Maharashtra SSC Health Care Pre-Voc/NSQF key terms

Measurable body indicators - temperature, pulse, breathing rate and blood pressure - that show how well the body is working and are recorded to detect changes in a patient's condition.

The balance between heat produced by the body and heat lost to the surroundings, normally around 37 degrees Celsius when measured orally and higher when measured rectally.

The number of times a person's heart beats per minute, felt where an artery lies near the skin such as the wrist or neck, normally 60 to 100 beats per minute in adults at rest.

The process of taking in oxygen and giving out carbon dioxide; as a vital sign it means counting breaths per minute, normally 12 to 20 in a resting adult.

The force exerted by circulating blood against artery walls, written as two numbers - systolic over diastolic - with 120/80 mmHg often taken as a typical adult reading.

An instrument with an inflatable cuff, a pressure gauge and a valve, used to measure blood pressure; it may be mercury, aneroid or digital and must be checked for a zero reading before use.

A listening device with earpieces, tubing and a chest piece, used to hear heart, lung and bowel sounds and to detect the Korotkoff sounds when taking blood pressure manually.

Examining internal body sounds by listening, usually with a stethoscope, over the chest, abdomen or blood vessels to gather information about the heart, lungs and circulation.

A device for measuring body temperature, available as glass mercury, digital or infrared types; digital and infrared versions are preferred now because they are quick and avoid mercury hazards.

Cleaning hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based rub at defined moments, especially before and after patient contact, to remove germs and break the chain of infection.

The sequence by which infection spreads: a germ, a place where it lives, a way out, a mode of transmission, a way in, and a person who can be infected; breaking any link prevents spread.

Basic infection-control practices applied to every patient regardless of diagnosis, including hand hygiene, gloves, gowns, safe sharps handling and safe disposal of waste.

Barrier items worn to protect the worker and patient from contact with body fluids and germs, such as gloves, gown, apron, mask, eye protection and, for some tasks, a cap and shoe cover.

Sorting health-care waste at the point of generation into colour-coded containers - for example yellow for infectious waste, red for recyclable plastics, and puncture-proof containers for sharps.

Handling needles, blades and broken glass safely and dropping them immediately into a rigid, puncture-resistant, labelled container without recapping, to prevent needle-stick injuries.

An accidental piercing of the skin by a used needle or sharp, which can transmit blood-borne infections and must be reported at once and followed by washing and medical advice.

Short-term medicine or vaccination given soon after exposure to an infectious disease, such as HIV or hepatitis B, to reduce the chance that infection develops.

A process that destroys all micro-organisms, including spores, on instruments and articles, commonly by autoclave steam under pressure, dry heat or chemical agents.

Using chemical or physical agents to reduce harmful germs on surfaces and equipment, though not necessarily killing all spores; suitable for floors, trolleys and non-critical items.

Releasing a chemical vapour, such as formaldehyde, into a closed space to kill insects or germs; it is used for rooms and equipment and requires strict safety precautions.

An infection a patient acquires while receiving care in a hospital or other health facility, that was not present or incubating at the time of admission; often linked to poor hygiene practice.

Sorting patients by how urgent their condition is so that the most seriously ill or injured are treated first when resources are limited, as in an emergency department.

Immediate, temporary help given to an injured or suddenly ill person before professional medical care arrives, aimed at preserving life, preventing worsening and promoting recovery.

Emergency technique of chest compressions, with rescue breaths where trained, used when a person is unresponsive and not breathing normally, to keep blood and oxygen moving to the brain.

A portable device that analyses the heart rhythm and delivers a controlled electric shock in certain cardiac arrests, with voice prompts guiding the user through the steps.

A safe side-lying posture for an unconscious person who is breathing, which keeps the airway open and lets fluids drain from the mouth while help is awaited.

Damage to skin and underlying tissue caused by prolonged pressure, friction or shearing over bony areas in people who cannot move easily; prevented by regular repositioning and skin care.

Placing and supporting a patient in a suitable body position, such as supine, lateral or Fowler's, to maintain comfort, breathing, safety and to reduce the risk of pressure sores.

Cleaning a patient's whole body in bed when they cannot use a bathroom, using warm water, mild soap and clean linen while protecting privacy, warmth and skin integrity.

A record of all fluids a patient drinks, receives intravenously and passes as urine or vomit, used to judge hydration, kidney function and fluid balance over each 24 hours.

The everyday practices a person follows to keep the body clean and healthy, such as bathing, oral care, hair and nail care, and clean clothing, which also protect others from infection.

A patient's voluntary agreement to a test or treatment after being told, in language they understand, what it involves, its risks and benefits, and the alternatives available.

The duty to keep a patient's personal and medical information private, sharing it only with those who need it for care and with the patient's permission or as the law requires.

The principle that a capable patient has the right to make their own decisions about their care, including the right to refuse treatment, and must be respected by health workers.

The organised written or electronic file of a patient's history, examination findings, treatment and progress, kept accurately, legibly and securely as a legal and clinical document.

Paying full attention to a speaker, noting both words and feelings, and confirming understanding by reflecting back or asking questions rather than interrupting or assuming.

Recognising and acknowledging another person's feelings from their point of view, and showing that understanding, without necessarily sharing or being overwhelmed by those feelings.

Purposeful, respectful conversation that helps a patient express concerns and understand their care, using open questions, simple words and a calm, non-judgemental manner.

Anything that blocks a message from being understood, such as noise, language difference, jargon, poor hearing, fear or stress, which must be identified and reduced.

Using the body correctly when lifting or moving patients - bending the knees, keeping the load close and the back straight - to prevent injury to both the worker and the patient.

The group of people with different roles - doctors, nurses, technicians, ward staff and others - who share information and tasks so that a patient receives coordinated care.

Directing a patient to another health worker or facility with more suitable skills or equipment, with the reason and relevant details clearly communicated so care continues smoothly.

Starting and running a health-related venture, such as a diagnostic lab, pharmacy or home-care service, by spotting a need, arranging resources and taking calculated financial risk.

A scheme in which regular payments buy cover for the cost of medical treatment, either government-run such as a state scheme, or private, reducing sudden out-of-pocket expense.