Diagnostically related group (DRG) 

The method used by Medicare, Medicaid and some insurers of standardizing treatment and costs based on information about large numbers of patients with the same diagnosis.

General Practice

The type of practice of a doctor who treats day-to-day health problems that do not require specialized care. 

HMO

Health Maintenance Organization

A network of healthcare providers who standardize treatment and costs.  

Hospice

A group of healthcare providers dedicated to providing palliative care for the dying and their families.  

Palliative

To care for comfort but not for a cure.  

LPN

Licensed Practical Nurse

A nurse who is licensed by the state but with less nursing education than an RN.

Long Term Care Facility

Facilities (formerly known as nursing homes) that provide basic day-to-day care and around the clock nursing service to the sick, disabled, or elderly who cannot provide for themselves. 

SNF ---- Skilled Nursing Facility

Outpatient Care

Care provided by a hospital that does not require an overnight stay. 

Primary Care

The first care people receive, usually from a general practictioner who provides treatment for the day-to-day health problems that do not require specialized care. 

Inflection

Change in the pitch or tone of voice.  

Defensive

An overly responsive reaction to a perceived criticism or threat in order to protect oneself. 

Patronize

Communicating in an overly kind, condescending way, as though the person may not understand the issues or is a lower intellectual level than the health care provider. 

Pathogen

Any microorganism capable of producing disease. 

Infection

A disease state caused by the invasion of the body by pathogenic microorganisms that reproduce and multiply. 

Reservoir

Where the pathogen can grow and multiply. 

Portal of exit

The way the pathogen leaves the reservoir

MRSA

Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus

VRE

Vancomycin Resistant Enterococcus 

Hemorrhage

Abnormal internal or external bleeding 

CVA

Cerebrovascular accident 

(Stroke) 

HIPPA

Defines policies, procedure, and guidelines for maintaining the privacy adn security of individually identifiable health information.  

OBRA

Omnibus Budget Reconsiliation Act: 

regulations created to protect the rights of residents in long-term care facilities.  

Maslow

A US psychologist who defined human behavior and motivation based on a hierarchy of needs.  

Ombudsman

A person assigned to act as a liaison between residents and employees in long term care facilities. 

Apnea

Absense of respiration

Tachyapnea

Rapid, irregular respiration 

Bradyapnea

Unusually slow respiratory rate

Dyspnea

Difficulty breathing 

Tachycardia

Rapid heart rate (> 100 adult) 

Dysphagia

Difficulty swallowing 

Anorexia

Unusual loss of appetite

Peristalsis

A progressive wavelike movement that takes place in the intestines and aids in the movement of waste material from the gastrointestinal tract.  

Aphasia

Absense of speech or inability to speak 

Atrophy

Shrinking and weakening of the muscles caused by lack of use.  

Nocturia

Excessive need to void at night

Hematuria

Blood in the urine 

Eupnea

Normal breathing 

Ausculate

Listening for body sounds using the stethoscope 

(heart sounds, lung sounds, stomach and intestinal sounds)  

Palpate

To examine by touch 

Pulse Oximetry 

A non-invasive assessment to determine the oxygen saturation of a patients hemoglobin (or oxygen).  

Rigor Mortis

A state of stiffness or hardness of muscle after death

DNR

Do Not Resuscitate: 

Client has refused CPR in the event that their pulse and/or respiration has ceased.  

Coronary Artery Disease 

(CAD)

MI 

(Myocardial Infarction) 

Heart Attack 

Death of heart tissue

PVD

(Peripheral Vascular Disease)  

Vascular disease in the extremities 

Metastasis 

Cancer that has spread throughout the body to other cells and organs.