Nursing School Vocabulary Summer 2026

episiotomy

surgical incision of the perineum to enlarge the vagina and so facilitate delivery during childbirth

hemotoma

a solid swelling of clotted blood within the tissues. (bruise)

Ischemia

Lack of blood supply

neuropathy

nerve disease

prone

lying face down

supine

lying on the back

mottled skin

having spots or patches of color on the skin

lithotomy position

patient lies on their back (supine) with their hips and knees flexed, and their legs elevated and supported in stirrups

catatonic

look completely still, unresponsive, or disconnected from what's happening,