Steps to success

Dysphagia

  • Refers to difficulty in swallowing, a condition impacting the ability to eat or drink.

Enteral Formula

  • Nutritional formulas used for patients who cannot consume food orally.

  • Commonly administered via nasogastric tube (NGT) or gastrostomy.

  • Formulated to meet daily nutritional needs.

Body Mass Index (BMI)

  • A calculation used to assess body weight relative to height, indicating whether a person is underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese.

  • Formula: BMI=weight(kg)height(m)2BMI = \frac{weight(kg)}{height(m)^2}

NGT (Nasogastric Tube)

  • A tube placed through the nose to the stomach.

  • Used for feeding, medication administration, or gastric decompression.

Insulin

  • A hormone that regulates blood glucose levels.

  • Important for managing diabetes mellitus.

Sensory Deficit

  • Impaired or reduced function in one or more of the senses (sight, hearing, touch).

  • Can impact communication, safety, and quality of life.

Transdermal

  • Refers to a method of delivering medication through the skin.

  • Often in the form of patches.

Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)

  • A neurological disorder causing an uncontrollable urge to move the legs.

  • Symptoms typically worsen when at rest.

Sleep

  • A natural, reversible state of reduced consciousness and metabolic activity, essential for health.

Rest

  • A state of inactivity or relaxation that rejuvenates the body.

Hypersomnia

  • Excessive daytime sleepiness or prolonged nighttime sleep.

  • Can be caused by various disorders or substance use.

Narcolepsy

  • A chronic sleep disorder characterized by overwhelming daytime drowsiness and sudden attacks of sleep.

Parasomnia

  • Abnormal behaviors during sleep such as sleepwalking, night terrors, or talking in one's sleep.

Calcium

  • An essential mineral crucial for bone health, muscle function, and nerve transmission.

  • Adult daily requirement: 1000 mg.

Vitamin C

  • A water-soluble vitamin important for the growth and repair of tissues, and functioning of the immune system.

  • Daily recommended intake: 75 mg for women, 90 mg for men.

Low Cholesterol Diet

  • A diet aimed at reducing cholesterol levels in the body, focusing on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein.

Insomnia

  • Difficulty falling or staying asleep, leading to insufficient sleep quality and quantity.

Sleep Deprivation

  • A condition resulting from inadequate sleep; can affect physical and mental health.

Time Out Procedure

  • A safety practice used in healthcare to prevent errors during medication administration or surgical procedures.

Aseptic Technique

  • A set of procedures implemented to prevent contamination from pathogens.

  • Used during surgical procedures and sterile compounding of medications.

Intramuscular (IM) Injection

  • Injection of medication into a muscle, allowing for rapid absorption.

  • Common sites include the deltoid, vastus lateralis, and ventrogluteal areas.

Subcutaneous (SC) Injection

  • Administration of medication into the subcutaneous tissue, allowing for slower absorption.

  • Common for insulin delivery.

Intradermal Injection

  • Injection into the dermis layer of the skin, used for allergy tests or vaccinations.

Sleeping Aids

  • Medications or supplements that assist with sleep onset or maintenance.

  • Examples: Melatonin, benzodiazepines.

Sleepwalking

  • A disorder characterized by walking or performing other complex behaviors while asleep.

Saturated Fat

  • A type of fat that is solid at room temperature and can contribute to increased cholesterol levels.

  • Found in animal fat, butter, and some oils.

Low Salt Diet

  • A dietary approach to reduce sodium intake, helping to manage blood pressure and reduce risk of cardiovascular disease.

High Cholesterol Food

  • Foods that are high in saturated and trans fats, such as red meat, full-fat dairy, and fried foods.

Oxygen Therapy

  • The administration of oxygen to maintain adequate oxygen levels in the body, especially for patients with respiratory conditions.

Arterial Blood Gas

  • A test measuring the levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and acidity in the blood, often used to assess respiratory function.

Hypoxia

  • A condition in which there is insufficient oxygen in the tissues.

  • Can lead to serious complications if not addressed.

Nausea

  • The sensation of an urge to vomit.

Fat Soluble Vitamins

  • Vitamins that can be stored in body fat and include Vitamins A, D, E, and K.

Water Soluble Vitamins

  • Vitamins that dissolve in water and must be taken regularly, including Vitamin C and the B-vitamins.

Clear Liquid Diet

  • A temporary diet consisting of foods that are liquid at room temperature, often used preoperatively or during digestive recovery.

Full Liquid Diet

  • A dietary regimen that includes food that is liquid or semi-liquid, recommended for patients unable to consume solid foods.

Pureed Diet

  • Diet involving foods that are processed into a smooth consistency, suitable for patients with swallowing difficulties.

Incentive Spirometry

  • A device used to encourage deep breathing, enhancing lung function and preventing respiratory complications after surgery.

Oxygen Saturation Level

  • A measure of how much oxygen the blood is carrying as a percentage of the maximum it could carry.

  • Normal values range from 95% to 100%.

Home Oxygen

  • Oxygen therapy provided to patients in their homes to assist with respiratory failure or chronic respiratory conditions.

Inhalers

  • Devices used to deliver medication directly to the lungs, commonly used for asthma and COPD management.

CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure)

  • A device used to treat sleep apnea by keeping the airway open during sleep.

Oral Care

  • Essential practice to maintain oral hygiene, especially in patients who are bedridden or those receiving certain treatments.

Respiratory Distress

  • A clinical state of difficulty breathing, requiring immediate medical attention.

Malnutrition

  • A condition resulting from inadequate intake of nutrients, leading to health complications.

Cholesterol

  • A waxy substance found in the blood; while necessary for cellular function, high levels can lead to atherosclerosis.

Nutritional Assessment

  • A systematic evaluation of an individual's dietary intake and nutritional status, vital for formulating appropriate dietary interventions.

Dyspnea

  • Describes shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing.

COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)

  • A group of lung conditions that obstruct airflow, commonly caused by smoking.

Oxygen Therapy

  • Reiterated as critical for patients with airway obstruction.

Safety

  • Essential in all healthcare settings, ensuring patient safety and reducing risk of errors.

5 Rights of Medication Administration

  • Refers to five key points to verify before administering medications:

    1. Right Patient

    2. Right Medication

    3. Right Dose

    4. Right Route

    5. Right Time

Eye Drops

  • Medications administered to the eyes to treat various ocular conditions.

Otic Drops

  • Ear drops used to treat ear conditions and infections.

Food-Drug Interactions

  • Describes how certain foods can affect the metabolism and effectiveness of medications.

Medication Error

  • Any preventable event that may lead to inappropriate medication use or patient harm.

Eastern Medical Practices

  • Refers to traditional practices and philosophies from Eastern cultures, such as Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Dosage

  • The prescribed amount of a medication to be taken or given at one time.