HESI A2 Vocab union prep

using the terms and definitions from union prep and other sites

apply

to put on or put into practice

cursory

a superficial or hasty action taken without thoroughness or by ignoring details

depress

to push down

diagnosis

the detection or identification of an illness or injury based on the symptoms presented

dilute

to thin out or make a liquid weaker in intensity, usually by adding water or another solvent

empathy

the ability to understand and sympathize with a patient’s feelings

exacerbate

to make worse, intensify, or aggravate

imply

to suggest or hint at something without directly stating it outright

infer

to draw a reasoned conclusion based on available information, evidence, or experience

initiate

to begin or start

intubate

the process or procedure of inserting a tube into the trachea via the nose or mouth to secure an airway to facilitate breathing

triage

to measure, assess, or evaluate the severity of illness or injury to prioritize care based on condition

ambivalent

having simultaneous contradictory or conflicting feelings or attitudes

audible

loud enough to be clearly heard

concave

having an inward curvature; a hollow or indented surface

consistency

the uniformity, reliability, or predictability of patient care regardless of shift, staff, or day

depth

the amount, volume, or extent to which a patient is able to breathe

diffuse

not concentrated; widespread

impending

likely to occur soon; something about to happen or near

impervious

cannot pass through or penetrate

insidious

a disease or condition that starts off slowly, develops gradually, and is subtle, often without obvious symptoms

labile

unstable or prone to rapid change

latent

a condition that is present in a patient but may not be actively causing obvious symptoms

primary

a system of nursing care or healthcare emphasizing continuity of care centered around one focal nurse who coordinates patient care with other healthcare professionals

priority

the most critical, most important, or most in need of immediate attention

toxic

something harmful to the body or that negatively impacts health

ubiquitous

existing or present everywhere at the same time; common or widespread

bilateral

both sides (of the body)

dilate

to increase in size; to widen or enlarge an opening

discrete

distinct, separate, or unconnected

distal

locations or parts of the body that are the furthest away from the center or point of attachment

distended

enlarged, stretched out, or swollen

extension

the straightening movement of a joint, increasing the angle between the body parts involved; the opposite of flexion

flexion

the bending movement of a joint, decreasing the angle between the body parts involved and bringing them closer together; the opposite of extension

kinetic

related to movement or motion

lateral

the side of the body

oral

of or relating to the mouth

otic

of or relating to the ear, especially the inner or middle ear

posterior

the back side of the body

subcutaneous

under all layers of skin; the area between the skin and underlying muscle

sublingual

under the tongue

symmetric (symmetrical)

both sides of the body having the same general shape, size, and appearance; matching evenness

transdermal

through the skin

acute

rapid, severe, or sudden change in condition requiring immediate care; the opposite of chronic

bacteria

microscopic, living, single-celled organisms

chronic

a persistent, ongoing condition that impacts daily life, may require medical attention, and lasts longer than three months; the opposite of acute

compensatory

the body’s attempt to counteract and maintain normal functionality despite disruptive problems or disturbances

congenital

a condition or trait present at or before birth

convulsive

rapid, abnormal, involuntary muscle contractions that result in uncontrollable, jerking limb movement and/or shaking

deteriorating

becoming worse; increasing impairment

dysfunction

impaired, abnormal, or inadequate action of a part of the body, especially an organ

equilibrium

a state of balance

etiology

the study of the causes or factors of a disease

exposure

contact with or lack of protection from a potential health risk

fatal

capable of causing or resulting in death

fatigue

feelings of persistent tiredness or exhaustion affecting both physical and cognitive abilities

febrile

feverish; marked, caused, or related to a fever

flushed

the physiological response of the nervous system resulting in sudden, increased reddening of the face, neck, or chest due to the widening of the capillaries of the skin

impaired

unable to provide safe or competent patient care

incidence

the rate of newly diagnosed cases of a disease or condition reported over a specified period for a given population

infection

the invasion and growth of pathogens or microorganisms in the body that can lead to disease or other health issues

inflamed

localized response by the body to illness or injury, characterized by swelling, pain, heat, and/or redness

laceration

an often irregularly shaped skin wound produced by a cut or tear in the skin and underlying soft tissue

lethargic

lacking in energy; extreme sluggishness, tiredness, or drowsiness resulting in slowed physical movement and decreased mental alertness

manifestation

the signs and symptoms of a disease or condition that can be observed in a patient

occluded

closing, blocking, obstructing, or preventing the easy flow through a body passage such as a blood vessel

pathogenic

causing or capable of causing disease, harm, or illness

pathology

the study of disease to determine its nature, cause, and development

precipitous

a rapid or steep progression of the labor and delivery process

predispose

to make more likely or susceptible, often to the development of a particular disease or condition

preexisting

a medical condition, illness, or injury one has before starting a new health plan or treatment

retain

to hold on to long-term

status

the measure of a patient’s current clinical condition

symptom

an indication of potential disease or illness

syndrome

a group of signs or symptoms occurring concurrently in a patient that may indicate a particular condition or disease or the increased risk of developing a specific condition or disease

transmission

how a disease or infection transfers or passes from one being to another;

trauma

a serious physical injury or illness requiring immediate, often specialized, care

virulent

the speed, ability, and severity with which a microorganism can cause damage such as illness or harm to its host

virus

a microorganism that infects cells, reproduces, and may cause disease after infecting a host cell

volume

the space occupied by something, usually a fluid, within specific compartments of a patient’s body

cardiac

of or relating to the heart

cavity

a hollow space

defecate

the expulsion of feces from the digestive tract through the anus

gastrointestinal

of or relating to any part of the digestive system

hematologic

of or relating to blood or blood-forming organs

ingest

to take into the body through the mouth

musculoskeletal

of or relating to the body’s system bones, cartilage, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints that support the body’s structure and allow for movement

neurologic

of or related to the body’s nerves or nervous system, including the nerves, spinal cord, and brain

neurovascular

of, relating to, or involving both nerves or nervous system and blood vessels

renal

of, relating to, or involving the kidneys

respiration

breathing; how air moves into and out of the lungs in the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide

urinate

the discharge or expulsion of urine (liquid waste material created by the kidneys) from the body through the urinary tract

vascular

of or relating to the body’s system of blood vessels

abstain

to refrain from or forgo a substance or behavior; to choose not to engage with

adhere

to stick or hold fast to

adverse

an undesired effect, outcome, or result

ambulate

to walk or move on one’s own or with assistance from medical devices

assent

legal permission given on behalf of someone unable to give consent

cease

to stop, discontinue, or come to an end

constrict

to tighten or narrow