Foundations of Resident Care Flashcards

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering the foundations of resident care, communication, safety, medical emergencies, and infection prevention based on Chapter 2 lecture notes.

Communication

The process of exchanging information with others; a process of sending and receiving messages.

Verbal communication

Communication that uses spoken or written words.

Nonverbal communication

Communication without using words, such as shrugging the shoulders or using body language.

Body language

A form of nonverbal communication expressed through movements, facial expressions, and posture.

Objective information

Factual information based on what a person sees, hears, touches, or smells; also called signs.

Subjective information

Information that a person cannot or did not observe, based on something reported that may or may not be true; also called symptoms.

Incontinence

The inability to control the bladder or bowels.

Root

The part of a word that contains its basic meaning.

Prefix

A word part that comes before the root to help form a new word.

Suffix

A word part added to the end of a root that helps form a new word.

Affixes

The collective term for prefixes and suffixes because they are attached to a root.

Dermatitis

An inflammation of the skin.

Bradycardia

A slow heartbeat or pulse.

Neuropathy

A nerve disease or disease of the nervous system.

prn

A medical abbreviation meaning "as necessary."

Call lights

A call system in long-term care facilities used by residents to call for help whenever they need it.

Clichés

Phrases that are used over and over again and do not really mean anything.

Defense mechanisms

Unconscious behaviors used to release tension or cope with stress by blocking uncomfortable feelings.

Denial

A defense mechanism involving the complete rejection of a thought or feeling.

Projection

A defense mechanism where a person sees their own feelings in others.

Displacement

Transferring a strong negative feeling to a safer situation.

Rationalization

Making excuses to justify a situation.

Repression

Blocking painful thoughts or feelings from the mind.

Regression

Going back to an old, usually immature behavior.

Culture

A system of learned beliefs and behaviors practiced by a group of people.

Impairment

A partial or complete loss of function or ability.

Mental health

The normal functioning of emotional and intellectual abilities.

Combative

Violent or hostile behavior, including hitting, pushing, kicking, or verbal attacks.

Body mechanics

The way the parts of the body work together when a person moves.

Alignment

A condition where the two sides of the body are mirror images and body parts are lined up naturally.

Posture

The way a person holds and positions his body.

Base of support

The foundation that supports an object, with the feet serving as the body's base.

Center of gravity

The point in the body where the most weight is concentrated.

Fall

Any sudden, uncontrollable descent from a higher to a lower level, with or without injury.

Fracture

A broken bone.

Disorientation

Confusion about person, place, or time.

Scalds

Burns caused by hot liquids.

Abrasion

An injury that rubs off the surface of the skin.

PASS

An acronym for fire extinguisher use: Pull the pin, Aim at the base, Squeeze the handle, Sweep back and forth.

RACE

An acronym for fire response: Remove anyone in danger, Alert (activate alarm), Contain fire, Extinguish fire.

OSHA

Occupational Safety and Health Administration; a federal agency that makes rules to protect workers.

Safety Data Sheet (SDS)

A sheet detailing chemical ingredients, dangers, and safe handling/disposal procedures for hazardous products.

Conscious

Being mentally alert and having awareness of surroundings, sensations, and thoughts.

Implied consent

The legal assumption that an person would give consent for treatment if they were able or if parents were present.

First aid

Emergency care given immediately to an injured person by the first responders.

CPR

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation; medical procedures used when a person's heart or lungs have stopped working.

Abdominal thrusts

A method of attempting to remove an object from the airway of someone who is choking.

Shock

A condition occurring when organs and tissues do not receive an adequate blood supply.

Myocardial infarction (MI)

A heart attack; occurs when the heart muscle does not receive enough oxygen due to blocked blood vessels.

Syncope

The medical term for fainting.

Insulin reaction

Hypoglycemia; results from too much insulin or too little food.

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)

A condition caused by having too little insulin in the body.

Seizures

Involuntary, often violent, contractions of muscles caused by abnormalities in the brain.

Cerebrovascular accident (CVA)

A stroke; occurs when blood supply to the brain is blocked or a blood vessel ruptures.

Transient ischemic attack (TIA)

A warning sign of a CVA resulting from a temporary lack of blood supply to the brain.

F.A.S.T.

Acronym for stroke signs: Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to act.

Emesis

The act of ejecting stomach contents through the mouth and/or nose; vomiting.

Infection prevention

The set of methods practiced in healthcare facilities to prevent and control the spread of disease.

Infection preventionist

A health professional responsible for overseeing a facility's infection prevention program.

Microorganism (MO)

A living thing so small it can only be seen under a microscope; also called a microbe.

Pathogens

Harmful microorganisms that invade the body and multiply.

Localized infection

An infection limited to a specific location in the body.

Systemic infection

An infection that affects the entire body and travels through the bloodstream.

Healthcare-associated infection (HAI)

An infection acquired in a healthcare setting during the delivery of medical care.

Chain of infection

A way of describing how disease is transmitted from one human being to another via six links.

Causative agent

A pathogenic microorganism that causes disease; Link 1 in the chain of infection.

Normal flora

Microorganisms that live in and on the body and normally do not cause harm.

Reservoir

Where the pathogen lives and multiplies; Link 2 in the chain of infection.

Portal of exit

Any body opening on an infected person that allows pathogens to leave; Link 3 in the chain of infection.

Mode of transmission

How a pathogen travels; Link 4 in the chain of infection.

Portal of entry

Any body opening on an uninfected person that allows pathogens to enter; Link 5 in the chain of infection.

Mucous membranes

Membranes that line body cavities opening to the outside, such as the mouth, nose, and eyes.

Susceptible host

An uninfected person who could get sick; Link 6 in the chain of infection.

Medical asepsis

Measures used to reduce and prevent the spread of pathogens.

Surgical asepsis

Sterile technique that makes an object or area free of all microorganisms.

CDC

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; a federal agency that issues guidelines to improve public health.

Standard Precautions

Treating all blood, body fluids, nonintact skin, and mucous membranes as if they were infected.

Sharps

Needles or other sharp objects.

Hand hygiene

Washing hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR).

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

Equipment like gowns, masks, and gloves that protect employees from workplace hazards.

Sterilization

A cleaning measure that destroys all microorganisms, including spores.

Disinfection

A process that destroys most, but not all, pathogens to a level considered not infectious.

Bloodborne pathogens

Microorganisms found in human blood that can cause infection and disease.

Hepatitis

Inflammation of the liver caused by viruses and other factors like alcohol abuse.

Tuberculosis (TB)

A highly contagious airborne disease caused by a bacterium carried on mucous droplets.

MRSA

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; a strain of bacteria resistant to powerful antibiotics.

VRE

Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus; bacteria resistant to vancomycin.

C. difficile

A spore-forming bacterium that causes watery diarrhea and is difficult to kill.