General Patient Care terms

45 glossary entries from the General Patient Care topic of the CCMA test plan. Try free General Patient Care practice questions.

• abrasionA scrape: skin damaged by rubbing or scraping.
• auscultationListening to body sounds with a stethoscope.
• avulsionA wound in which skin or tissue is forcibly torn away.
• bandageA strip of material used to hold a dressing or splint in place or to support a body part.
• bevelThe slanted, sharp tip of a needle.
• caneA single walking aid that improves balance or compensates for weakness.
• crutchesWalking aids used by patients who cannot bear full weight on a leg.
• CTComputed tomography: computer-processed cross-sectional x-ray images.
• CXRChest x-ray.
• D&CDilation and curettage: a procedure that opens the cervix and scrapes the uterine lining.
• deltoidThe triangle-shaped muscle of the upper arm; a common intramuscular injection site for older children and adults.
• EEGElectroencephalogram: a recording of the brain's electrical activity.
• EGDEsophagogastroduodenoscopy: a scope exam of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum.
• eMARElectronic medication administration record, the digital version of the MAR.
• EMGElectromyography: a test of the electrical activity of muscles.
• Fowler's positionLying on the back with the head of the bed or table raised; high Fowler's is sitting upright at about 90 degrees.
• gait beltA strap placed around the patient's waist so staff can safely assist walking and transfers.
• gaugeThe diameter of a needle's opening; the higher the gauge number, the smaller the needle.
• IDIntradermal: injected into the dermis, just under the epidermis, as in the tuberculin skin test.
• IMIntramuscular: given into a muscle.
• immunizationDeveloping protection against a disease, usually through vaccination.
• incisionA clean surgical cut in the skin.
• inspectionVisual examination of the body.
• IVIntravenous: given into a vein.
• lacerationA deep cut or tear in the skin.
• lithotomy positionLying on the back with the feet in stirrups, used for pelvic examinations.
• MARMedication administration record: the document where each dose given is recorded.
• MRIMagnetic resonance imaging: imaging that uses a strong magnetic field to make detailed sectional pictures.
• NPONothing by mouth (Latin nil per os). Check the order to see whether medications are also held.
• palpationExamining by touch with the fingers or hands.
• percussionTapping the body surface and listening to the sound produced to assess underlying structures.
• PETPositron emission tomography: imaging that uses a radioactive tracer to show tissue activity.
• PFTPulmonary function tests, which measure how well the lungs work, such as spirometry.
• proneLying on the abdomen, face down.
• ROMRange of motion: how far a joint can move in each direction.
• semi-Fowler's positionLying on the back with the head raised about 30 to 45 degrees.
• Sims' positionLying on the side, partly turned toward prone (semiprone).
• SUBQSubcutaneous: injected into the fatty tissue under the skin. ISMP-preferred form, written in capitals with no spaces…
• supineLying flat on the back, face up.
• Trendelenburg positionLying supine with the head lower than the feet.
• vaccinationGiving a vaccine to stimulate protection against a specific disease.
• vastus lateralisThe muscle on the outer (anterolateral) thigh; an intramuscular injection site and the preferred site for infants and…
• ventrogluteal siteAn intramuscular injection site on the side of the hip, located using the greater trochanter and iliac crest as…
• walkerA four-legged frame that supports a person while walking or transferring.
• Z-track methodAn intramuscular technique: pull the skin down or to the side before injecting, then release it, so medication cannot…