HESI Fundamentals Resource Guide – Core Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards summarizing foundational concepts for the HESI Fundamentals specialty exam. Each term provides a concise definition to reinforce key content areas: sleep, infection control, communication, cultural care, grief, elimination, ethics, fluids & electrolytes, hygiene, mobility, nursing process, nutrition, oxygenation, pain, safety, skin integrity, client education, and vital signs.

Alternating periods of NREM and REM sleep that repeat every 90-110 min.

Sleep Cycle

NREM Sleep

Non-rapid–eye-movement stages of restful, slow-wave sleep; body functions slow and repair occurs.

REM Sleep

Rapid-eye-movement stage marked by vivid dreams, cognitive restoration, and difficult arousal.

Insomnia

Persistent difficulty falling or staying asleep, or non-restorative sleep, despite adequate opportunity.

Sleep Apnea

Periodic cessation of airflow (>10 s) during sleep, causing hypoxia and daytime sleepiness.

Narcolepsy

Chronic neurologic disorder causing sudden, uncontrollable sleep attacks and possible cataplexy.

Hypersomnolence Disorder

Excessive daytime sleepiness despite adequate or prolonged nighttime sleep.

Physiologic Causes of Sleep Loss

Illness, pain, respiratory problems, urinary frequency, endocrine disorders, and nocturia.

Environmental Sleep Barriers

Noise, light, unfamiliar surroundings, and uncomfortable temperature that disrupt sleep.

Sleep-Promoting Nursing Actions

Cluster care, reduce noise, dim lights, offer warm drink, control pain, and limit fluids pre-bed.

Standard Precautions

Minimum infection-control actions applied to all clients regardless of diagnosis.

Transmission-Based Precautions

Additional infection controls (Contact, Droplet, Airborne) for known or suspected pathogens.

Healthcare-Associated Infection (HAI)

Infection acquired while receiving health care that was absent on admission.

Medical Asepsis

Clean technique aimed at reducing microorganisms through hand hygiene and barrier use.

Surgical Asepsis

Sterile technique that eliminates all microorganisms from an area.

Chain of Infection

Sequential process of pathogen → reservoir → portal of exit → mode of transmission → portal of entry → host.

Sterile Field

Designated work area free of microorganisms and maintained by specific rules.

Donning Sterile Gloves

Process of putting on sterile gloves without touching the outer surfaces.

Hand Hygiene

Most effective method to prevent spread of infection; includes handwashing and alcohol rub.

Therapeutic Communication

Purposeful use of conversation to build rapport and promote client well-being.

Open-Ended Question

Allows client to express feelings in own words; begins with "how" or "what."

Reflecting

Communication technique that directs feelings or questions back to the client for elaboration.

False Reassurance

Non-therapeutic response that minimizes concerns and blocks further communication.

Intrapersonal Communication

Self-talk that affects perception, feelings, and self-esteem.

Interpersonal Communication

Exchange of messages between two or more people.

Cultural Competence

Ability to deliver respectful, responsive care to people of diverse cultures.

Spiritual Distress

Impaired ability to experience meaning, hope, love, and peace.

Jehovah’s Witness Blood Belief

Clients refuse blood transfusions based on religious doctrine.

Interpreter Use

Certified medical translator required; avoid using family to ensure accuracy and privacy.

Kubler-Ross Stages

Five reactions to loss: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance.

Palliative Care

Interdisciplinary care that focuses on comfort and quality of life for serious illness.

Advance Directive

Legal document stating client’s treatment preferences if unable to communicate.

Post-Mortem Care

Respectful preparation of a deceased body, including hygiene, positioning, and identification.

Ostomy

Surgically created opening (stoma) for elimination of stool or urine.

Colostomy

Opening of colon to abdominal wall; stool more formed.

Ileostomy

Opening of ileum; stool liquid and continuous.

Constipation

Difficult or infrequent passage of hard, dry stool.

Fecal Impaction

Hardened mass of stool in rectum that cannot be expelled.

Diarrhea

Frequent passage of loose, watery stools causing fluid-electrolyte loss.

Occult Blood Test (Guaiac)

Bedside test detecting hidden blood in stool.

Urinary Retention

Inability to empty bladder completely, leading to distention.

Urinary Incontinence – Stress

Leakage of urine with increased intra-abdominal pressure (e.g., coughing).

Clean-Catch Urine

Midstream specimen collected after perineal cleansing for culture.

Foley Catheter

Indwelling urinary catheter with balloon for continuous drainage.

Bladder Training

Timed voiding and urge suppression to treat urge incontinence.

Ethical Autonomy

Right of clients to make their own health decisions.

Beneficence

Duty to promote good and act in client’s best interest.

Nonmaleficence

Obligation to do no harm.

Veracity

Ethical principle of telling the truth.

Informed Consent

Client’s voluntary agreement after receiving adequate information.

Negligence

Unintentional failure to provide reasonable care resulting in harm.

Assault

Threat of bodily harm causing fear.

Battery

Intentional touching without consent.

Mandatory Reporting

Legal requirement to report abuse and certain communicable diseases.

Fluid Volume Deficit (Dehydration)

Loss of water and electrolytes causing tachycardia, hypotension, dry mucosa.

Fluid Volume Excess

Excess water and sodium leading to edema, crackles, weight gain.

Hyponatremia

Serum sodium <135 mEq/L causing confusion, seizures, and nausea.

Hypernatremia

Serum sodium >145 mEq/L causing thirst, restlessness, and dry mucous membranes.

Hypokalemia

Serum potassium <3.5 mEq/L causing muscle weakness and dysrhythmias.

Hyperkalemia

Serum potassium >5.0 mEq/L producing peaked T waves and cardiac arrest risk.

Hypocalcemia

Serum calcium <9 mg/dL; positive Chvostek and Trousseau signs.

Hypercalcemia

Serum calcium >11 mg/dL leading to bone pain and kidney stones.

Hypomagnesemia

Serum magnesium <1.5 mg/dL causing hyperreflexia and seizures.

Isotonic IV Solution

Same osmolality as plasma; e.g., 0.9% NS used for fluid replacement.

Hypotonic IV Solution

Lower osmolality; shifts water into cells, e.g., 0.45% NS.

Hypertonic IV Solution

Higher osmolality; pulls water out of cells, e.g., 3% NS.

Infiltration

IV complication where fluid leaks into tissue causing swelling and coolness.

Phlebitis

Inflammation of vein presenting with warmth, redness, and cord-like vein.

Circulatory Overload

Excess IV fluid leading to hypertension, dyspnea, crackles, JVD.

Passive ROM

Nurse moves client’s joints through range to maintain mobility.

Logrolling

Turning the client while keeping spinal alignment, often after spinal surgery.

Gait Belt

Safety device placed around waist to assist with ambulation or transfer.

Sim’s Position

Semi-prone; client on left side with right knee flexed for enema or rectal exam.

Fowler’s Position

Head of bed elevated 45–60 degrees to improve ventilation.

Active ROM

Client performs joint movements independently to maintain strength.

Thrombophlebitis

Inflammation and clot of a vein, prevention includes leg exercises and TED stockings.

Nursing Process

Systematic method of assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, evaluation (ADPIE).

Primary Data Source

Information provided directly by the client.

Subjective Data

Symptoms or feelings reported by the client.

Objective Data

Observable, measurable signs obtained by nurse.

SMART Goal

Client outcome that is Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time-limited.

Clear Liquid Diet

Fluids that are transparent and leave no residue (broth, gelatin).

Full Liquid Diet

Clear liquids plus dairy products, pudding, and cream soups.

Parenteral Nutrition (TPN)

IV infusion of nutrients through central line when GI tract unusable.

Aspiration Precautions

Elevate HOB, thicken liquids, tuck chin when swallowing to prevent pneumonia.

Sputum Specimen

Expectorated or suctioned respiratory secretions collected for culture.

Chest Physiotherapy

Percussion, vibration, postural drainage to mobilize secretions.

Hypoxia Early Signs

Restlessness, tachycardia, anxiety, and hypertension.

Pulse Oximetry

Noninvasive measurement of arterial oxygen saturation; normal 95-100%.

Non-Rebreather Mask

Delivers 60-90% O₂ with reservoir bag that must remain inflated.

Opioid Analgesic

Morphine-like medication that binds mu/kappa receptors to relieve severe pain.

Patient-Controlled Analgesia (PCA)

Client-activated IV pump delivering preset opioid doses with lockout.

Non-Opioid Analgesic

NSAIDs or acetaminophen for mild-moderate pain and fever reduction.

Adjuvant Analgesic

Medication (e.g., antidepressant, anticonvulsant) enhancing pain control for neuropathic pain.

Pain Tolerance

Maximum pain a person is willing to endure before seeking relief.

Numeric Pain Scale

Client rates pain from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst).

Restraint

Physical or chemical device that limits client movement; requires ongoing assessment and order renewal.

RACE

Fire response mnemonic: Rescue, Alarm, Contain, Extinguish/Evacuate.

PASS

Fire extinguisher use: Pull pin, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep.

Fall Risk Factors

History of falls, age >65, gait deficit, confusion, incontinence, polypharmacy.