Comprehensive Nursing Exam Review – Vocabulary Flashcards

Nursing Process

A five-step method for patient care: Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation.

Subjective Data

Information reported by the patient such as feelings, perceptions, or symptoms (e.g., “I feel dizzy”).

Objective Data

Measurable or observable information collected by the nurse (e.g., vital signs, lab results).

Auscultation

Assessment technique that uses a stethoscope to listen to internal body sounds, such as heart or bowel sounds.

Emergency Assessment

Rapid, focused evaluation performed during life-threatening situations to identify critical problems immediately.

Tympany

A drum-like percussion sound indicating an air-filled structure such as the stomach or intestines.

Sim’s Position

Side-lying position with lower arm behind the back and upper knee flexed, used for rectal exams or enemas.

Tuning Fork

Instrument that vibrates to test vibratory sensation or hearing.

Auscultatory Gap

Temporary disappearance of Korotkoff sounds between systolic and diastolic pressures during blood-pressure measurement.

Bell of the Stethoscope

Small, concave side used to hear low-pitched sounds such as bruits and some heart murmurs.

Two-Point Discrimination

Neurologic test measuring the ability to distinguish two close points on the skin, often done with a paper clip.

Unconscious Incompetence

Cultural assessment stage in which a person is unaware of lacking cultural knowledge.

A δ Mechanosensitive Fiber

Fast, myelinated pain fiber responsive to mechanical stimuli such as pinprick.

COLDSPA

Pain assessment mnemonic: Character, Onset, Location, Duration, Severity, Pattern, Associated factors.

FLACC Scale

Behavioral pain assessment tool for infants or non-verbal patients; scores Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability.

Pharmacokinetics

Study of how the body absorbs, distributes, metabolizes, and excretes a drug.

First-Pass Effect

Metabolism of an oral drug by the liver before it reaches systemic circulation, reducing bioavailability.

Agonist

Drug that binds to a receptor and activates it to produce a biological response.

Beta-Blocker

Drug class that lowers blood pressure by blocking β-adrenergic receptors, reducing heart rate and contractility.

Digoxin

Cardiac glycoside requiring potassium monitoring; hold dose if apical pulse <60 bpm.

Flumazenil

Antidote that reverses benzodiazepine sedation or overdose.

Drug Half-Life

Time required for the plasma concentration of a drug to decrease by 50 %.

Vitamin C

Vitamin that enhances non