Nursing and Patient Assessment

A collection of vocabulary flashcards based on key concepts and terms from nursing and patient assessment lecture notes.

SBAR

A standardized way to communicate important information: Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation.

Situation

What’s going on right now? The reason for the call.

Background

What led up to the current situation being presented?

Assessment

The clinician's evaluation of what is happening with the patient.

Recommendation

What action is being requested or suggested based on the assessment?

Dementia

A cognitive disorder with slow, progressive onset and no cure.

Delirium

A cognitive disorder characterized by sudden onset, often reversible when the cause (like a toxin) is addressed.

Decorticate Rigidity

Posture where arms are flexed towards the core, indicating damage to the cerebral cortex.

Decerebrate Rigidity

Posture where arms and legs are extended, indicating more severe brain damage.

Abdominal Quadrants

The division of the abdomen into four parts: RUQ, LUQ, RLQ, LLQ, each containing specific organs.

Hyperactive Bowel Sounds

Loud, high-pitched sounds indicating increased motility, often caused by diarrhea or obstruction.

Hypoactive Bowel Sounds

Slow or absent sounds indicating decreased gut activity, often seen post-surgery or with inflammation.

Petechiae

Tiny red or purple pinpoint spots from capillary bleeding.

Purpura

Larger, flat patches of purple discoloration due to bleeding under the skin.

Xerosis

Abnormal dryness of the skin.

Pruritus

Itching, which is a common skin symptom.

Melanin

A natural pigment produced by melanocytes that gives color to skin, hair, and eyes, and protects against UV radiation.

Clubbing

An abnormal curvature of the nails associated with chronic hypoxia.

Nystagmus

Involuntary, rapid eye movement.

Cataracts

Clouding of the lens in the eye leading to blurry vision.

Ascites

Accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity, often seen in liver disease.