Dictionary

Procedures and skills

The procedures nurses assist with and the skills they perform themselves.

daily weightA client's weight measured every day at the same time, on the same scale, in similar clothing.

dangleTo sit on the edge of the bed with the legs hanging over the side, before standing up.

debridementThe removal of dead, damaged or infected tissue from a wound so it can heal.

decelerationA temporary drop in the fetal heart rate below its baseline, seen on a fetal monitor.

defibrillationAn electric shock given to the heart to stop a chaotic, life-threatening rhythm so a normal rhythm can return.

deltoidThe thick, triangle-shaped muscle that covers the shoulder and lifts the arm out to the side.

dentureA removable set of artificial teeth that replaces some or all natural teeth.

dextrose 5% in waterAn IV fluid of 5 grams of glucose in every 100 mL of water, written D5W.

dialysateThe fluid used in dialysis to pull waste products and extra fluid out of the blood.

dialysisA treatment that removes wastes and extra fluid from the blood when the kidneys can no longer do it.

dilatorAn instrument used to stretch or widen an opening, canal or passage in the body.

dipstickA plastic strip with small chemical pads that change color to show what is in a urine sample.

dislodgementMovement of a tube, line or device out of its proper place.

Doppler ultrasoundAn ultrasound that uses sound waves to hear or show blood flowing through vessels or the fetal heartbeat.

drainA tube or device placed in a wound or body cavity to remove fluid, blood or air.

drainageFluid that flows out of a wound, body cavity or tube, or the removal of that fluid.

drapeA sheet placed over a client, either sterile to keep an area clean around a procedure site or plain to give privacy.

dressingA covering placed on a wound to protect it and help it heal.

dripA continuous IV infusion of fluid or a drug, given slowly over time by gravity or a pump.

drip chamberThe clear chamber at the top of IV tubing, under the bag, where fluid falls drop by drop.

drop factorThe number of drops in 1 mL of fluid for a given set of IV tubing, printed on the package.