N109: Foundations in Nursing Practice

N109: Foundations in Nursing Practice Study Guide

Appendix A: Key Terms and Concepts • Acculturation: The process of adopting the cultural traits or social patterns of another group as a result of prolonged contact with them. • Acute illness: A disease or condition with sudden onset that resolves relatively quickly or results in death. • Acute pain: Pain that comes on suddenly and has a limited duration. • Advance directive: A legal document that provides a way to allow caregivers to know a patient’s wishes. • Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD): A disease associated with aging that gradually destroys sharp, central vision. • Algor mortis: After blood circulation stops, body temperature begins to drop until it reaches room temperature. • Apgar Score: Measured one minute and five minutes after an infant’s birth to assess the child’s general condition. • Aqueous humour: The part of the eye that helps to maintain the shape of the anterior chamber of the eyeball. • Attending: The technique of actively listening to the patient. • Auditory canal: The tube through which sound travels to the tympanicmembrane. • Barthel index score: A tool used to measure performance in basic activities of daily living. • CAGE assessment: A widely used tool of screening for alcoholism. • Cataracts: A clouding of the lens in the eye that affects vision. • Cerumen impaction: Obstruction of the ear canal with wax (cerumen). • Choroid: The part of the eye that is served by a network of blood vessels and provides the means to supply nutrients to and remove wastes from the eye. • Chronic illness: A disease or condition that is permanent or irreversible. • Chronic pain: Pain that lasts longer than acute pain and is generally somewhat resistant to medical treatment. • Clarifying: The technique of asking the patient to repeat information when the nurse is not sure of the meaning. • Cochlea: The ppiral-shaped, fluid-filled structure in the inner ear that is lined with cilia (tiny hairs) that move when the vibration is received and cause a nerve impulse to form. • Comfort: To soothe or ease in a time of affliction or distress. • Communicable diseases: Illnesses caused by microorganisms and transmitted from an infected person to an uninfected person. • Community: A group of interacting people that share common values and geographic location. • Conjunctiva: The layer of epithelial cells that covers the cornea and protects it against damage. • Conjunctivitis: The swelling (inflammation) or infection of the membrane lining the eyelids. • Cornea: The transparent front of the eye which helps to converge light rays as they enter the eye.

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