Lecture Notes Review: Nutrition, Hygiene, Sleep, Safety, and Mobility (Chapters 15, 17-19, 23-26)

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering nutrition, hygiene, sleep, patient safety, and mobility concepts from Chapters 15, 17-19, 23-26.

Nutrition

The process by which the body uses food for growth, energy, and maintenance.

Malnutrition

A state of undernutrition or overnutrition resulting in deficiencies or excess that impairs health.

At-risk populations for malnutrition

Groups especially vulnerable to malnutrition (e.g., infants, children, pregnant/lactating women, elderly, chronically ill, and low-income individuals).

Vegetarian diet

A diet that excludes meat and may include dairy, eggs, or both; emphasizes plant-based protein sources.

Diabetic diet

A diet planned to manage blood glucose with attention to carbohydrate consistency and overall balance.

Pregnancy diet

Nutrition plan with increased needs for nutrients like folic acid, iron, calcium, and protein.

Vitamins

Organic micronutrients required in small amounts for normal metabolism; categorized as water-soluble or fat-soluble.

Minerals

Inorganic elements essential for body functions, growth, and health.

Water-soluble vitamins

Vitamins B and C that are not stored extensively in the body and are excreted in urine.

Fat-soluble vitamins

Vitamins A, D, E, and K that are stored in fat tissues and liver.

Sodium (Na)

Major extracellular cation; maintains fluid balance, nerve/ muscle function.

Potassium (K)

Major intracellular cation; regulates fluid balance, nerve/muscle activity.

Chloride (Cl)

Extracellular anion; helps maintain osmotic pressure and acid-base balance.

Calcium (Ca)

Bone and teeth mineral; important for nerve transmission and muscle contraction.

Phosphorus (P)

Bone mineral; involved in energy metabolism (ATP) and cell function.

Iodine (I)

Essential for synthesis of thyroid hormones that regulate metabolism.

Iron (Fe)

Part of hemoglobin; enables oxygen transport in blood.

Magnesium (Mg)

Cofactor for many enzymes; supports muscle and nerve function.

Zinc (Zn)

Supports immune function, wound healing, and enzymatic activity.

Diet history components

Information collected to assess nutrition: usual intake, 24-hour recall, portion sizes, meal patterns, and food prep habits.

Objective data in nutritional assessment

Measurable data such as weight, height, BMI, and physical signs of nutritional status.

Hemoglobin & hematocrit

Hemoglobin measures blood’s oxygen-c carrying capacity; hematocrit is the proportion of red blood cells in blood.

Serum albumin

A blood protein used as an indicator of nutritional status and protein intake.

Anorexia (education for clients)

Loss of appetite or reduced desire to eat; education includes strategies to stimulate intake and monitor weight.

Nausea relief methods

Nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic strategies (e.g., small, frequent meals, ginger, hydration; antiemetics as prescribed).

Vomiting management

Approaches to care for vomiting: positioning, oral hygiene, fluid replacement, antiemetics as needed.

Feeding assistance for clients with special needs

Techniques to support safe feeding for visually impaired or cognitively impaired clients (e.g., guided cues, simplified steps).

Hygiene importance

Good hygiene reduces infection risk, supports comfort, and contributes to overall health.

Integumentary system functions

Protects the body, regulates temperature, provides sensation, and aids in vitamin D synthesis and immune defense.

Dental hygiene importance

Prevents dental disease and contributes to overall health and nutrition.

Bathing safety

Preventing slips, burns, and temperature-related injuries during bathing.

Bathing procedures

Step-by-step process for assisting a client with bathing while maintaining dignity and safety.

Aging changes to integumentary and bathing

Thinning skin, decreased elasticity, slower wound healing, and increased dryness with age.

Shaving safety measures

Use electric razor or safety techniques; monitor anticoagulant use and skin integrity.

Geriatric hygiene considerations

Adaptations for limited mobility, sensory changes, and chronic conditions in older adults.

Sleep function

Restoration, memory consolidation, metabolism regulation, and energy conservation.

Consequences of sleep deprivation

Impaired concentration, mood disturbances, weakened immunity, and metabolic effects.

Sleep cycle (big picture)

Interconnected NREM and REM stages that repeat in cycles throughout the night.

Factors affecting sleep quality

Environment, routines, stress, caffeine, medications, pain, and medical conditions.

Interventions to enhance sleep quality

Regular schedule, comfortable environment, relaxation techniques, and stimulus control.

Insomnia

Persistent difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep or nonrestorative sleep.

Sleep apnea

Breathing interruptions during sleep, often leading to daytime sleepiness.

Narcolepsy

Neurological disorder with excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden sleep attacks.

Parasomnia

A group of disruptive sleep-related events (e.g., sleepwalking, night terrors).

Techniques to promote rest and sleep

Comfort measures, pain management, relaxation, and minimizing nighttime disruptions.

National Patient Safety Goals (NPSG)

Safety targets established to improve patient care and reduce risk of harm.

Age-related safety factors

Risks that increase with age (falls, burns, infection, cognitive changes) and corresponding education.

Latex-containing items in hospital

Common items such as gloves and medical devices that may contain latex; important for allergy precautions.

Nursing interventions for latex allergy

Use nonlatex gloves and equipment; implement allergy precautions and avoid latex exposure.

Burn prevention techniques

Strategies to reduce burn risk (scald prevention, safe handling of heat sources, protection of skin).

Fire Management (RACE)

Rescue, Alarm, Confine, Extinguish in case of fire.

Using a fire extinguisher (PASS)

Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep to extinguish a fire.

Smoke inhalation symptoms

Cough, chest pain, soot in sputum, confusion; requires immediate assessment and oxygen.

Carbon monoxide symptoms

Headache, dizziness, fatigue, nausea; CO poisoning risk with poor ventilation.

CO poisoning prevention

Proper ventilation and CO detectors to prevent exposure.

Drowning prevention

Supervision, barriers, life jackets, swimming skills, and safety measures.

Electrical shock prevention

Water-free environments, GFCIs, grounding, and safe appliance use.

Poisoning prevention

Safe storage, labeling, and childproofing; education on toxic substances.

Poisoning treatment

Immediate actions (calling poison control, emergency care) and antidotes when appropriate.

Falls prevention

Environmental modifications, assistive devices, exercise, and proper footwear.

Contributing factors to falls

Weakness, medications, vision impairment, clutter, and hazards in the environment.

Restraints (physical vs chemical)

Physical restraints limit movement; chemical restraints involve sedative medications.

Applying restraints process

Order, assessment, monitoring, and documentation with safety considerations.

Dangers of restraints

Injury, decreased circulation, aspiration, and psychological harm; requires careful use and monitoring.

Disuse syndrome

Decline in physical function due to inactivity or immobilization.

Anatomic position

Standard reference position: standing upright, arms at sides, palms forward.

Base of support

Area of contact between the body and the supporting surface; wider base offers more stability.

Contractures

Permanent joint stiffness or shortening from prolonged immobilization.

Functional mobility

Ability to move and perform tasks needed for daily living.

Functional position

A position that promotes comfort and functional movement for daily activities.

Neutral position

Thumbs and wrists in alignment with forearms, minimal strain.

Prone position

Body face down; used for certain procedures or rest.

Fowler position

Semi-upright seated posture for comfort or respiratory support.

Lateral oblique position

Body tilted to one side at an angle to aid drainage or comfort.

Lateral position

Side-lying posture.

Sims position

Left side-lying with a knee drawn up; used for certain exams and procedures.

Supine position

Flat on the back; common initial positioning.

Trendelenburg position

Body laid supine with head lower than feet; used for specific medical effects.

Consequences of inactivity

Muscle atrophy, joint stiffness, reduced circulation, and deconditioning.

Foot drop

Inability to dorsiflex the foot due to nerve/muscle weakness; prevent with ROM, braces, and proper positioning.

Dangling

Sitting on the edge of the bed with legs dependent before standing to transition safely.

Technique for dangling

Supportive positioning, gradual weight shift, monitor blood pressure and dizziness.

Geriatric ambulation aids

Devices like canes, walkers, and crutches used to assist mobility in older adults.

Cane use

A mobility aid providing support; proper height and gait guidance are essential.

Walker use

A four-point device offering stability; correct fit and safe gait pattern important.

Crutches use

Assistive devices that require proper fit, weight-bearing instructions, and axillary protection.

Fitness exercise

Structured activity to improve health and physical fitness.

Isotonic exercise

Muscle contraction with movement; generates force with joint motion.

Aerobic exercise

Rhythmic, continuous activity using large muscle groups to improve endurance.

Isometric exercise

Muscle contraction without visible movement of the joint.

Isokinetic exercise

Muscle contractions with controlled speed using specialized equipment.

Active vs passive exercise

Active: patient performs movements; passive: caregiver performs movements for patient.

Flexion

Decrease in the angle between two bones at a joint.

Extension

Increase in the angle between two bones at a joint.

Hyperextension

Excessive extension beyond the normal range of motion.

Abduction

Movement away from the midline of the body.

Adduction

Movement toward the midline of the body.

Rotation (external vs internal)

Turning a body part around its axis; external rotates away from midline, internal toward midline.

Circumduction

Circular movement combining flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction.

Pronation

Palm facing downward or posterior when in anatomical position.