Dictionary

Procedures and skills

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

obturatorA smooth-tipped rod that fits inside a tube, such as a tracheostomy tube or cannula, to guide it in and then is taken out.

occlusiveClosing something off, or sealed so that air and water cannot pass through.

occlusive dressingA dressing that seals a wound or site so air and water cannot pass through.

ointmentA greasy, semisolid preparation, often containing a drug, that is spread on the skin, eyes or mucous membranes.

oral rehydration solutionA drink with a set mix of water, salts and sugar, used to replace fluid lost through diarrhea or vomiting.

oral syringeA needleless syringe used to measure and give liquid medicine by mouth.

oral temperatureBody temperature measured with a thermometer placed under the tongue.

orthostaticRelating to standing upright, or caused by changing to a standing position.

Ortolani maneuverA newborn hip exam in which the examiner gently spreads the bent hips apart to feel whether a dislocated hip slips back into its socket.

ostomyA surgically made opening from an inside organ, such as the bowel or urinary tract, through the belly wall to the outside.

out of bedAn activity order allowing or telling the client to get up from bed, often written OOB.

outputFluid that leaves the body, such as urine, vomit, liquid stool and drainage, which nurses measure and record.

oxygenA gas in the air that every cell needs, also given as a medicine at higher amounts than room air.

oxygen therapyGiving a person extra oxygen to breathe, above the amount in room air.