patient care tech vocab

incontinence

lack of voluntary control of urination and bowel movements

void

to urinate

hemorrhoid

swollen and weakened veins or groups of veins commonly found in the anal region

emesis

vomited material

perineal

area from urethra to anus

ROM

range of motion

aspiration

inadvertent inhalation of fluid or other substances into the lungs

NPO

nothing by mouth

dysphagia

difficulty swallowing

fasting

not eating for a particular amount of time

postprandial

after a meal

contraindication

reason to withhold certain medical treatment

enema

instillation of fluid into the rectum to expel the contents of the bowels

ambulate

to walk

prosthetic

a device designed to replace a missing body part or to make that part of the body work better

paralysis

loss of muscle function in a part of the body

orthostatic hypotension

low blood pressure depending on position

arthritis

inflammation of the joints

sedentary

lack of physical exercise

degenerative

tissue deteriorating

edema

swelling caused by excess fluid

Parkinson’s disease

progressive nervous system disorder that effects movement

anesthesia

causes temporary loss of sensation

incision

a surgical cut with a sharp instrument that creates an opening into the body during surgery later closed with stitches or staples

bilateral

2 sides

unilateral

1 side

affected

something happened

unaffected

nothing happened