Chapter 1: Patient Care Terms and Definitions

Learning Objectives

-Perform CLIA-waived laboratory procedures.

-Identify abnormal patient values for triage purposes.

-Obtain patient vital signs using manual and automatic devices.

-Administer medications.

-Explain the phlebotomy procedure to be performed on the patient.

-Review the requisition for testing requirements and patient identity.

-Determine the venipuncture site accessibility based on patient age and condition.

-Verify patient compliance with testing requirements.

-Prepare the patient for monitoring.

acromial process

the outermost point of the spine of the shoulder blade

anthropometric measurements

set of techniques for determining an individual's body fat composition by measuring and recording dimensions of the body such as height and weight

aorta

the main trunk of the systemic arteries

antecubital fossa

the triangular cavity on the anterior section of the arm opposite the elbow

aseptic

free from pathogenic micro-organisms

autoclave

an instrument that sterilizes equipment and supplies by high pressure saturated steam

axillary

the area on the human body under the joint that connects the arm to the shoulder

brachial artery

the major artery of the upper arm

Bradycardia

a slow heart rate

biohazard bag

A container designed to collect any biological waste or product that has been contaminated with biological waste

bronchodilators

A substance that dilates the bronchi in the lungs decreasing resistance in the respiratory airways

celsius

a scale for measuring temperature (SI unit)

cerumen

A yellow waxy substance secreted by the ear canal

cidex

a disinfectant and sterilization product of alkaline glutaraldehyde

conjunctiva

a clear mucous membrane that covers the inner surface of the eyelid and the white part of the eyeball

cyanotic

appearance of blue or purple skin

diastolic/diastole

The period of time when the heart fills with blood after contraction

deltoid

muscle of the shoulder

EKG

test that records the electrical activity of the heart

Fahrenheit

temperature scale is commonly used in the United States

hemorrhoids

external or internal swollen veins in the anal canal

Holter monitor

a device that measures a patient's cardiac activity over a period of time

hypertension

high blood pressure

hypertensive crisis

a severe increase in blood pressure which could result in stroke

inner canthus

corner of the eye where the upper and lower eyelids meet

intradermal injection

injection within or between the layers of skin

intramuscular injection

injection of a substance directly into the muscle

nebulizer

a device that administers medication in a mist form

OSHA

Occupational Safety and Health Administration, a government agency in the Department of Labor to maintain a safe and healthy work environment

otoscope

a device used to look into the ears

palpate

to examine by touch

parenteral medication

medication administered by injecting directly into the body

pediatrics

Branch of medicine dealing with the care of infants, children, and adolescents

prehypertension

a state of having a high normal BP with the potential for developing high BP

pulmonary artery

Artery that carries oxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs

respirations

vital sign assessment of observing the number of times the chest rises in 1 minute

Sharps container

a puncture-proof container designed specifically to safely dispose of needles, scales, and other sharp disposable medical instruments

Sims' position

lying on the left side with right knee sharply bent and resting on the exam table

Snellen charts

chart used to determine visual acuity

sphygmomanometer

instrument to measure blood pressure

spirometer

device that measures the volume of air inhaled and exhaled from the lungs

stethoscope

A device for listening to the internal sounds of the body

subcutaneous injection

an injection of solution below the skin, into the subcutaneous tissue

supine position

patient lies on his or her back

suture

A stitch used to hold tissue together

systolic/systole

the contraction of the heart

Tachycardia

an abnormally fast heartbeat

Temporal artery

a major artery of the head, under the skin of the forehead

topical

applied to surface of skin

transdermal patch

adhesive patch placed on the skin to administer medication

tympanic membrane

thin membrane that separates the external ear from the middle ear (ear drum)

ventricles

two large chambers that collect blood from the atria and expel blood to the entire body or to the lungs

venipuncture

drawing blood from the vein

vital signs

measurements observed, measured and monitored to check patient's level of physical function