Summary Oxford_Dictionary_of_Nursing

citalopram (sit-al- -pram) n. an antidepressant drug that acts by prolonging the action of the neurotransmitter serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine) in the brain (see SSRI). It is taken by mouth. Trade name: Cipramil . Back - New Searc h citric acid (sit-rik) n. an organic acid found naturally in citrus fruits. Citric acid is formed in the first stage of the Krebs cycle. Formula: CH2(COOH)C(OH)(COOH)-CH2COOH . Back - New Search citric acid cycle n. see KREBS CYCLE. Back - New Search Citrobacter (sit-roh-bak-ter) n. a genus of Gram-negative anaerobic rod-shaped bacteria widely distributed in nature. The organisms cause infections of the intestinal and urinary tracts, gall bladder, and the meninges that are usually secondary, occurring in the elderly, newborn, debilitated, and immunocompromised. Back - New Search citrulline (sit-r -leen) n. an amino acid produced by the liver as a by-product during the conversion of ammonia to urea. Back - New Search CJD n. see CREUTZFELDT-JAKOB DISEASE. Back - New Search clamp (klamp) n. a surgical instrument designed to compress a structure, such as a blood vessel or a cut end of the intestine. See illustration. Back - New Search claudication (klaw-di-kay-sh n) n. limping. intermittent c. a cramping pain in the calf and leg muscles, induced by exercise and relieved by rest, that is caused by an inadequate supply of blood to the affected muscles. Back - New Search claustrophobia (klaw-str -foh-bi ) n. a morbid fear of enclosed places. See also PHOBIA. Back - New Search clavicle (klav-i-k l) n. the collar bone: a long slender curved bone, a pair of which form the front part of the shoulder girdle. Fracture of the clavicle is a common sports injury: the majority of cases require no treatment other than supporting the weight of the arm in a sling. —clavicular (kl -vik-yoo-ler) adj. Back - New Search clavulanic acid (klav-yoo-lan-ik) n. a drug that interferes with the enzymes (penicillinases) that inactivate many penicillin-type antibiotics, such as amoxycillin. Combined with the antibiotic, clavulanic acid can overcome drug resistance. Back - New Search clavus (klay-v s) n. 1 see CORN. 2 a sharp pain in the head, as if a nail were being driven in. Top Back - New Search claw-foot (klaw-fuut) n. an excessively arched foot, giving an unnaturally high instep. In most cases the cause is unknown, but the deformity may sometimes be due to an imbalance between the muscles flexing the toes and the shorter muscles that extend them. Medical name: pes cavus . Back - New S earch claw-hand (klaw-hand) n. flexion and contraction of the fingers with extension at the joints between the fingers and the hand, giving a claw-like appearance. Causes of claw-hand include injuries, syringomyelia, and leprosy. See also DUPUYTREN'S CONTRACTURE. Back - New Search cleavage (kleev-ij) n. (in embryology) the process of repeated cell division of the fertilized egg to form a ball of cells that becomes the blastocyst. Back - New Search cleft lip (harelip) (kleft) n. the congenital deformity of a cleft in the upper lip, on one or both sides of the midline. It is often associated with a cleft palate. Medical name: cheiloschisis . Back - New Search cleft palate n. a fissure in the midline of the palate due to failure of the two sides to fuse in embryonic development. Only part of the palate may be affected, or the cleft may extend the full length with bilateral clefts at the front of the maxilla; it may be accompanied by a cleft lip and disturbance of tooth formation. Back - New Search cleid- (cleido-, clid-, clido-) prefix denoting the clavicle (collar bone). Back - New Search cleidocranial dysostosis (kly-doh-kray-ni l dis-os-toh-sis) n. a congenital defect of bone formation in which the skull bones ossify imperfectly and the collar bones (clavicles) are absent. Back - New Search clemastine (klem- -steen) n. an antihistamine used for the treatment of symptoms of hay fever, urticaria, and angioneurotic oedema because of its drying effects. Trade names: Aller-eze , Tavegil . Back - New S earch climacteric (kly-mak-ter-ik) n. see MENOPAUSE. male c. declining sexual drive and fertility in men, usually occurring around or after middle age. Back - New Search clindamycin (klin-d -my-sin) n. an antibiotic administered by mouth to treat serious bacterial infections. Trade name: Dalacin C. Back - New Search clinic (klin-ik) n. 1 an establishment or department of a hospital devoted to the treatment of particular diseases or the medical care of out-patients. 2 a gathering of instructors, students, and patients, usually in a hospital ward, for the examination and treatment of the patients. Top Back - New Search clinical audit (klin-i-k l) n. a process by which doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals systematically review the procedures used for diagnosis, care, and treatment, examining how associated resources are used and investigating the effects care has on the outcome and quality of life for the patient. Back - New Search clinical medicine n. the branch of medicine dealing with the study of actual patients and the diagnosis and treatment of disease at the bedside, as opposed to the study of disease by pathology or other laboratory work. Back - New Search clinodactyly (klin-oh-dak-tili) n. congenital inward bending of a finger, usually the little finger. Clinodactyly may affect both hands and may be found in association with other congenital malformations. Back - New Search clitoridectomy (klit-er-id-ek-t mi) n. surgical removal of the clitoris. Back - New Search clitoris (klit-er-iss) n. the female counterpart of the penis, which contains erectile tissue (see CORPUS (CAVERNOSUM)) but is unconnected with the urethra. It becomes erect under conditions of sexual stimulation. Back - New Search cloaca (kloh-ay-k ) n. the most posterior part of the embryonic hindgut. It becomes divided into the rectum and the urinogenital sinus. Back - New Search clofibrate (kloh-fy-brayt) n. a drug that reduces the levels of blood lipids, including cholesterol, and is administered by mouth to treat atherosclerosis and angina. Trade name: Atromid-S . Back - New Search Clomid (kloh-mid) n. see CLOMIPHENE. Back - New Search clomiphene (kloh-mi-feen) n. a synthetic nonsteroidal compound (see ANTI-ANDROGEN) that induces ovulation and subsequent menstruation in women who fail to ovulate and stimulates increased ovulation (see SUPEROVULATION) for in vitro fertilization. Trade name: Clomid . Back - New Search clomipramine (kloh-mip-r -meen) n. a drug administered by mouth or injection to treat various depressive states (see ANTIDEPRESSANT). Trade name: Anafranil . Back - New Search clonazepam (kloh-naz- -pam) n. a drug with anticonvulsant properties, administered by mouth or injection to treat epilepsy and other conditions involving seizures. Trade name: Rivotril . Back - New Search clone (klohn) 1 n. a group of cells (usually bacteria) descended from a single cell by asexual reproduction and therefore genetically identical to each other and to the parent cell. 2 an organism derived from a single cell of its parent and therefore genetically identical to it. gene c. a group of identical genes produced by techniques of genetic engineering. Top 3 vb. to form a clone. Top Back - New Search clonic (klon-ik) adj. of, relating to, or resembling clonus. The term is most commonly used to describe the rhythmical limb movements seen as part of a convulsive epileptic seizure (see EPILEPSY). Back - New Searc h clonidine (kloh-ni-deen) n. a drug administered by mouth or injection to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and migraine. Trade names: Catapres , Dixarit . Back - New Search clonus (kloh-n s) n. rhythmical contraction of a muscle in response to a suddenly applied and then sustained stretch stimulus. It is most readily obtained at the ankle and is usually a sign of disease in the brain or spinal cord. Back - New Search clopamide (kloh-p -myd) n. a diuretic administered by mouth to treat fluid retention (oedema) and high blood pressure (hypertension). Trade name: Viskaldix . Back - New Search Clostridium (klo-strid-i m) n. a genus of mostly Gram-positive anaerobic spore-forming rodlike bacteria commonly found in soil and in the intestinal tract of man and animals. C. botulinum a species that grows freely in badly preserved canned foods, producing a toxin causing serious food poisoning (see BOTULISM). C. tetani a species that causes tetanus on contamination of wounds. C. perfringens (Welch's bacillus ) a species that causes blood poisoning, food poisoning, and gas gangrene. Back - New Search clotrimazole (kloh-trim- -zohl) n. an antifungal drug used to treat all types of fungal skin infections (including ringworm) and vaginal infections. It is applied to the infected part as a cream or solution or as vaginal pessaries. Trade name: Canesten . Back - New Search clotting factors (klot-ing) pl. n. see COAGULATION FACTORS. Back - New Search clotting time n. see COAGULATION TIME. Back - New Search cloxacillin sodium (kloks- -sil-in) n. an antibiotic, derived from penicillin, administered by mouth or injection to treat many bacterial infections. Trade name: Orbenin . Back - New Search clozapine (kloz- -peen) n. an atypical antipsychotic drug used in the treatment of schizophrenia and other disorders resistant to conventional antipsychotics. Administered by mouth, it is notable for the absence of tremors and repetitive movements that are associated with other antipsychotic drugs. In a few cases it may depress levels of white blood cells. Trade name: Clozaril . Back - New S earch clubbing (klub-ing) n. thickening of the tissues at the bases of the finger and toe nails so that the normal angle between the nail and the digit is filled in. In extreme cases the digit end becomes bulbous like a club or drumstick. Clubbing is seen in some diseases of the heart and respiratory system and as a harmless congenital abnormality. Back - New Search club-foot (klub-fuut) n. see TALIPES. Back - New Search clumping (klump-ing) n. see AGGLUTINATION. Back - New Search cluttering (klut-er-ing) n. an erratic unrhythmical way of speaking in rapid jerky bursts. It can make speech hard to understand, and speech therapy is usually helpful. Unlike stammering, there are no repetitions or prolonged hesitations of speech. Back - New Search Clutton's joint (klu-t'nz) n. a swollen joint in a child, usually the knee, caused by inflammation of the synovial membranes due to congenital syphilis. [H. H. Clutton (1850–1909), British surgeon] Back - New Search CMF n. cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil: the combination used in standard chemotherapy for cancer. Back - New Search CMV n. see CYTOMEGALOVIRUS. Back - New Search CNS n. see CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM. Back - New Search coagulant (koh-ag-yoo-l nt) n. any substance capable of converting blood from a liquid to a solid state. See BLOOD COAGULATION. Back - New Search coagulase (koh-ag-yoo-layz) n. an enzyme, formed by disease-producing varieties of certain bacteria of the genus Staphylococcus, that causes blood plasma to coagulate. Staphylococci that are positive when tested for coagulase production are classified as belonging to the species Staphylococcus aureus. Back - New Search coagulation (koh-ag-yoo-lay-sh n) n. the process by which a colloidal liquid changes to a jelly-like mass. See BLOOD COAGULATION. Back - New Search coagulation factors (clotting factors) pl. n. a group of substances present in blood plasma that are responsible for the conversion of blood from a liquid to a solid state (see BLOOD COAGULATION). Although they have specific names, most coagulation factors a re referred to by an agreed set of Roman numerals (see FACTOR VIII, FACTOR IX, FACTOR XI). Back - New Search coagulation time (clotting time) n. the time taken for blood or blood plasma to coagulate (see BLOOD COAGULATION). Back - New Search coagulum (koh-ag-yoo-l m) n. a mass of coagulated matter, such as that formed when blood clots. Back - New Search coalesce (koh- -less) vb. to grow together or unite. —coalescence n. Back - New Search coal-worker's pneumoconiosis (anthracosis) (kohl-wer-kerz) n. a lung disease caused by coal dust. It affects mainly coal miners but also other exposed workers, such as lightermen, if the lungs' capacity to accommodate and remove the particles is exceeded. See PNEUMOCONIOSIS. Back - New Search coarctation (koh-ark-tay-sh n) n. (of the aorta) a congenital narrowing of a short segment of the aorta, resulting in high blood pressure in the upper part of the body and arms and low blood pressure in the legs. The defect is corrected surgically. Back - New Search Coats' disease (kohts) n. a congenital anomaly of the blood vessels of the retina, which are abnormally dilated and leaking. This results in subretinal haemorrhage and massive exudation. [G. Coats (1876– 1915), British ophthalmologist] Back - New Search cobalt (koh-bawlt) n. a metallic element that forms part of the vitamin B12 molecule. Symbol: Co. cobalt-60 (radiocobalt ) a powerful emitter of gamma radiation, used in the radiation treatment of cancer (see RADIOTHERAPY, TELECURIETHERAPY). Back - New Search cocaine (k -kayn) n. an alkaloid, derived from the leaves of the coca plant (Erythroxylon coca) or prepared synthetically, sometimes used as a local anaesthetic in eye, ear, nose, and throat surgery. Since it may lead to psychological dependence, cocaine has largely been replaced by safer anaesthetics. Back - New Search cocainism (koh-kayn-izm) n. 1 the habitual use of, or addiction to, cocaine in order to experience its intoxicating effects. 2 the mental and physical deterioration resulting from addiction to cocaine. Top Back - New Search coccus (kok- s) n. (pl. cocci) any spherical bacterium. See GONOCOCCUS, MENINGOCOCCUS, MICROCOCCUS, PNEUMOCOCCUS, STAPHYLOCOCCUS, STREPTOCOCCUS. Back - New Search coccy- (coccyg-, coccygo-) prefix denoting the coccyx. Back - New Search coccygodynia (coccydynia) (kok-si-goh-din-i ) n. pain in the coccyx and the neighbouring area. Back - New Search coccyx (kok-siks) n. (pl. coccyges or coccyxes) the lowermost element of the backbone: the vestigial human tail. It consists of four rudimentary coccygeal vertebrae fused to form a triangular bone that articulates with the sacrum. See also VERTEBRA. —coccygeal (kok-sij-i l) adj. Back - New Search cochlea (kok-li ) n. the spiral organ of the labyrinth of the ear, which is concerned with the reception and analysis of sound. —cochlear (kok-li- er) adj. Back - New Search cochlear duct (scala media) n. see SCALA. Back - New Search cochlear implant n. a device to improve the hearing of profoundly deaf people who derive no benefit from conventional hearing aids. It consists of an electrode that is permanently implanted into the inner ear (cochlea). An external battery-powered device with a microphone and an electronic processing unit passes information to the electrode using radio-frequency waves. Back - New Search cochlear nerve n. the nerve connecting the cochlea to the brain and therefore responsible for the nerve impulses relating to hearing. It forms part of the vestibulocochlear nerve. Ba ck - New Search Cockayne's syndrome (kok-aynz) n. a hereditary disorder (inherited as an autosomal recessive condition) associated with trisomy of chromosome no. 20. Clinical features include epidermolysis bullosa, dwarfism, mental retardation, and pigmentary degeneration of the retina. [E. A. Cockayne (1880– 1956), British physician] Back - New Search codeine (koh-deen) n. an analgesic derived from morphine but less potent as a pain killer and sedative and less toxic. It is administered by mouth or injection to relieve pain and also to suppress coughs. Back - New Searc h Code of Professional Conduct for the Nurse, Midwife, and Health Visitor Each registered nurse, midwife and health visitor shall act, at all times, in such a manner as to: • safeguard and promote the interests of individual patients and clients; • serve the interests of society; •justify public trust and confide nce and • uphold and enhance the good standin g and reputation of the professions. As a registered nurse, midwife or health visitor, you are personally accountable for your practice and, in the excercise of your professional accountability, must: 1 act always in such a manner as to promote and safeguard the interests and wellbeing of patients and clients; 2 ensure that no action or om ission on your part, or within your sphere of responsibility, is detrimental to the interests, condition or safety of patients and clients; 3 maintain and improve your professional knowledge and competence; 4 acknowledge any limitations in your knowledge and competence and decline any duties or responsibilities unless able to perform them in a safe and skilled manner; 5 work in an open and co-operative manner with patients, clients and their fam ilies, foster their independence and recognise and respect their involvement in the planning and delivery of care; 6 work in a collabora tive and co-operative manner with health care professionals and others involved in providing care, and recognise and respect their particular contributions within the care team; 7 recognise and respect the uniqu eness and dignity of each patient and client, and respond to their need for care, irrespective of their ethnic origin, religious beliefs,