CMAC flashcards
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32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.
- Bradycardia
- Bradycardia is a heart rate slower than 60 beats per minute in an adult; the prefix brady- means slow and cardia refers to the heart.
- Hypertension
- Hypertension is persistently elevated blood pressure, conventionally at or above 130/80 mm Hg in adults; hyper- means above and tension refers to pressure.
- Suffix -ectomy
- The suffix -ectomy means surgical removal or excision, as in appendectomy, which is removal of the appendix.
- Combining vowel rule
- A combining vowel, usually o, connects a root to a suffix that begins with a consonant, as in cardiology; it is omitted before a vowel suffix.
- Sagittal plane
- The sagittal plane divides the body into left and right portions; a midsagittal plane passes through the midline and creates equal halves.
- Nephron
- The nephron is the functional unit of the kidney; it filters blood in the glomerulus and forms urine through reabsorption and secretion.
- Left ventricle
- The left ventricle is the thickest heart chamber; it pumps oxygenated blood into the aorta and systemic circulation.
- Alveoli
- Alveoli are tiny air sacs at the ends of bronchioles where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged between air and blood.
- Radial pulse
- The radial pulse is felt on the thumb side of the wrist; it is the most common site for measuring adult heart rate.
- Fowler position
- Fowler position places the patient semi-sitting with the head of the bed elevated 45 to 60 degrees; it aids breathing and eating.
- Sterile field
- A sterile field is an area free of microorganisms; its outer one-inch border is considered unsterile, and sterile items must not touch it.
- Apical pulse
- The apical pulse is heard at the fifth intercostal space near the left midclavicular line; it is used for infants and irregular rhythms.
- Chain of infection
- The chain of infection has six links: pathogen, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, and susceptible host; breaking one link prevents transmission.
- Standard precautions
- Standard precautions are infection-control practices applied to all patients, including hand hygiene, gloves, gowns, masks, and safe sharps handling.
- Airborne precautions
- Airborne precautions require an N95 respirator and negative-pressure room for diseases spread by small droplets, such as tuberculosis and measles.
- Sterilization
- Sterilization destroys all microorganisms, including bacterial spores, usually by autoclave steam under pressure or chemical sterilants.
- Six rights
- The six rights of medication administration are right patient, right drug, right dose, right route, right time, and right documentation.
- Dose formula
- The dose formula is desired dose divided by dose on hand, multiplied by quantity; it calculates the amount of medication to administer.
- Sublingual route
- The sublingual route places medication under the tongue for rapid absorption into blood vessels; the patient should not swallow or chew it.
- Controlled substance log
- A controlled substance log records each receipt, administration, waste, and disposal; it supports accountability and is required for DEA-regulated drugs.
- SOAP note
- A SOAP note documents Subjective information, Objective findings, Assessment or diagnosis, and Plan; it is a standard progress-note format.
- Minimum necessary
- The minimum necessary standard requires using or disclosing only the protected health information needed to accomplish the intended purpose.
- Terminal digit filing
- Terminal digit filing organizes records by the last two digits of the record number, then the middle pair, then the first pair.
- Addendum
- An addendum is a later addition to a medical record that corrects or supplements earlier documentation without altering the original entry.
- Blood culture order
- Blood cultures are drawn first during venipuncture to reduce contamination, followed by non-additive tubes, coagulation tubes, and additive tubes.
- Hemolysis
- Hemolysis is breakdown of red blood cells that releases hemoglobin; it can be caused by shaking, small needles, or vigorous mixing and may invalidate results.
- Midstream urine
- A midstream urine specimen collects urine after the first flow is discarded, reducing contamination for urinalysis or culture.
- V1 electrode placement
- ECG lead V1 is placed at the fourth intercostal space at the right sternal border; correct placement prevents inaccurate tracings.
- Informed consent
- Informed consent requires explaining diagnosis, procedure, risks, benefits, alternatives, and the right to refuse before the patient agrees.
- Negligence elements
- Negligence requires four elements: duty owed to the patient, breach of that duty, causation, and damages.
- Mandatory reporting
- Mandatory reporting requires healthcare workers to report suspected abuse, neglect, or specified communicable diseases to authorities under state law.
- Advance directive
- An advance directive is a legal document stating a patient's healthcare wishes, such as a living will or durable power of attorney for healthcare.