LPN Fundamentals Study Guide Vocabulary

A collection of flashcards reviewing LPN fundamental concepts including tissue types, infection control, medical terminology, and homeostasis.

Diffusion

Movement of substances from high concentration to low concentration without energy.

Areolar Tissue

Holds organs together, supports and cushions.

Adipose Tissue

Stores fat, insulates, cushions.

Fibrous Tissue

Provides strength and support; includes tendons and ligaments.

Bone

Provides support, protection, mineral storage, and blood cell production.

Cartilage

Flexible support and cushions joints.

Blood

Transports oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and wastes.

Nervous tissue

Receives and transmits impulses.

Neurons

Nerve cells.

Skeletal muscle

Voluntary, striated, and attached to bones.

Cardiac muscle

Involuntary, striated, and found in the heart only.

Smooth muscle

Involuntary, non-striated, and found in hollow organs.

Simple cuboidal

Epithelial tissue in kidneys, glands, and ducts used for secretion and absorption.

Simple columnar

One layer of tall cells, often goblet cells, used for absorption and secretion.

Transitional

Epithelial tissue in the bladder and ureters that stretches.

Asepsis

Free of pathogens.

Medical asepsis

Clean technique.

Surgical asepsis

Sterile technique.

Aerobic bacteria

Bacteria that need oxygen to survive.

Anaerobic bacteria

Bacteria that do not need oxygen to survive.

Spores

Help bacteria survive harsh conditions.

Viruses

Smallest infectious agents; not treated with antibiotics.

Local infection

Infection limited to one area.

Systemic infection

Infection affecting the whole body.

Open-ended

Communication that encourages discussion.

Closed

Communication requiring yes/no or short answers.

Restating

To repeat the patient's words.

Clarifying

Communication used to ensure understanding.

Reflecting

To direct feelings or questions back to the patient.

SOAP

Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan.

Culture

Shared beliefs and values.

Subculture

Smaller cultural group.

Transcultural nursing

Culturally appropriate care.

Race

Physical characteristics.

Ethnicity

Shared heritage or culture.

Cultural competence

Effective care across cultures.

Unconscious bias

Automatic stereotypes.

Cultural bias

Judging others by your own culture.

Friction

Skin rubbing.

Shear

Skin fixed while tissue moves; causes deep tissue injury.

Gait belt

Used for safe transfers; walking on the patient's weak side.

Idiopathic

Unknown cause.

Signs

Objective findings.

Symptoms

Patient-reported findings.

Pathogenesis

Disease development.

Pathophysiology

Disease effects.

Superior

Toward the head.

Inferior

Toward the feet.

Anterior

Front.

Posterior

Back.

Medial

Toward the midline.

Lateral

Away from the midline.

Proximal

Closer.

Distal

Farther.

Homeostasis

Stable internal environment.

Negative feedback

Maintains homeostasis by reversing changes (e.g., temperature, glucose, BP).

Positive feedback

Amplifies change (e.g., labor, blood clotting).

Effector

Organ or tissue that carries out a response.