What it means
Describes an illness or symptom that comes on quickly, such as acute appendicitis or acute pain after surgery. It is the opposite of chronic, which means long-lasting. "Acute care" is hospital care for sudden or serious illness and injury.
For the nurse
Exam questions often put acute, unexpected changes ahead of chronic, expected ones when choosing which client to see first.
At a glance
| Spanish | agudo |
|---|---|
| Also written | acutely |
Related terms
exacerbation
A time when a long-term disease suddenly gets worse, or its symptoms flare up.
prioritize
To decide which client, problem or task comes first, second and so on.
chronic pain
Pain that lasts longer than about 3 months or past the time tissues normally take to heal.