C Chemotherapy Description Chemotherapy is the use of chemicals as a systemic therapy for cancer. It is a mainstay of cancer treatment for most solid tumors and hematologic malignancies (e.g.,…

T Tracheostomy Description A tracheostomy is a surgically created stoma (opening) in the trachea to establish an airway. It is used to (1) bypass an upper airway obstruction, (2) facilitate…

R Raynaud’s phenomenon Description Raynaud’s phenomenon is an episodic vasospastic disorder of the small cutaneous arteries, most frequently involving the fingers and toes. It occurs primarily in young women (typically…

U Ulcerative colitis Description Ulcerative colitis is an autoimmune disorder that, along with Crohn’s disease, is referred to as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). See Inflammatory Bowel Disease, p. 352, for…

G Gastritis Description Gastritis, an inflammation of the gastric mucosa, is one of the most common problems affecting the stomach. Gastritis may be acute or chronic and diffuse or localized….

L Lactase deficiency Description Lactase deficiency is a condition in which the lactase enzyme that breaks down lactose into two simple sugars (glucose and galactose) is deficient or absent. Primary…

R Radiation therapy Description Radiation therapy is one of the oldest methods of cancer treatment. Delivery of high-energy beams, when absorbed into tissue, produces ionization of atomic particles. The energy…

E Emergency patient: Primary and secondary survey Recognition of life-threatening illness or injury is one of the most important goals of emergency nursing. Initiation of interventions to reverse or prevent…

I Increased intracranial pressure Description Increased intracranial pressure (ICP) is a potentially life-threatening situation that results from an increase in any or all of the three components within the skull:…

D Dialysis Description Dialysis is a technique in which substances move from the blood through a semipermeable membrane and into a dialysis solution (dialysate). It is used to correct fluid…