Nursing practice

A rubber or silicone nipple that a baby sucks on for comfort, not for feeding.

Describing care that eases symptoms and improves comfort and quality of life rather than curing the disease.

Care that relieves pain, other symptoms and stress for people with serious illness, at any stage and alongside other treatment.

An outbreak of disease that spreads across several countries or continents and affects very many people.

The work of raising a child: caring for, protecting, teaching and guiding them as they grow.

A memory aid for using a fire extinguisher: Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, Sweep the spray side to side.

The American Hospital Association's plain-language guide to what patients can expect in a hospital and their rights and responsibilities.

The legal and ethical rights every patient holds, such as to be informed, to consent or refuse, to privacy, and to safe, respectful care.

A 1990 US federal law requiring health care facilities to tell adults about their right to make advance directives and to accept or refuse treatment.

Built around the client's own needs, values and wishes, with the client as a full partner in decisions.

Care planned around the client's own needs, values and choices, with the client as a full partner in decisions.

An injury whose shape shows the outline of the object that caused it, such as a hand, a belt or a cord.

An abbreviation with several meanings: most often primary care provider, but also a type of pneumonia or the street drug phencyclidine.

Having to do with the care of infants, children and teenagers.

The branch of health care that looks after infants, children and teenagers.

The brain's way of taking in and making sense of what the senses detect; also a person's own view or understanding of something.

The specialist who sets up and runs the heart-lung machine and other devices that pump and oxygenate the blood outside the body.

Lying on purpose after swearing to tell the truth, as in court or in a deposition; it is a crime.

Help with hygiene and grooming tasks such as bathing, mouth care, hair care, dressing and toileting.

A licensed health professional who prepares and dispenses medicines and advises on their safe use.

Doctor of Philosophy: the highest research degree; in nursing, a doctorate focused on research.

Deliberately using physical force against another person in a way that causes, or risks causing, injury or pain.

Treatment that uses exercise, movement training and other physical methods to improve strength, mobility and function.

The person who brings a lawsuit, such as a patient who sues for an injury.

A written plan that lists a client's problems, goals and the nursing actions to reach them.

An abbreviation for past medical history; in mental health, it can mean psychiatric-mental health.

A medical order form, signed by a provider and the client, that states the client's wishes about life-sustaining treatment.

After death.

A legal paper that names someone to make decisions for another person.

Preferred provider organization, a network of providers who agree to treat an insurer's members at a reduced, agreed rate.

A person who works in a profession, especially one who is licensed to give health care.

The exams, lab work and other tests a patient has before surgery to check that they are healthy enough to have the planned operation safely.

A step taken ahead of time to prevent harm, such as the infection-control practices used with every client.

An experienced professional who coaches, supervises and evaluates a student or new employee in the clinical setting.

A health problem a person already had before a certain point, such as before a pregnancy, a surgery or new insurance coverage.

Health care for a pregnant person and the unborn baby during pregnancy, before birth.

Being ready ahead of time, especially with plans, training and supplies for a disaster or emergency.

A child between about 3 and 5 years old.

To order a medicine or treatment for a person, as a licensed health care provider.

A written or electronic order from a licensed prescriber for a drug, device or treatment.

Action taken to stop a disease, injury or problem from happening, or to keep it from getting worse.

Everyday, first-contact health care for checkups, prevention and common health problems.

The doctor, nurse practitioner or physician assistant a person sees first for most health needs and routine care.

Basic, essential health care that people reach first in their community, covering prevention and common problems.

Actions taken to stop a disease or injury from happening in the first place.

Latin for "first, do no harm," the principle that care must never injure the patient.

To decide which client, problem or task comes first, second and so on.

In the NCLEX clinical judgment model, to rank the client's possible problems by how urgent and likely each one is.

The limits that keep the nurse-client relationship focused on the client's needs and not on the nurse's own.

Health information that can identify a patient, which HIPAA's Privacy Rule protects in every form: spoken, on paper or electronic.