Essential Nursing Terminology: A Comprehensive
Glossary
This glossary provides clear and concise definitions of commonly used terms in
nursing practice, facilitating effective communication and understanding within the
healthcare environment.
1. ad lib: Abbreviation for the Latin phrase "ad libitum," meaning as desired
or freely.
2. Alert: A state of full wakefulness in which an individual is aware of their
surroundings and responds appropriately to stimuli, including answering
questions coherently.
3. Ambulate: To walk or move about independently or with assistance.
4. Anemic: A condition characterized by a decreased number of red blood
cells or a deficiency in hemoglobin, leading to reduced oxygen-carrying
capacity of the blood.
5. Anorexia Nervosa: An eating disorder characterized by an obsessive fear
of gaining weight, leading to self-starvation and a significantly low body
weight.
6. Aphasia: An impairment of language, affecting the ability to speak, write,
understand spoken language, or understand written language. It is usually
caused by damage to the language centers in the brain, often due to stroke or
head injury.
7. Asepsis: The absence of pathogenic microorganisms or the process of
protecting against infection by preventing the introduction of such
organisms.
, 8. Atrophy: A wasting away or degeneration of tissue or an organ, often due
to lack of use, malnutrition, or disease.
9. b.i.d.: Abbreviation for the Latin phrase "bis in die," meaning twice a day.
10.BM: Abbreviation for bowel movement, referring to the evacuation of feces
from the intestines.
11.Bradycardia: An abnormally slow heartbeat, typically defined as a heart
rate below 60 beats per minute in adults.
12.Bradypnea: An abnormally slow respiratory rate, usually below 10
breaths per minute in adults.
13.c (c with overline): Abbreviation for the Latin word "cum," meaning with.
14.CBC: Abbreviation for complete blood count, a common blood test that
evaluates the overall health, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and
platelets.
15.c/o: Abbreviation for complains of, used in documentation to indicate the
patient's stated symptoms or concerns.
16.Cyanosis: A bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes,
indicating a lack of oxygen in the blood.
17.Defecate: To have a bowel movement; to expel feces from the body.
18.Diaphoresis: Excessive sweating, often associated with fever, anxiety, or
certain medical conditions.
19.Diastolic: The blood pressure reading that reflects the pressure in the
arteries when the heart ventricles are relaxed and filling with blood.
20.Discharge: To release or eliminate substances from the body, such as
wound drainage or bodily waste. It also refers to the release of a patient from
a healthcare facility.
21.Disoriented: Confused as to time, place, or person; lacking awareness of
one's surroundings or identity.
Glossary
This glossary provides clear and concise definitions of commonly used terms in
nursing practice, facilitating effective communication and understanding within the
healthcare environment.
1. ad lib: Abbreviation for the Latin phrase "ad libitum," meaning as desired
or freely.
2. Alert: A state of full wakefulness in which an individual is aware of their
surroundings and responds appropriately to stimuli, including answering
questions coherently.
3. Ambulate: To walk or move about independently or with assistance.
4. Anemic: A condition characterized by a decreased number of red blood
cells or a deficiency in hemoglobin, leading to reduced oxygen-carrying
capacity of the blood.
5. Anorexia Nervosa: An eating disorder characterized by an obsessive fear
of gaining weight, leading to self-starvation and a significantly low body
weight.
6. Aphasia: An impairment of language, affecting the ability to speak, write,
understand spoken language, or understand written language. It is usually
caused by damage to the language centers in the brain, often due to stroke or
head injury.
7. Asepsis: The absence of pathogenic microorganisms or the process of
protecting against infection by preventing the introduction of such
organisms.
, 8. Atrophy: A wasting away or degeneration of tissue or an organ, often due
to lack of use, malnutrition, or disease.
9. b.i.d.: Abbreviation for the Latin phrase "bis in die," meaning twice a day.
10.BM: Abbreviation for bowel movement, referring to the evacuation of feces
from the intestines.
11.Bradycardia: An abnormally slow heartbeat, typically defined as a heart
rate below 60 beats per minute in adults.
12.Bradypnea: An abnormally slow respiratory rate, usually below 10
breaths per minute in adults.
13.c (c with overline): Abbreviation for the Latin word "cum," meaning with.
14.CBC: Abbreviation for complete blood count, a common blood test that
evaluates the overall health, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and
platelets.
15.c/o: Abbreviation for complains of, used in documentation to indicate the
patient's stated symptoms or concerns.
16.Cyanosis: A bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes,
indicating a lack of oxygen in the blood.
17.Defecate: To have a bowel movement; to expel feces from the body.
18.Diaphoresis: Excessive sweating, often associated with fever, anxiety, or
certain medical conditions.
19.Diastolic: The blood pressure reading that reflects the pressure in the
arteries when the heart ventricles are relaxed and filling with blood.
20.Discharge: To release or eliminate substances from the body, such as
wound drainage or bodily waste. It also refers to the release of a patient from
a healthcare facility.
21.Disoriented: Confused as to time, place, or person; lacking awareness of
one's surroundings or identity.
