Human Experience Final Exam Terms

acanthosis nigricans

skin condition that is a manifestation of insulin resistance, appearing most often on flexures, axillae, and neck

acute illness

an illness with a rapid onset of symptoms that usually lasts a short time

adaptation

long-term change that takes place as a result of responses to a stressor

agesim

prejudice or discrimination on the grounds of a person’s age

allopathic medicine

conventional or western medicine

alternative therapy

therapy used instead of a conventional therapy

anger

stage in the Kübler-Ross model where an individual directs intense anger at God, other people, or the situation after a loss

angiopathy

damage to blood vessels; primary cause of chronic complications in diabetes

anxiety

an unpleasant feeling of uneasiness, uncertainty, apprehension, or dread in response to a real or imagined threat

assertiveness

a style of communication that is confident and direct

attachment

bond between an infant and their caregiver

auditory

relating to the sense of hearing

bargaining

stage in the Kübler-Ross model where an individual tries to postpone a loss by making a deal or promise

bereavement

period of grief and mourning after a death

chronic illness

illness that is a permanent change, has a slow onset, and requires prolonged care, often with periods of remission and exacerbation

complementary therapy

a therapy used in addition to a conventional therapy

conductive hearing loss

hearing loss that occurs in the outer and middle ear

coping

short-term and immediate behaviors used to decrease stress and anxiety

decibel (dB)

unit used to measure the intensity of a sound

defense mechanisms

unconscious psychological strategies used to protect a person’s self-esteem from anxiety

denial

a stage in the Kübler-Ross model where an individual is unable to accept the reality of a loss

depression

a stage in the Kübler-Ross model where the full impact of the loss is realized

diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)

acute complication of diabetes characterized by hyperglycemia, ketosis, acidosis, and dehydration

disease

a pathologic change in the body’s structure or function

durable power of attorney for healthcare

a legal document that designated a person to make healthcare decisions on behalf of a patient who is no longer able to do so

emic worldview

a subjective, insider view of health based on personal or group experiences

etic worldview

an objective, outsider view of health from the perspective of a trained healthcare professional

faith

a confident belief in something for which there is no proof or evidence

feedback

the message the sender receives from the receiver. indicating interpretation of the message

geronotology

the scientific study of old age, the process of aging, and the particular problems of old people

grief

the emotional response to a loss

health

“A state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity” WHO

health disparities

differences in the incidence, prevalence, mortality rate, and burden of disease that affect specific population groups

hope

an ingredient in the life responsible for a positive outlook

hospice

a model of care for terminally ill patients (prognosis of 6 months or less) that focuses on comfort and quality of life after curative treatments have stopped

hyperglycemia

abnormally high levels of glucose in the blood

hyperopia

farsightedness; ability to see distant objects more clearly than near objects

hypertension

high blood pressure; the force exerted by blood against the walls of blood vessels is consistently too high

hypoglycemia

low blood glucose (less than 70 mg/dL)

illness

an individual’s personal response to a disease process

integrative healthcare

the use of western medicine and complementary and alternative therapies in coordinated ways

living will

a written document that directs treatment according to a patient’s wishes in the event of a terminal illness

mourning

the outward, social expressions of grief and the behavior associated with loss

myopia

nearsightedness; ability to see near objects more clearly than distant objects

palliative care

patient and family-centered care that optimizes quality of life by anticipating, preventing, and treating suffering, which can be provided alongside curative treatment

presbycusis

age-related hearing loss

presbyopia

the gradual loss of the eye’s ability to focus on nearby objects, associated with aging

primary prevention

health promotion and illness prevention strategies that prevent diseases or injuries form occuring

secondary prevention

health promotion and illness prevention strategies that focus on screening for early detection of disease

sensorineural hearing loss

hearing loss that occurs in the inner ear or involves the vestibulocochlear nerve

sensory deficit

a deficit in the normal function of sensory reception and perception

sensory deprivation

a state of reduced sensory input from the internal or external environment

sensory overload

a state in which a person receives multiple sensory stimuli and cannot perceptually disregard or selectively ignore some of them

spirituality

an awareness of one’s inner self and a sense of connection to a higher being, nature, or purpose greater than oneself

spiritual distress

a disruption in the life principle that pervades a person’s entire being and transcends their biological and psychosocial nature

stress

an actual or alleged hazard to the balance of homeostasis

stressor

a physical, psychological, or social stimulus that can produce stress or tension

temperament

a person’s nature, especially as it permanently affects their behavior

tertiary prevention

health promotion and illness prevention strategies that begin after an illness to reduce disability and rehabilitate patients to a maximum level of functioning

wellness

an active state of being that promotes good, physical, mental, and emotional health, often used interchangeably with health