Dictionary

Nursing practice

Delegation, prioritization, scope of practice and the working words of the profession.

cosignTo sign a record as a second person, confirming what another person did or wrote.

counselingTalking with a trained person who helps someone understand a problem, make decisions or change behavior.

COWSClinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale: an 11-item score nurses use to rate how severe opioid withdrawal is.

CPOEComputerized provider order entry: a system in which prescribers enter orders directly into the electronic health record.

crisisA time when a person's usual ways of coping fail and they cannot manage a stressful event.

crisis interventionShort-term help for a person in a crisis, to keep them safe and help them cope and function again.

critical thinkingCareful, reasoned thinking that questions information and weighs evidence before reaching a conclusion.

cueA piece of information about a client, such as a sign, symptom, lab value or remark, that the nurse notices and uses to make a judgment.

cultural awarenessKnowing one's own cultural values, beliefs and biases, and that others may see things differently.

cultural competenceThe ability to give care that respects and fits a client's culture, values, beliefs and language.

cultural humilityA lifelong habit of self-reflection and learning in which the nurse treats each client as the expert on their own culture.

cultural sensitivityBeing aware of and respecting cultural differences in beliefs, values and practices, without judging them.

current medicationA medicine a person is taking now, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins and herbal products.