Common Medical Terms

General

100

Basic indicator of patient's health. Includes heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, pain level, and blood pressure.

Vital Signs

200

Medical documentation that follows a patient throughout the healthcare facility

Chart

300

The nursing exam

NCLEX

400

Sample from the patients body

Specimen

500

A medical emergency that usually requires CPR

Code Blue

Specialty

100

Specialty is working with hearts

Cardiac Nursing

200

Specialty is working with patients in their home

Home Health Nursing

300

Specialty is working with the brain

Neuro Nursing

400

Specialty working with cancer patients

Oncology

500

Specialty working with children

Pediatric Nursing

Acronyms

100

CPR 

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

200

DNR

Do not resuscitate

300

OTC

Over the counter

400

PPE

Personal Protective Equipment (gloves, gown, googles, mask, etc)

500

WNL

Within Normal Limits

Medical test/Procedure

100

Non-invasive test that checks your heart

EKG or electrocardiogram

200

Image using sound waves; commonly used on pregnant people

Ultrasound

300

Image taken of the bones using electromagnetic waves

X-ray

400

Procedure that reduces the risk of spreading contagious diseases/illness

Vaccination

500

Procedure to deliver fluids into a persons vein

IV Therapy

Tools

100

Use to listen to someones heart and lungs

Stethoscope 

200

Used to measure someone's oxygen levels

Pulse Ox

300

Trash can used to hold anything that punctured skin

Sharps Container 

400

Hollow tube used to provide a person with fluid or medication.  Can also be used to remove blood samples.

Catheter/IV

500

Tight band used to control bleeding

Tourniquet