NLN NACE Adult Health key terms

Actions taken before disease or injury occurs to keep it from developing, such as immunizations, health education, seat belt use, and nutrition counseling. It targets healthy people rather than those already ill.

Early detection and prompt treatment of disease while it is still asymptomatic or minimally advanced, such as screening tests and case finding. The goal is to halt progression and improve outcomes.

Efforts aimed at people who already have a disease or disability, focused on limiting complications, restoring function, and promoting rehabilitation. Examples include cardiac rehab and support groups.

A person's ability to obtain, understand, and act on basic health information to make sound decisions. Low literacy requires plain language, teach-back, and visual aids rather than written handouts alone.

A check that the learner can restate information in their own words or demonstrate a skill. It confirms understanding rather than assuming the message was received.

Testing apparently healthy people to find disease before symptoms appear, when treatment is more effective. Examples include blood pressure checks, mammography, and colorectal cancer testing.

Infection control practices applied to every patient regardless of diagnosis, because any body fluid may carry infection. They include hand hygiene, gloves, and eye protection based on anticipated exposure.

Extra precautions layered on standard precautions for specific pathogens, grouped as contact, droplet, and airborne. Each type specifies the required gown, mask, room, and visitor rules.

Measures for pathogens spread by tiny particles that linger in air, such as tuberculosis and measles. They require a negative-pressure room and an N95 or higher respirator for caregivers.

Measures for pathogens spread by large respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing, such as influenza. They require a surgical mask and a private room or spatial separation.

Cleaning hands with soap and water or alcohol-based rub at key moments, including before and after patient contact and after removing gloves. It is the single most effective way to prevent infection spread.

Keeping an area or object completely free of all microorganisms, including spores, during procedures. Sterile technique governs gowning, gloving, and handling of sterile supplies.

Practices that reduce the number and spread of microorganisms but do not eliminate all of them, such as routine hand washing and cleaning surfaces. It is used in everyday care.

Interventions to prevent falls in vulnerable patients, such as bed alarms, nonskid footwear, low beds, and hourly rounding. Risk is assessed on admission and after any change in condition.

Physical or chemical measures that limit a patient's freedom of movement, used only when less restrictive options fail and a safety threat exists. They require a provider order, monitoring, and frequent reassessment.

The extent of movement possible at a joint. Active motion is performed by the patient; passive motion is performed by the nurse and helps maintain mobility in an immobile patient.

Localized damage to skin and underlying tissue from sustained pressure, often over bony prominences. Prevention includes repositioning, moisture control, and support surfaces.

A scored assessment of pressure injury risk based on moisture, activity, mobility, nutrition, friction, and shear. Lower scores signal higher risk and guide prevention planning.

Tracking of all fluids a patient takes in and eliminates over a set period. It helps detect fluid imbalance and is recorded in milliliters.

The state in which fluid taken in matches fluid lost, keeping body compartments in proper proportion. Signs of imbalance include weight change, edema, and altered urine output.

How the body processes a drug through absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion. These processes determine how quickly a drug acts and how long it remains active.

How a drug affects the body, including its mechanism of action, desired effects, and side effects. It explains why a drug produces its therapeutic and adverse responses.

The time needed for the amount of drug in the body to decrease by half. It guides dosing intervals and predicts how long a drug lingers after it is stopped.

The relationship between a drug's beneficial dose and its toxic dose. A narrow index means small changes can cause toxicity, so blood levels and signs are monitored closely.

Measuring blood levels of drugs with a narrow therapeutic range to keep the dose both effective and safe. Timing of the sample relative to the last dose matters.

The core checks before giving any drug: right patient, drug, dose, route, and time, plus documentation and reason. Each is verified independently to prevent errors.

A formal comparison of a patient's current medication list with new orders at admission, transfer, and discharge. It catches omissions, duplications, and interactions.

Delivery of fluids, drugs, or nutrition by a route other than the digestive tract, such as intravenous or intramuscular. It requires sterile technique and site monitoring.

Leakage of a vesicant drug from a vein into surrounding tissue, which can cause severe damage. It requires stopping the infusion and following a specific antidote protocol.

Seepage of non-vesicant intravenous fluid into tissue around the vein, causing swelling and coolness. The line is stopped and restarted elsewhere.

Subtle changes such as rising respiratory rate, confusion, and falling urine output that precede serious decline. Recognizing them prompts timely escalation of care.

A system for any staff member to summon a critical care team when a patient shows warning signs. Its purpose is to intervene before cardiac or respiratory arrest occurs.

A state in which tissue perfusion is inadequate to meet oxygen and nutrient needs, leading to cellular injury. Signs include low blood pressure, cool skin, and altered mentation.

A life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated response to infection. It requires early recognition, cultures, antibiotics, and fluid resuscitation.

The average pressure in the arteries during one cardiac cycle, reflecting organ perfusion. It is estimated from systolic and diastolic readings and guides fluid and drug titration.

The regulation of hydrogen ion concentration in body fluids to keep pH within a narrow range. Imbalances are classified as respiratory or metabolic and as acidosis or alkalosis.

Purposeful use of words and silence to build trust, explore feelings, and support patient decisions. It avoids false reassurance, advice-giving, and changing the subject.

Giving full attention to a patient's message, including tone and body language, and reflecting it back. It conveys respect and helps uncover concerns the patient has not stated directly.

Transferring a task to another staff member who has the authority and competence to perform it while the nurse retains accountability. Tasks are matched to scope of practice and patient stability.

The defined line of authority a nurse follows when a concern is unresolved, moving from charge nurse to supervisor to administrator. It protects patient safety when orders or staffing are unsafe.

The legally defined activities a licensed nurse may perform at a given level. It determines what can be delegated and what requires a provider or another discipline.

A legal document stating a patient's wishes for future care if they cannot speak for themselves, such as a living will or health care proxy. It guides treatment decisions.

A patient's voluntary agreement to a procedure after understanding its purpose, risks, benefits, and alternatives. The provider obtains it; the nurse verifies and witnesses.

The observed outcome of critical thinking and decision-making in patient care, moving from noticing to interpreting, responding, and reflecting. It is the basis for safe nursing action.

A systematic method of care using assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation. Each phase informs the next and the cycle repeats as the patient's condition changes.

A clinical judgment about a patient's actual or potential response to health problems, stated in problem, etiology, and defining characteristics. It directs independent nursing interventions.

The nursing process phase that compares the patient's current status with expected outcomes to judge whether interventions worked. Unmet outcomes prompt revision of the plan.