Nursing: Key Medical Terms

• Bed cradles keep top bed linen off the feet and toes.
• Foot boards prevent plantar flexion and act as bed cradles.
• The base of support is the area on which an object rests.
• Atrophy is a decrease in the size or wasting away of tissue.
• Internal rotation is turning of the joint inward.
• Contracture is the lack of joint mobility caused by abnormal shortening of a muscle.
• Flex is bending of a body part.
• Body alignment is the way body parts are positioned in relation to one another, referred to as posture.
• Adduction is movement of a body part toward the midline of the body.
• Abduction is movement of a body part away from the midline of the body.
• Syncope is a brief loss of consciousness, fainting.
• Deconditioning is the loss of muscle size, strength, and function, which results from immobility or inactivity, also known as muscle atrophy.
• Shearing is the tearing of skin tissue caused when the skin sticks to a surface and deeper tissue moves downward, exerting pressure on the skin.
• Orthostatic hypotension is a drop in blood pressure when the client stands up, also known as postural hypotension.

Worker Safety

• Using correct body mechanics avoids injuries when moving, positioning, and transferring activities.
• Practicing 10 warm-up exercises before moving, positioning, or transferring reduces injury risk.
• Report injuries immediately to avoid long-term complications, especially for back injuries and muscle or joint strains.
• Proper body mechanics involves moving the body efficiently and carefully using good posture, balance, and strong muscles for work.
• Good body mechanics reduce the risk of injury.
• Fatigue, muscle strain, and injury can result from improper use and positioning of the body.
• Body alignment is how the head, trunk, arms and legs are aligned.
• Good alignment allows the body to move with strength and efficiency.
• Body balance is achieved when a low center of gravity is balanced over a wide, stable base of support.
• The base of support is the area on which an object rests.
• Stand with feet shoulder-width apart and toes pointed forward.
• A lunge stance has one foot slightly forward.
• Use your strongest and largest muscles in the shoulders, upper arms, hips, and thighs to handle and move persons and heavy objects.
• Bend your knees and squat to lift a heavy object instead of bending from the waist.
• Hold items close to your body and base of support.
• Using upper arm and shoulder muscles are required for good body mechanics in all activities.

Positioning in Bed

• Move the client up in bed for proper alignment and comfort.
• Review agency caregiving lifting programs and understand the policy for moving clients.
• Clients may use a trapeze to help with moving up in bed.
• Getting help protects you and the client from injury.

Footboard Use

• A footboard is placed at the foot of the mattress to prevent flexion, which can lead to foot drop.
• Plantar flexion is when the foot is bent with the toes pointed away from the leg.
• Foot drop occurs when the foot permanently falls down at the ankle and is non-reversible.
• A footboard is placed so the soles of the feet are flush against it and in good alignment, like a standing position.

Cane Use

• Canes help support a side of the body that is unsteady or weak.
• Canes provide balance and support.
• Single-tip and four-point (quad) canes are common.
• A cane is held on the non-affected side of the body.

Bracing

• Braces support or align affected body parts.
• Braces prevent or correct deformities or prevent joint movement.
• A brace is applied over the ankle, knee, or back.
• An ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) is placed in the shoe.
• It is important to keep the client’s skin and bony points under braces clean and dry.
• You should report any redness or signs of skin breakdown immediately.
• Report any complaints of pain or discomfort.
• The care plan includes directions for applying and removing the client’s brace.

ROM

• Range-of-motion exercises involve moving the joints to the extent possible without causing pain.

• Active ROM exercises are done by the client.

• Passive ROM exercises involve someone moving the client’s joints through their range of motion.

• Active-assistive ROM exercises involve the client doing some of the work with assistance.

• Exercise only the joint you are instructed to exercise.

• Expose only the body part being exercised.

• Use good body mechanics when performing range-of-motion exercises.

• Support the part being exercised and move the joint slowly, smoothly, and gently.

• Avoid forcing the joint beyond the present range of motion or to the point of pain

• Only perform ROM exercises to the neck as allowed by employer policy

Use of Mechanical Lifts

• There are many different kinds of mechanical or electric lifts.
• Knowing one type of lift does not mean that you know how all the others work.
• You have the responsibility to ask your supervisor to show you how to use a lift, if you are unsure.
• Use mechanical lifts to transfer clients who cannot help themselves or are too heavy for the staff to transfer.
• Employers usually provide special training for the use of mechanical lifts.

Before Using a Mechanical Lift

• Training must be provided before using a mechanical lift.
• Make sure the lift works properly before use.
• The client’s weight must not exceed the lift’s capacity.
• At least two staff members are needed for safe use.
• Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Sit-to-Stand Mechanical Lift

• Allows for client transfers from one seated position to another; for example, from bed to chair.
• It is useful for toileting, perineal care, or changing incontinent briefs.
• This type of lift is good for clients who are cognitively aware enough to cooperate with instructions.
• The client should have some muscle tone in at least one leg and some upper body muscle tone.

Types of Positions

• Fowler's Position includes high, semi-, and low positions.
• Fowler’s positions are used by clients confined to bed for eating, visiting, watching TV and reading.
• The supine position is a back-lying position used for sleeping and resting.
• The lateral position is a side-lying position, with most clients laying on one side or the other.
• Check often to make sure the client isn't experiencing pain, numbness, or discomfort in this position
• Sims position is a left-side-lying position in which the right leg is sharply flexed with the left arm positioned along the client's back.
• Sims position is used for administering enemas and other procedures since it optimizes intestinal positioning for enema absorption.
• The prone position is a front-lying position on the abdomen with the head to one side.
• Most clients, especially those with limited ROM in their necks, cannot tolerate the prone position.
• It is usually used, if at all, for a short period of time
• It's mostly used for preventing shortening of the thigh muscles for those who have had a leg amputation and sit in a wheelchair for long periods
• Sitting Position means the client must be able to hold the upper body and head erect to avoid poor alignment.
• Clients who cannot keep upper body erect require postural supports.
• The health care team will select the best product for the clients' needs.

A comprehensive list of key medical terminology. It covers topics such as body mechanics, basic nursing care, and common medical conditions. Perfect for nursing students.