Tamil Nadu HSE First Year Nursing (Vocational) key terms

The body's ability to keep internal conditions such as temperature, blood pH, and glucose level within a narrow, stable range despite outside changes. It depends on feedback loops that detect and correct deviations.

A control mechanism in which the body senses a change and responds in the opposite direction to bring the value back to normal, for example shivering when body temperature falls. Most physiological regulation works this way.

The four basic measurements of body function: body temperature, pulse rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure. Nurses record them to detect deterioration early and to monitor response to treatment.

The rhythmic expansion and contraction of an artery felt when the heart pumps blood into it. It is counted for one full minute and described by rate, rhythm, and volume, commonly at the radial artery.

The force exerted by circulating blood against the walls of arteries, recorded as systolic pressure over diastolic pressure in millimetres of mercury. It reflects cardiac output and the resistance of blood vessels.

The standard reference posture in which a person stands upright, faces forward, arms hang at the sides with palms facing forward, and feet are flat and parallel. Body directions and regions are described relative to this position.

Imaginary flat surfaces used to divide the body for study and description: sagittal (left and right), coronal or frontal (front and back), and transverse (upper and lower). They help locate organs and interpret scans.

The set of practices that keep an area or object free of disease-causing microorganisms. Medical asepsis reduces the number of organisms, while surgical asepsis eliminates them from objects entering sterile body areas.

Cleaning the hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based rub at the correct moments, such as before touching a patient and after body-fluid contact. It is the single most effective way to prevent infection spread.

Infection-control measures applied to every patient regardless of diagnosis, including hand hygiene, gloves, gowns, masks, eye protection when splashes are likely, and safe handling of sharps and spills.

A designated work area, such as a draped tray, where only sterile items and sterile-gloved hands may touch. Anything contacting an unsterile surface is considered contaminated and must be replaced.

An infection a patient acquires in a hospital or health facility that was not present or incubating at the time of admission. Common examples include urinary and surgical-site infections and ventilator-associated pneumonia.

An accidental needle-stick or cut from a contaminated sharp instrument, carrying risk of blood-borne viruses such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV. The wound is washed with soap and water and reported immediately.

Sorting health-care waste at the point of generation into colour-coded containers, such as yellow for infectious waste, red for recyclable plastics, and puncture-proof containers for sharps, so each stream is treated safely.

The rapid sorting of casualties by the urgency of their condition so that limited staff and resources reach the most salvageable first. It uses categories such as immediate, urgent, delayed, and expectant.

Emergency life support given when breathing and circulation stop: chest compressions at a depth of about five to six centimetres and a rate of 100 to 120 per minute, with rescue breaths, until help arrives.

A life-threatening state in which blood flow to tissues is inadequate, so cells lack oxygen. Signs include pale clammy skin, rapid weak pulse, low blood pressure, thirst, and restlessness.

Immediate, temporary care given to an injured or suddenly ill person before professional help is available. It aims to preserve life, prevent worsening, and promote recovery without causing harm.

A person whose red cells can be transfused into recipients of any ABO group without causing a reaction, namely someone with group O negative blood. The plasma of group AB is similarly called the universal plasma donor.

Any harmful or unintended response to a medicine given at a normal dose, ranging from rash and nausea to organ damage. It must be documented and reported, not merely noted as an allergy.

A severe, rapidly developing allergic reaction with airway swelling, wheezing, falling blood pressure, and skin rash. Adrenaline given intramuscularly is the first-line treatment and must not be delayed.

Any preventable event that causes or could cause inappropriate medicine use, such as a wrong drug, dose, route, patient, or time. The five rights of administration are the main safeguard against it.

A ratio comparing the dose of a drug that produces harm with the dose that produces the desired effect. A narrow index, as with digoxin, means blood levels need careful monitoring because toxicity is easily reached.

Injection of a small volume of medicine into the upper layer of skin, usually the inner forearm, producing a visible bleb. It is used for tuberculin skin testing and some allergy tests.

Any route of giving medicine that bypasses the digestive tract, such as intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, or intradermal injection. It acts faster but demands strict asepsis and correct technique.

A screening measure calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared. In adults a value from 18.5 to 24.9 is usually considered normal, with higher values indicating overweight or obesity.

A diet supplying all nutrients the body needs in correct proportion: carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, water, and fibre, suited to the person's age, sex, activity, and health status.

Illness caused by lack of a specific nutrient, such as night blindness from vitamin A shortage, beriberi from thiamine lack, or anaemia from iron deficiency. It is prevented by dietary improvement and supplementation.

The thick yellowish first milk produced in the days after delivery. It is rich in antibodies and protein and low in fat, acting as the baby's first natural immunisation and mild laxative.

Giving an infant only breast milk, with no water, formula, or other food, for the first six months of life, after which complementary foods are added while breastfeeding continues. It reduces infection and malnutrition.

A graph plotting a child's weight, length, or head circumference against standard values for age, used to detect undernutrition, faltering growth, or obesity early during routine child health visits.

The six-week period following childbirth during which the uterus returns to its normal size, lochia is discharged, and the mother recovers. It is a time of risk for haemorrhage and infection.

The regular health supervision of a pregnant woman, including weight and blood pressure checks, abdominal examination, blood and urine tests, iron and folic acid supplements, and immunisation, to protect mother and fetus.

The sequence required for infection to spread: a causative organism, a reservoir, a portal of exit, a mode of transmission, a portal of entry, and a susceptible host. Breaking any link prevents transmission.

Equipment that sterilises instruments using steam under pressure at high temperature for a set time. Correct loading, timing, and pressure are essential, and every cycle should be monitored.

A record of all fluids a patient takes by mouth, tube, or vein and all fluid lost through urine, vomit, drainage, or stool over 24 hours. It guides fluid balance assessment and treatment decisions.

The organised method of nursing care with five steps: assessment, nursing diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation. It makes care deliberate, documented, and open to revision as the patient's condition changes.

A patient's voluntary agreement to a procedure after receiving understandable information about its purpose, benefits, risks, and alternatives. It protects patient autonomy and must be documented before the procedure.

The professional duty to keep a patient's personal and health information private, sharing it only with those involved in care or as required by law. Breach damages trust and may be a legal offence.

Barrier items such as gloves, gown, mask, goggles, and cap worn to protect the health worker and patient from contact with infectious agents and body fluids. It is removed carefully to avoid self-contamination.