Health Science "EOC" terms and questions

Assessment

Assessment

The evaluation or estimation of the nature, quality, or ability of someone or something

Signs

changes in a body that can be measured or observed as a result of disease

Symptoms

Subjective characteristics of disease felt only by the patient, tell a doctor what is wrong

complementary medicine

Alternative medicine when used simultaneously with, rather than instead of, standard Western medicine. Ex: acupuncture and chiropractic, meds and acupuncture complement each other, a more narrow field than integrative medicine is

palliative care

Care designed not to treat an illness but to provide physical and emotional comfort to the patient and support and guidance to his or her family. Ex: Hospice

Assisted living residence; ALR

Facility that provides housing, meals, and personal care to individuals who need help with daily living activities but do not need daily nursing care; may also be referred to as supportive housing, residential long -term care facilities, adult residential care facilities, board-and-care, and rest homes.

Cardiac Care Unit (CCU)

An intensive-care unit devoted to patients with acute or critical cardiac disease.

continuing care community

Provides a variety of living arrangements that support lifestyles as they change from independent living to the need for regular medical and nursing care

emergency room (ER)

also called an emergency department, focuses on diagnosing and treating life-threatening emergency medical conditions

General Unit

provides care for patients who are seriously ill but do not need a high level of specialized equipment and continuous nursing care

Hospice

a home providing care for the sick, especially the terminally ill.

intensive care unit (ICU)

area where patients are more critically ill, require additional monitoring, and are more susceptible to infections

intermediate care facility

A facility that provides health-related care and services to individuals who do not require the degree of care or treatment that a hospital or a skilled nursing facility provides but who still require medical care and services because of their physical or mental condition

Transitional Care Unit (TCU)

Hospital-based skilled nursing facility, Daily doctors, nurses, rehab, Patients often discharged home, assisted living or skilled nursing facilities

Psychiatric hospital

A facility that offers treatment to individuals with mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders

Rehabilitation unit

Therapies to regain physical and mental function

hospital

a place where sick or injured people are given care or treatment and where babies are often born

Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF)

a facility that provides 24-hour room, board, and skilled nursing care and treatment to at least three residents. Skilled nursing care and treatment services are those performed by or under the supervision of a registered nurse for individuals requiring 24-hour-a-day care by licensed nursing personnel and under the direction of a licensed doctor.

acupuncture

the practice of inserting fine needles through the skin at specific points to cure disease or relieve pain (Originally a Chinese practice)

chiropractic medicine

system of therapy based on the theory that disease is caused by pressure on nerves, aka science that investigates the relationship between the structure (the spine) and function (mainly the nervous system) of the human body to restore and preserve health

holistic medicine

an approach to health care that emphasizes prevention of illness and takes into account a person's entire physical and social environment ex: Naturopathy, Homeopathy, and Acupuncture.

Homeopathy (homeopathic medicine)

embraces a holistic, natural approach holistic treats the person as a whole, rather than focusing on a diseased part or a labeled sickness. natural because its remedies are produced according to the U.S. FDA-recognized Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States from natural sources, whether vegetable, mineral, or animal in nature.

massage therapy

manipulation of soft tissues by rubbing or kneading to achieve health benefits

osteopathy

bone disease

Reflexology

A unique method of applying pressure with thumb and index fingers to the hands and feet, and it has demonstrated health benefits.

therapeutic touch

an alternative therapy that involves using one's hands to consciously direct an energy exchange from the practitioner to the patient to facilitate healing or pain relief

Ethical dilemmas are:

problems about which more than one choice can be made and the choice made is influenced by the values and beliefs of the decision

professional code of ethics

A set of guidelines describing how members of a particular profession will pursue their common ideal so that each does his or her best to serve clients or patients, contribute to the good reputation of the field, and avoid pressures to engage in unethical behavior.

euthanasia

the act of painlessly killing a suffering person or animal; mercy killing

Patient's autonomy

the right of competent adults to make informed decisions about their own medical care.

Implied consent

Type of consent in which a patient who is unable to give consent is given treatment under the legal assumption that he or she would want treatment.

HIPAA

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, a federal law protecting the privacy of patient-holistic treats the person as a whole, rather than focusing on a diseased part or a labeled sickness

advanced directive (living will)

document specifying the type of care wanted by the maker in the event of an incapacitating or terminal illness

assault

threat or attempt to injure; an attack

breach of contract

the nonperformance of a contractual duty. You didn't do what you signed you were gonna do.

contract

a binding agreement between two or more persons that is enforceable by law

Durable power of attorney for health care

document that designates a health care proxy, who is authorized make health care decisions for a client who is unable

False imprisonment

unlawful restraint or restriction of a person's freedom of movement

Libel

A written defamation of a person's character, reputation, business, or property rights.

Slander

the action or crime of making a false spoken statement damaging to a person's reputation.

agent

a person who acts or does business for another

Battery

unlawful touching of another person without consent

Confidentiality

Respecting the privacy of both parties and keeping details secret

defamation of character

Wrongfully hurting a person's good reputation. The law imposes a general duty on all persons to refrain from making false, defamatory statements about others.

express consent

an oral or written agreement

fraud

A deliberate deception intended to secure an unfair or unlawful gain

informed consent

an ethical principle that research participants be told enough to enable them to choose whether they wish to participate

living will

A document that indicates what medical intervention an individual wants if he or she becomes incapable of expressing those wishes.

Human Development

the scientific study of the changes that occur in people as they age from conception until death

Ergonomics

the study of the human factors that affect the design and operation of tools and the work environment

Parasites

Organisms that grow, feed, and shelter on or in another organism (referred to as the host), while contributing nothing to the survival of that organism. Parasites must have a host to survive.

Pathogen

A disease causing agent

normal flora

Microorganisms that reside in or on the body without causing disease

Opportunistic infection

Infections that occur when the body's defenses are weakened

Aerobic

requires oxygen

antiseptic

a clean, sterile substance that prevents infection

disinfectant

any chemical agent used to destroy or inhibit the growth of harmful organisms

Sterilization

The process of destroying all microbes usually using high, concentrated, heat.

nosocomial infection

a disease acquired in a hospital or clinical setting

Stress

the reaction of the body and mind to everyday challenges and demands

Culture

Beliefs, customs, and traditions of a specific group of people.

Medical Charting

is a complete record of a patient's key clinical data and medical history, such as demographics, vital signs, diagnoses, etc. Could be a whiteboard in the patient's room.

Dyspnea

difficulty breathing

Tachycardia

fast heart rate

hyper-

over, excessive

Cheyne-Stokes

abnormal breathing pattern; periods of dyspnea and apnea (difficult and stopped breathing)

Exhalation

breathing out

ADLs

Activities of Daily Living such as eating, dressing, bathing.

apical pulse

pulse taken with a stethoscope and near the apex of the heart

Afebrile

the absence of fever

bradypnea

abnormally slow breathing

sphygmomanometer

instrument to measure blood pressure, attaches to a cuff

Fee-for-service (for determining medical costs)v

A payment model where healthcare providers are paid for each service they provide to a patient.

• How it works: Providers bill for each service, and the payer (usually an insurance company) reimburses them based on a predetermined fee schedule.

• Pros: Encourages providers to offer more services, allows patients to choose their providers, and provides a clear payment structure.

• Cons: Can lead to overuse of services, may incentivize providers to prioritize quantity over quality of care, and can be expensive for patients without insurance.

• Examples: Medicare, Medicaid, and many private insurance plans use fee-for-service payment models.

Pre-existing health problem

is a health condition or disease that is present before a new health coverage starts

Co-pay

the amount of money the patient has to pay that the insurance company will not pay

Co-insurance

Requires the insured individual to pay a fixed percentage of the loss after the deductible has been paid

HMO

A group plan offering prepaid medical care to its members; health maintenance organization

PPO

Preferred provider organization. A prepaid health insurance plan in which providers agree to deliver services for discount fees; patients can go to any provider, but using nonparticipating providers results in higher costs to the patient

Premium

Amount you pay monthly, quarterly, semiannually or annually to purchase different types of insurance

Deductible

Amount you must pay before you begin receiving any benefits from your insurance company

What does it mean when a health care professional obtains a license/certification?

The healthcare professional is qualified enough and legally allowed to practice.

What are the responsibilities of the local health department?

Continuously assess needs and improve capacity to promote better health. Whether assessing community health, implementing quality improvement efforts, or pursuing accreditation, local health departments maximize opportunities to improve public health practice and the public's health.

Erikson’s stages of development

Stage 1- Infancy stage Trust vs. Mistrust

• Virtue: Hope, Maldevelopment: Withdrawal

• Concomitant Freudian stage: oral stage

• Example: Secure environment provided by the caregiver, with regular access to affection and food

Stage 2 – Early Childhood period: Autonomy vs. Shame, doubt

• Virtue: Will, Maldevelopment: Compulsion

• Concomitant Freudian stage: anal stage

• Example: Caregiver promotes self-sufficiency while maintaining a secure environment

Stage 3 – Play Age period: Initiative vs. Guilt

• Virtue: Purpose, Maldevelopment: Inhibition

• Concomitant Freudian stage: genital stage

• Example: Caregiver encourages, supports, and guides the child’s own initiatives and interests

Stage 4 – School Age period: Industry vs. Inferiority

• Virtue: Competence, Maldevelopment: Inertia (passivity)

• Concomitant Freudian stage: latency stage

• Example: Reasonable expectations set in school and at home, with praise for their accomplishments

Stage 5 – Adolescence period: Identity vs. Identity confusion

• Virtue: Fidelity, Maldevelopment: Repudiation

• Example: Individual weighs out their previous experiences, societal expectations, and their aspirations in establishing values and ‘finding themselves.’

Stage 6 – Young Adulthood period: Intimacy vs. Isolation

• Virtue: Love, Maldevelopment: Distantiation

• Example: Individual forms close friendships or long-term partnership

Stage 7 – Adulthood period: Generativity vs. Stagnation/Self-absorption

• Virtue: Care, Maldevelopment: Rejectivity

• Example: Engagement with the next generation through parenting, coaching, or teaching

Stage 8 – Old Age period: Integrity vs. Despair

• Virtue: Wisdom, Maldevelopment: Disdain

• Example: Contemplation and acknowledgment of personal life accomplishments

5 stages of Denial- Elizabeth Kubler-Ross

1. Denial

2. Anger

3. Bargaining

4. Depression

5. Acceptance

Proper way to lift objects

Bend at hips, use legs, no knees or back

What is the body's immune response?

In an immune response, the immune system recognizes the antigens (usually proteins) on the surface of substances or microorganisms, such as bacteria or viruses, and attacks and destroys, or tries to destroy, them.

Pathogen

disease-causing agents

Opportunistic Infection

occurs when when the immune system is weakened

Normal flora

The regular bacteria that live in your body.

• Normal flora refers to the microorganisms that live on or within the human body without causing disease.

• These microorganisms play a crucial role in maintaining the health of the human body by aiding in digestion, producing vitamins, and preventing the growth of harmful bacteria.

• The composition of normal flora varies depending on the location in the body, with different types of bacteria, fungi, and viruses found in different areas.

• Disruption of normal flora can lead to infections and disease, such as bacterial vaginosis and Clostridium difficile infection.

• Factors that can disrupt normal flora include antibiotic use, poor hygiene, and changes in pH levels.

How do we treat a virus? What is ineffective?

For most viral infections, treatments can only help with symptoms while you wait for your immune system to fight off the virus. Antibiotics do not work for viral infections. There are antiviral medicines to treat some viral infections. Vaccines can help prevent you from getting many viral diseases.

Antiseptic

• Antiseptics are substances that kill or prevent the growth of microorganisms on living tissue.

• They are commonly used to clean wounds and prevent infections.

• Common antiseptics include alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, and iodine.

Disinfectant

(usually) More powerful than antiseptics EX: sterilization high concentrated heat to kill all bacteria. Only used on objects and surfaces, not people.

• Effectiveness against viruses and bacteria

• Common disinfectants: Lysol, Clorox, Purell