregnancy, chemotherapy, disease, or toxicity.

Pediculosis Capitis

Parasitic lice infestation affecting the hair and scalp.

Pediculosis Corporis

Parasitic lice infestation affecting the body.

Phthirus Pubis

Parasitic lice infestation affecting the pubic hair.

Nits

White or gray lice eggs attached to a hair strand that resemble dandruff but cannot be shaken off.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate (CHG) Bath

A bathing method using CHG added to water or pre-moistened wipes to reduce skin pathogens and healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).

Moisture-Associated Skin Damage (MASD)

Perineal dermatitis and skin inflammation caused by prolonged exposure to moisture, such as urine, stool, or perspiration.

Hematopoiesis

The process of blood cell production occurring within the red bone marrow of the skeletal system.

Long Bones

Bones that contribute to body height and limb length, such as the humerus and femur.

Flat Bones

Thin bones that contribute to structural shape and body protection, such as the ribs and skull bones.

Irregular Bones

Bones with complex shapes that do not fit long, short, or flat classifications, such as the jaw and spinal vertebrae.

Contractures

Permanent contraction and shortening of muscles resulting from disuse and prolonged immobility.

Atelectasis

The collapse of alveoli causing partial or full lung collapse, caused by shallow breathing, pain, and bedrest during immobility.

Venous Stasis

Stagnation of blood flow in the lower extremity veins due to reduced calf-muscle pump activity during immobility, raising DVT risk.

Flaccidity

Decreased muscle tone resulting from muscle disuse or neurologic impairments.

Spasticity

Increased muscle tone causing muscle stiffness that interferes with body movement.

Synarthrosis

An immovable fibrous joint, such as the sutures between skull bones.

Amphiarthrosis

A slightly moveable cartilaginous joint, such as the articulation between vertebrae.

Diarthrosis

A freely moveable synovial joint, such as a ball-and-socket joint.

Active ROM

Joint movement performed independently by the patient without assistance.

Passive ROM

Joint movement performed by a nurse or caregiver when the patient is unconscious, paralyzed, or unable to move the joint independently.

Isometric Exercise

Muscle contraction occurring without joint movement or change in muscle length, such as quadriceps drills.

Isotonic Exercise

Exercise involving muscle shortening and active movement, such as walking, swimming, or aerobics.

Isokinetic Exercise

Exercise involving muscle movement against continuous resistance, such as weight lifting or continuous passive motion (CPM) machines.

Quadriceps Drill

An isometric exercise where the patient tightens the quadriceps muscle, holds the contraction, and relaxes without moving the knee joint.

Ligaments

Tough, fibrous bands of connective tissue that connect bones to other bones or cartilage.

Tendons

Strong, flexible, inelastic fibrous bands or flattened sheets of connective tissue that attach muscle to bone.

Cartilage

Shock-absorbing connective tissue that provides a smooth articulate surface to reduce joint friction.

Postural Tonus

Sustained partial contractions of skeletal muscles that hold the body in an upright position against gravity.

Paresis

Impaired muscle strength or partial weakness.

Paralysis

Absence of muscle strength secondary to nervous system impairment.

Safe Patient Handling and Mobility (SPHM)

The practice of adjusting work environments and using mechanical lift equipment to prevent musculoskeletal back injuries in healthcare workers.

Torticollis

A neck deformity characterized by lateral deviation and tilting of the head.

Lordosis

An exaggerated inward curvature of the lumbar spine.

Kyphosis

An increased backward convex curvature of the thoracic spine.

Scoliosis

A lateral S-shaped deviation of the spine.

Achondroplasia

A congenital disorder involving premature ossification of long bones, causing dwarfism.

Paget's Disease

A skeletal disorder characterized by excessive bone destruction and abnormal remodeling leading to structural pain.

Osteoarthritis (DJD)

A noninflammatory degenerative joint disease affecting weight-bearing joints, characterized by loss of articular cartilage and bone spur formation.

Myasthenia Gravis

An abnormality at the neuromuscular junction causing rapid muscle fatigue and weakness of skeletal muscles.

Clear Liquid Diet

A diet consisting strictly of foods that are transparent liquids at room temperature, such as broth, water, pulp-free juice, Pedialyte, black coffee, and plain Jell-O.

Full Liquid Diet

A diet that permits all clear liquids plus opaque liquids like milk, ice cream, pudding, yogurt, custard, and smooth cream soups.

Mechanical Soft Diet

A diet composed of soft, easy-to-chew foods like pancakes, oatmeal, scrambled eggs, and chopped meats, used to transition from a pureed diet.

Salem Sump Tube

A double-lumen nasogastric tube (14-18 French, 120 cm long) used for stomach decompression and irrigation; features a blue vent port left open to air.

Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN)

Hypertonic nutritional support delivered intravenously through a central line for patients with a nonfunctional gastrointestinal tract.

Hypostatic Pneumonia

A pulmonary infection caused by the stasis or pooling of bronchial secretions in patients lying flat or immobile over prolonged periods.

Cascade Iatrogenesis

A downward spiral sequence of adverse clinical events triggered by an initial medical or nursing intervention in a frail older adult.

Sentinel Event

An unexpected healthcare event resulting in death or serious physical/psychological injury, such as a severe fracture from an in-hospital fall.

Sequential Compression Device (SCD)

An inflatable sleeve wrapped around a patient's legs that sequentially inflates and deflates to promote venous return and prevent DVT.

Anti-Embolism Stockings (TED Hose)

Elastic stockings that exert graduated compression on leg veins to increase venous velocity, promote return, and prevent blood pooling.

Dangling

Having a patient sit on the edge of the bed with feet hanging down prior to standing to assess balance and check for orthostatic hypotension.

Dependent Oral Care Positioning

Positioning an unconscious or dependent patient side-lying (lateral) with the head turned to side and HOB elevated to prevent fluid aspiration.

R.A.C.E. Mnemonic

Fire safety protocol order: Rescue anyone in immediate danger, Activate fire code, Confine fire by closing doors/windows, Evacuate to safe area.

R.I.C.E. Mnemonic

Treatment protocol for acute musculoskeletal injury: Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation.

Post Mortem Care

Anatomical positioning, placement of identification tags, and respectful care provided to a deceased client's body and supporting family.