Medical Terminology
phlebitis
inflammation of the vein
A patient’s oxygen saturation drops to 88%. This means the blood is carrying an abnormally low amount of this substance.
oxygen
What is ethics
Set of principles dealing with what is morally right or wrong.
This federal agency creates and enforces workplace safety standards to protect healthcare workers.
What is OSHA?
A patient’s chart says NKA, meaning the nurse does not need to worry about reactions to medications in this category.
What are Allergies?
epistaxis
nosebleed
A blood pressure reading of 128/76 has a systolic pressure of 128. This number represents arterial pressure while the ventricles are doing this.
What are the basic rules of ethics? (at least 2)
Save lives and promote health
Patient comfort
Respect the patient’s right to die peacefully and with dignity
Treat all patients equally
Provide the best care possible
When lifting a patient, workers should bend at the hips and knees and keep this part of the body straight to prevent injury.
What is the back?
A patient with HTN may be told to reduce salt intake because this condition involves chronically high levels of this vital sign.
What is Hypertension?
This term describes an abnormally low level of oxygen in the blood.
hypoxemia
After standing up, a patient becomes dizzy and their blood pressure drops significantly. This condition is called this.
orthostatic hypotension
OBRA
In 1987, the US Congress enacted the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. This act was written to protect nursing home residents and reduce the costs of maintaining individuals who do not need or want to use nursing home services. This act is also known as the Federal Nursing Home Reform Act.
In a fire emergency, the acronym RACE begins with this step.
What is “Rescue anyone in danger”?
Before a surgery, a patient is marked NPO to keep the stomach empty and prevent this complication during anesthesia
What is aspiration?
This term describes swelling caused by fluid buildup in the body’s tissues.
edema
A patient has a fever of 103°F, pulse of 120 bpm, and respirations of 26/min. The elevated heart and respiratory rates are common physiological responses to this abnormal vital sign.
fever
HIPPA
This federal law protects a patient’s medical information and requires healthcare workers to keep charts, records, and conversations private.
Before using any electrical equipment in a healthcare setting, workers must check for this specific hazard that can cause shocks, burns, or fires.
What is a frayed or damaged cord?
A CBC shows elevated WBC. This usually means the body is responding to this type of problem.
What is an infection?
This term refers to coughing up blood from the respiratory tract.
hemoptysis
A patient who has lost a significant amount of blood has a heart rate of 124 bpm, blood pressure of 86/54 mmHg, and cool, clammy skin. What condition do these findings most strongly suggest?
shock
This federal agency requires healthcare facilities to provide training, protective equipment, and safe working conditions to prevent injuries and exposure to hazards.
What is OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)?
To prevent errors, healthcare workers must always do this before performing any procedure on a patient.
What is identify the patient using two identifiers?
A sudden drop in LOC from “alert” to “confused” can signal a change in this major body system.
What is the nervous system?