Glossary Terms

A.M. care is given in the morning, to prepare the resident for the day. It includes bathing, shaving, dressing, grooming, and oral care.

Practices in addition to routine practices for certain pathogens or clinical presentations. These precautions are based on the type of transmission, such as contact, droplet, or airborne.

A liquid, foam, or gel formation of an alcohol-based solution used to reduce the number of microorganisms on the hands when the hands are not visibly soiled. A form of hand hygiene.

Includes a variety of treatments and remedies that are used in addition to traditional Western medicine. Included are herbal or natural products (OTC) such as St. John’s Wort, Ginseng, or Melatonin.

Small sacs at the bottom of the lungs where oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange takes place.

Ambulation is defined as walking a client from one place to another (Potter et al., 2010). Once a client is assessed as safe to ambulate, the nurse must determine if assistance from additional healthcare providers or assistive devices is required.

Moving or walking from one place to another.

Having not enough blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to body’s tissues.

Anti-embolism socks place pressure on the legs to increase circulation and to reduce a person’s risk of blood clots.
Anti-embolism socks are made of stretchy material that slightly compresses the legs. The pressure is graduated, with each sock being tightest at the bottom by the foot and loosest at the top.

Microorganisms that have developed resistance to the action of many antibiotic agents.

The main artery that carries oxygenated blood away from the heart.

The pulse found on the chest at the bottom tip or apex of the heart.

Aquathermia pad is a pad with tubes inside where water flow in and out of a heating/cooling unit.

Blood vessels that bring oxygen rich blood from the heart to the body cells and tissues.

The absence of infectious material (microorganisms) or infection.

the inability of a person to acquire sufficient oxygen through breathing for an extended period of time. Asphyxia can cause coma or death.

Inhalation of fluids or object into the lungs.

Pneumonia is an infection in the lungs and large airways that causes inflammation (swelling). Aspiration pneumonia happens when food or liquid is breathed into the airways or lungs, instead of being swallowed.

An object or piece of equipment designed to help a client with activities of daily living, such as a walker, cane, gait belt, or mechanical lift.

A condition that affects the airways of the lungs, causing them to become narrower and making it difficult to breath.

A regulated health care provider who is permitted by federal and provincial legislation, their regulatory college, service provider/ employer, and practice setting (where applicable) to prescribe medications.

Relating to the armpit.

Bacteria are single cell micro-organisms. They are typically a few micrometres in length and have a number of shapes, ranging from spheres to rods and spirals. Bacteria are present in most of its habitats including soil and water. In the human body bacteria out number human cells ten to one. The majority of them do not make us sick – in fact, we give them a place to live and many of them keep us alive.

A container into which bowel and/or bladder elimination may occur. These devices are helpful for people who have mobility issues and have difficulty getting out of bed.

Similar to a CPAP devise but has two pressure settings; one during inhalation and a lower setting during exhalation.

A muscular organ which stores urine.

The amount of force exerted by the blood against artery walls.

The way in which body parts (head, trunk arms and legs) are positioned in relation to one another.

Ability to maintain the line of gravity within a base of support.

The efficient and careful use of the body in moving and lifting.

A coordination of muscle activity with neurological integration. It involves the basic elements of body alignment (posture), balance, and coordinated movement.

A ball-like mixture of food and saliva that forms in the mouth during the process of chewing.

The pulse found on the inner aspect of the upper arm.

A slow heart rate; less than 60 beats per minute.

Passageways that connect the trachea to the lungs.

Two main arteries in that carry blood to the head and neck.

The point in the body in which weight is evenly distributed or balanced on either side.

A chronic lung disease that causes obstructed airflow from the lungs. Emphysema and chronic bronchitis contribute to COPD.

A Health Care Professional responsible for the assessment and care planning of the client and their health care needs. Some examples of clinicians are Registered Nurses, Registered Psychiatric Nurses, Physiotherapists, and Occupational Therapists. The Clinician authorizes home support services based on their clinical assessment.

A cloth or pad that is soaked in cold water. It is then applied to the area of the body being treated.

A type of dry cold application. It is a pack filled with cold fluid. Cold packs may be cooled by keeping them in the freezer, by striking or squeezing them to activate chemicals, or placing ice into bag or glove.

A surgically created artificial opening between the colon and the abdominal wall.

The ability to demonstrate the requisite knowledge, skills, judgement and attitudes to perform a specific function.

a warm or cold cloth or pad used therapeutically to treat injury.

Also called a tensor bandage, is a stretchable cloth used to wrap around a sprain or strain to reduce swelling resulting from injury.

soft, flexible sheath placed over penis and connected to tubing and a drainage bag.

Hard, dry stool that is difficult to pass.

Device used for people who are able to breathe spontaneously on their own but need help in keeping their airway unobstructed.

The process of eliminating waste from the digestive tract.

Also known as Delegation of Task (DoT). A delegation of task occurs when a Clinician delegates components of care task to an HCA. These tasks are normally the responsibility of a Clinician and they must be satisfied that the HCA has the knowledge and skills needed to perform the task competently for the client. The Clinician remains accountable for the monitoring and outcomes of the delegation.
Delegation of Tasks for medications must be completed by a Registered Nurse (RN) or a Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN).

Delegation occurs when the required task is performed primarily by registered nurses and is outside the role description and training of an unregulated care provider. The delegated task is client-specific and the delegation is determined to be in that client's best interests.

Relating to the skin.

Frequent passage of liquid stool.

The pressure in the arteries when the heart is at rest.

A process that eliminates many or all pathogenic microorganisms, except bacterial spores, on inanimate objects.

Means to provide a medication pursuant to a prescription for a person but does not include the administration of a medication to a person. Dispensing is a restricted activity under the law.

Tubes to drain fluids from the body; (Hemovacs, penrose, percutaneous drains, Foley catheters, nephrostomy).

A special linens placed underneath clients to help move lift them in bed.

Difficulty swallowing

Any systematic response to an unexpected or dangerous occurrence with the goal to  quickly control the situation and lessen the impact on people and the environment.

Vomiting.

Nutrition in the form of a liquid such as drinking nutrition beverages or formulas and tube-feeding.

The surroundings or conditions in which a person lives.

Eliminated or removed from the body.

A method of folding the sheet in the manner of a fan or accordion so that the sheet is stacked upon itself.

To have a body temperature of higher than 38°C.

Hard fecal material accumulated in the rectum.

The inability to control defecation.

Waste material contained in the colon.

Feeding tubes can be nasogastric (NG), nasojejunum (NJ), percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG), percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy (PEJ).

Sheet with elasticized corners that allow for the sheet to fit snugly on the bed. Generally used as a bottom sheet.

Sheet without elasticized corners; generally used as a top sheet.

Excessive flatus or gas in the intestinal tract.

Gas passed through the anus.

Measuring how much food by percentage eaten and measuring how much liquid drank.

The outer skin that covers the end of the penis and can be retracted.

The client’s head of bed is placed at a 45-degree angle. Hips may or may not be flexed. Common position to provide client comfort and care.

How often a person voids in 24 hrs.

Rubbing of two surfaces together, such as the skin rubbing against a sheet.

A complete bed bath involves washing the entire body from head to toe.

A fungus is a member of a large group of organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and moulds as well as the more familiar mushrooms. Many fungi (mostly yeasts and moulds) live in our environment and on our bodies. Again most of the organisms don’t cause illness unless they are able to invade areas where they are not normally found (e.g. in the lungs or under the skin). 

Feeding tube.

(Hour of sleep) care is done in the evening or at bedtime. If the resident is dressed, they change into sleepwear. It includes washing face and hands, and oral care. Dentures are removed and cleaned. A backrub can be given to help the resident relax before sleeping.

An infection that develops as a result of contact with a pathogen in the health care setting or from a health care worker, that was not present at the time of admission. Also known as a nosocomial infection.

Blood in the urine.

A protein found in red blood cells that combines with oxygen to carry to cells and tissues of the body

Announced coded messages to alert hospital staff to various types of on-site emergencies intended share essential information quickly and prevent visitor stress or panic.

Can be hot water bags/bottles, heating pads, and hot aquamatic pads.

When the core body temperature is excessively higher than normal.

The portion of the brain that maintains the body’s internal balance (homeostasis).

when the core body temperature drops below 35°C.

A surgically created artificial opening between the ileum and the abdominal wall.

Is a urinary catheter left in the bladder and held in place by a water-filled balloon, which prevents it falling out.

Infection is the invasion of the body tissues by pathogens, allowing them to multiply and cause a reaction of the immune system to their presence of the toxins they produce.

Evidence-based procedures and practices that, when used consistently in a health care setting, can prevent and reduce disease transmission, eliminate sources of potential infections, and prevent the transfer of pathogens from one person to another.

The outer skin (or flaps of skin) around the vaginal opening. The labia majora on the outside tend to be larger and plump, covered with pubic hair. The labia minora are the inner set next to the labia majora.

Level of assistance required is based on the client’s ability to transfer, stand, and cooperate in care activities.

The assessed and determined level of assistance a client requires based on the their ability to transfer, stand, and cooperate in care activities.

Urinary opening.

A hydraulic lift, usually attached to a ceiling, used to move clients who cannot bear weight, who are unpredictable or unreliable, or who have a medical condition that does not allow them to stand or assist with moving.

Also known as clean technique. Includes procedures used for reducing the number of microorganisms and preventing their spread.

The activity of supplying to a client a dose of a medication for the purpose of immediate ingestion, application, inhalation, insertion, instillation, or injection. The administration of medications is more than just a psychomotor task of giving a medication to a client. It is a cognitive and interactive aspect of care and involves assessing the client, making clinical decisions, and planning care based on this assessment. Medication administration requires the knowledge and skills of a competent regulated health care provider.

A service provided to a client to facilitate the client’s ability to self-administer medication for as long as possible and to promote medication taken as intended by the prescriber.
Medication assistance includes medication reminders, some/partial assistance, or full assistance.

A critical examination by the interdisciplinary team of a client’s medications for appropriateness, effectiveness, interactions, and adverse reactions for the purposes of optimizing the impact of medications and minimizing the number of medication-related problems.

Microscopic, sometimes single cell organisms including bacteria, fungus and viruses. A small proportion are pathogenic (i.e. can cause disease).

To empty urine from the bladder.

A tight fitting triangular fold of a sheet on a bed so that it is anchored to the mattress.

Bands of tissue which have the ability to contract, causing movement; provide strength for the body to move.

A flexible plastic tube inserted through the nostrils, down the nasopharynx, and into the stomach or the upper portion of the small intestine.

Healthcare providers are not to manually try to lift a client as this may result in serious injury to the client and/or care provider

Increased need to void during the night.

Relating to the mouth.

The client sits at the side of the bed with head resting on an over-bed table on top of several pillows. This position is used for clients with breathing difficulties.

Or postural hypotension — is a low blood pressure that causes dizziness, lightheadedness, and even fainting when one goes from a lying or sitting position to a standing position.

The movement of water from an area of high concentration of water to an area of low concentration of water through a semi-permeable membrane.

A surgically created artificial opening in the abdomen for elimination of feces or urine.

Medication that does not require a prescription that is taken to treat minor health problems at home.

A device that takes in air from the room and filters out nitrogen

A measure of how much hemoglobin is bound to oxygen compared to how much remains unbound.

The addition of oxygen to the human body.

Bypass the stomach to administer medications or nutrition through a a vein

A partial bed bath involves washing the face, hands, underarms and genital/perineal area.

a micro-organism such as a virus, bacterium, or fungus, that can cause disease.

Washing or bathing the genitalia and surrounding area in all genders.

The tiny area of sensitive skin between your genitals (vaginal opening or scrotum) and anus, and it’s also the bottom region of your pelvic cavity. Sometimes referred to as the "Peri-area".

Narrowing of the blood vessels in the extremities, ie: hands and feet.

Widening of the blood vessels in the extremities, ie: hands and feet.

Muscular contractions of the GI tracts

Clothing or equipment worn to protect against hazards.

Also called HS (hour of sleep) care is done in the evening or at bedtime. It includes washing face and hands, and oral care as well as changing into pyjamas or gown. Dentures are removed and cleaned. HS care may also include backrub to help the resident relax before sleeping.

An infection of the lungs caused by viruses, bacteria or fungi.

Part of routine practice which should be conducted before every client interaction by a healthcare worker to assess the likelihood of exposing themselves and/or others to infectious agents. This assessment informs the selection of appropriate actions and additional Person Protective Equipment to minimize the risk of exposure to infection.

When the client lies on their stomach with the head turned to one side.

A condition in which foods, stomach contents, or fluids are breathed into the lungs through the windpipe/trachea.

The beat of the heart felt at an artery as blood passes through.

Whether the pulse force is similar on both sides of the body.

The strength of the pulse felt by your fingers.

An electronic device that measures oxygen saturation.

The difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

The number of pulsations felt over an artery in one minute.

The pattern of the pulse felt by your fingers.

The pulse found near the radius bone in the forearm.

Relating to the rectum; the last several centimeters of the large intestine.

Backward flow of food/fluid from the stomach into the mouth.

The process of inhalation and exhalation that moves oxygen to the cells and removes carbon dioxide.

Client lays flat on their back with head higher than feet by 15-30 degrees.

A system of prevention and control practices recommended by the Public Agency of Canada to be used for all patients/residents/clients during all care to prevent and control all transmission of microorganisms in all health care settings.

Slightly lower than fowler’s position; client is seated in bed at a 30-45 degree angle. The client’s head of bed is placed at a 30-degree angle. This position is used for clients who have cardiac or respiratory conditions, and for patients with a nasogastric tube.

The long part of the penis.

When skin sticks to a surface, such as a sheet, and the muscles underneath slide in the direction the body moves.

Client lies between supine and prone with legs flexed in front of the client. Arms should be comfortably placed beside the client, not underneath.

A type of moist heat application. The pelvic, perineal, and rectal areas of the body are placed in hot water.

May also be called a bed pad, special linens placed underneath patients to help lift them in bed.

Quilted, absorbent squares of fabric placed on client’s beds in order to keep linens dry from incontinence.

A process that destroys or eliminates all forms of microbial life and is carried out in health-care facilities by physical or chemical methods. It includes a set of specific practices and procedures performed to make equipment and areas free from all microorganisms and to maintain that sterility (also known as sterile asepsis).

Feces excreted from the colon.

The amount of blood pumped out of the left bentricle of the heart during each contraction.

A method of removing mucous from the mouth and/or lungs.

A position where client is laying face upward.

In this position, the clients lays flat on their back. Additional supportive devices may be added for comfort.

Providing extra or additional oxygen.

The transport of a substance from the mouth to the stomach.

The pressure in the arteries when the heart contracts.

A fast heart rate; over 100 beats per minute.

The degree of hear or cold in an object or a human body.

Moving a client from one flat surface to another, such as from a bed to a stretcher.

A position that places the head of the bed lower than the feet. Client lays flat on their back with feet elevated higher than their head by 15-30 degrees. Used in situations such as hypotension and medical emergencies. Helps promote venous return to major organs such as the head and heart.

Relating to the eardrum.

A male who has not had the foreskin of the penis removed.

The anatomical tube extending from the urinary bladder to the urethral opening (urinary meatus), through which urine (and semen in males) is urine is excreted.

The feeling of needing to urinate.

A container or receptacle into which males urinate. Handheld urinals are available to assist patients who have mobility issues.

A tube inserted into the bladder through the urethra to drain urine.

Being unable to control the emptying of the bladder.

The opening to the urinary tract.

To empty urine from the bladder.

To narrow the diameter of a blood vessel.

To become enlarged, widened to open up blood flow.

The feeling that you, or the environment around you, is spinning or moving, making you feel dizzy.

Watchful, observant of surroundings.

Are infectious agents that reproduce inside the living cells of other organisms. They are unable to reproduce on their own but require the mechanisms of living cells to do so. Example is influenza or COVID in humans.

To empty urine from the bladder.

Standing with feet shoulder width apart to improve stability.