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100 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
Abrupt
The nurse noticed an abrupt change in the patient's level of pain |
sudden
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abstain
the dental hygienist instructed the patient to abstain from smoking to improve his breath odor. |
the voluntarily refrain from something
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access
To administer medications into the patient's vein, the nurse must access the vein with a special neddle. |
a means to obtain entry or a means of approach
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accountable
Paramedics are accountable for maintaining up-to-date knowledge of resuscitation techniques. |
responsible
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adhere
the tape must adhere to the patient's skin to hold the bandage in place. |
to hold fast or stick together
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adverse
Vomiting is an adverse effect of many medications. |
undesired, possibly harmful
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affect
The nrse observed that a depressed patient exhibited no obvious emotion and reported that the patient had a flat affect. |
apperance of observable emotions
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annual
The patient told the nurse that she had scheduled her annual mammogram as she had been instructed. |
occurring every year
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apply
The physical therapist will apply a medication to the wound before covering the wound with a bandage. |
to place, put on, or spread something
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audible
The respiratory therapist noticed that when the patient was having difficulty breathing, the therapist could hear an audible wheezing sound. |
able to be heard
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bilateral
The unlicensed assistive personnel reported to the nurse that the patient had bilateral weakness in the legs when walking. |
present on two sides
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cast
The nurse instructed the child that he could not go swimming while the cast was on his broken arm. |
hard protective device applied to protect a broken bone while the bone heals
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cease
Because the patient's breathing had ceased, the paramedic began resuscitation measures. |
come to an end or bring to an end
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compensatory
When the patient's blood pressure decreased, which the paramedic recognized as a compensatory action. |
offsetting or making up for something
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complication
The physician told the patient that loss of eyesight is a possible complication of eye surgery. |
an undesired problem that is the result of some other event
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comply
The nurse asked the patient to comply with the instructions for taking the medication. |
do as directed
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concave
The dietician noticed that the patient was very thin, and the patient's abdomen appeared concave. |
rounded inward
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concise
When teaching a patient, the nurse tried to be concise, so the instructions would be easy to remember. |
breif, to the point
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consistency
The respiratory therapist noticed that the mucus the patient was coughing was of a thin, watery consistency. |
degree of viscosity; how thick or think a fluid is
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constrict
The nurse knows that the small blood vessels of the skin will constrict when ice is applied to the skin. |
to draw together or become smaller
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contingent
The hygienist told the patient that a healthy mouth is contingent on careful daily brushing and flossing. |
dependent
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contour
While bathing an overweight patient, the unlicensed assistive personnel noticed that the contour of the patient's abdomen was quite rounded. |
shape or outline of a shape
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contract
The physical therapist exercises the patient's muscles so they contract and expand. |
to draw together, to reduce in size
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contraindication
The patient's excessive bleeding was a contraindication for discharge from the hospital. |
a reason why something is not advisable or why it should not be done
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defecate
The unlicensed assistive personnel helped the patient to the toilet when he needed to defecate. |
expel feces
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deficit
The therapist explained that the patient will experience a fluid deficit if the patient continues to perspire heavily during exercise without drinking enough fluids. |
a deficiency or lack of something
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depress
The nurse will depress the patient's skin to see if any swelling is present. |
press downward
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depth
The physician measures the depth of a wound by inserting a cotton swab into the wound. |
downward measurement from a surface
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deteriorating
The dental hygienist explains that the condition of the patient's gums is deteriorating, and treatment by the dentist is needed right away. |
worsening
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device
A thermometer is device used to measure the patient's body temperature. |
tool or piece of equipment
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diameter
When measuring a patient's blood pressure, the nurse knows that when the diameter of a blood vessel increases, the pressure in that blood vessel goes down. |
the distance accross the center of an object
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dilate
When shining a light in the patient's eyes, the nurse looks to see if both pupils dilate in response to the light. |
to enlarge or expand
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dilute
So that the medication will be easier to swallow, the nurse uses fruit juice to dilute a foul-tasting drug. |
to make a liquid less concentrated
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discrete
The paramedic observed several discrete bruise marks on the patient's body |
distinct,separate
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distended
When a blood vessel is distended, it is easier for the laboratory technician to insert a needle to obtain a blood sample. |
enlarged or expanded from pressure
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elevate
The paramedic decided to elevate the head of the stretcher in order to help the patient breathe more easily. |
to lift up or place in a higher position
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endogenous
The nurse explained that endogenous insulin produced by the body's pancreas helps regulate the body's blood sugar levels. |
produced within the body
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exacerbate
The physical therapist recognized that too much exercise would exacerbate the patient's breathing difficulties. |
to make worse or more severe
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excess
The dietician explained that an excess consumption of caffeine may cause unpleasant effects such as feeling nervous and on edge. |
more than what is neede or usual
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exogenous
The nrse explained that people with diabetes often need to receive exogenous forms of insulin because their bodies are unable to produce enough insulin. |
produced outside the body
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expand
The unlicensed assistive personnel turns the patient frequently so that the size of the skin sore will not expand any further. |
to increase in size or amount
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exposure
The nurse taught the parents of a newborn to avoid exposure to people with severe infections. |
contact
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external
The unlicensed assistive personnel measured the amount of blood in the external drain after the patient's surgery. |
located outside the body
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fatal
The emergency medical technicians arrived too late to save any lives at the scene of a fatal car accident. |
resulting in death
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fatigue
The dietician explained to the patient that eating more iron-rich food may help reduce feelings of fatigue. |
extreme tiredness, exhaustion
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flaccid
After her stroke, the patient could not feed herself because her arms were flaccid. |
limp, lacking tone
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flushed
The therapist observed that the patient's face was flused after completing the exercises. |
reddened or ruddy appearance
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gaping
In the emergency room, the nurse observed a gaping wound when examining a gunshot victim. |
wide open
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gender
Female gender places patients at higher risk for breast cancer. |
sex of an individual, as in male or female
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hydration
The nurse explains that adequate hydration helps keep skin soft and supple. |
maintenance of body fluid balance
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hygiene
The dental assistant teaches patients about good hygiene practices to maintain strong teeth. |
measures contributing to cleanliness and good health
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impaired
The paramedic stated that the patient's impaired speech was obvious in the way she slurred her words. |
diminished or lacking some usual quality or level
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impending
The nurse observed the patient signing the consent form for the impending procedure. |
likely to occur soon
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incidence
In recent years there has been an increased incidence of infections that do not respond to antibiotics. |
occurrence
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inflamed
The nurse observed that the skin around the patient's ound was inflamed. |
reddened, swollen, warm, and often tender
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ingest
The paramedic may contact the poison control center when providing emergency care for a child who has ingested cleaning fluid. |
to swallow for digestion
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initiate
The nurse decided to initiate safety measure to prevent injury because the patient was very weak. |
to begin or put into practice
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insidious
The physician explained that the cancer probably started years ago but had not been detected becaue its spread was so insidious. |
so gradual as to not become apparent for a long time
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intact
The nurse observed that the bandage was intact after surgery. |
in place, unharmed
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internal
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located within the body
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invasive
The laboratory technician is careful when obtaining blood samples, because this invasive procedure may cause problems such as infection or bruising. |
inserting or entering into a body part
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labile
Because the child's temperature was very labile, the nurse instructed the unlicensed assistive personnel to check the temperature frequently. |
changing rapidly and often
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latent
The latent infection produced symptoms only when the patient's condition was weakened from another illness. |
present, but not active or visible
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lethargic
The unlicensed assistive personnel observed that the morning after a patient received a sleeping pill, the patient was too lethargic to eat breakfast. |
difficult to arouse
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manifestation
The dietician looked for manifestations of poor nutrition, such as excessive weight loss and poor skin condition. |
an indication or sign of a condition
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nutrient
The dietician explains that fruits and vegetables contain nutrients that reduce the risk of some cancers. |
substance or ingredient that provides nourishment
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occluded
Because the patient's foot was cold and blue, the nurse reported that ht epatient's circulation to that foot was occluded. |
closed or obstructed
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ominous
After a patient sustained a head injury, the paramedic noted that the patient's breathing was irregular, which was an ominous sign that the patient's condition was worsening. |
significantly important and dangerous
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ongoing
The nurse instructed that patient that the treatment would be ongoing throughout the patient's entire hospital stay. |
continuous
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oral
The unlicensed assistive personnel reminded the patient not to take any fluids orally because he was scheduled for surgery. |
given through or affecting the mouth
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overt
The overt symptoms of the disease included vomiting and diarrhea. |
obvious, easily observed
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parameter
The dietician explained that the number of calories needed for energy is one of the important parameters of a healthy diet. |
a characteristic or constant factor
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paroxysmal
The respiratory therapist provided a breathing treatment to stop the patient's paroxysmal breathing difficulty. |
beginning suddenly or abruptly
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patent
The nurse checked to see whether the intravenous needle was patent before giving the patient a medication. |
open
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potent
The medication was very potent, and it immediately relieved the patient's pain. |
producing a strong effect
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potential
Because the patient was very weak, the therapist felt the patient had a high potential for falling. |
capable of occuring or likely to occur
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precaution
The laboratory technician wore gloves as a precaution against blood contamination. |
preventive measure
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precipitous
The paramedic assisted the pregnant woman during a precipitous delivery in her home. |
rapid, uncontrolled
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predispose
The dietician explains that high dietary fat intake predisposes some persons to heart disease. |
to make more susceptiable or more likely to occur
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preexisting
The nurse notified the physician that the patient has a preexisting condition that might lead to complications during the emergency surgery. |
already present
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primary
The patient's primary concern was when he could return to work after the operation. |
first of most significant
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priority
The laboratory technician was gentle when inserting the needle because it is a high priority to ensure taht the patient does not experience excessive pain and discomfort during the procedure. |
of great importance
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prognosis
The physician explained that with treatment the patient's prognosis was for a long and healthy life. |
the anticipated or expected course or outcome
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rationale
To make sure that the patient will follow the diet instructions, the dietician explains the rationale for the low-salt diet. |
the underlying reason
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recur
To make sure that a tooth cavity does not recur, the dental hygienist instructs the patient to use toothpaste with fluoride regularly. |
to occur again
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restrict
The unlicensed assistive personnel removed the water pitcher from the room to assist the patient in following instructions to restrict the intake of fluids. |
to limit
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retain
The nurse administered a medication to prevent the patient from retaining excess body fluid, which might cause unpleasant swelling. |
to hold or keep
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site
The nurse selected a site to sarte the patient's IV based on comfort for the patient. |
location
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status
The paramedic recognized that the patient's status was unstable, which necessitated immediate transport to the nearest medical center. |
condition
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strict
The nurse stressed that the patient must follow instructions to maintain stric bed rest to prevent further injury. |
stringent, exact, complete
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supplement
The dietician instructed the patient to supplement their diet with extra calcium tablets to help build strong bones. |
to take in addition to or to complete
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suppress
When the child's fever came down, the nurse checked to see if any medications had been given that would have suppressed the fever. |
to stop or subdue
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symmetric (symmetrical)
The paramedic observed that the movement of both sides of the patient's chest was symmetrical after the accident. |
being equal or the same in size, shape, and relative position
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symptom
The nurse recognized that the patient's weakness was a symptom of bleeding after surgery. |
anindication of a problem
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untoward
The patient became very confused, which was an untoward effect of the medication received. |
adverse or negative
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urinate
The nurse instructed the patient to report any discomfort felt during urination. |
excrete or expel urine
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verbal
The paramedic called in a verbal report on the patient's condition to the emergency room nurse while transporting the patient to the hospital. |
spoken, using words
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vital
The paramedic knows that it is vital to learn what type of poison was taken when caring for a poisoning victim. |
essential
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void
The patient was instructed to void into the container so the nurse could observe the appearance of the urine. |
excrete, or expel urine
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volume
The nurse recorded the volume of cough syrup administered to the patient. |
ammount of space occupied by fluid
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