RBSE SS Voc Health Care key terms

The body's tendency to keep internal conditions such as temperature, blood sugar and fluid balance within narrow, stable ranges despite outside changes. Feedback loops detect a shift and trigger a response that restores the normal set point.

A control mechanism in which the body senses a change and acts to reverse it, returning values toward normal. For example, rising body heat triggers sweating that cools the body down. Most physiological regulation works this way.

The standard reference stance for describing the body: standing upright, face forward, arms at the sides with palms facing forward, feet together. Directional terms like medial, lateral, proximal and distal assume this position.

An imaginary flat surface used to divide the body for study or imaging. The sagittal plane splits left and right, the frontal (coronal) plane splits front and back, and the transverse plane splits upper and lower portions.

A closed space inside the body that holds and protects organs. The cranial cavity holds the brain, the thoracic cavity holds heart and lungs, and the abdominal cavity holds digestive and other organs.

The core measurements of body function: temperature, pulse, respiration rate and blood pressure, often with oxygen saturation and pain score added. Comparing readings against normal ranges helps detect deterioration and guides care decisions.

A non-invasive method of estimating the percentage of oxygen carried by haemoglobin using a clip or probe on a finger or earlobe. Readings below the expected range suggest poor oxygenation and require prompt reassessment.

The number of complete breaths a person takes in one minute, counted without telling the patient so breathing stays natural. Rate, rhythm, depth and effort are all observed, as changes often signal serious deterioration.

Localised damage to skin and underlying tissue caused by sustained pressure, friction or shear, usually over bony areas in people with limited mobility. Regular repositioning, skin checks and support surfaces are the main preventive measures.

A scored risk assessment tool that estimates a patient's likelihood of developing a pressure injury. It rates sensory perception, moisture, activity, mobility, nutrition and friction/shear; lower total scores indicate higher risk and trigger preventive care.

A planned timetable for regularly changing a patient's body position to relieve pressure on vulnerable skin areas. Frequency is set by individual risk and tissue tolerance, and each turn is recorded so the whole care team follows the same plan.

Emergency action combining chest compressions, and rescue breaths where appropriate, to keep blood and oxygen moving when the heart has stopped. High-quality compressions at the recommended rate and depth significantly improve survival.

A portable device that analyses heart rhythm and delivers a controlled shock when a shockable rhythm is detected. It gives spoken prompts so trained or untrained rescuers can use it safely during a cardiac arrest.

The sequence of actions that gives the best chance of survival after cardiac arrest: early recognition and call for help, early CPR, early defibrillation, advanced care and post-resuscitation support. Each link must happen quickly.

A safe side-lying posture for an unconscious person who is breathing, which keeps the airway open and allows fluids to drain from the mouth. It is used when no spinal injury is suspected and the person is monitored continuously.

The set of actions taken to keep a person's breathing passage open and clear, such as head tilt and chin lift, removing visible obstructions, and suctioning. It is always the first priority in any emergency assessment.

The six linked conditions needed for an infection to spread: infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry and susceptible host. Breaking any single link prevents transmission.

Infection control measures applied to every patient regardless of diagnosis, including hand hygiene, gloves, gowns, eye protection, safe sharps handling and waste segregation. They assume all blood and body fluids may be infectious.

Cleaning hands with soap and water or alcohol-based rub at defined moments, such as before patient contact and after body fluid exposure. It is the single most effective routine measure for preventing healthcare-associated infection.

Barrier items worn to protect the wearer and others from contact with infectious material, including gloves, gown, mask, respirator and eye protection. Correct order of putting on and removing prevents self-contamination.

Sorting waste at the point of generation into colour-coded containers by hazard type, such as infectious, sharps, and general waste. Correct segregation protects waste handlers and reduces environmental contamination.

Practices that prevent needle-stick and cut injuries, including not recapping needles by hand, using safety-engineered devices, and disposing of sharps immediately into puncture-resistant containers. Injuries must be reported and followed up promptly.

Urgent treatment given after possible exposure to a bloodborne infection, such as HIV or hepatitis B, to reduce the chance of becoming infected. It begins with immediate washing, reporting and risk assessment by a clinician.

Designing tasks, equipment and the work environment to fit the worker's body, reducing strain and injury. In healthcare it covers safe patient handling, bed and trolley heights, and correct lifting technique.

Using hoists, slide sheets, transfer belts and teamwork instead of manual lifting wherever possible, to protect both patient and staff from injury. The patient's ability and consent are assessed before any transfer.

A nutrient needed in large amounts to supply energy and building material: carbohydrate, protein and fat. Each provides a specific energy yield per gram and plays distinct roles in growth, repair and metabolism.

A vitamin or mineral required in small quantities for normal function, such as iron, iodine, vitamin A and vitamin C. Deficiencies cause specific disorders even though the amounts needed are tiny.

An eating pattern supplying adequate energy and all essential nutrients in the right proportions, with plenty of vegetables, fruit, whole grains and protein, and limited salt, sugar and saturated fat. It is adapted to age, activity and health status.

A modified eating plan prescribed to manage a medical condition, such as low-salt for hypertension, low-protein for kidney disease, or carbohydrate-controlled for diabetes. It is planned with a dietitian and reviewed regularly.

A screening ratio of weight in kilograms to the square of height in metres, used to classify underweight, normal, overweight and obesity at population level. It does not measure body fat directly and must be interpreted with other findings.

The number of new cases of a disease arising in a defined population during a specified period. It measures how fast new disease is occurring and is used to judge the effect of prevention programmes.

The total number of existing cases of a disease in a defined population at a given time or over a period. It reflects both new cases and how long people live with the condition.

A model explaining disease occurrence through the interaction of agent, host and environment. Disease results when a causative agent meets a susceptible host in conditions that favour transmission.

Indirect protection of unvaccinated people that arises when a sufficiently high proportion of a population is immune, interrupting transmission chains. The threshold varies by how contagious the disease is.

Supervised health checks during pregnancy that monitor the mother's and fetus's wellbeing, screen for complications, and provide nutrition, immunisation and birth-preparedness advice. Regular visits allow early detection of danger signs.

Warning symptoms requiring immediate medical attention, such as severe headache, blurred vision, bleeding, convulsions, high fever, reduced fetal movement or leaking fluid. Recognising them early prevents maternal and newborn deaths.

Feeding an infant only breast milk, with no water, other liquids or solids, for the first six months of life. It provides ideal nutrition, immune protection and supports healthy growth and development.

The nationally recommended timetable of vaccines given at set ages to protect children and adults from preventable diseases. Keeping to it, and recording doses accurately, ensures full and timely protection.

The checks made before giving any medicine: right patient, right drug, right dose, right route and right time. Many services add right documentation and right reason to strengthen safety further.

A harmful or unintended response to a medicine given at normal dose, ranging from rash to organ damage. Suspected reactions are documented, reported and communicated so future prescribing can avoid the drug.

The formal, blame-free recording of mistakes or near-misses in prescribing, dispensing or giving medicines so causes can be analysed and systems improved. Reporting protects future patients and is a professional duty.

The standard vocabulary of healthcare built from prefixes, roots and suffixes, such as 'tachycardia' meaning fast heart rate. Knowing the parts allows a candidate to decode unfamiliar clinical words accurately.

The practice of avoiding error-prone or ambiguous abbreviations in clinical records, such as 'U' for units or 'qd' for daily. Only approved abbreviations are used so orders are read consistently by everyone.

The structured transfer of patient information and responsibility between carers, ideally using a standard format such as situation, background, assessment and recommendation. Clear handover prevents missed care and harm.

A patient's voluntary agreement to a test or treatment after receiving understandable information about purpose, benefits, risks and alternatives. It must be obtained without pressure and documented appropriately.

The ethical and legal duty to protect a patient's private health information and share it only with those who need it for care. Breaches may occur through careless talk, unsecured records or social media.

A written statement, made while a person is competent, recording treatment preferences or appointing a decision-maker for a time when they cannot decide. It guides care and is respected within the law.

The range of duties and decisions a health worker is trained, authorised and competent to perform. Working beyond it is unsafe and may be unlawful, so tasks must be delegated and accepted only within defined limits.

Being answerable for one's own actions and omissions, including reporting errors honestly and accepting the consequences. It is a core professional value that supports trust and safe care.

A failure to provide the standard of care a reasonable professional would give, resulting in harm. Establishing it requires a duty of care, a breach, a causal link and actual damage.

A set of practices that keep equipment and wounds free of microorganisms during procedures such as dressing changes or injections. It includes hand hygiene, sterile gloves, sterile field and avoiding contact with non-sterile surfaces.

A structured procedure to clean a wound and apply a new dressing using aseptic technique while assessing healing, exudate and signs of infection. Used materials are discarded as clinical waste and the findings are documented.

A running record of all fluids a patient drinks or receives and all fluid lost through urine, vomit, drainage or other routes. Comparing totals over a period helps detect dehydration or fluid overload.