CHSE Odisha Voc. PHC & MLT key terms

The standard reference stance in which a person stands upright, faces forward, with arms at the sides and palms turned forward. Body directions and locations are described as if the patient were in this posture.

Directional words meaning toward the head and toward the feet respectively, used in anatomical position regardless of how the patient is actually lying. For example, the heart is superior to the stomach.

Directional words meaning toward the front (ventral) surface and toward the back (dorsal) surface of the body. The sternum is anterior; the spine is posterior.

Prone means lying face down on the abdomen; supine means lying face up on the back. These positions matter for safe handling, examination and some specimen or procedure requirements.

The basic measurements of body function: temperature, pulse rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure and often oxygen saturation. They are recorded at every visit to detect deterioration or response to treatment.

The rhythmic expansion of an artery felt with the fingertips each time the heart contracts. It is counted for a full minute and noted for rate, rhythm and strength, commonly at the radial artery.

The force exerted by circulating blood against artery walls, written as systolic over diastolic pressure in millimetres of mercury. Measured with a cuff and sphygmomanometer after the patient rests.

The practice of treating all blood, body fluids, secretions and non-intact skin as potentially infectious, so gloves and other barriers are used with every patient rather than only known cases.

Barrier items worn to prevent contact with infectious material, such as gloves, gown, mask, goggles and face shield. It is put on before exposure and removed carefully to avoid self-contamination.

Cleaning hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based rub at defined moments, including before patient contact, after body-fluid exposure and after removing gloves. It is the single most effective infection control measure.

Any waste generated during diagnosis, treatment or immunisation of humans or animals that may be infectious, sharp or otherwise hazardous, and which must be segregated and disposed of under prescribed colour-coded rules.

Sorting biomedical waste at the point of generation into containers by colour and type, such as yellow for infectious and anatomical waste, red for contaminated recyclables and white or puncture-proof containers for sharps.

A rigid, puncture-resistant, leak-proof box with a narrow opening used to discard needles, blades, broken glass and other sharp items immediately after use, never filled beyond the marked safe level.

An accidental piercing of the skin by a used needle or other sharp. The area is washed with soap and water, the event reported at once, and post-exposure prophylaxis and testing arranged per protocol.

A chemical agent applied to living skin or tissue to reduce the number of microorganisms and prevent infection, for example chlorhexidine or povidone-iodine used before an injection or blood collection.

A chemical agent used on inanimate surfaces and instruments to destroy or inhibit microorganisms. Unlike an antiseptic it is not safe for application to living tissue and needs correct dilution and contact time.

The complete destruction or removal of all microorganisms, including bacterial spores, from an item or medium, achieved by autoclaving, dry heat or similar validated methods rather than by ordinary chemical wiping.

An official compendium that sets recognised standards of identity, purity, strength and quality for drugs and medicinal preparations, used as a reference for storage and dispensing requirements.

The printed information on or inside a medicine's packaging giving the generic and brand name, strength, batch number, manufacture and expiry dates, storage directions and statutory warnings that the dispenser must check.

A unique code assigned by the manufacturer to a specific production lot, allowing the stock record to trace a medicine and recall it if a quality problem arises.

The date after which a medicine must not be used because its potency or safety may have fallen below the labelled standard. Expired stock is quarantined, recorded and destroyed as per rules.

The unbroken series of refrigerated storage and transport steps that keeps temperature-sensitive products such as vaccines and insulin within their required range from manufacture to use.

A small heat-sensitive label on a vaccine vial whose square changes colour with cumulative heat exposure. It shows whether the vial may still be used or must be discarded.

A stock rotation rule under which the batch with the earliest expiry date is issued and used before later batches, so that medicines do not expire on the shelf.

The written or electronic record of every receipt, issue and balance of medicines and supplies in a store, showing date, quantity, batch and signature so that physical and recorded stock can be reconciled.

A formal written request from a health facility to the supplying store for a specified quantity of medicines or consumables, based on actual consumption and approved stock limits.

The official, non-proprietary name of a drug's active substance, such as paracetamol, which is the same in every brand and is the name usually required on dispensing records.

The physical form in which a drug is supplied for administration, such as tablet, capsule, syrup, injection, ointment, suppository or inhaler, each with its own handling and administration rules.

The path by which a medicine enters the body, for example oral, sublingual, topical, inhaled, intramuscular, intravenous or rectal. The route affects onset, absorption and the equipment needed.

A route of administration that bypasses the digestive tract, usually by injection into a vein, muscle or under the skin. Parenteral products must be sterile and given with aseptic technique.

Injection of a medicine deep into a muscle such as the deltoid or upper outer buttock, chosen for rapid absorption of larger volumes. Site selection must avoid nerves and blood vessels.

A liquid preparation in which solid drug particles are dispersed but not dissolved, so they settle on standing and must be shaken before each dose to deliver an accurate amount.

A liquid preparation of two immiscible liquids, such as oil and water, held together by an emulsifying agent. It must be shaken and stored as directed to prevent separation.

Puncture of a vein with a needle to obtain blood or give fluids, commonly at the antecubital fossa. The site is cleaned, the tourniquet released before withdrawal, and pressure applied afterwards.

A closed blood collection system in which a needle holder and colour-coded tubes with pre-set vacuum draw a fixed volume of blood directly into the tube containing the required additive.

A substance added to a blood collection tube to prevent clotting, such as EDTA, citrate or heparin. The correct tube and fill volume must be used or test results become invalid.

Breakdown of red blood cells releasing haemoglobin into the plasma, often caused by rough handling, a small needle or vigorous shaking. It spoils many biochemistry and haematology results and requires a repeat sample.

A urine sample collected after the first part of the stream is passed and discarded, so that the specimen represents the bladder rather than skin or genital contamination. It is preferred for culture.

A panel of haematology measurements including haemoglobin, red cell count, packed cell volume, white cell count with differential and platelet count, used to screen for anaemia, infection and other disorders.

The iron-containing protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. Its concentration in blood is measured in grams per decilitre and is the main laboratory indicator of anaemia.

The percentage of blood volume occupied by red cells after a sample is centrifuged, also called haematocrit. It falls in anaemia and rises in dehydration or polycythaemia.

The distance in millimetres that red cells settle in one hour in a vertical tube. It rises non-specifically with inflammation or infection and is read together with the clinical picture.

A laboratory test in which a specimen is incubated to grow any causative organism and then tested against antibiotics to show which drugs will inhibit it, guiding safe and effective treatment.

A differential staining method that divides bacteria into Gram-positive (purple) and Gram-negative (pink) groups by cell wall properties, giving a rapid clue to the organism before culture results are ready.

Physical, chemical and microscopic examination of urine, covering colour, clarity, specific gravity, pH, protein, glucose, ketones, blood, nitrite, leucocytes and sediment, as a basic screen for renal and metabolic disease.

The interval of values expected in healthy people for a given laboratory test, used to interpret a patient's result. Ranges differ with age, sex, method and analyser, so the reporting laboratory's own range is used.

The routine use of known control samples and checks of reagents, equipment and technique to confirm that a test is performing within acceptable limits before patient results are reported.

A patient's voluntary agreement to a test or procedure after receiving understandable information about its purpose, method, risks and alternatives, recorded before the procedure begins.

The duty to keep a patient's health information private and share it only with those involved in care or as required by law, avoiding casual discussion and unprotected records.

The organised, legible and dated documentation of a patient's history, findings, tests, treatment and follow-up, kept accurate, signed and stored securely as a legal and clinical document.

The rapid sorting of patients by urgency of need so that life-threatening conditions receive care first, using a defined scale and reassessment while waiting.

The documented transfer of a patient's care to a higher or more specialised facility, with a written summary of findings, treatment given and the reason for referral.