CNA Medical Terms A-D

Question 1

Abduction

Answer 1

Movement of the limbs to the
side, away from the middle of the body

Question 2

Adduction

Answer 2

Movement of the limbs to the
middle of the body

Question 3

ADEs

Answer 3

Adverse drug effects are unwanted, undesirable effects that are possibly related to a drug.

Question 3

ADLs

Answer 3

Activities of daily living

Question 4

AIDS

Answer 4

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; late stage infection by HIV.

Question 5

Alzheimer’s disease

Answer 5

Type of irreversible dementia in which cognitive function is progressively lost.

Question 6

Ambulation

Answer 6

The act of walking.

Question 6

a.m. care

Answer 6

Personal care provided in the morning hours to refresh; usually includes face and handwashing, tooth brushing, grooming, and toileting.

Question 7

Ambulation assistive device

Answer 7

Any device used to assist in walking, such as a cane, crutches, or a walker.

Question 8

AMI

Answer 8

Acute myocardial infarction; heart attack.

Question 9

Analgesia

Answer 9

Without pain; reduction of the sensation of pain.

Question 10

Angina

Answer 10

Chest pain

Question 11

Aphasia

Answer 11

Any speech deficit, loss of speech, writing, or signs, or loss of ability to comprehend spoken or written language due to disease or injury of the cerebral cortex.

Question 11

Antisepsis

Answer 11

The process of inhibiting the growth of some microorganisms. i.e: Isopropyl alcohol, and hydrogen peroxide.

Question 12

Apical pulse

Answer 12

The pulse heard at the apex (tip) of the heart.

Question 13

Arteriosclerotic

Answer 13

Narrowing and hardening
of an artery

Question 14

Autonomy

Answer 14

Being independent and self- directed without outside control; able to make own decisions.

Question 14

Braden scale

Answer 14

A tool used to assess the degree to which a person is at risk for developing a pressure ulcer.

Question 15

Cheyne-Strokes respiration

Answer 15

Breathing cycle of rapid breathing, followed by slow breathing and periods where breathing stops. i.e: end of life

Question 15

Beneficence

Answer 15

Doing good for others

Question 16

Caring characteristics

Question 17

Chronic illness

Answer 17

Illness that lasts for an extended period of time.

Question 18

CVA

Answer 18

Cerebral vascular accident; a brain attack, or stroke.

Question 19

Coccyx

Answer 19

Tailbone

Question 20

Comatose

Answer 20

Condition in which a person in unconscious.

Question 20

Colostomy

Answer 20

An artificial opening into the colon.

Question 21

Commode

Answer 21

A portable device used for toileting.

Question 22

Communicable disease

Answer 22

A disease that can spread from one person to another.

Question 23

Competent

Answer 23

Able to

Question 24

Incompetent

Answer 24

Not able to

Question 25

Congestive heart failure

Answer 25

A medical condition in which the heart fails to pump blood efficiently, causing fluids and blood to back up into the lungs or extremities.

Question 26

Contagion

Answer 26

A pathogen that can be spread from one person or surface to another.

Question 26

Contracture

Answer 26

A permanent shortening of a muscle resulting in the shortening of associated tendons and ligaments.

Question 27

Convalescence

Answer 27

The period of recovery from an illness or injury.

Question 28

Coronary arteries

Answer 28

Arteries that supply the heart muscle with blood and oxygen.

Question 29

CPR

Answer 29

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Question 30

Cyanosis

Answer 30

The blue color of the skin is due to a lack of oxygen in the tissues.

Question 31

Debilitated

Answer 31

Weakened or losing strength.

Question 32

Defecate

Answer 32

To eliminate solid wastes from the body.

Question 33

Delirium

Answer 33

Reversible, abrupt onset of confusion.

Question 34

Dementia

Answer 34

Cognitive impairment that is often progressive and permanent.

Question 34

Delusion

Answer 34

False idea of reality.

Question 35

Dentition

Answer 35

The type and arrangement of teeth.

Question 36

Diabetes

Answer 36

An endocrine disorder marked by the inability of the pancreas to change carbohydrates into fuel needed for energy.

Question 37

Diastolic pressure

Answer 37

The pressure exerted against the arterial walls when the ventricles are at rest.

Question 38

Disoriented

Answer 38

Confused as to person, place, time, or circumstance.

Question 39

D.O.N.

Answer 39

Director of nursing is a licensed nurse who has administrative responsibilities to supervise the nursing care of a facility.

Question 40

DNR

Answer 40

DO NOT RESUSCITATE

Question 41

Dorsiflexion

Answer 41

Bending a body part toward the posterior.

Question 42

Droplet transmission

Answer 42

Travel of droplet, or drop, through the expired air.

Question 43

Dysphagia

Answer 43

Difficulty or inability to swallow.

Question 44

Dyspnea

Answer 44

Difficulty breathing

Question 45

Dysuria

Answer 45

Painful or difficult urination