Nursing Assistant & Vital Signs Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, medical abbreviations, medication classifications, and measurement standards from the lecture notes.

Widowmaker

A colloquial term for the left main coronary artery, so called because a severe blockage can result in a sudden and fatal heart attack.

Oxygen (CNA Scope of Practice)

An ordered medication prescribed by a physician that, for all testing and classroom guidelines, must only be administered, adjusted, or touched by a licensed nurse.

Comorbidity

The simultaneous presence of two or more co-existing medical conditions or diseases in a patient, such as diabetes and hypertension.

Admission Height

A measurement taken from top-of-head to bottom-of-feet upon a patient's arrival, used to calculate Body Mass Index (BMI).

Hoyer Lift

A mechanical sling lift device used to safely transfer and weigh patients who cannot stand or sit independently.

Daily Weight Protocol

A recurring measurement taken first thing in the morning ($\text{AM}$), immediately after the patient uses the bathroom and prior to eating or drinking.

Prednisone

A steroid medication commonly prescribed for respiratory issues and infections that often causes water retention and weight gain as a side effect.

Lasix

A diuretic medication (commonly referred to as a water pill) that prompts increased urination to flush excess fluid from the body.

Pounds to Kilograms Conversion

The mathematical standard where $2.2\text{ pounds} = 1\text{ kilogram}$, requiring division by $2.2$ to convert pounds to kilograms.

H&P

An abbreviation for History and Physical, a core medical record document outlining a patient's complete health history and physical examination findings.

Desat (Desaturation)

A clinical term indicating a significant drop in a patient's blood oxygen saturation level.