1
Q
BSC
A
bedside commode
2
Q
bid
A
two times per day
3
Q
BiPAP
A
bilevel positive airway pressure
4
Q
BKA
A
below knee amputation
5
Q
BLS
A
basic life support
6
Q
BM
A
bowel movement
7
Q
BMI
A
body mass index
8
Q
BP
A
blood pressure
9
Q
BPH
A
benign prostatic hypertrophy
10
Q
bpm
A
beats per minute
11
Q
BRP
A
bath room privileges
12
Q
BS
A
bowel sounds or breath sounds
13
Q
BUN
A
blood urea nitrogen
14
Q
DB
A
deep breathing
15
Q
DBP
A
diastolic blood pressure
16
Q
D&C
A
dilation and curettage
17
Q
D/C
A
discontinue or discharge
18
Q
Diff.
A
differential white blood cell count
19
Q
DIC
A
disseminated intravascular coagulation
20
Q
DJD
A
degenerative joint disease
21
Q
DKA
A
diabetic ketoacidosis
22
Q
DM
A
diabetes mellitus
23
Q
DNR
A
do not resuscitate
24
Q
DOA
A
dead on arrival
25
DOB
date of birth
26
DOE
dyspnea on exertion
27
DPT
diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus
28
drsg
dressing
29
DTs
delirium tremens
30
DVT
deep vein thrombosis
31
Dx
disease or diagnosis
32
adherence
the extent to which an individual's behavior coincides with medical or health advice.
Ex: taking meds, following diets, making lifestyle changes. degree of adherence ranges from disregarding all recommendations to following the total therapeutic plan.
33
acute illness
acute illness is typically characterized by symptoms of relatively short duration. symptoms appear abruptly and subside quickly and, depending on the cause, may or may not require intervention by healthcare professionals. some are serious ie appendicitis may require surgery, but many such as colds, subside without medical intervention or with OTC medications. most people return to normal level of wellness.
34
chronic illness
chronic illness lasts for an extended period, usually 6mos or longer, often for the person's lifetime. usually have a slow onset and often have periods of remission when the symptoms disappear and exacerbation when the symptoms reappear. Ex: arthritis, heart and lung diseases, diabetes mellitus
35
disease
an alteration in body functions resulting in a reduction of capacities or a shortening of the normal life span.
36
etiology
causation of a disease or condition. includes the identification of all causal factors that act together to bring about the particular disease. Ex: the tubercle bacillus is designated as the biologic agent of tuberculosis. other etiologic factors such as age, nutritional status, occupation influence development of TB and course of infection.
37
exacerbation
when symptoms of a disease reappear
38
health beliefs
concepts about health that an individual believes are true.
Ex: some Hispanic Americans believe health is a balance of hot and cold qualities of a person. Citrus is considered cold, and meat and bread are hot foods. So a fever is said to be caused by eating too much "hot" foods.
39
health behaviors
actions people take to understand their health state, maintain an optimal state of health, prevent illness and injury, and reach their maximum physical and mental potential. Ex: eating wisely, exercising, paying attention to signs of illness, following treatment advice, avoiding known health hazards like smoking, taking time off, managing one's time
40
illness behavior
a coping mechanism, involving ways individuals describe, monitor, and interpret their symptoms, take remedial actions, and use the health care system. affected by many variables such as age, sex, occupation, socioeconomic status, religion, ethnic origin, psychological stability, personality, education, modes of coping.
41
remission
when symptoms of a disease disappear. can be temporary or permanent
42
risk factors
lifestyle choices or practices that have potentially negative effects on health.
Ex: overeating, getting insufficient exercise, being overweight, excessive use of tobacco
43
locus of control
a concept from social learning theory that nurses can use to determine whether clients are likely to take action regarding health, that is, whether clients believe that their health status is under their own or other's control.
Ex: people who believe they have major influence on their own health are called internals.
People who believe their health is controlled by outside forces like change or a god are externals.
44
abrasion
aka an excoriation, is a wearing away of the upper layer of skin as a result of applied friction or force.
Ex: scraping knee on pavement
45
alopecia
hair loss. can be caused by chemotherapeutic agents and radiation of the head.
46
callus
a thickened portion of epidermis, a mass of keratotic material. most are painless and flat and found on the bottom or side of foot over a bony prominence. usually caused by pressure from shoes. can be softened by soaking feet in warm water with Epsom salts, abraded with pumice stones or similar abrasives. lanolin creams help prevent them.
47
cerumen
earwax
| may cause hearing problems in excess
48
corn
keratosis caused by friction and pressure from a shoe. commonly occurs on fourth or fifth toe, usually on bony prominence like a joint. usually conical. apex of corn is deep, sometimes even attached to bone. generally removed surgically. prevented by relieving pressure and massaging feet to promote circulation.
49
cross contamination
the movement of microorganisms from one client to another
| Ex: placing dirty linen on another client's bed
50
fissure
deep grooves frequently occurring between the toes from dryness and cracking of skin. treat with good foot hygiene and applying antiseptic and allowing air to reach the area.
51
hirsutism
growth of excessive body hair.
cause not always known. may be due to action of endocrine system and also heredity. older women and women in menopause experience this, such as growth of facial hair.
52
plantar warts
appear on sole of foot. caused by papovavirus hominis virus. . moderately contagious. frequently painful and often make walking difficult. may curettage, freeze with solid carbon dioxide, or apply salicylic acid to get rid of them.
53
pediculosis
infestation of lice.
| common kinds: Pediculus capitis (head lice), Pediculus corporis(body louse), Pediculus pubis (crab louse).
54
scabies
a contagious skin infestation by the itch mite. characteristic lesion is the burrow produced by female mite as it penetrates upper layers of skin. causes intense itching more pronounced at night from increased warmth of skin stimulating parasites. wash with soap and water and apply scabicide lotion. wash linens and clothing in hot or boiling water.
55
tinea pedis
Aka Athlete's foot - ringworm of the foot. caused by a fungus. scaling and cracking of skin, especially between toes. sometimes small blisters with a thin fluid form. severe cases - lesions may appear on other parts of body, esp hands. treat with commercial antifungal ointments or powders. prevent by ventilating feet, drying feet after bathing, wearing clean socks, and not going barefoot outside.
