Vocabulary

3 Vocabulary

Members of the health professions use specific medical terminology to ensure accurate, concise, and consistent communication among all persons involved in the provision of health care. In addition to the use of specific medical terms, many general vocabulary words are used in a health care context. It is essential that students planning to enter the health care field have a basic understanding of these general vocabulary words to ensure accurate communication in a professional setting.

The following list of vocabulary words includes a definition for each word and an example of the word as used in a health care context. Careful study and review of these vocabulary words will help you begin your health profession studies with the ability to communicate in a professional manner.

Being able to use a wide range of vocabulary skills correctly is considered by some experts to be the best measure of adult IQ.

Abrupt Sudden.

Example:

The nurse noticed an abrupt change in the patient’s level of pain.

Abstain: To voluntarily refrain from something.

Example:

The dental hygienist instructed the patient to abstain from smoking to improve his breath odor.

Access: A means to obtain entry or a means of approach.

Example:

To administer medications into the patient’s vein, the nurse must access the vein with a special needle.

Accountable: Responsible.

Example:

Paramedics are accountable for maintaining up-to-date knowledge of resuscitation techniques.

Adhere: To hold fast or stick together.

Example:

The tape must adhere to the patient’s skin to hold the bandage in place.

Adverse: Undesired, possibly harmful.

Example:

Vomiting is an adverse effect of many medications.

Affect: Appearance of observable emotions.

Example:

The nurse observed that a depressed patient exhibited no obvious emotion and reported that the patient had a flat affect.

Annual: Occurring every year.

Example:

The patient told the nurse that she had scheduled her annual mammogram, as she had been instructed.

Apply: To place, put on, or spread something.

Example:

The physical therapist will apply a medication to the wound before covering the wound with a bandage.

Audible: Able to be heard.

Example:

The respiratory therapist noticed that when the patient was having difficulty breathing, the therapist could hear an audible wheezing sound.

Bilateral: Present on two sides.

Example:

The unlicensed assistive personnel reported to the nurse that the patient had bilateral weakness in the legs when walking.

Cardiac: Of or relating to the heart.

Example:

Smoking increases the risk of cardiac disease.

Cast: Hard protective device applied to protect a broken bone while the bone heals.

Example:

The nurse instructed the child that he could not go swimming while the cast was on his broken arm.

Cavity: An opening or an empty area.

Example:

The nurse inspected the patient’s oral cavity for lesions.

Cease: Come to an end or bring to an end.

Example:

Because the patient’s breathing had ceased, the paramedic began resuscitation measures.

Compensatory: Offsetting or making up for something.

Example:

When the patient’s blood pressure decreased, the paramedic noted that the heart rate increased, which the paramedic recognized as a compensatory action.

Complication: An undesired problem that is the result of some other event.

Example:

The physician told the patient that loss of eyesight is a possible complication of eye surgery.

Comply: Do as directed.

Example:

The nurse asked the patient to comply with the instructions for taking the medication.

Concave: Rounded inward.

Example:

The dietician noticed that the patient was very thin and the patient’s abdomen appeared concave.

Concise: Brief, to the point.

Example:

When teaching a patient, the nurse tried to be concise, so the instructions would be easy to remember.

Consistency: Degree of viscosity; how thick or thin a fluid is.

Example:

The respiratory therapist noticed that the mucus the patient was coughing was of a thin, watery consistency.

Constrict: To draw together or become smaller.

Example:

The nurse knows that the small blood vessels of the skin will constrict when ice is applied to the skin.

Contingent: Dependent.

Example:

The hygienist told the patient that a healthy mouth is contingent on careful daily brushing and flossing.

Contour: Shape or outline of a shape.

Example:

While bathing an overweight patient, the unlicensed assistive personnel noticed that the contour of the patient’s abdomen was quite rounded.

Contract: To draw together, to reduce in size.

Example:

The physical therapist exercises the patient’s muscles so they contract and expand.

Contraindication: A reason why something is not advisable or why it should not be done.

Example:

The patient’s excessive bleeding was a contraindication for discharge from the hospital.

Defecate: Expel feces.

Example:

The unlicensed assistive personnel helped the patient to the toilet when he needed to defecate.

Deficit: A deficiency or lack of something.

Example:

The therapist explained that the patient will experience a fluid deficit if the patient continues to perspire heavily during exercise without drinking enough fluids.

Depress: Press downward.

Example:

The nurse will depress the patient’s skin to see if any swelling is present.

Depth: Downward measurement from a surface.

Example:

The physician measures the depth of a wound by inserting a cotton swab into the wound.

Deteriorating: Worsening.

Example:

The dental hygienist explains that the condition of the patient’s gums is deteriorating and treatment by the dentist is needed right away.

Device: Tool or piece of equipment.

Example:

A thermometer is a device used to measure the patient’s body temperature.

Diagnosis: Identification of an injury or disease.

Example:

The patient received a diagnosis of pancreatitis.

Diameter: The distance across the center of an object.

Example:

When measuring a patient’s blood pressure, the nurse knows that when the diameter of a blood vessel increases, the pressure in that blood vessel goes down.

Dilate: To enlarge or expand.

Example:

When shining a light in the patient’s eyes, the nurse looks to see if both pupils dilate in response to the light.

Dilute: To make a liquid less concentrated.

Example:

The nurse uses fruit juice to dilute a foul-tasting drug so that the medication will be easier to swallow.

Discrete: Distinct, separate.

Example:

The paramedic observed several discrete bruise marks on the patient’s body.

Distended: Enlarged or expanded from pressure.

Example:

When a blood vessel is distended, the laboratory technician can easily insert a needle to obtain a blood sample.

Dysfunction: Impaired or abnormal functioning.

Example:

Family dysfunction may increase when a member experiences an acute physical illness.

Elevate: To lift up or place in a higher position.

Example:

The paramedic decided to elevate the head of the stretcher to help the patient breathe more easily.

Endogenous: Produced within the body.

Example:

The nurse explained that endogenous insulin produced by the body’s pancreas helps regulate the body’s blood sugar levels.

Exacerbate: To make worse or more severe.

Example:

The physical therapist recognized that too much exercise would exacerbate the patient’s breathing difficulties.

Excess: More than what is needed or usual.

Example:

The dietician explained that an excess consumption of caffeine may cause unpleasant effects such as feeling nervous and on edge.

Exogenous: Produced outside the body.

Tags: Admission Assessment Exam Review

Apr 10, 2017 | Posted by admin in NURSING | Comments Off

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