Nursing Practice: Hygiene, Nutrition, Infection Control, Mobility, and Vital Signs

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering hygiene, nutrition, infection control, mobility, and vital signs based on the provided nursing lecture notes.

Healthy, intact skin

The body's first line of defense against microorganisms.

Peripheral neuropathy

A condition that increases injury risk because patients may not feel damage, particularly important for diabetic foot care.

Saliva functions

Cleanses the mouth, removes bacteria, moistens food, assists swallowing, and contains digestive enzymes.

Cerumen

Earwax that protects the ear canal.

Sitz Bath

A type of bath used for perineal cleansing and the reduction of pain and inflammation.

CHG Bath

A bath containing chlorhexidine used to reduce pathogen load, especially for patients with invasive devices.

Cleanest to Dirtiest

The directional principle of hygiene care, such as cleaning from the inner canthus to the outer canthus of the eye.

Return Demonstration

The best method for evaluating patient learning, where the patient shows they can perform a taught task.

Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)

The minimum energy required at rest to maintain life-sustaining functions like breathing and circulation.

Anabolism

The metabolic process of building complex molecules.

Catabolism

The metabolic process of breaking down complex molecules.

Small Intestine

The primary site for absorption of nutrients, including carbohydrates, proteins, and $85–90\%$ of water.

Ovo-lacto vegetarian

A vegetarian who consumes eggs and dairy products.

Lacto vegetarian

A vegetarian who consumes dairy products but no eggs.

Anthropometric measurements

Physical measures of the body, such as height, weight, and BMI.

Dysphagia

Difficulty swallowing, which increases the risk of aspiration.

Parenteral Nutrition (TPN)

Nutrients delivered through the venous system when the GI tract cannot be used.

Infection

When a pathogen invades tissues and multiplies.

Colonization

When microorganisms are present and growing but do not invade or damage tissues.

Chain of Infection

A six-link process consisting of: Infectious Agent, Reservoir, Portal of Exit, Mode of Transmission, Portal of Entry, and Susceptible Host.

Serous drainage

Clear, watery exudate from a wound.

Purulent drainage

Exudate containing WBCs and bacteria, indicating infection.

Medical asepsis

Clean technique used to reduce pathogen transmission, such as hand hygiene and PPE.

Surgical asepsis

Sterile technique used to maintain a pathogen-free field for invasive procedures.

Mobility

The ability to move freely and independently.

Shear

Damage that occurs when skin stays in place while underlying tissues move, often caused by sliding down in bed.

Disuse atrophy

A decrease in cell size and function due to inactivity.

Atelectasis

The collapse of alveoli in the lungs.

Orthostatic hypotension

A decrease in systolic blood pressure of $\ge 20\,mmHg$ or a decrease in diastolic blood pressure of $\ge 10\,mmHg$ within $3\,\text{minutes}$ of sitting or standing.

Braden Scale

An assessment tool where a lower score indicates a higher risk for pressure injuries.

Fowler's position

A position where the head of the bed is elevated $45–60^{\circ}$.

Normal body temperature range

$96.8–100.4^{\circ}F$ ($36–38^{\circ}C$).

Stroke volume

The amount of blood ejected per ventricular contraction, approximately $60–70\,mL$.

Cardiac output

The amount of blood pumped per minute, approximately $5\,L/min$. Calculated as pulse rate $\times$ stroke volume.

Tachycardia

A heart rate greater than $100\,bpm$.

Bradycardia

A heart rate less than $60\,bpm$.

Eupnea

Normal, quiet, and effortless breathing.

$$EtCO_2$$

End-tidal carbon dioxide, with a normal range of $35–45\,mmHg$.

Systolic pressure

The peak pressure exerted against arterial walls during ventricular contraction.

Diastolic pressure

The minimal pressure exerted against arterial walls during ventricular relaxation.