Exam 2 Review - Vocabulary Flashcards (Skin, Head/Neck, Respiratory, Neurological, and Related Terms)

A set of vocabulary-style flashcards covering key terms from skin, head/neck, respiratory, and neurological topics, including assessment signs, cranial nerves, respiratory sounds, breast exams, and Glasgow Coma Scale concepts.

Jaundice

Yellow discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes due to bilirubin; in Whites it is often first seen in the sclera, while in persons of color it may be observed on the palms and soles.

Cyanosis

Bluish discoloration from hypoxemia; in Whites it appears around the mouth, lips, and nail beds, whereas in persons of color it may present as an ash-gray color of mucous membranes.

Petechiae

Purplish-red pinpoint lesions caused by small vessel bleeding.

Cherry angioma

Small, slightly raised, bright red area commonly found on the abdomen.

Ecchymosis

Flat, non-blanchable reddish-purple spot due to subcutaneous bleeding.

Nodule

Raised, solid lesion smaller than 6 centimeters in diameter.

Tumor

Solid mass 6 centimeters or larger.

Skin cancer primary prevention

Actions to prevent skin cancer before it develops, such as wearing protective clothing to limit UV exposure.

Normal skin findings

Findings within normal limits such as baldness, freckles, and normal skin turgor.

Moisture barrier creams

Nursing intervention using barrier creams to prevent skin breakdown from moisture exposure.

Nail assessment

Evaluation of nails for appearance (color, texture, shape, and integrity) to detect normal vs abnormal findings.

Migraine symptoms

Nausea/vomiting, light sensitivity (photophobia), and aura or visual disturbances.

Sinus infection symptoms

Headache with purulent green-yellow nasal drainage.

Normal nasal appearance

Pink turbinates observed on examination.

Cranial Nerve I (Olfactory)

Loss of sense of smell.

Cranial Nerve II (Optic)

Visual acuity and peripheral vision assessed with Snellen chart.

Cranial Nerves III, IV, VI

Oculomotor, Trochlear, and Abducens nerves; control most eye movements; tested with 6 cardinal gazes.

Cranial Nerve VII (Facial)

Controls facial movements (smile, frown, puff cheeks, raise eyebrows).

6 cardinal gazes

Test of extraocular movements to assess eye movement in all directions.

Consensual light reflex

Pupillary constriction of both eyes when light is shone in one eye.

Nystagmus

Involuntary rhythmic, horizontal (or rotary) eye movements.

Abnormal gait

Unsteady or impaired walking indicating possible neurological problems.

Clubbing

Thumb and finger shape change indicating chronic hypoxemia.

Lung sounds: coarse

Rough, harsh breath sounds often indicating airway obstruction or secretions.

Rhonchi

Low- or medium-pitched wheezing sounds often due to secretions in larger airways.

Wheezing

High-pitched whistling sounds from narrowed airways.

Crackles

Fine or coarse popping sounds heard during inspiration due to fluid in the airways.

Bradypnea

Respiratory rate less than 9 breaths per minute.

Tachypnea

Respiratory rate greater than 30 breaths per minute.

Snellen chart (20/20)

20/20 vision means normal visual acuity; 20/50 means the patient can read at 20 feet what a person with normal vision can read at 50 feet.

Mammogram

X-ray imaging of the breast used for screening and diagnosis.

Breast self-exam

Palpation technique using gentle pressure to feel for lumps while moving across the breast.

Breast exam positions

Different positions used to optimize breast palpation during self-examination (as per instructional PowerPoint).

Prefix

A word element placed before the root word to modify meaning.

Suffix

A word element placed after the root word to modify meaning.

Tinnitus

Ringing, buzzing, or other noise in the ears not caused by an external sound.

Hemoptysis

Coughing up blood from the respiratory tract.

Denial

A defense mechanism in which a person refuses to accept reality or truth to avoid anxiety.

Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)

Neurological scale that assesses eye, verbal, and motor responses to estimate level of consciousness; total score ranges from 3 to 15.

GCS: Eye opening score

4 = spontaneous opening; 3 = opening to speech; 2 = opening to pain; 1 = no response.

GCS: Verbal response score

5 = oriented; 4 = confused; 3 = inappropriate words; 2 = incomprehensible sounds; 1 = no response.

GCS: Motor response score

6 = obeys commands; 5 = localizes to pain; 4 = withdrawal to pain; 3 = abnormal flexion (decorticate); 2 = abnormal extension (decerebrate); 1 = no response.

Decorticate posturing

Abnormal flexion of limbs indicating severe brain injury; scored as 3 on motor response.

Decerebrate posturing

Abnormal extension of limbs indicating severe brain injury; scored as 2 on motor response.

Total GCS

Sum of the eye, verbal, and motor scores; ranges from 3 to 15.