RRB Staff Nurse key terms

A five-step problem-solving framework (assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, evaluation) that nurses use to identify patient needs and deliver organised, measurable care.

A clinical judgement about a patient's actual or potential health response to illness, stated in standardised language and distinct from a medical disease diagnosis.

A written document listing patient problems, expected outcomes and the specific nursing interventions and evaluation criteria that will be used to guide care.

The core physiological measurements of body temperature, pulse rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure and oxygen saturation, used to detect deterioration or response to treatment.

Practices that prevent microorganisms from entering a sterile area or wound, including hand hygiene, sterile gloves and sterile field maintenance during invasive procedures.

An infection acquired by a patient during a stay in a hospital or other healthcare facility that was not present or incubating at the time of admission.

The complete destruction or removal of all microbial life, including bacterial spores, from equipment, usually by autoclaving, dry heat or chemical agents.

The body's tendency to keep internal conditions such as temperature, pH, blood glucose and fluid balance within narrow, stable limits through feedback mechanisms.

The volume of blood pumped by one ventricle per minute, calculated as stroke volume multiplied by heart rate, normally about five litres at rest.

The lateral force exerted by circulating blood on artery walls, recorded as systolic over diastolic pressure and regulated by cardiac output and peripheral resistance.

Abnormal accumulation of fluid in interstitial tissue spaces, producing swelling that may result from raised capillary pressure, low plasma protein or lymphatic obstruction.

A bedside record comparing all fluid taken in by mouth, tube or infusion with fluid lost through urine, vomit, drainage and insensible loss over 24 hours.

A life-threatening state in which tissue perfusion is inadequate to meet cellular oxygen demand, causing hypotension, tachycardia, cold clammy skin and altered consciousness.

The rapid sorting of patients by urgency so that limited staff and resources are directed first to those whose lives are most immediately at risk.

Monitoring and interventions after surgery, including airway and wound checks, pain control, early mobilisation, deep breathing and watching for bleeding or infection.

Partial or complete separation of the layers of a surgical wound, often preceded by serosanguineous discharge and requiring urgent surgical review.

The age of a fetus measured in weeks from the first day of the mother's last menstrual period, used to judge maturity and time antenatal care.

Scheduled health checks during pregnancy that monitor maternal weight, blood pressure, haemoglobin, fetal growth and position, and screen for complications.

A pregnancy disorder marked by new hypertension after 20 weeks with proteinuria or organ damage, threatening mother and fetus if untreated.

The occurrence of generalised seizures in a woman with preeclampsia, a medical emergency requiring airway protection, magnesium sulphate and delivery planning.

A graphic labour record plotting cervical dilatation, fetal head descent, contractions and maternal vital signs against time to detect slow or obstructed progress.

A quick assessment at one and five minutes after birth scoring heart rate, breathing, muscle tone, reflex response and colour, each from zero to two.

Yellow discolouration of a newborn's skin and eyes caused by raised bilirubin, which may be physiological or a sign of haemolysis, sepsis or obstruction.

A balanced mixture of glucose and electrolytes given by mouth to replace diarrhoeal losses, reducing dehydration deaths in children when correctly prepared.

The process of making a person resistant to an infection, usually by giving a vaccine that stimulates protective antibodies and immune memory.

The uninterrupted series of refrigerated storage and transport steps that keeps vaccines within their safe temperature range from manufacture to administration.

Purposeful verbal and non-verbal interaction that helps a patient express feelings, clarify concerns and make informed decisions within a trusting relationship.

A patient's voluntary agreement to a procedure after receiving and understanding information about its purpose, risks, benefits and alternatives.

The professional duty to keep a patient's personal health information private and to share it only with those involved in care or as required by law.

Any physical or chemical means of limiting a person's freedom of movement, used only when less restrictive measures have failed and with proper monitoring.

The study of how a drug is absorbed, distributed, metabolised and excreted by the body, determining the onset, intensity and duration of its effect.

The time taken for the concentration of a drug in the blood to fall by half, guiding how often a dose must be repeated to maintain therapeutic levels.

A harmful or unintended response to a medicine given at a normal dose, ranging from mild rash to anaphylaxis, which must be documented and reported.

A severe, rapidly developing allergic reaction with airway swelling, bronchospasm and falling blood pressure, treated immediately with adrenaline and oxygen.

The energy a body uses at complete rest to maintain breathing, circulation and cell activity, forming the largest part of daily calorie needs.

A daily intake supplying adequate energy, protein, fat, vitamins, minerals and fibre in proportions that maintain health and prevent deficiency or excess.

A systematic review of nursing records and outcomes against agreed standards, used to measure quality of care and identify improvements.

The planning, purchasing, storing and controlling of supplies and equipment so that wards have what they need without excess stock or wastage.

The wing of Indian Railways responsible for hospitals and health units serving railway employees, pensioners and eligible dependants across zones.

India's flagship health scheme combining Health and Wellness Centres for primary care with insurance cover for secondary and tertiary hospital treatment of poor families.

A comparison of two quantities by division, used in nursing to calculate drug doses, dilute solutions and convert units in arithmetic problems.

A number expressed as a fraction of one hundred, commonly used to describe solution strength, concentration and change in values in clinical calculations.