Important Nursing Terms
& Definitions Study Guide
(Glossary, Abbreviations
& Exam Prep Notes)
| Graded A+ | Guaranteed
success|
Updated 2026 Questions and Answers
100% Verified Exam Prep and Comprehensive
Rationales
Included
, Adduction Moving a body part toward the mid-line of the body
Anaphylaxis A life-threatening sensitivity to an antigen
Anorexia The loss of appetite
Anxiety A vague, uneasy feeling in response to stress
Aphasia The total or partial loss (a) of the ability to use or understand language
(phasia); a language disorder resulting from damage to parts of the brain
responsible for language
Artery A blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart
Arthritis Inflammation of the joints
Arthroplasty The surgical replacement (plasty) of a joint (arthro)
Asepsis Being free of disease-producing microbes
Assault Intentionally attempting or threatening to touch a person's body without the
person's consent
Assisted living residence Provides housing, personal care, support services, health care, and social
activities in a home-like setting to persons needing help with daily activities
Atrophy Shrink; the decrease in size or the wasting away of tissue
Base of support The area on which an object rests
Battery Touching a person's body without his or her consent
Bed rail A device that serves as a guard or barrier along the side of the bed; side rail
Body alignment The way the head, trunk, arms, and legs are aligned with one another; posture
Body language Messages sent through facial expressions, gestures, posture, hand and body
movements, gait, eye contact, and appearance
Boundary crossing A brief act or behavior outside of the helpful zone
Boundary violation An act or behavior that meets your needs, not the person's
Carrier A human or animal that is a reservoir for microbes but does not develop the
infection
Catheter A tube used to drain or inject fluid through a body opening
Chronic Illness An ongoing illness, slow or gradual in onset; it has no known cure; it can be
controlled and complications prevented with proper treatment
& Definitions Study Guide
(Glossary, Abbreviations
& Exam Prep Notes)
| Graded A+ | Guaranteed
success|
Updated 2026 Questions and Answers
100% Verified Exam Prep and Comprehensive
Rationales
Included
, Adduction Moving a body part toward the mid-line of the body
Anaphylaxis A life-threatening sensitivity to an antigen
Anorexia The loss of appetite
Anxiety A vague, uneasy feeling in response to stress
Aphasia The total or partial loss (a) of the ability to use or understand language
(phasia); a language disorder resulting from damage to parts of the brain
responsible for language
Artery A blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart
Arthritis Inflammation of the joints
Arthroplasty The surgical replacement (plasty) of a joint (arthro)
Asepsis Being free of disease-producing microbes
Assault Intentionally attempting or threatening to touch a person's body without the
person's consent
Assisted living residence Provides housing, personal care, support services, health care, and social
activities in a home-like setting to persons needing help with daily activities
Atrophy Shrink; the decrease in size or the wasting away of tissue
Base of support The area on which an object rests
Battery Touching a person's body without his or her consent
Bed rail A device that serves as a guard or barrier along the side of the bed; side rail
Body alignment The way the head, trunk, arms, and legs are aligned with one another; posture
Body language Messages sent through facial expressions, gestures, posture, hand and body
movements, gait, eye contact, and appearance
Boundary crossing A brief act or behavior outside of the helpful zone
Boundary violation An act or behavior that meets your needs, not the person's
Carrier A human or animal that is a reservoir for microbes but does not develop the
infection
Catheter A tube used to drain or inject fluid through a body opening
Chronic Illness An ongoing illness, slow or gradual in onset; it has no known cure; it can be
controlled and complications prevented with proper treatment
