Sudden
Example: The nurse noticed an abrupt change in the patient's level of pain - Abrupt
To voluntarily refrain from something
Example: The dental hygienist instructed the patient to abstain from smoking to improve his
breath odor - Abstain
Responsible
Example: Paramedic are accountable for maintaining up-to-date knowledge of resuscitation
techniques - Accountable
To hold fast or stick together
Example: the tape must adhere to the patient's skin to hold the bandage in place - Adhere
Undesired, possibly harmful
Example: Vomiting is an adverse effect of many medications - Adverse
Control, protection
EXAMPLE: Unit Staffing decisions are under the aegis of the nurse manager - Aegis
Uncertain, having contradictory feelings.
(EX: After learning that she had breast cancer, the patient was ambivalent about having a
mastectomy.) - Ambivalent
To place, put on, or spread something
Example: The physical therapist will apply a medication to the wound before covering the
wound with a bandage - Apply
, to give consent; to agree
example: The patient was asked to assent to the surgery by signing the informed consent
document. - Assent
Able to be heard
Example: The respiratory therapist noticed that when the patient was having a difficulty
breathing, the therapist could hear an audible wheezing sound - Audible
Single -celled, microscopic organism.
Example: The physician ordered a lab test to confirm that the patients illness was caused by
bacteria rather than a virus. - Bacteria
Present on two sides
Example: The unlicensed assistive personnel reported to the nurse that the patient had
bilateral weakness in the legs when walking - Bilateral
An opening or an empty area
example: The nurse inspected the patient's oral cavity for lesions - Cavity
Come to an end or bring to an end
Example: Because the patient's breathing had ceased, the paramedic began resuscitation
measures - Cease
Order of events as the occurred; timeline
example: The police interviewed witnesses and first responders to determine the chronology
of the accident - chronology
Offsetting or making up for something
Example: When the patient's blood pressure decreased, the paramedic noted that the heart
rate increased, which the paramedic recognized as a compensatory action - Compensatory
Rounded inward
Example: The dietician noticed that the patient was very thin, and the patient's abdomen
appeared concave - Concave