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CNA Gossary 1
Glossary of Terms1
112
Nursing
Not Applicable
06/05/2012

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Term
Abdomen
Definition
The body cavity between the chest and thighs
Term
Acute
Definition
Illness characterized by sudden onset, sharp rise and short course. Acute may also describe sharp or severe pain.
Term
Afebrile
Definition
without fever
Term
Alert
Definition
Fully conscious, aware of seroundings
Term
Ambulate
Definition
To walk
Term
Ambulatory
Definition
Able to walk around
Term
Amnesia
Definition
Forgetfulness, loss of memory
Term
Anorexia
Definition
Loss of appetite
Term
Antibiotic
Definition
A drug used in medical treatment that prevents disease-causing micro-organisms from multiplying
Term
Anus
Definition
Outlet of rectum
Term
Aphasia
Definition

Disorder of language/loss of language due to injury

e.g. unable to speak or able to speak but not able to express self properly

Term
Apnea
Definition
Short period when breathing ceases
Term
Arrhythmia
Definition
Irregularity of heartbeat
Term
Asepsis
Definition
The condition of being free of disease causing organisms.
Term
Ashen
Definition
Grayish color of the skin
Term
Asphyxia
Definition
Suffocation
Term
Ataxia
Definition
Unsteady or uneven gait
Term
Axilla
Definition
The armpit
Term
Bacteria
Definition
A kind of micro organism sometimes called a germ. Many forms of bacteria cause disease.
Term
Bed Cradle
Definition
Equipment which is placed over the body to keep the sheets and blankets from touching the patient.
Term
Bedsore
Definition
Decubitus ulcer. Opening in the skin occurring on a part of the body as a result of pressure, irritation or both.
Term
Bladder
Definition
A sac which serves as a sac for fluid or gas, as the "urinary bladder".
Term
Cerebral
Definition
A word used as a general way of referring to the brain.
Term
Ceruman
Definition
Wax in ears.
Term
Chronic
Definition
Illness or symptoms marked by long duration or frequent reccurrence
Term
circulation
Definition
The continuous movement of blood through the heart and blood vessels to all part of the body.
Term
Circulatory System
Definition
The heart, blood vessels, blood and all the organs that pump and carry blood and other fluids throughout the body.
Term
Clammy
Definition
Cold and moist
Term
Colostomy
Definition

Surgical formation of an artificial opening either temporary or permanent. Usually made through abdominal wall into a part of the large intestines.

 

 

Term
Coma
Definition
A state of deep unconsciousness often caused by a disease, injury or drugs.
Term
Communicable Disease
Definition
A disease that is easily spread from one person to another.
Term
Compress
Definition
Folded pieces of cloth or gauze used to apply pressure to a part of thepatient's body. The compress may also be used to supply moisture, heat, cold, or medication to a specific part of the body.
Term
Congestion
Definition

An abnormal condition caused by an unusually large amount of blood or fluid in a part of the body.

 

Term
Contaminate
Definition
Soil and infectious material or corrupt by contact.
Term
Contracture
Definition
When muscle tissue gets drawn together or shortened because of a spasm or paralysis, either permanently or temporarily.
Term
Convalescent
Definition
Getting well or recovering after illness or surgery
Term
CVA
Definition
Cerebral Vascular Accident
Term
cyanotic
Definition
Blue in color due to the lack of oxygen
Term
Death Rattle
Definition
a sound made by a dying patient caused by air passing through the mucus collected in the throat or bronchial tubes.
Term
Defecation
Definition
Emptying of lower bowel movement
Term
Dehydration
Definition
A condition in which the body has less than the normal amount of fluid. The term "fluid volume deficit" is sometimes used instead of dehydration.
Term
Dentures
Definition
False/artificial teeth. Dentures may replace all or some of a person's teeth and are described as being partial or complete, upper or lower.
Term
Diabetes
Definition
A condition that develops when the body cannot change its sugar into energy.
Term
Diagnosis
Definition

Finding out what kind of disease or medical condition a patient has. A medical diagnosis is always made by a physician.

 

Term
Diagnostic Examination
Definition
A physical examination that helps the physician to make a diagnosis
Term
Digestive System
Definition

The group of body organs that carries out digestion. Digestion is the process in the body in which food is broken down, mechanically and chemically and is changed into forms that can enter the blood stream and be used by the body.

 

Term
Diplopia
Definition
Double-vision
Term
Disability
Definition
Loss of the ability to use a part or parts of the body in a normal way.
Term
Disinfection 
Definition
The process of destroying most disease-carrying organisms.
Term
Disposables
Definition
Supply items used once and then thrown away.
Term
Distention
Definition
Drum-like condition of the abdomen due to gas in the intestines or inability to empty bladder.
Term
Diuresis
Definition
Large amount of urine voided.
Term
Draping
Definition
Covering a patient or parts of the abdomen due to gas in the intestines or inability to empty bladder.
Term
Diuresis
Definition
Large amount of urine voided.
Term
Draping
Definition
Covering a patient or parts of the patient's body with a sheet or blanket, usually during physical examination of the patient.
Term
Dysphagia
Definition
Difficulty in swallowing
Term
Dyspnea
Definition
Difficulty or labored breathing.
Term
Dysuria
Definition
Painful urination
Term
Edema
Definition
Abnormal swelling of a part of body caused by fluid collecting in that area Usually the swelling is the ankles, legs, hands or abdomen.
Term
Edentulous 
Definition
Toothless
Term
Elevate
Definition
To raise or increase
Term
Emaciation
Definition
A wasting away of the flesh, caused by disease and sometimes by lack of food. An emaciated person is very thin.
Term
Emesis
Definition
To Vomit
Term
Endocrine Gland
Definition
a ductless gland in the body that secretes a substance that affects the way some body systems do their work.
Term
Enuresis
Definition
Bed-wetting
Term
Epistaxis
Definition
Nose bleed
Term
Erythema
Definition
Redness of the skin
Term
Exhalation
Definition
The process of breathing out air in repiration.
Term
Expectorate
Definition
To Spit
Term
Extremities
Definition
The arms, legs, hands and feet
Term
Fahrenheit
Definition
A system for measuring temperature. In the Fahrenheit system, the temperature of water at boiling is 212°F, at freezing it is 32°F.
Term
Feces
Definition
Waste material of digestion, normally passed through rectum;stool fecal matter.
Term
Fever
Definition
The term for a person's condition when his body temperature is above normal.
Term
Flaccid
Definition
Limp
Term
Flatus
Definition
Gas in digestive tract
Term
Flex
Definition
To bend upon itself, as a muscle
Term
Fluid Intake
Definition
The fluid taken to the body from all source
Term
Flushed
Definition
Skin pink/red;hot
Term
Fowler's
Definition
Position with head elevated, knees flexed
Term
Fracture
Definition
A break in the bone
Term
Gastrointestinal
Definition
A term used to refer to the digestive system, sometimes called G.I. system; an abbreviation for gastro (stomach) and intestinal
Term
Gatch Handle
Definition
A Handle used on manually operated beds to raise or lower the backrest, knee rest and/or level of bed mattress.
Term
Gavage
Definition
Nourishment fiven through tube into stomach;G-tube.
Term
Genitalia
Definition
The sex organs or parts.
Term
Germicide
Definition
A chemical compound used to destroy bacteria.
Term
Graphic Chart
Definition
A medical record that shows a patient's TPR, intake and output and blood pressure. It is called a graphic chart because it is made in the form of a graph. The reading for each vital sign is connected to the next by a line.
Term
Halitosis
Definition
Unpleasant breath
Term
Hematemesis
Definition
Blood in Vomitus
Term
Hematuria
Definition
Blood in urine
Term
Hemiplegia
Definition
Paralysis half size of the body
Term
Hemoptysis
Definition
spitting of blood
Term
Hemorrhage
Definition
Excessive bleeding
Term
Incoherent
Definition
Confused, not understandable
Term
Incontinent
Definition
Inability to retain urine and/or feces.
Term
Inflammation
Definition
A reaction of the body to disease or injury. There is usually pain, redness and swelling of the body part.
Term
Inhalation
Definition
The process of breathing in air in repiration.
Term
Insomnia
Definition
Inability to sleep.
Term
Insulin
Definition
A hormone produced naturally in the body by the pancreas. Insulin helps the body to change sugar into energy.
Term
Internal Nourishments
Definition
Extra nourishment in the form of food or drink given to patients between meals.
Term
Intravenous
Definition
Injections of fluids into a vein.
Term
Intravenous Pole
Definition
Also called IV pole. A tall pole on rollers used to hold the containers that hold fluids that are carried to a patient by gravity as during a blood transfusion. short IV poles may be attached to the bed frame.
Term
Involutional Psychotic
Definition
A depression manifested by preoccupation with diet, bowel movements or general health.
Term
Jaundice
Definition
Yellow coloring of skin or eyes.
Term
Joint
Definition
A part of the body where two bones comes together.
Term
Labia
Definition
Lips of the vulva.
Term
Lumbar Region
Definition
Small of the back
Term
Manic-depressive Reaction
Definition
Marked changes in mood from elation to depression.
Term
Medical Asepsis
Definition
Special practices and procedures for cleanliness to decrease the chances for disease-causing bacteria to live and spread.
Term
Metabolism
Definition
The total of all the physical and chemical changes that take place in livinf organisms and cells.
Term
Metric System
Definition
A system of measurement based on the decimal system.
Term
Micro-organism
Definition
A living thing so small it cannot be seen with the naked eye, but only through a microscope.
Term
Muscular System
Definition
The group of body organs that control and regulate the activities of the body and the functioning of the other body systems.
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