NHA PCT EXAM VOCABULARY

Acidosis - an increase in the hydrogen ion concentration of the blood, lowering its ph and causing many undesirable effects Advance directives - a document that communicates a patient's specific wishes for end-of-life care Amniotic fluid - the liquid that bathes a fetus inside the sac in the uterus or womb Antecubital - the area on the anterior surface of the arm situated in front of the cubitus (elbow), where the arm bends when flexing Antibiotic - medication that kills bacteria Antiseptic - a substance that reduce the number of pathogens present on the surface Arrhythmia - abnormal hearth rhythm Artifact - markings on the EKG that do not come from the heart's conduction system but from some other cause, either from the patient or outside the patient Asepsis - being free from pathogenic micro-organisms Aspiration - inadvertent inhalation of fluid or other substances into the lungs; also the withdrawal or removal, via a syringe or other apparatus, of a substance or material from the body Atherosclerosis - a disease resulting from the buildup of plaque from fat and cholesterol inside the arteries, thus partially or fully blocking circulation to vital organs Atrial kick - the extra blood the atria can eject into the ventricles as a result of a slowdown the AV node Autoclave - container used for steam sterilization Bacterium - single-cell micro-organism that reproduces rapidly and causes many infections Bile - a fluid the liver produces and stores in the gallbladder to help digest fats Biohazard - biological or chemical substance that is dangerous to humans and the environment Bloodborne pathogens standard - OSHA standard that identifies sharps as any item that can easily break skin and therefore potentially transmit disease Cannula - an oxygen-delivery device consisting of a length of tubing with two small prongs for inserting into the nares Capillary refill - a test that involves measurement by visual inspection of the time it takes for blood to return to distal capillaries, such as under the fingernails, after blanching by applying pressure with a finger Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) - a procedure involving chest compressions and rescue breathing that provides air exchange and blood circulation to a person whose heart has stopped beating and is not breathing Cerebrospinal fluid - a normally clear liquid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord Chain of command - the formal hierarchy within an organization; a pathway of communication, responsibility, and authority Chlorhexidine - an antibacterial compound with substantial residual activity that is used as a liquid antiseptic and disinfectant Cognitive - relating to all aspects and processes of perceiving, thinking, and remembering