Word parts
What it means
Relating to a prosthesis, an artificial device that replaces a body part. Examples are a prosthetic leg after an amputationam-pyoo-TAY-shunThe removal of all or part of a limb or other body part, by surgery or by injury.Full entry , hip and knee joint replacements, prosthetic heart valves, dentures and artificial eyes. "Prosthetics" is also the name of the field that makes and fits these devices.
For the nurse
Check the skin under and around a limb prosthesis every day for redness or breakdown, and teach the client to clean the socket and liner. A client with a mechanical heart valve takes an anticoagulant for life and may need antibiotics before some dental work.
At a glance
| Also written | prosthetics |
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Related terms
amputation
The removal of all or part of a limb or other body part, by surgery or by injury.
anticoagulation
The use of drugs that slow the blood's clotting, to prevent or treat blood clots.