Nursing Terminology

ad lib

as desired

alert

Referring to a state in which an individual is awake and appropriately answers all questions

ambulate

Walk; move about

anemic

someone who has a decreased number of red blood cells

anorexia

an obsessive fear of gaining weight in which a person refuses to eat

aphasia

impairment of language, usually caused by left hemisphere damage either to Broca's area (impairing speaking) or to wernicke's area (impairing understanding)

asepsis

the process of removing pathogenic microorganisms or protecting against infection by such organisms

atrophy

any weakening or degeneration (especially through lack of use)

b.i.d.

twice a day

BM

bowel movement

bradycardia

abnormally slow heartbeat

bradypnea

slow respiratory rate, usually below 10 respirations per minute

c (with overline)

with

CBC

complete blood count

c/o

complains of

cyanosis

a bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes

defecate

have a bowel movement

diaphoresis

Excessive sweating

diastolic

the blood pressure during that part of the heartbeat when the hearts venticles are relaxing

discharge

eliminate (substances) from the body

disoriented

Confused as to time or place; out of touch

distention

A condition of being stretched, inflated, or larger than normal

dorsal

pertaining to the back

dysphagia

condition in which swallowing is difficult or painful

dysplasia

abnormal development or growth of cells, tissues, or organs

dyspnea

difficult or labored respiration

dysuria

painful or difficult urination

ECG/EKG

electrocardiogram

edema

swelling caused by excess fluid in the body tissues

emesis

vomiting

epistaxis

nosebleed

excretion

the process by which wastes are removed from the body

expectorate

discharge (phlegm or sputum) from the lungs and out of the mouth

feces

solid excretory product evacuated from the bowels

flatus

gas in the digestive tract or expelled through the anus

gait

manner of walking

hematemesis

vomiting blood

hematuria

the presence of blood in the urine

hemoccult

Test which determines bleeding in the GI tract

hemoptysis

coughing up blood from the respiratory tract

hs

hour of sleep, bedtime

hyperplasia

abnormal increase in number of cells

hypertension

a common disorder in which blood pressure remains abnormally high (a reading of 140/90 mm Hg or greater)

hypertrophy

abnormal enlargement of a body part or organ

hypotension

abnormally low blood pressure

incontinence

involuntary urination or defecation

inflammation

condition defined by redness, swelling, pain, and warmth

jaundice

yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes caused by an accumulation of bile pigment (bilirubin) in the blood

lateral

Away from the midline of the body

lesion

any visible change in tissue resulting from injury or disease

LLQ

left lower quadrant

LMP

last menstrual period

mass

a body of matter without definite shape

medial

toward the midline of the body

medical asepsis

practices used to remove or destroy pathogens and to prevent their spread from one person or place to another person or place; clean technique

nausea

an upset stomach that makes a person feel like vomiting

NIDDM

mild form of diabetes mellitus that develops gradually in adults

NKA

no known allergies

NPO

nothing by mouth

nocturia

Excessive urination during the night

OOB

out of bed

orthopnea

ability to breathe only in an upright position

palpitation

A noticeably rapid, strong, or irregular heartbeat due to agitation, exertion, or illness

paresthesia

abnormal sensation of numbness and tingling without objective cause

PRN

as needed

prone

lying face downward

pruritis

severe itching

purulent

producing or containing pus

RBC

red blood cells

R/O

This part of a patients medical record means to rule out. Used to indicate a differential diagnosis when one or more diagnoses are suspected.

ROM

range of motion

RUQ

Right upper quadrant

s with a line above it

without

secretion

Release of a substance by exocytosis from a cell that may be a gland or part of a gland

sta

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