HESI Fundamentals Master Vocabulary

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering key HESI Fundamentals concepts for exam preparation.

Sleep Cycle

The predictable pattern of sleep stages that repeat every 90-110 min during normal sleep.

Insomnia

Chronic difficulty falling or staying asleep despite adequate opportunity.

Sleep Apnea

Interruption of breathing during sleep, often producing loud snoring and daytime fatigue.

Narcolepsy

Neurologic disorder causing sudden, uncontrollable episodes of REM-sleep during wakefulness.

Hypersomnolence Disorder

Excessive daytime sleepiness despite main sleep period of at least 7 hr.

Factors Interfering With Sleep

Physiologic disorders, life events, stress, diet, exercise, fatigue, environment, medications, substance use.

Nursing Actions to Promote Sleep

Cluster care, reduce noise, dim lights, comfortable temperature, limit fluids, relaxation techniques.

Asepsis

Freedom from disease-producing microorganisms; includes medical and surgical asepsis.

Hand Hygiene

Most effective method to prevent infection; 20-second scrub with soap and water or alcohol gel.

Standard Precautions

Minimum infection-prevention actions applied to all clients regardless of diagnosis.

Transmission-Based Precautions

Additional infection controls for contact, droplet, or airborne pathogens.

Sterile Field

An area free of microorganisms that can receive sterile supplies during a procedure.

Health-Care Associated Infection (HAI)

Infection acquired in a heath-care facility; also called nosocomial infection.

Chain of Infection

Infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, susceptible host.

Multidrug-Resistant Organism (MDRO)

Pathogen resistant to multiple antibiotics, e.g., MRSA, VRE, CRE.

Therapeutic Communication

Purposeful use of communication to build rapport and achieve health goals.

Intrapersonal Communication

Self-talk; internal dialogue that influences perceptions and behavior.

Interpersonal Communication

Exchange of information between two or more people.

Reflecting (Communication)

Therapeutic technique that directs questions back to client to promote self-exploration.

False Reassurance

Non-therapeutic response that minimizes client concerns with unfounded optimism.

Culture

Shared values, beliefs, and practices of a group passed across generations.

Culturally Responsive Care

Nursing that respects and integrates the client’s cultural values and needs.

Spiritual Distress

Disturbance in a person’s beliefs or value system that provides strength and hope.

Jehovah’s Witness & Blood

Faith group that refuses blood transfusions based on religious beliefs.

Advance Directive

Legal document stating a client’s wishes for end-of-life care.

Kubler-Ross Stages

Framework of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance.

Palliative Care

Holistic comfort-focused care for clients with serious illness, not limited to end-of-life.

Postmortem Care

Respectful care of a body after death, including preparation for viewing or transport.

Fecal Impaction

Collection of hardened feces in the rectum that cannot be expelled.

Diarrhea

Passage of loose, watery stools three or more times per day.

Ostomy

Surgical opening (stoma) for fecal or urinary elimination onto the abdominal surface.

Ileostomy

Stoma in the ileum that drains frequent liquid stool rich in enzymes.

Colostomy

Stoma in the colon producing more formed stool.

Urinary Retention

Inability to empty the bladder completely.

Stress Incontinence

Leakage of urine with increased abdominal pressure (e.g., coughing, sneezing).

Clean-Catch Urine

Midstream specimen collected after cleansing meatus; used for culture.

Foley Catheter

Indwelling urinary catheter with balloon to keep it in place.

Bladder Scanner

Ultrasound device estimating bladder volume non-invasively.

Impaired Nurse (Substance Use)

Healthcare worker whose ability to provide safe care is compromised by drugs or alcohol.

Beneficence

Ethical principle of doing good and acting in clients’ best interests.

Nonmaleficence

Ethical duty to do no harm.

Autonomy

Client’s right to make independent choices about care.

Fidelity

Faithfulness to commitments and promises.

Justice (Ethics)

Fair and equal treatment for all clients.

Informed Consent

Process ensuring client understands, appreciates, and agrees to a procedure.

Assault

Threat of harmful or offensive contact; no physical touch required.

Battery

Intentional touching of another without consent.

Negligence

Failure to act as a reasonably prudent person, causing harm.

Incident Report

Internal document describing unexpected events; not part of medical record.

Dehydration

Fluid volume deficit; elevated Hct, serum sodium, specific gravity.

Overhydration

Fluid volume excess; crackles, edema, weight gain, low Hct.

Hyponatremia

Serum sodium <135 mEq/L causing confusion, seizures, weakness.

Hypernatremia

Serum sodium >145 mEq/L leading to thirst, dry mucosa, restlessness.

Hypokalemia

Serum potassium <3.5 mEq/L; causes muscle weakness, arrhythmias, U-wave.

Hyperkalemia

Serum potassium >5 mEq/L; peaked T-waves, muscle cramps, cardiac arrest.

Hypocalcemia

Serum calcium <9 mg/dL; Chvostek/Trousseau signs, tetany.

Hypercalcemia

Serum calcium >11 mg/dL; bone pain, kidney stones, decreased DTRs.

Hypomagnesemia

Serum magnesium <1.5 mg/dL; hyperreflexia, tremors, seizures.

Hypermagnesemia

Serum magnesium >2.5 mg/dL; hypotension, bradycardia, respiratory depression.

Isotonic Solution

IV fluid with same osmolality as plasma; no fluid shift (e.g., 0.9% NS, LR).

Hypotonic Solution

IV fluid lower than plasma osmolality; shifts water into cells (e.g., 0.45% NS).

Hypertonic Solution

IV fluid higher than plasma osmolality; pulls water out of cells (e.g., 3% NS, D10W).

Infiltration

IV complication where non-vesicant fluid leaks into tissue causing swelling, coolness.

Phlebitis

Inflammation of vein; redness, warmth, cord-like vein, pain.

Air Embolism

Air entering circulation; chest pain, dyspnea, drop in BP.

Circulatory Overload

Excess IV fluid; crackles, dyspnea, JVD, edema.

Needlestick Prevention

Use safety-engineered devices, never recap, dispose in sharps container.

Ten Rights of Medication

Right Patient, Right drug, Right dose, Right route, Right time, Right documentation

Peak and Trough

Highest and lowest drug serum levels measured to maintain therapeutic range.

Enteric-Coated Tablet

Pill with coating that dissolves in intestine; must not be crushed.

Sublingual Medication

Placed under tongue for rapid absorption; do not swallow or drink until dissolved.

Parenteral Route

Drug administration by injection (IM, IV, subcut, intradermal).

Patient-Controlled Analgesia (PCA)

IV pump allowing client to self-administer preset opioid doses.

Body Mechanics

Safe use of body for lifting, moving, preventing injury; keep back straight, bend knees.

Log-Rolling

Turning a client as one unit while maintaining spinal alignment.

Antiembolic Stockings

Elastic hosiery that promotes venous return and prevents DVT.

Sequential Compression Device (SCD)

Inflatable sleeves that rhythmically compress legs to prevent venous stasis.

Sims’ Position

Side-lying position with lower arm behind, upper knee flexed toward chest.

High-Fowler’s Position

Head of bed 60-90°; improves ventilation and cardiac output.

Range of Motion (ROM)

Exercises moving joints through full movement; active or passive.

Thrombophlebitis

Inflammation of vein with clot formation.

Pulmonary Embolism

Occlusion of pulmonary artery by embolus; sudden dyspnea, chest pain.

Nursing Process

Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation (ADPIE).

Primary Data

Information obtained directly from the patient.

Secondary Data

Information obtained from charts, family, or other sources.

Maslow’s Hierarchy

Prioritization model: physiologic, safety, love/belonging, esteem, self-actualization.

Airway-Breathing-Circulation (ABC)

First-level priorities in emergencies.

Heart-Healthy Diet

Low saturated fat, low sodium, increased fruits, vegetables, whole grains.

Aspiration Precautions

Position upright, thicken liquids, chin-tuck, monitor swallowing.

Enteral Feeding

Delivery of nutrients to GI tract via tube (NG, PEG).

Parenteral Nutrition (TPN)

Hypertonic nutrient solution infused via central vein when GI tract not functional.

Pulse Oximetry

Noninvasive measure of SpO2; normal 95-100%.

Hypoxia Early Signs

Restlessness, anxiety, tachycardia, tachypnea.

Low-Flow Oxygen Devices

Nasal cannula, simple mask, partial rebreather; FiO₂ variable.

High-Flow Oxygen Devices

Venturi mask, high-flow nasal cannula; precise FiO₂ delivery.

Oxygen Toxicity

Prolonged high FiO₂ causing lung damage; cough, chest pain, dyspnea.

Chest Physiotherapy

Percussion, vibration, postural drainage to mobilize lung secretions.

Tracheostomy Care

Sterile cleaning of inner cannula, stoma care, tie change to maintain airway.

Acute Pain

Protective, short-term pain that resolves with healing (<3-6 months).

Chronic Pain

Persistent pain >3-6 months, often non-protective.