Exam 1 Terms Flashcards
(165 cards)
1
Q
Acquired Immunity
A
Immunity that develops during one’s lifetime after exposure to a specific antigen.
2
Q
Active Immunity
A
Acquired immunity where the body’s own immune system produces antibodies and immune cells in response to antigen exposure (natural infection or vaccination).
3
Q
Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)
A
A sudden decrease in kidney function.
4
Q
Adjuvant Analgesic Therapy
A
Medications used alone or in conjunction with opioid and nonopioid analgesics to enhance pain control, often targeting specific pain types like neuropathic pain.
5
Q
Advanced Directives
A
Legal documents outlining a person’s wishes regarding medical treatment, such as a medical power of attorney or living will.
6
Q
Ambulatory Surgery
A
Surgical procedures performed on a patient who is admitted and discharged on the same day; also called same-day or outpatient surgery.
7
Q
Anaphylactic Reaction
A
A type I hypersensitivity reaction that is immediate and life-threatening. (Note: This term was mentioned in one source but not the other; including it based on the consolidated content).
8
Q
Antigen
A
A substance that elicits an immune response in the body.
9
Q
Apheresis
A
A procedure to separate blood components and remove one or more of them.
10
Q
Aspiration
A
Inhalation of foreign material, such as gastric contents, into the lungs.
11
Q
Assessment
A
The first phase of the nursing process involving the systematic collection of comprehensive data about the patient (subjective and objective).
12
Q
Atelectasis
A
Collapse of alveoli in the lungs.
13
Q
Auscultation
A
Listening to sounds within the body, typically using a stethoscope.
14
Q
Behavioral (Pain Domain)
A
Observable actions a person exhibits in response to pain, such as grimacing or guarding.
15
Q
Breakthrough pain
A
Acute exacerbations of pain that occur despite ongoing pain management.
16
Q
Bronchospasm
A
Constriction of the smooth muscles in the bronchioles, narrowing the airways.
17
Q
C. difficile
A
Clostridioides difficile, a common cause of HAIs, requiring soap and water for hand hygiene.
18
Q
Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI)
A
An infection of the urinary tract associated with indwelling urinary catheterization.
19
Q
Cell-Mediated Immunity
A
Immune responses initiated through specific antigen recognition by T cells.
20
Q
Circulating Nurse
A
A registered nurse who performs activities in the unsterile field during surgery and is not scrubbed, gowned, or gloved.
21
Q
Clinical Judgement
A
The process of using nursing knowledge to assess a situation, make informed decisions, and solve problems in clinical practice, developed through experience and critical thinking.
22
Q
Co-morbidities
A
Pre-existing health conditions that can impact a patient’s surgical risk and post-operative recovery.
23
Q
Cognitive (Pain Domain)
A
A person’s beliefs, attitudes, and thoughts about their pain and its management.
24
Q
Comprehensive Assessment
A
A detailed health history and physical examination used to obtain patient information.
25
Contact Precautions
Infection control precautions used for patients with infections that can be spread by direct or indirect contact.
26
Cure (Surgical Reason)
Surgery performed to eliminate the disease or correct the underlying problem.
27
CUS
An assertive communication technique to voice concerns about patient safety: Concerned, Uncomfortable, Safety.
28
Dantrolene (Dantrium)
A skeletal muscle relaxant, the specific treatment for malignant hyperthermia.
29
Debridement
The removal of non-viable tissue (slough or eschar) or foreign material from a wound to promote healing.
30
Deep Tissue Pressure Injury (DTPI)
Persistent non-blanchable deep red, maroon, or purple discoloration, resulting from intense and/or prolonged pressure and shear.
31
Dehiscence
Partial or total separation of wound edges.
32
Delayed gastric emptying
Slow return of normal stomach function after surgery.
33
Delegation
An RN transferring responsibility for the performance of a task to another qualified healthcare professional (LPN/VN or UAP) while retaining accountability for the outcome.
34
Delirium
An acute state of confusion.
35
Diagnosis (Surgical Reason)
Surgery performed to identify the nature and extent of a medical condition (e.g., biopsy).
36
Diagnosis
The phase where the nurse analyzes assessment data to identify actual or potential health problems and formulate nursing diagnoses.
37
Doppler ultrasound
A diagnostic test using sound waves to assess blood flow, often used to confirm DVT.
38
Droplet Precautions
Infection control precautions used for patients with infections that can be spread by large respiratory droplets.
39
Drug Resistance
Occurs when pathologic organisms change in ways that decrease the ability of a drug to treat disease.
40
Dysrhythmias
Abnormal heart rhythms.
41
Edema
Swelling caused by fluid and plasma proteins leaking into the interstitial space due to increased capillary permeability during inflammation.
42
Elective Surgery
Carefully planned and scheduled surgery for conditions that are not immediately life-threatening.
43
Electrolyte imbalances
Abnormal levels of electrolytes in the body.
44
Emergence Delirium
A postoperative state that can include restlessness, agitation, disorientation, thrashing, and shouting.
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Emergency Assessment
Rapid assessment performed in life-threatening or unstable situations to identify immediate and critical problems.
46
Emergency Surgery
Surgery arising with unexpected urgency that requires immediate intervention to save a life, limb, or organ.
47
Entry Level (RN)
The practice of a newly licensed Registered Nurse providing direct patient care, implementing care plans, and collaborating with other healthcare team members under guidance.
48
Epibole
Rolled wound edges, which can sometimes hinder healing.
49
Epidemic
A rise or increase of a disease or condition within a certain community or area.
50
Eschar
Dry, leathery, black or brown non-viable tissue in a wound bed.
51
Evaluation
The phase where the nurse checks if the plan is helping the patient achieve their goals and revises the plan as needed.
52
Evidence-Based Practice (EBP)
Clinical decision-making that integrates the best available research evidence with clinical expertise and patient preferences.
53
Evisceration
Protrusion of internal organs through a surgical wound.
54
Exploration (Surgical Reason)
Surgery necessary to visually examine internal organs or tissues when non-invasive methods are inconclusive.
55
Exudate
Fluid, cells, and other substances that escape from blood vessels and are deposited in tissues or on tissue surfaces, often seen in inflammation.
56
Fibrinous Exudate
Sticky, thick exudate containing fibrinogen, which can lead to adhesions.
57
First-intention wound healing
Healing of a wound with well-approximated edges, typically closed with sutures.
58
Fluid deficit (dehydration)
Insufficient fluid volume in the body.
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Fluid overload
Excessive fluid volume in the body.
60
Focused Assessment
Assessment directed at evaluating the status of a specific, already identified problem.
61
General Survey
A general impression of a patient, including behavioral observations, body features, mental state, speech, body movements, obvious physical signs, nutrition status, and behavior.
62
Graft-Versus-Host Disease (GVHD)
A condition in which immunocompetent cells in a transplant graft attack or destroy vulnerable host or recipient tissue.
63
Granulation Tissue
New connective tissue with a rich blood supply that forms in the bed of a healing wound.
64
Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)
An autoimmune disorder that attacks the peripheral nerves, often causing ascending and symmetrical paralysis.
65
Health History
A comprehensive account of the patient's past and present health status, including biographical data, chief complaint, history of present illness, past medical history, family history, social history, psychological history, and review of systems.
66
Hematoma
Collection of blood under the skin.
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Hemolytic reaction
A serious and potentially life-threatening reaction to blood transfusion caused by ABO incompatibility.
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Hemorrhage
Excessive bleeding.
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Hemorrhagic (Sanguineous) Exudate
Red, bloody fluid indicating damage to blood vessels.
70
Homeostasis (Immune System)
The function of the immune system to maintain the body's internal environment by removing damaged or aged cells and clearing cellular debris.
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Hospital Acquired Infection (HAI)
An infection acquired by a patient in a healthcare setting.
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Humoral Immunity
Antibody-mediated immunity.
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Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)
A therapy involving breathing 100% oxygen in a pressurized chamber to increase tissue oxygen levels and promote healing.
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Hyperemia
Increased blood flow to an area, contributing to redness and heat during inflammation.
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Immune System
The body's defense system against foreign invaders, abnormal cells, and damaged tissues. Its functions include defense, homeostasis, and surveillance.
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Immunodeficiency
A weakened immune system that is unable to effectively fight off infections.
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Implementation
The phase where the nurse carries out the planned nursing interventions.
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Infection
An invasion of the body by a pathogen and the resulting signs and symptoms that develop.
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Inflammation
A localized physical condition in which part of the body becomes reddened, swollen, hot, and often painful, especially as a reaction to injury or infection.
80
Inpatient Surgery
Surgery requiring the patient to be admitted to the hospital overnight.
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Inspection
Visual examination of a body part or region.
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Intraoperative Period
The time spent during the actual surgical procedure, from transfer to the operating room to admission to the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU).
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Local anesthetics
Medications that block nerve conduction to provide localized pain relief.
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Localized Infection
An infection confined to a specific area of the body.
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Malignant Hyperthermia (MH)
A severe and potentially fatal reaction to certain anesthetic agents, characterized by rapid increase in body temperature and muscle rigidity.
86
Modulation (Pain Pathway)
The body's own mechanisms to regulate or modify the transmission of pain signals.
87
Mu agonist (Opioid)
Opioids that are highly effective in relieving pain by binding to mu-opioid receptors.
88
Multimodal therapy (Pain)
Using a combination of different analgesic medications and non-pharmacological strategies for pain management.
89
Naloxone (Narcan)
An opioid antagonist used to reverse the effects of opioid agonists, especially respiratory depression.
90
Natural (Innate) Immunity
The body's rapid, nonspecific, first line of defense against pathogens, present from birth.
91
Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT)
A therapy that applies a vacuum to a wound dressing to remove exudate, promote granulation, and approximate wound edges.
92
Neuroablative Interventions
Interventional nerve therapies involving cutting or destroying nerves for severe, unresponsive pain.
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Neuroaugmentation
An interventional nerve therapy involving electrical stimulation of the brain and spinal cord.
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Neuropathic pain
Pain caused by damage to the peripheral or central nervous system, often described as burning, shooting, or electric-like.
95
Nociceptive pain
Pain that arises from the stimulation of pain receptors (nociceptors) due to tissue damage.
96
Non-Blanchable Erythema
Redness of the skin that persists even when pressure is applied, a hallmark of Stage 1 pressure injury.
97
Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
Medications that reduce pain and inflammation by inhibiting cyclo-oxygenase.
98
NPO (Nil per os)
Nothing by mouth; dietary restrictions implemented before surgery to prevent aspiration.
99
Objective Dat
Data obtained through inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation during the physical examination.
100
Opportunistic Diseases
Infections and cancers that occur in immunosuppressed patients and can lead to disability, disease, and death, particularly in HIV infection.
101
Oxygen saturation (SpO2)
A measure of the amount of oxygen in the blood.
102
Pain
An unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage.
103
Palliation (Surgical Reason)
Surgery performed to alleviate symptoms, improve comfort, and enhance quality of life when a cure is not possible.
104
Pallor
Pale skin color.
105
Palpable cord
A firm cord that may be felt beneath the skin over a clotted vein in DVT.
106
Pandemic
A type of epidemic that has significant geographic spread and affects entire countries or the world.
107
Passive Immunity
Acquired immunity through the transfer of antibodies from an external source (e.g., mother to fetus, immunoglobulin administration).
108
Pathogen
Any microorganism that causes disease.
109
Percussion
Tapping on body surfaces to produce sounds providing information about underlying structures.
110
Perioperative Period
The total surgical episode, encompassing the time before surgery (preoperative), during surgery (intraoperative), and after surgery (postoperative).
111
Peripheral Sensitization
Increased susceptibility to nociceptor activation due to injury, inflammation, and/or disease.
112
Peristalsis
Wave-like muscle contractions that move food through the digestive tract.
113
Planning
The phase involving developing a plan of care with strategies and interventions to achieve expected patient outcomes.
114
Plasmapheresis
A type of apheresis where plasma is removed from the blood.
115
Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction (POCD)
A decline in cognitive function that persists for weeks and months after surgery, particularly in older adults.
116
Postoperative Ileus
The temporary impairment of gastric and bowel motility after surgery.
117
Postoperative Period
The period after surgery is completed, from admission to the PACU until discharge and follow-up.
118
Preoperative Period
The time before surgery, from the decision for surgery until transfer to the operating room.
119
Pressure Injury
Localized damage to the skin and/or underlying soft tissue usually over a bony prominence, or related to a medical or other device.
120
Prevalence
Refers to the total number of people who have a specific health-related issue at any given time.
121
Prevention (Surgical Reason)
Surgery performed to prevent the development of disease or reduce the risk of future health problems.
122
Primary Intention
A type of wound healing where the edges of the wound are approximated.
123
Prophylactic Antibiotics
Antibiotics administered before surgery to reduce the risk of surgical site infection.
124
Pruritus
Itching, a potential side effect of opioids.
125
Pseudo-addiction
Drug-seeking behaviors related to uncontrolled pain, not addiction.
126
Pulmonary edema
Fluid accumulation in the lungs.
127
Pulmonary embolus (PE)
Blockage of a pulmonary artery, often by a blood clot.
128
Purulent (Suppurative) Exudate
Thick, yellow, green, or brown fluid containing pus, indicating a bacterial infection.
129
Regional Anesthesia
Anesthesia using a local anesthetic injected near a central nerve or group of nerves that innervate a site distal to the injection point.
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Respiratory depression (Opioid-induced)
Decreased rate and depth of breathing due to opioid use.
131
Restricted Area (OR)
The operating rooms and immediate sterile core where scrub attire, caps, and masks (and potentially shoe covers) are required.
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Retention (Urinary)
Inability to empty the bladder.
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Scrub Nurse
A member of the surgical team who is gowned and gloved in sterile attire and performs activities in the sterile field.
134
Second-intention wound healing
Healing of a wound from the bottom up through granulation tissue formation, used for wounds with tissue loss or infection.
135
Secondary Intention
A type of wound healing occurring from trauma, injury, and infection, with large exudate and irregular wound margins that cannot be brought together.
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Semi-restricted Area (OR)
Support areas and corridors leading to restricted areas where scrub attire is required.
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Serosanguinous Exudate
Pale, pink, watery fluid, a mixture of serous fluid and a small amount of blood.
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Serous Exudate
Watery, clear fluid often seen in early inflammation or blisters.
139
Somatic pain
Pain originating from superficial or deep body tissues.
140
Stage 1 Pressure Injury
Intact skin with localized non-blanchable erythema.
141
Stage 2 Pressure Injury
Partial-thickness skin loss with exposed dermis, may present as a blister.
142
Stage 3 Pressure Injury
Full-thickness skin loss where adipose (fat) is visible, but not deeper structures like muscle or bone.
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Stage 4 Pressure Injury
Full-thickness skin and tissue loss with exposed or directly palpable fascia, muscle, tendon, ligament, cartilage, or bone.
144
Standard Precautions
Basic infection control practices used with all patients to prevent the transmission of infectious agents.
145
Subjective Data
Information gathered from the patient's perspective, including their feelings, perceptions, and concerns. (What the patient or caregiver tells the nurse.)
146
Surgical Site Infection (SSI)
An infection that occurs in the area where surgery was performed.
147
Surveillance (Immune System)
The immune system's constant monitoring of the body for abnormal cells, such as cancer cells, and destroying them.
148
Tertiary Intention
A type of wound healing involving delayed suturing of a wound in which two layers of granulation tissue are sutured together.
149
Thermal Therapies
The application of moist or dry heat or cold to the skin for pain management.
150
Third-intention wound healing (Delayed primary intention)
A wound is initially left open and then closed later, used for deep or contaminated wounds.
151
Time Out
A critical safety procedure performed immediately before surgical incision to verify correct patient, procedure, and site.
152
Titration (Analgesic)
Adjusting the analgesic dose based on the patient's pain level and response.
153
Tolerance (Pain Medication)
Occurs with chronic exposure to drugs and is characterized by the need for an increased dose to maintain the same degree of analgesia.
154
Tunneling
Narrow passageways extending from the wound bed.
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Undermining
Tissue destruction extending under intact skin along the wound edges.
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Unilateral leg swelling
Swelling in only one leg, a common sign of DVT.
157
Unrestricted Area (OR)
Public areas of the surgical department where street clothes are permitted.
158
Unstageable Pressure Injury
Full-thickness skin and tissue loss where the extent of damage is obscured by slough or eschar.
159
Venous thromboembolism (VTE)
Blood clot formation in a vein (DVT) or pulmonary artery (PE). (compression devices, anticoagulants used to prevent blood clots.)
160
Visceral pain
Pain originating from internal organs.
161
Withdrawal syndrome (Opioid)
A set of symptoms that occur when an opioid is stopped abruptly in a physically dependent individual.
162
Wong-Baker FACES scale
A pain scale using faces to depict different levels of pain, often used for children or those with communication difficulties.
163
Wound Healing (Primary Intention)
Healing that occurs with clean wounds, approximated edges, and minimal tissue loss, resulting in minimal scarring.
164
Wound Healing (Secondary Intention)
Healing that occurs with wounds involving significant tissue loss and gaping edges, healing from the edges and bottom with granulation tissue formation and more scarring.
165
Wound Healing (Tertiary Intention)
Healing that occurs with delayed suturing of a contaminated wound that is left open and closed after infection is controlled and granulation tissue forms.
