Shared Flashcard Set

Details

Adult Health Nursing Glossary R - W
Adult Health Nursing Glossary R - W
63
Nursing
Professional
08/07/2010

Additional Nursing Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
radial keratotomy
Definition

microscopic incisions on the surface of the cornea outside the optical area

 

These 8 spokelike incisions flatten the cornea to a more normal curvature, thus reducing or eliminating myopia

Term
Reed-Sternberg cells
Definition

atypical histocytes

 

large, abnormal, multinucleated cells in the lymphatic system, found in Hodgkin's lymphoma

Term
remission
Definition

a decrease in the severity of a disease or any of its symptoms

Term
residual urine
Definition

urine remaining in the urinary tract after voiding

Term
retention
Definition

the inability to void even in the presence of an urge to void

Term
retinal detachment
Definition

separation of the retina from the choroid in the posterior of the eye

Term
retrovirus
Definition

lentivirus that contains revese transcriptase, which is essential for revese transcription (the production of a deoxyribonucleic acid [DNA] molecule from a ribonucleic acid [RNA] model)

Term
rule of nines
Definition

division of the body into muliples of nine

 

used to determine the total body surface area (BSA) involved in burn trauma

Term
sarcoma
Definition

malignant tumor of connective tissues such as muscle or bone

 

usually presents as a painless swelling

Term
scoliosis
Definition

curvature of the spine usually consisting of 2 curves:

the original abnormal curve & a compensatory curve in the opposite direction

Term
sentinel lymph node mapping
Definition

diagnostic toll used before therapeutic surgery, which identifies the first lymph node most likely to drain cancerous cells

 

used in axillary lymph node biopsy, specifically in breast cancer staging

Term
sequestrum
Definition

a fragment of necrotic bone that is partially or entirely detached from the surrounding or adjacent healthy bone

Term
seroconversion
Definition

the development of detachable levels of antibodies

 

a change in serologic tests (ex: ELISA & Western blot) from negative to positive as antibodies develop in reaction to an infection

Term
seronegative
Definition

negative results on a serologic examination

 

The state of lacking HIV antibodies

 

confirmed by blood tests

Term
sibilant wheeze
Definition

musical, high-pitched, squeaking, or whistlelike sound caused by rapid movement of air through narrowed bronchioles

Term
singultus
Definition

hiccup

Term
sjogren syndrome
Definition

dry eye syndrome

 

an immunologic disorder characterized by low fluid production by lacrimal (tear), salivary, & other glands, resulting in abnormal dryness of mouth, eyes, & other mucous membranes

Term
Snellen's test
Definition

eye chart test for visual acuity

 

letters, numbers, or symbols are arranged on the chart in decreasing size from top to bottom

Term
sonorous wheeze
Definition

low-pitched, loud, coarse, snoring sound

Term
spastic
Definition

involuntary, sudden movements or muscular contractions with increased reflexes

Term
spider telangiectases
Definition

dilated superficial arterioles

Term
stapedectomy
Definition

the removal of the stapes of the middle ear & insertion of a graft & prothesis

Term
steatorrhea
Definition

excessive fat in the feces

Term
stertorous
Definition

pertaining to a respiratory effort that is strenuous & struggling, which provokes a snoring sound

Term
stoma
Definition

combining form meaning mouth or opening

Term
stomatitis
Definition

inflammation of the mouth due to destruction of normal cells of the oral cavity that may result from infection by bacteria, viruses, or fungi from exposure to certain chemicals or drugs, vitamin deficiency, or systemic inflammatory disease

Term
strabismus
Definition

condition in which the eyes are unable to focus in the same direction

 

commonly called cross-eyed

Term
stroke
Definition

- an abnormal condition of the blood vessels of the brain characterized by hemorrhage into the brain

- formation of an embolus or thrombus resulting in ischemia of the brain tissues normally profused by the damaged vessels

- The sequelae depend on the location & extent of ischemia.

Term
subluxation
Definition

partial dislocation

Term
suppuration
Definition

to produce purulent material

Term
surgery
Definition

branch of medicine concerned with disease & trauma requiring operative procedures

Term
surgical asepsis
Definition

a group of techniques that destroy all microorganisms & their spores

 

sterile techinque

Term
system
Definition

an organization of varying numbers & kinds of organs arranged so that they can work together to perform complex functions for the body

Term
tachycardia
Definition

an abnormal condition in which the myocardium contracts regularly but at a rate greater than 100 beats per minute.

Term
tachypnea
Definition

an abnormally rapid rate of breathing

Term
tenesmus
Definition

persistant, infectual spasms of the rectum or bladder, accompanied by the desire to empty the bowel or bladder

Term
thoracentesis
Definition

the surgical perforation of the chest wall & pleural space with a needle for the aspiration of fluid for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes

Term
thrombocytopenia
Definition

an abnormal hematologic condition in which the number of platelets is reduced to fewer than 1000,000/mm3

Term
thrombus
Definition

of or pertaining to a clot

Term
tinnitus
Definition

a subjective noise sensation in one or both ears

 

ringing or tinkling sound in the ear

Term
tissue
Definition

an organization of many similar cells that act together to perform a common function

Term
tophi
Definition

calculi containing sodium urate deposits that develop in periarticular fibrous tissue

 

typically found in patients with gout

Term
trichomoniasis
Definition

a sexually transmitted disease caused by the protozoan Trichomonas vaginalis

Term
Trousseau's sign
Definition

a test for latent tetany in which carpal spasms are induced by inflating a sphygmomanometer cuff (BP cuff) on the upper arm to a pressure exceeding SBP for 3 minutes

 

used in hypocalcemia & hypomagnesemia

Term
tumor lysis syndrome
Definition

- oncologic emergency that occurs with rapid lysis of malignant cells

- most frequently associated with chemotherapy treatment

- It is most commonly a rsult of treatment-related malignant cell death in patients with large tumor cell burdens.

Term
turgor
Definition

the normal resiliency of the skin caused by the outward pressure of the cells & interstitual fluid

 

may be assessed as increased or decreased skin ______.

Term
tympanoplasty
Definition

one of several operative procedures on the eardrum or ossicles of the middle ear designed to resore or improve hearing in patients with conductive hearing loss

Term

type 1 diabetes mellitus

DMI

Definition

- condition in which impaired glucose tolerance results because of destruction of beta cells in the pancreatic islets

- results in deficient insulin production, but the patient retains normal sensativity to insulin action

- also called insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

Term

type 2 diabetes mellitus

DMII

Definition

condition in which impaired glucose tolerance results from an abnormal resistance to insulin action

 

 also called non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

Term
unilateral neglect
Definition

condition in which an individual is perceptually unaware of & inattentive to one side of the body

Term
urolithiasis
Definition

formation of urinary calculi

Term
uticaria
Definition

itching skin eruption characterized by welts of varying sizes with well-defined inflamed margins & pale centers

 

also called hives

Term
ventral
Definition

facing forward

 

the front of the body

Term
verruca
Definition

benign, viral, wary skin lesion with a rough, papillomatous (nipplelike) growth

Term
vertical transmission
Definition

transmission of HIV from a mother to a fetus

 

can occur during pregnancy, during delivery, or through postpartum breastfeeding

Term
vertigo
Definition

the sensation that the outer world is revolving about oneself or that one is moving in space

Term
vesicle
Definition

circumscribred elevation of skin filled with serus fluid

Term
viral load
Definition

amount of measurable HIV virions

Term
virulent
Definition

having the power to produce disease

 

of or pertaining to a very pathogenic or repidly progressive condition

Term
Volkmann's contracture
Definition

a permanent contracture with clawhand, flexion of wrist & finger, & atrophy of the forearm

 

can occur as a result of compartment syndrome

Term
volvulus
Definition

twisting of the bowel on itself, causing itestinal obstruction

Term
Western blot
Definition

a laboratory blood test to detect the presence of antibodies to a specific antigen

 

used in diagnosing HIV

Term
wheals
Definition

irregularly shaped, elevasted areas, white in the center with pale red periphery, with superficial localized edema

 

vary in size

 

(hives, mosquito bite)

Supporting users have an ad free experience!