What it means
In the body, perception is how the brain turns signals from the eyes, ears, skin and other senses into meaning: seeing a face, feeling pain. Problems with perception include hallucinationhuh-loo-sih-NAY-shunHearing, seeing, feeling, smelling or tasting something that is not really there.Full entry s and some effects of stroke. In nursing, a client's perception also means how they see their situation, such as their perception of pain or of their illness, which shapes how they respond.
For the nurse
Pain is what the client says it is: record the client's own rating and words. Ask how the client understands their illness before you teach.
At a glance
| Spanish | percepción |
|---|---|
| Also written | perceptions, perceive, perceived |
Related terms
hallucination
Hearing, seeing, feeling, smelling or tasting something that is not really there.
thalamus
A pair of egg-shaped masses deep in the brain that relay sensory signals to the cerebral cortex.
cognitive
Having to do with thinking: knowing, remembering, understanding, judging and solving problems.