Nursing Student’s Guide to Nursing Terminology
Nursing and medical professionals often communicate using specific terms and abbreviations that might seem like a unique language. Understanding these terms, such as nursing abbreviations and acronyms related to tests, medications, and diagnoses, can take time as you become familiar with the terminology used in the field. In addition to these technical nursing terms, healthcare workers also employ colloquial slang terms during their shifts or when documenting patient care. These slang terms are an essential part of the nursing vernacular, aiding in quicker and more efficient communication among medical professionals.
Let’s explore an extensive list of nursing terms that you will encounter and utilize throughout your nursing career.
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General Nursing Terms
– Charge Nurse: A charge nurse is responsible for overseeing patient care within a nursing department. Note that this role differs from that of a nurse manager, who primarily handles administrative duties.
– Clinicals: Clinicals are a vital component of nursing education where student nurses gain hands-on experience in a hospital setting. This experience occurs under the guidance and supervision of staff nurses and clinical instructors.
– Chart: A chart is a digital repository that contains a patient’s medical documentation. It encompasses their medical history, examination details, test and imaging results, diagnosis, prescribed medications, and a record of events that unfold during each shift.
– Charting: Charting refers to the process of recording pertinent information by healthcare providers in a patient’s chart. This process helps maintain an accurate and up-to-date account of the patient’s condition and care.
– NCLEX: The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) is a pivotal computer-adaptive test that nursing students must successfully complete in order to obtain their state nursing license, permitting them to practice nursing professionally.
– Heart Rate: Heart rate signifies the frequency at which the heart beats and is typically measured in beats per minute.
– Respiratory Rate: Respiratory rate denotes the number of breaths a patient takes within one minute.
– Vital Signs: Vital signs are fundamental physiological measurements that provide insight into a patient’s health status. They encompass body temperature, pulse rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and pain level.
– Pain Scale: A pain scale is a standardized tool employed to quantify a patient’s level of pain. Adults usually choose a number between one and ten to indicate their pain level, while children may use visual cues. Consistency in using the same pain scale enables healthcare providers to gauge improvements or deteriorations in pain levels.
– Specimen: A specimen refers to a sample derived from a patient’s body, which is collected for the purpose of conducting various diagnostic tests. Specimens may include blood, urine, sputum, tissue, or stool.
– Code Blue: Code Blue designates a medical emergency that necessitates immediate attention, often indicating a situation like cardiac arrest.
– Pre-op: Pre-op is a term used to describe care provided to a patient immediately prior to surgery. It may also refer to medication administered in preparation for anesthesia.
– Post-op: Post-op pertains to the care, interventions, and patient education delivered following a surgical procedure. This care aims to ready the patient for discharge or facilitate their transition back to the hospital unit. For instance, post-op instructions might advise patients to consume only soft foods for a specific duration after surgery.
– Ad lib: The term “ad lib” indicates that patients are unrestricted or have no specific limitations in certain aspects of their care. For instance, a patient might be permitted to be “up ad lib,” signifying that they can move about freely.
– Ileus: Ileus refers to an obstruction within the intestines, which may occur post-surgery, as a result of certain medications, infections, or underlying health conditions. It can either resolve spontaneously or necessitate surgical intervention.
– PRN: The abbreviation PRN originates from the Latin phrase “pro re nata,” meaning “as the situation arises” or “as needed.” Its precise application can vary depending on the context. PRN medications might be administered when required but are subject to a predefined frequency within a specified timeframe. In some cases, PRN may also refer to a specific nursing position within a healthcare facility.
– Preceptor: A preceptor is an experienced and licensed nurse who supervises nursing students during clinical rotations or new graduates as they begin their first job in the field.
– Preceptorship: Preceptorship denotes a program designed for new graduates to facilitate their integration into a new healthcare organization during the orientation phase. Such programs equip nurses with essential skills for patient care. Additionally, the term preceptorship is also used to describe the clinical hours undertaken by nursing students in their final semester of nursing school. In some instances, the term may replace the phrase “clinical hours” to describe the clinical experiences of graduate students.
– Oxygen Saturation: Oxygen saturation gauges the amount of hemoglobin bound to oxygen in the bloodstream. This measurement provides insight into the availability of oxygen to the body’s tissues.
Nursing Internships and Practicums
Nursing Acronyms
– Within Normal Limit (WNL): WNL is used to indicate that a particular assessment falls within the typical or expected range for the evaluated criteria. This applies to assessments such as reflexes or pupillary response.
– Standard Operating Procedures (SOP): SOP delineates the standard protocol for conducting a nursing procedure, which is anticipated to produce the intended response.
-Over the Counter (OTC): OTC refers to medications available for purchase without the need for a prescription.
– Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): PPE encompasses garments and equipment utilized by healthcare workers to shield themselves from pathogen transmission. This includes items like gowns, gloves, and masks.
– Blood Pressure (BP): BP is a measure of the force exerted against the walls of the arteries. In a healthy individual, blood pressure falls within a normal range. Deviations from this range may indicate potential medical concerns.
– Do Not Resuscitate (DNR): DNR signifies that an individual does not wish to receive extraordinary life-saving measures if they experience cardiac arrest or another catastrophic failure of bodily systems.
– Electronic Health Records (EHR): EHR refers to the digital compilation of a patient’s medical history, including medical examinations, test results, diagnoses, medications, and an account of medical activities.
– Complete Bed Rest (CBR): CBR is a directive for patients to remain in bed, even when using the restroom. Such patients may require a urinal or bedpan for elimination.
– Nothing By Mouth (NPO): NPO indicates that patients are restricted from consuming food or beverages, including refraining from activities like toothbrushing.
– Out of Bed (OOB): The abbreviation OOB may be accompanied by a specified frequency, implying that patients should get out of bed and either sit in a chair or walk, as part of their healing process.
– Airway, Breathing, Circulation (ABC): ABC outlines the sequence of assessment and intervention during an emergency situation. It involves establishing an open airway, ensuring the patient’s ability to breathe, checking for proper circulation, and performing CPR if necessary.
Nursing Tools
– Hat: A hat is a plastic receptacle placed in the toilet to collect and measure urine. It is designed to resemble an upside-down hat.
– Sharps Container: A sharps container is a red container used to house used needles and other sharp disposable medical instruments. It is intended for safe disposal.
– Banana Bag: A banana bag is a type of intravenous drip bag. Its distinctive yellow color is derived from a combination of B vitamins. This treatment aims to restore vitamins and electrolytes in patients dealing with alcohol use disorder.
– Stethoscope: A stethoscope is a medical instrument employed to listen to a patient’s heartbeat or assess blood pressure. Advancements in technology enable digital stethoscopes to amplify and transmit audio to a computer for further analysis.
– Tourniquet: A tourniquet is a tight band that can be fashioned from various materials. It is used to halt the flow of blood following an injury or medical procedure. Phlebotomists often use tourniquets to temporarily increase blood flow to veins when drawing blood.
– Catheter: A catheter is a flexible hollow tube utilized to drain urine from the bladder.
– Pulse Oximeter: A pulse oximeter is a small digital device that attaches to a patient’s finger. It employs cold light to analyze and quantify oxygen saturation in the bloodstream.
Common Medical Tests and Procedures
– Spinal Tap: A spinal tap involves inserting a thin needle into the lumbar region of the spine’s subarachnoid space. This procedure collects cerebrospinal fluid for analysis.
– Ultrasound: Ultrasound is an imaging test that employs sound waves to generate images of internal body structures. Unlike other imaging modalities, it does not employ radiation, making it safe for use during pregnancy.
– Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP): A BMP is a blood test that assesses chemical balance and metabolism. It includes measurements of glucose, calcium, sodium, potassium, chloride, carbon dioxide, creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN).
– Vaccination: Vaccination involves administering vaccines through injections, oral routes, or nasal sprays. The goal is to stimulate the body’s immune response and confer protection against harmful viruses.
– Saline Lock: A saline lock is a type of intravenous port that remains in place without the need for continuous intravenous lines or bags. It can be used intermittently for fluid or medication administration.
– IV Therapy: IV therapy refers to the intravenous administration of fluids containing medications, vitamins, and minerals.
– Urinalysis: Urinalysis is a diagnostic test that analyzes urine to identify various urinary tract disorders, such as urinary tract infections, kidney diseases, or diabetes.
Nursing Internships and Practicums
Patient Descriptions
– Walkie-talkie: A walkie-talkie patient is near the end of their hospital stay and requires minimal care. They can independently use the bathroom, get in and out of bed, feed themselves, and have a low risk of falling.
– Total: A total care patient necessitates comprehensive care, often involving gastric or tube feeding, intravenous lines, urinary catheters, and tracheostomies. These patients require frequent repositioning and close monitoring.
– Frequent Flyer: A frequent flyer patient is someone who frequently seeks hospital admission.
– Alert: An alert patient is aware of their surroundings and responds to stimuli. However, being alert does not necessarily imply orientation, meaning they might not know who, where, and when they are.
– Ambulate: Ambulate signifies the act of walking.
– Tube Index: Tube index denotes the number of tubes affixed to a patient, encompassing urinary catheters, intravenous lines, central lines, tracheostomies, and chest tubes.
Nursing Slang
– Peds: Peds is a shorthand term for pediatrics, referring to the care of children.
– STAT: The term STAT originates from the Latin word “statim,” which translates to “immediately” or “without delay.”
– Crash cart: A crash cart is a mobile unit containing supplies and equipment required for emergency situations, especially when a patient’s condition suddenly deteriorates or experiences a cardiac arrest or drug overdose.
– Sundowner/Sundowning: Sundowning is a phenomenon observed in patients with dementia. Their behavior worsens during the evening hours, marked by agitation, confusion, delusions, and combativeness.
– Code Brown: Code Brown indicates a situation where a patient has a bowel movement outside of the toilet.
– Coding: Coding refers to a patient experiencing cardiac arrest, necessitating resuscitation efforts.
– Tachy: Tachy is a colloquial abbreviation for tachycardia, denoting a rapid heart rate.
– Fluid overload: Fluid overload describes a condition where a patient has an excessive amount of fluid in their bloodstream, often referred to as hypervolemia. This condition can arise due to various factors, including heart failure, kidney failure, or liver cirrhosis.
– Nurslings: Nurslings are student nurses.
– DT-ing: DT-ing describes a patient who exhibits delirium tremens, a rapid onset of confusion often triggered by alcohol withdrawal.
– Milk of amnesia: Milk of amnesia alludes to the infusion of propofol, a creamy white anesthetic used to induce anesthesia rapidly. However, it is known to have a potentially toxic effect, particularly in young children and the elderly.
– Waste: Waste refers to the practice of witnessing the disposal of narcotics in accordance with hospital or clinic protocols.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nursing Terminology
1. What are the 7 standards of nursing?
The seven standards of nursing practice encompass the following:
– Critical thinking and analytical assessment of nursing practices.
– Cultivation of therapeutic and professional relationships with patients.
– Maintenance of the capability and competence for nursing practice.
– Thorough and comprehensive patient assessments.
– Development of nursing care plans.
– Provision of safe, suitable, and responsive quality nursing care.
– Evaluation of patient outcomes to inform and enhance nursing practice.
2. What are the levels of care?
Different levels of care cater to diverse physical and emotional needs:
– Acute care: For seriously ill patients requiring immediate medical attention.
– Subacute care: For patients who are less ill but still need medical attention.
– Skilled care: Nursing assistance provided at home.
– Transitional care: Care provided when patients transition from a hospital to another setting.
– Hospice care: Specialized care provided at the end of a patient’s life.
3. What are the rights of medication use?
The “rights of medication use” refers to a checklist nurses use to prevent medication errors. These include confirming:
– The correct medication.
– The correct patient.
– The correct time.
– The correct dose.
– The correct route of administration.
4. What are the levels of triage?
Triage involves categorizing patients based on the urgency of their medical needs. The Emergency Severity Index, used in most US emergency rooms, has five levels:
– Level 1: Immediate, life-threatening (e.g., cardiac arrest).
– Level 2: Emergency, potentially life-threatening (e.g., difficulty breathing, major accidents).
– Level 3: Urgent, not life-threatening (e.g., abdominal pain).
– Level 4: Semi-urgent, not life-threatening (e.g., earache, cuts requiring sutures).
– Level 5: Nonurgent (e.g., minor symptoms, prescription renewal).
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