Vocab Quiz

Body alignment

A position of the body in which the spine is not crooked or twisted.

Diagnostic

Pertaining to the identification of a disease or syndrome.

Discretion

The ability to know when to keep sensitive information private.

First aid

Emergency treatment given before regular medical services can be obtained.

Gross pay

The total amount of money earned in a pay period.

Incompetence

A lack of qualifications or ability to perform job tasks.

Integrity adherence

To ethical principles and professional standards.

Invasive procedure

A test or treatment that requires incisions to the skin or the insertion of instruments or other materials into the body.

Net pay

The amount of money received in a pay period after all deductions have been taken out; also known as take-home pay.

Noninvasive procedure

A test or treatment that does not require incisions to the skin or the insertion of instruments or other materials into the body.

Radiographers

Healthcare professionals who create medical images or treat diseases by passing radiation, such as X-rays or gamma rays, through an object.

Sonographers

Healthcare professionals who create medical images or treat diseases through the use of high-frequency sound waves.

Vital signs

The key measurements providing information about a person’s health, including temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure.

Bradycardia

Slow pulse less than 60 bpm.

Tachycardia

Fast pulse more than 100 bpm.

Tachypnea

Rapid, shallow breathing.

Dyspnea

Difficult or labored breathing.

Apnea

Periods of no respirations.

Blood Pressure

The force exerted by blood on the walls of the arteries as it circulates throughout the body.

Systolic

It measures blood pressure when the heart contracts.

Diastolic

It measures blood pressure between beats when the heart is relaxed.

Sphygmomanometer

Instrument for measuring manual blood pressure.

Hypertension

High blood pressure.

Hypotension

Low blood pressure.

Brachial artery

Main artery of the arm, the most common place to take blood pressure.

Apical Pulse

Heart contractions

Pulse Oximetry

A simple, painless test to determine how well the body is using oxygen.

Stethoscope

Instrument for listening to the action of someone's heart or breathing.

Auscultation

The use of a stethoscope to listen to sounds made by a patient’s internal organs.

Body mass index (BMI)

A method of relating weight to height used to define normal weight, overweight, and obesity.

Breach

Access, use, or disclosure of protected health information that compromises security or privacy.

Cultural competence

The ability to interact effectively with people of different cultures.

De-identified information

Health documents from which specified personal data has been removed.

Differential diagnosis

A determination made by a doctor that distinguishes a disease or condition from others with similar symptoms.

Inspection

Visual examination used to assess parts of the body for abnormal color, shape, size, or texture.

Medical diagnosis

A determination made by a doctor that identifies the cause of a patient’s illness.

Nursing diagnosis

The description of a client’s health problem that a nurse is licensed and competent to treat.

Palpation

A medical examination that uses touch to detect growths, changes in organ size, or tissue reactions.

Percussion

The process of tapping various body parts to assess the condition of internal organs.

Personal bias

An unfair preference for, or dislike of, something or someone.

Prejudice

A strong feeling or belief about a person or subject not based on reason or actual experience.

Sign

Evidence of a health condition that can be seen or measured.

Stereotype

The assumption that everyone in a particular group is the same.

Symptom

An indication of a disease or disorder experienced by the patient.

Telehealth

The use of electronic information and telecommunications technologies to support long-distance clinical healthcare.

Pulse rate

number of times heart beats per minute

respiration rate

number of breaths a person takes per minute

oral

mouth

temporal

forehead

axillary

armpit

tympanic

ear

rectum

rectal

radial pulse

pulse that is taken on the lower part of the arm

inspiration

the process of taking air into the lungs

expiration

the process of exhaling or breathing out