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ACUTE: Short term, severe symptoms.
AMBULATE: To walk.
AMBULATORY: Able to walk.
APHASIA: Unable to, or impairment of, ability to express
thoughts through speech; different kinds of aphasia exhibit different
impairment symptoms.
ASPIRATION: Withdrawing fluid by suction.
ATROPHY: Reduction in size of normal organ.
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BEDSIDE COMMODE: A chair-like, potable toilet.
BENIGN: Not malignant.
BEREAVEMENT: The feeling of desolation after the loss
of a loved one.
BILATERAL: Two sides.
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CAREGIVER: One who provides care for another individual.
CATHETER: A small, hollow tube, usually flexible.
CERTIFIED NURSES AID (CNA): A person who has satisfactorily
completed a certified program providing her/him with basic patient care
training.
CONTINENT: To have control of the bladder or bowel.
CONGESTION: Accumulation of fluid.
CONSTIPATION: Few and difficult bowel movements.
CONTRACTURE: Shortening, drawing up of muscle tissue.
CONVALESCING: Recovering from an illness, operation,
or injury.
CUSTODIAL CARE: Care which does not require a licensed
medical person such as a Registered Nurse, Licensed Vocational Nurse,
or specialized therapist.
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DEFECATE: To eliminate wastes and undigested food from
the rectum.
DEGENERATION: Lessening of the physical state.
DEHYDRATION: Less than normal amount of fluid in the
body.
DISORIENTED: Not aware of, or confused regarding time,
place, person, or purpose.
DYSFUNCTIONAL: Difficulty in functioning normally.
DYSPHAGIA: Difficulty in swallowing.
DYSPNEA: Difficulty in breathing.
DYSURIA: Difficulty in urinating.
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EDEMA: Fluid accumulating in body tissues.
ERYTHEMA: Reddened skin area.
EXACERBATION: Increase in symptoms.
EXCORIATION: Superficial loss of skin, such as that due
to scraping or scratching..
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FACILITY: A healthcare center which is usually used as
a place of continuation of care after a hospital stay, or when the patient
requires care beyond that which is within the realm of possibility within
his or her own home; a nursing home, retirement center, etc.
FEBRILE: With fever.
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GAIT: Manner of walking.
GERIATRICS: The branch of medicine dealing with the problems
of the elderly.
GERONTOLOGY: The study of the aging process.
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HEMATURIA: Blood in the urine.
HEMIPLEGIA: Paralysis of one side of the body.
HOSPICE: An organization which provides emotional and
nursing support for the terminally ill patient and their families.
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INCONTINENT: Without bowel or bladder control.
INFARCT: A localized area of tissue death caused by poor,
or ceasing of, blood circulation to that body part.
INFECTION: Bacteria-caused condition in the body.
INFLAMMATION: redness, heat, pain, and swelling in body
tissue.
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JAUNDICE: Yellowish color of the skin and eyes.
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LAP ROBE: Light weight covering for the lap and legs.
LESION: Damage to tissue, broad term including many types
of tissue damage.
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MALAISE: Uneasy feeling of things not being just right
physically.
MALIGNANT: Condition or disease which has a tendency
to become progressively worse, not benign.
METASTASIS: Transfer of a disease from one organ or part
of the body to another.
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NAUSEA: The feeling that vomiting may occur.
NECROSIS: Death of cells of the tissue.
NOCTURIA: Excessive nighttime urination.
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PALLIATIVE: A relieving, but not curing, treatment.
PARAPLEGIA: Paralysis of the lower portion of the body.
PARESIS: Incomplete paralysis.
POLYDYPSIA: Excessive thirst causing frequent drinking.
POLYURIA: Excessive urination.
PROGNOSIS: The probable outcome of the disease, illness,
or physical condition.
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QUADRAPLEGIA: Paralysis of the arms and legs.
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SEDATIVE: Medication that calms activity, nervousness,
irritability, fears.
SEIZURE: Sudden attack usually referring to involuntary
contraction or spasming of muscles which ordinarily move voluntarily.
SKILLED CARE: Care involving certain treatments to be
provided only by a licensed professional.
SYMPTOM: A sign or indication a person experiences bodily,
which is not in accordance with it’s usual condition.
SYNCOPE: To faint.
SYNDROME: Group of symptoms characteristic of a disease
or condition.
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TACHYCARDIA: Rapid heart beat.
TERMINAL: Without expectation of recovery; fatal.
T.I.A.: The initials standing for the words Transient
Ischemic Attack.
TRANSIENT ISCHEMIC ATTACK: Brief episodes of cerebra
dysfunction, caused by temporary impairment of blood
flow to the brain.
TRANSFER: To move from one place to another; when a patient
is moved from a bed to a wheelchair; when a patient is moved from location
to location, such as a hospital to an extended care facility.
TREMOR: Involuntary quivering.
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URINARY CATHETER: A small tube placed into the bladder
(held in place by a small, built in inflatable balloon), which is connected
via a larger tube to a drainage bag continually draining urine from
the body.
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VERTIGO: Dizziness.
VOID: To urinate.
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