health: state of optimal functioning or well-being

licensure: to be given a license to practice nursing in a state or province after successfully meeting
requirements
nurse practice act: law established to regulate nursing practice
nursing: profession that focuses on the holistic person receiving healthcare services and provides a unique
contribution to the prevention of illness and maintenance of health
nursing process: five-step systematic method for giving patient care; involves assessing, diagnosing,
planning, implementing, and evaluating
profession: an occupation that meets specific criteria including a well-defined body of specific and unique
knowledge, a code of ethics and standards, ongoing research, and autonomy
receprocity: process allowing a nurse to apply for and be endorsed as a registered nurse by another state
standards: rules or guidelines that allow nurses to carry out professional roles, serving as protection for the
nurse, the patient, and the institution where healthcare is given
cultural assimilation: process that occurs when a minority group, living as part of a dominant group within
a culture, loses the cultural characteristics that made it different
cultural blindness: the process of ignoring differences in people and proceeding as though the differences
do not exist
cultural diversity: diverse groups in society, with varying racial classification and national origin, religious
affiliation, languages, physical size, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, socioeconomic status,
occupational status, and geographic location
cultural imposition: tendency of some to impose their beliefs, practices, and values on another culture
because they believe that their ideas are superior to those of another person or group
culture: sum total of human behavior or social characteristics peculiar to a specific group and passed from
generation to generation or from one to another within the group
culture conflict: situation that occurs when people become aware of cultural differences, feel threatened,
and respond by ridiculing the beliefs and traditions of others to make themselves feel more secure about
their own values
culture shock: those feelings, usually negative, a person experiences when placed in a different culture
ethnicity: sense of identification that a cultural group collectively has; the sharing of common and unique
cultural and social beliefs and behavior patterns, including language and dialect, religious practices,
literature, folklore, music, political interests, food preferences, and employment patterns
ethnocentrism: belief that ones own ideas, beliefs, and practices are best, superior, or most preferred to
those of others
personal space: external environment surrounding a person that is regarded as being part of that person
race: division of human beings based on distinct physical characteristics
stereotyping: assigning characteristics to a group of people without considering specific individuality
subculture: group of people with different interests or goals than the primary culture
acute illness: rapidly occurring illness that runs its course, allowing the person to return to his or her
previous level of functioning
chronic illness: irreversible illness that causes permanent physical impairment and requires long-term
healthcare
disease: pathologic change in the structure or function of the body or mind
exacerbation: period in chronic illness when the symptoms of the disease reappear
health: state of optimal functioning or well-being
health promotion: behavior of an individual motivated by a personal desire to increase well-being and
health potential
holistic healthcare: healthcare that takes into account the whole person interacting in the environment
illness: abnormal process in which any aspect of the persons functioning is altered (in comparison to the
previous condition of health)
morbidity: frequency that a disease occurs
mortality: number of deaths
remission: period in a chronic illness when the disease is present, but the person does not experience
symptoms of the disease
risk factor: something that increases a persons chance for illness or injury
wellness: an active process in which an individual progresses toward the maximum possible potential,
regardless of his or her current state of health
basic human needs: something essential to the health and survival of humans; common to all people
blended family: two single-parent families joined together to form a new family unit
community: specific population or group of people living in the same geographic area under similar
regulations and having common values, interests, and needs
extended family: nuclear family and other related people
family: any group of two or more people who live together and are emotionally involved with each other
love and belonging needs: understanding and acceptance of others in giving and receiving love
nuclear family: family unit, family of marriage, parenthood, or procreation, and their immediate children
physiologic needs: need for oxygen, food, water, temperature, elimination, sexuality, activity, and rest; these
needs have the highest priority and are essential for survival
safety and security needs: persons need to be protected from actual or potential harm and to have freedom
from fear
self-actualization needs: highest level on the hierarchy of needs, which include the need for individuals to
reach their full potential through development of their unique capabilities
self-esteem needs: need to feel good about oneself and to believe others hold one in high regard
applied research (practical research): research designed to directly influence or improve clinical practice
basic research (pure research): research designed to generate and refine theory; the findings are often not
directly useful in practice
concept: abstract images (ideas) that are formed as impressions from the environment and organized into
symbols of reality
conceptual framework/model: set of concepts, along with the statements that arrange the concepts into an
understandable pattern
data: information
deductive reasoning: cognitive process in which one examines a general idea and then considers specific
actions or ideas
evidence-based practice (ebp): nursing care provided that is supported by sound scientific rationale
evidence-based practice guideline: guidelines written by a panel of experts that synthesize information
from multiple studies and recommend best practices to treat patients with a disease, a symptom, or a
disability
inductive reasoning: cognitive process in which one identifies a specific idea or action and then makes
conclusions about general ideas
informed consent: knowledgeable, voluntary permission obtained from a patient to perform a specific test
or procedure
nursing research: encompasses both research to improve the care of people in the clinical setting and to
study people and the nursing profession, including education, policy development, ethics, and nursing history
nursing theory: differentiates nursing from other disciplines and activities by serving the purposes of
describing, explaining, predicting, and controlling desired outcomes of nursing care practices
philosophy: study of wisdom, fundamental knowledge, and the processes we use to develop and construct
our perceptions of life
process: series of actions, changes, or functions to bring about a result
qualitative research: method of research conducted to gain insight by discovering meanings
quantitative research: research involving the concepts of basic and applied research
research: process that uses observable and verifiable information (data), collected in a systematic manner, to
describe, explain, or predict events
science: a body of knowledge gained by observing, identifying, describing, investigating, and explaining
events and occurrences that are perceived in the world
systematic reviews: summarized findings from multiple studies of a specific clinical practice question or
topic and recommend practice changes and future directions for research; one of the strongest sources of
evidence for evidence-based practice
theory: statement based on observed facts that explains or characterizes a process, an occurrence, or an
event, but cannot be proved directly or absolutely as a fact
assess: to systematically and continuously collect, validate, and communicate patient data
cue: significant information that is helpful in making decisions
data: information
database: all the pertinent patient information that enables a comprehensive and effective plan of care to be
designed and implemented
emergency assessment: rapid focused assessment conducted to determine potentially fatal situations
focused assessment: assessment conducted to assess a specific problem; focuses on pertinent history and
body regions
inference: the judgment reached about a cue
initial assessment: comprehensive nursing assessment resulting in baseline data that enables the nurse to
make a judgment about a patients health status, ability to manage his or her own healthcare, and need for
nursing, and to plan individualized, holistic healthcare for the patient
interview: planned communication for a specific purpose (e.g., data collection)
minimum data set: a standard established by healthcare institutions that specifies the information that must
be collected from every patient
nursing history: assessment of the patient by interview to identify the patients health status, strengths,
health problems, health risks, and need for nursing care
objective data: information perceptible to the senses; may be verified by another person
observation: conscious and deliberate use of the five senses to gather data
physical assessment: systematic examination of the patient for objective data to better define the patients
condition and to help the nurse in planning care; usually performed in a head-to-toe format
review of systems (ros): physical examination of all body systems in a systematic manner as part of the
nursing assessment
subjective data (symptoms, covert data): information perceived only by the affected person
time-lapsed assessment: an assessment that is scheduled to compare a patients current status to baseline
data obtained earlier
validation: act of confirming or verifying
assertive behaviors: ability to stand up for oneself and others using open, honest, and direct communication
body language: nonverbal communication
channel: term used in communication theory to denote the medium selected to convey the message; the
channel may target any of the receivers senses
clich: a stereotyped, trite, or pat answer
communication: process of sharing information; process of generating and transmitting meanings
empathy: intellectually identifying with the way another person feels
feedback: verbal and nonverbal evidence that the message is received and understood
group dynamics: study of a groups characteristics and ways of functioning
helping relationship: interaction that sets the climate of movement of the participants toward common
goals
horizontal violence: anger and aggressive behavior between nurses or nurse-to-nurse hostility
interpersonal communication: communication that occurs between two or more people with a goal to
exchange messages
interviewing techniques: communication skills specifically designed to gather and validate information
intrapersonal communication: communication techniques or self-talk to enhance positive interaction with
the patient and family
language: prescribed way of using words; a means to express thoughts and feelings
message: term used in communication theory to denote the actual physical product of the source or encoder
(e.g., a speech, interview, phone conversation, chart)
noise: factors that distort the quality of a message and interfere with the communication process
nonverbal communication: exchange of information without the use of words
organizational communication: process of communication that involves individuals and groups to achieve
established goals
professionalism: a way of being/commitment to secure the interests and welfare of those entrusted to ones
care
rapport: feeling of mutual trust experienced by people in a satisfactory relationship
receiver (decoder): term used in communication theory that specifies the person or object to which the
message is directed
sbar: consistent, clear, structured, and easy-to-use method of communication between healthcare personnel;
it organizes communication by the categories of: Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendations.
semantics: study of the meaning of words
small-group communication: communication that occurs when two or more nurses interact with two or
more individuals, allowing the members to achieve a goal through communication
source (encoder): term used in communication theory to specify the one who prepares and sends a message
to the receiver
stimulus: agent, act, or other influence capable of initiating a response by the nervous system
therapeutic touch: an alternative therapy that involves using ones hands to consciously direct an energy
exchange from the practitioner to the patient to facilitate healing or pain relief
verbal communication: exchange of information using words
afebrile: a condition in which the body temperature is not elevated
apnea: absence of breathing
blood pressure: force of blood against arterial walls
bradycardia: slow heart rate
bradypnea: slow rate of breathing
diastolic pressure: least amount of pressure exerted on arterial walls, which occurs when the heart is at rest
between ventricular contractions
dyspnea: difficult or labored breathing
dysrhythmia: an abnormal cardiac rhythm
eupnea: normal respirations
febrile: condition in which the body temperature is elevated
fever: elevation above the upper limit of normal body temperature; synonym for pyrexia
hypertension: blood pressure elevated above the upper limit of normal
hyperthermia: high body temperature
hypotension: blood pressure below the lower limit of normal
hypothermia: low body temperature
Korotkoff sounds: series of sounds that correspond to changes in blood flow through an artery as pressure is
released
orthopnea: type of dyspnea in which breathing is easier when the patient sits or stands
orthostatic hypotension: temporary fall in blood pressure associated with assuming an upright position;
synonym for postural hypotension
pulse: wave produced in the wall of an artery with each beat of the heart
pulse deficit: difference between the apical and radial pulse rates
pulse pressure: difference between systolic and diastolic pressures
respiration: gas exchange between the atmospheric air in the alveoli and blood in the capillaries
systolic pressure: highest point of pressure on arterial walls when the ventricles contract
tachycardia: rapid heart rate
tachypnea: rapid rate of breathing
temperature: refers to the hotness or coldness of a substance
vital signs: body temperature, pulse and respiratory rates, and blood pressure; synonym for cardinal signs
adventitious breath sounds: abnormal breath sound heard over the lungs
auscultation: listening for sounds within the body
bronchial sounds: those heard over the trachea; high in pitch and intensity, with expiration being longer than
inspiration
bronchovesicular sounds: normal breath sounds heard over the upper anterior chest and intercostal area
bruit: unusual sound, usually abnormal, heard in auscultation
comprehensive assessment: health history and complete physical examination, usually conducted when a
patient first enters a healthcare setting, provides a baseline for comparing later assessment
cyanosis: bluish coloring of the skin and mucous membranes
ecchymosis: collection of blood in subcutaneous tissues that causes a purplish discoloration
edema: accumulation of fluid in extracellular spaces
emergency assessment: rapid focused assessment conducted to determine potentially fatal situations
erythema: redness of the skin
focused assessment: assessment conducted to assess a specific problem; focuses on pertinent history and
body regions
inspection: purposeful and systematic observation
jaundice: yellow appearance of the skin
ongoing partial assessment: assessment that is conducted at regular intervals during care of the patient;
concentrates on identified health problems to monitor positive or negative changes and evaluate the
effectiveness of interventions
pallor: paleness of the skin
palpation: method of examining by feeling a part with the fingers or hand
percussion: act of striking one object against another for the purpose of producing a sound; used to assess the
location, shape, size, and density of body tissues
petechiae: small, purplish hemorrhagic spots on the skin that do not blanch with applied pressure
precordium: anterior surface of the chest wall overlying the heart and its related structures
turgor: tension of the skin determined by its hydration
vesicular breath sounds: normal sound of respirations heard on auscultation over peripheral lung areas
aerobic: bacteria that require oxygen to live and grow
anaerobic: bacteria that can live without oxygen
antibody: immunoglobin produced by the body in response to a specific antigen
antigen: foreign material capable of inducing a specific immune response
antimicrobial: antibacterial agent that kills bacteria or suppresses their growth
asepsis: absence of disease-producing microorganisms; using methods to prevent infection
bacteria: the most significant and most commonly observed infection-causing agents
disinfection: process used to destroy microorganisms; destroys all pathogenic organisms except spores
endemic: something that occurs with predictability in one specific region or population and can appear in a
different geographical location
endogenous: infection in which the causative organism comes from microbial life the person himself or
herself harbors
exogenous: infection in which the causative organism is acquired from outside the host
fungi: plant-like organisms (molds and yeasts) that can cause infection
healthcare-associated infection (HAI): an infection that was not present on admission to the hospital and
develops during the course of treatment for other conditions (nosocomial)
host: animal or person on or within which microorganisms live
iatrogenic: infection that occurs as a result of a treatment or diagnostic procedure
infection: disease state resulting from pathogens in or on the body
isolation: protective procedure designed to prevent the transmission of specific microorganisms; also called
protective aseptic techniques and barrier techniques
medical asepsis: practices designed to reduce the number and transfer of pathogens; synonym for clean
technique
nosocomial: something originating or taking place in the hospital (i.e., infection)
pathogens: disease-producing microorganism
personal protective equipment (PPE): gloves, gowns, masks, and protective eye gear designed to minimize or
prevent the healthcare workers exposure to infectious material
reservoir: natural habitat for the growth and multiplication of microorganisms
standard precautions: CDC precautions used in the care of all patients regardless of their diagnosis or
possible infection status; this category combines universal and body substance precautions
sterilization: (1) the process by which all microorganisms, including spores, are destroyed; (2) surgical
procedure performed to render a person infertile
surgical asepsis: practices that render and keep objects and areas free from microorganisms; synonym for
sterile technique
transmission-based precautions: CDC precautions used in patients known or suspected to be infected with
pathogens that can be transmitted by airborne, droplet, or contact routes; used in addition to Standard
Precautions
vector: nonhuman carriers, such as mosquitoes, ticks, and lice, that transmit organisms from one host to
another
virulence: ability to produce disease
virus: smallest of all microorganisms; can be seen only by using an electron microscope
acute pain: episode of pain that lasts from seconds to less than 6 months
addiction: a pattern of compulsive use of addictive substances for means other than those prescribed
adjuvant: drugs typically used for other purposes, but also used to enhance the effect of opioids by providing
additional pain relief
analgesic: pharmaceutical agent used to relieve pain
breakthrough pain: temporary flare-up of moderate to severe pain that occurs even when the patient is
taking around-the-clock medication for persistent pain
chronic pain: episode of pain that lasts for 6 months or longer; may be intermittent or continuous
cutaneous pain: superficial pain usually involving the skin or subcutaneous tissue
dynorphin: the endorphin having the most potent analgesic effect
endorphins: morphine-like substances released by the body that appear to alter the perception of pain
enkephalins: opioids that are widespread throughout the brain and dorsal horn of the spinal cord and are
believed to reduce pain sensation by inhibiting the release of substance P
exacerbation: period in chronic illness when the symptoms of the disease reappear
gate control theory: theory that explains that excitatory pain stimuli carried by small-diameter nerve fibers
can be blocked by inhibiting signals carried by large-diameter nerve fibers
intractable: severe pain that is extremely resistant to relief measures
modulation: process by which the sensation of pain is inhibited or modified
neuromodulators: endogenous opioid chemical regulators that appear to have analgesic activity and alter
pain perception
neuropathic pain: pain that results from an injury to or abnormal functioning of peripheral nerves or the
central nervous system
neurotransmitters: substances that either excite or inhibit target nerve cells
nociceptors: pain receptors
opioid: more correct term for narcotic analgesics, since these drugs act by binding to opiate receptor sites in
the central nervous system
pain threshold: amount of stimulation required before a person experiences the sensation of pain
pain tolerance: point beyond which a person is no longer willing to endure pain (i.e., pain of greater duration
or intensity)
disturbed sensory perception: a state in which the individual or group experiences or is at risk for a change in
the amount, pattern, or interpretation of incoming stimuli
phantom pain: sensation of pain without demonstrable physiologic or pathologic substance; commonly
observed after the amputation of a limb
physical dependence: phenomenon in which the body physiologically becomes accustomed to an opioid and
suffers withdrawal symptoms if the opioid is suddenly removed or the dose is rapidly decreased
placebo: Latin word meaning, I shall please; an inactive substance that gives satisfaction to the person using
it
psychogenic pain: pain for which no physical cause can be identified
referred pain: pain in an area removed from that in which stimulation has its origin
remission: period in a chronic illness when the disease is present, but the person does not experience
symptoms of the disease
somatic pain: pain originating in structures in the bodys external wall
tolerance: tendency of the body to become accustomed to a drug over time; larger doses are required to
produce the desired effects
transduction: activation of pain receptors
transmission: conduction of pain sensations from the site of an injury or inflammation along clear and
unclear pathways to the spinal cord and then on to higher centers
visceral pain: pain originating in the internal organs in the thorax, cranium, or abdomen