health science eoc

Assessment

A systematic process in health care used to gather and analyze information about a patient's condition

Objective Data

Results of diagnostic tests, measurements, and observations made by health care professionals

Subjective Data

Information gathered directly from the patient, including feelings and symptoms that cannot be measured (eg, pain, nausea)

Licensure

A government-issued permission for an individual to legally practice a health care profession after meeting certain requirements

Primary Responsibility of Local Health Departments

Prevent disease, promote health, and protect the community through education and services

Complementary Medicine

Health care approaches used together with traditional medicine (eg, using acupuncture along with physical therapy)

Palliative Care

Specialized medical care focused on relief from symptoms and stress of serious illness, aiming to improve quality of life

Assisted Living

Residential facility for people who need help with daily activities but not constant medical care

Cardiac Care Unit (CCU)

Special hospital unit for patients with serious heart conditions

Continuing Care Community

Offers a range of services from independent living to nursing care

Emergency Room (ER)

Provides immediate treatment for acute illnesses and trauma

General Unit

Hospital unit for patients who need standard medical or surgical care

Hospice

Care for terminally ill patients, focusing on comfort and quality of life

Intensive Care Unit (ICU)

Specialized unit for critically ill patients requiring constant monitoring

Intermediate Care Facility

Provides care for individuals who are not independent but don't need full nursing home care

Transitional Care Unit

For patients needing recovery time after hospitalization before returning home

Psychiatric Hospital

Facility for treatment of mental illness and emotional disorders

Rehab Unit / Hospital

Offers therapies (physical, occupational, speech) to help patients recover function

Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF)

Provides 24-hour nursing care and rehabilitation services

Acupuncture

Traditional Chinese technique using thin needles at specific body points to relieve pain or treat conditions

Chiropractic

Focuses on diagnosing and treating mechanical disorders of the spine and musculoskeletal system, often through spinal adjustments

Holistic Medicine

Treats the whole person (mind, body, spirit), not just the symptoms

Homeopathy

Based on the belief that small, diluted doses of natural substances stimulate the body’s healing

Massage Therapy

Manipulation of soft tissues to relieve pain, reduce stress, and promote wellness

Osteopathy

Uses manual therapy to treat and strengthen the musculoskeletal framework, often involving joints and muscles

Reflexology

Application of pressure to specific points on the feet, hands, or ears believed to correspond with different body organs

Therapeutic Touch

A practice involving the therapist passing hands over the patient's body to promote healing (without physical contact)

Do all ethical dilemmas have clear answers?

No, ethical dilemmas often involve complex decisions without clear right or wrong answers

Importance of Code of Ethics

Guides professionals in making responsible and morally sound decisions in patient care

Euthanasia

The act of deliberately ending a person's life to relieve suffering; controversial and regulated differently across regions

Respecting Patient Autonomy

Essential in health care; patients have the right to refuse or decline treatment, and this decision must be honored

Implied Consent

Assumed consent, such as a patient extending their arm for a blood draw

HIPAA

Protects patients' medical records and personal health information from unauthorized access or disclosure

Advance Directive

Legal document expressing a patient's wishes regarding medical treatment in case they become unable to communicate

Agent

A person authorized to make medical decisions on behalf of the patient

Assault

Threat or attempt to harm someone

Battery

Physical contact or treatment without consent

Breach of Contract

Failure to fulfill a legal agreement

Confidentiality

Obligation to keep patient information private

Contract

A legally binding agreement

Defamation of Character

False statements that harm a person’s reputation

Durable Power of Attorney

Legal document assigning someone to make healthcare decisions if the patient is unable

Express Consent

Clearly stated agreement, either verbally or in writing

False Imprisonment

Holding someone against their will without legal justification

Fraud

Deliberate deception for personal gain

Informed Consent

Patient gives permission after being fully educated on procedures and risks

Libel

Written false information that damages reputation

Living Will

Document stating what medical treatments a person does or doesn’t want at end of life

Slander

Spoken defamation

Human Development

Refers to both physical and emotional development across a lifespan

Erikson’s Theory

Based on psychosocial development, where each life stage involves overcoming a specific conflict to develop a healthy personality

Health Care and Dying Patients

Professionals should offer comfort, listen compassionately, and support emotional needs—sometimes just being present and listening is most important

Infancy (0–1 year)

Trust vs Mistrust

Toddler (1–3 years)

Autonomy vs Shame and Doubt

Preschooler (3–6 years)

Initiative vs Guilt

School-Aged Child (6–12 years)

Industry vs Inferiority

Adolescence (12–18 years)

Identity vs Role Confusion

Young Adult (18–40 years)

Intimacy vs Isolation

Middle Adult (40–65 years)

Generativity vs Stagnation

Later Adult (65+ years)

Integrity vs Despair

Most Workplace Injuries

Result from improper body mechanics, especially back injuries from lifting

Ergonomic Supports Examples

Adjustable chairs, proper keyboard placement, lifting devices

Proper Lifting Technique

Use leg muscles, not the back Keep the object close to your body and avoid twisting

Immune Response

The body recognizes pathogens and activates white blood cells to destroy them (eg, through antibodies)

Parasites

Microorganisms that harm a host while benefiting themselves

Viruses

Infectious agents that need a host to reproduce and are hard to treat since they’re not killed by antibiotics

Standard Precautions

Should be followed with all patients, regardless of diagnosis

Pathogen

A microorganism that causes disease

Normal Flora

Microorganisms that normally live in and on the body and usually don't cause harm

Opportunistic Infection

Infections that occur when the immune system is weakened

Aerobic

Microorganisms that require oxygen to live

Antiseptic

Substance used on skin to reduce microorganisms (eg, hand sanitizer)

Disinfectant

Chemical used to kill microorganisms on non-living surfaces

Sterilization

Process that kills all forms of microbial life, including spores

Nosocomial Infection

Infection acquired in a healthcare facility

Unfamiliar Procedure?

Inform your supervisor Never perform a procedure you are not trained or licensed to do

Fire Extinguisher Use

Aim at- The base of the fire

ABC Fire Extinguisher Advantage

Works on Class A (ordinary), B (flammable liquids), and C (electrical) fires—most versatile

MSDS (Now SDS)

Safety Data Sheets provide vital safety information for handling chemicals, including hazards, precautions, and emergency procedures

Who Gets Treated First?

Patients with life-threatening but potentially survivable conditions (eg, severe bleeding, airway obstruction) are treated before minor injuries

Closed-Toe Shoes

Protect against spills, sharps, and injuries

Limit Perfume

Patients may have allergies or sensitivities

Tie Back Hair

Prevents contamination and keeps vision clear

Simple Jewelry

Reduces infection risk and prevents snagging on equipment

Proper Dental Hygiene

Essential for professional appearance and to avoid offensive breath in close interactions

Dealing with Prejudices

Recognize and actively challenge your biases

Culture

A shared set of beliefs, values, customs, and behaviors of a group

Disrespectful Behavior

Making assumptions or generalizations based on a patient’s race, culture, or background

Western Medicine

Focuses on diagnosis and treatment with scientifically proven methods (eg, surgery, medications)

Complementary

Used with conventional medicine (eg, massage + chemo)

Alternative

Used instead of conventional care (eg, herbal remedies instead of prescription meds)

Physiological

Food, water, sleep

Safety & Security

Shelter, job stability, health insurance

Love / Affection

Friendships, family bonds

Esteem

Achievement, recognition

Self-Actualization

Personal growth, fulfilling potential

Successful Communication

Occurs when the message is understood by the receiver as intended

Most Important Oral Skill

Active listening—showing you truly hear and understand the patient

Written Communication

Needs to be carefully organized because it is permanent, can be referenced, and misinterpretations can have serious consequences

Patient Charting Process

Document accurately, legibly, and timely Use objective data (what you observe) and subjective data (what the patient says)