NURSING TERMS

Abduction
Separation movement of a limb with respect to the body
Abrasion
Erosion of the epidermis due to scraping or friction; It can cause localized hemorrhage and subsequent leakage of serous fluid.
Adaptation
Process through which changes occur in any of the person's dimensions in response to stress.
Adduction
Approach movement of a limb with respect to the body.
Middle aged adult
Transition stage between young and old adults.
young adult
Stage of life between 22 years of age and average adulthood.
Elderly
Stage of life beyond middle age.
Fever
No fever.
Affliction
Response to a death loss; subjective experience of someone who loses a person with whom they had a significant relationship.
Agents
Elements of the agent-host-environment model of health and disease; biological, chemical, physical or mechanical or psychosocial
factors whose presence or absence can lead to disease.
Assault
Unlawful threat or harm to another person.
Isolation
Separation of a patient from other patients to prevent spread of infection or to protect the patient from irritating environmental
factors.
Range of motion
Range of mobility of a joint, from maximum extension to extreme flexion, a measurement expressed in degrees of circle.
Anorexy
Lack or loss of appetite resulting in inability to eat food.
Anthropometry
Measurement of different parts of the body in order to determine nutrition status, caloric level, muscle development, brain growth
and other parameters.
Apnea
Cessation of airflow through the nose and mouth.
Joints
Connections between bones; classified according to their structure and degree of mobility.
Asepsis
Absence of germs or microorganisms.
medical asepsis
Procedures used to reduce the number of microorganisms and prevent their spread.
Surgical asepsis
Procedures used to eliminate all microorganisms from an area. Also called sterile technique.
Atelectasis
Collapse of the alveoli, which prevents the normal respiratory exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Auscultation
Method of physical examination, consisting of listening to the sounds produced by the body, usually with a stethoscope.
Selfconcept
Dynamic and complex integration, by the subject, of conscious and unconscious feelings, attitudes and perceptions about their
own identity, their physical state, their worth and their functions; way in which a person perceives and defines themselves.
Autonomy
Ability or tendency to function independently.

Welfare
Dynamic state of health in which a subject evolves towards a higher level of functioning, achieving an optimal balance between
internal and external environments.
Bolus
Rounded mass of food chewed and ready to be swallowed.
Bradycardia
Drop in heart rate below normal values
Bradypnea
Abnormally slow respiratory rate.

Calorie
Amount of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 liter by 1ºC. Of water at atmospheric pressure; A kilocalorie or large calorie,
used to represent the energy values of food, is a thousand times larger than a small calorie, a unit used in medicine to describe the
exchange of energy in the body.
Subcutaneous layer
Continuous layer of connective tissue that covers the entire body surface, between the skin and the deep fascia.
Defining characteristics
Related signs or symptoms or groups of data that support the nursing diagnosis.
Dental caries
Destructive disorder of a tooth caused by a complex interaction between food, especially starches and sugars, and the bacteria that
form dental plaque.
Cyanosis
Bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes due to an excess of reduced hemoglobin in the blood or a structural defect
of the hemoglobin molecule.
Data classification
Analysis and organization of data groups from the assessment in order to identify the patient's problems and formulate a nursing
diagnosis.
Climaterium
Physiological and developmental alteration that appears in the female reproductive system between 45 and 60 years of age.
Collaboration
Joint work of the members of a healthcare team in the development of care for a patient or a community.
Observable behaviors
Those behaviors that a certain subject shows and that are observed by another person.
Communication
An ongoing, dynamic series of events involving the transmission of information from a transmitter to a receiver.
Interpersonal communication
Exchange of information between two people or between people in a small group.
Intrapersonal communication
Communication that takes place inside a subject, for example, when he "talks to himself" silently or constructs a mental idea.
Non-verbal communication
Communication through signs, gestures, postures and positions instead of words.
Therapeutic communication
Process by which the nurse consciously influences the patient or helps him or her achieve greater understanding through verbal
and/or non-verbal communication.
Verbal communication
Sending messages from one individual to another, or to a group of subjects, through spoken words.
Informed consent
Process of obtaining authorization from the patient before subjecting them to a specific test or procedure, after explaining all risks,
side effects and beneficial effects.
Consultation
Process in which help is requested from a specialist to find ways to solve problems in the treatment of the patient or in the planning
and execution of certain programs.
Growth
Quantitative or measurable aspect of the increase in a subject's physical measurements.
moral belief
Personal conviction that something is absolutely right or wrong in all situations.
health belief
The patient's personal conviction about the levels of well-being, which can motivate or prevent participation in variations in risk
factors, in the selection of care and participation in care.
Crackles
Fine bubbling noises perceived during lung auscultation; They are produced when air enters the distal airways and alveoli, when
they contain serous secretions.
Culture
 A set of non-physical traits, such as values, beliefs, attitudes or customs, shared by a group of people and transmitted from one
generation to the next.

Objective data
Information that can be observed by others; It is not conditioned by feelings, sensations or prejudices.
Subjective data
Information gathered from the patient's statements; the patient's feelings and perceptions. Information that can only be verified by
inference.
Decibel
Unit of measurement of sound intensity.
Defecation
Passage of feces from the digestive system to the outside through the rectum.
Dermis
Vascular and sensitive layer of skin located just below the epidermis; It is formed by collagen and elastic fibrous connective tissues
that give the dermis resistance and elasticity.
Development
Qualitative or observable aspects of the progressive changes that an individual experiences in order to adapt to the environment.
Nursing diagnosis
Report an actual or potential health problem that the nurse can legally and independently treat. Second phase of the nursing
procedure, during which the patient's current or potential abnormal responses to an illness or condition are determined.
Diastole
Period of time between contractions of the atria or ventricles, during which blood enters the relaxed chambers.
Diplopia
Double vision caused by an abnormality of the extraocular muscles or corresponding nerves.
personal distance
Space between the patient and the healthcare assistant; about 7 cm or less.
Social distance
Distance maintained by a person within a group when engaging in communication with another. In general, social distance is
usually considered to be 1 to 4 meters.
Documentation
Written notation in the patient's medical record of all pertinent information about the patient. These notes confirm the patient's
problems and assistance and have legal record value.
Pain
Subjective and annoying sensation caused by harmful stimulation of sensory nerve endings.

Edema
Abnormal accumulation of fluid in the interstitial spaces of tissues.
Execution
Initiation and completion of nursing actions necessary to help the patient achieve their health goals.
Electrocardiogram
Graphic recording of the electrical activity of the myocardium.
Electrolyte
Element or compound that, when dissolved in water or other solvent, dissociates into ions, being able to conduct electric current.
Empathy
Understanding and accepting a person's feelings and the ability to feel their private world.
Gums
Mucosa -gingival- of the mouth, with fibrous support tissue that covers the crowns of the teeth that have not erupted and
surrounds the neck of the teeth that have already erupted.
Endorphins
Naturally occurring neuropeptides formed by amino acids and secreted in the central nervous system to reduce pain.
Endoscope
Instrument used to visualize the interior of organs and body cavities.
Disease
Abnormal process in which some aspect of the person's functioning is diminished or weakened compared to its previous state.
Acute illness
Process characterized by symptoms of relatively short duration, generally severe and affecting the patient in all vital aspects.
Chronic disease
Process that persists for a long time and affects the emotional, social, intellectual and spiritual life of the patient.
Alzheimer disease
Disease of the brain parenchyma that causes a gradual and progressive deterioration of cognitive functions.
communicable disease
Any disease that can be transmitted from one person or animal to another by direct or indirect contact, or through vectors.
Interview
Organized and systematic conversation held with the patient to obtain subjective information regarding their health status.
Enuresis
involuntary urination; incontinence.
nocturnal enuresis
Incontinence of urine during the night.
Epidermis
Outermost layer of the skin formed by several thin layers of skin in different stages of maturation; It covers and protects the
underlying tissues from water loss, mechanical or chemical injury, and the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms.
Ecchymosis
Change in skin color or bruising caused by extravasation of blood into the subcutaneous tissue as a result of trauma to the
underlying vessels.
Apgar scale
Evaluation system that classifies the physiological state of the newborn 1 to 5 minutes after birth.
Chill
Process used by the body to raise body temperature.
It's expensive
Dry scab resulting from abrasion of the skin.
Blood pressure cuff
Device for measuring blood pressure, consisting of an arm or leg cuff with an inflatable chamber, a tube and bulb to pump air into
the chamber, and a pressure gauge that indicates the amount of air pressure exerted on the artery.
Spiritual
Aspects of a religious or sacred nature.
Spirituality
Spiritual dimension of a person, which contemplates the relationship with humanity, nature and a supreme being.
Attention state
Internal condition of the student that allows concentration and understanding
skin stimulation
Stimulation of a person's skin to avoid or reduce the perception of pain. Massage, hot bath, application of liniment, heat and cold
therapies, and transcutaneous nerve electrostimulation are some techniques used to reduce the perception of pain.
Squint
Eye disorder characterized by deviation of gaze in one or both eyes.
stratum corneum
Outermost layer of the skin, horny in nature and composed of dead cells that transform into keratin and are continually shed.
Stress
Physiological or psychological tension that threatens the homeostasis or psychological balance of the subject.
Familiar structure
Set of family members at the current time and pattern of their relationships (organization).
Eupnea
Normal, effortless, calm and rhythmic breathing.
Assessment
Determination of the degree to which the established objectives have been achieved in relation to a patient.
Physical exploration
Assessment of a patient's body through inspection, auscultation, palpation and percussion techniques, in order to determine
physical anomalies.
Extension
Movement that increases the angle between two articulated bones at certain joints.
Exudate
Fluid, cells, or other substances that are released from cells or blood vessels through small pores or openings in cell membranes.

Risk factor
Any internal or external variable that makes a person or group of people more vulnerable to disease or a morbid episode.
Environmental factors
Characteristics of a person's physical or social environment that can increase or decrease susceptibility to a disease.
Family
Group of interrelated subjects that constitutes the basic unit of society.
Family as context
Nursing perspective in which the main objective of care lies in a subject within the family.
Family as environment
Nursing procedure whose object is the patient as an individual and which considers the family as the environment in which the
patient fights for his or her health.
Febrile
Referring to or characterized by an elevated body temperature.
Fever
Elevation of the hypothalamic set point such that body temperature is regulated to a higher level.
Fistula
Abnormal communication between an internal organ and the body surface or between two internal organs.
Fissures
Indentations or grooves on the surface of an organ, which often determine the division of the organ into parts.
Flatus
Intestinal gases.
Flatulence
Disorder characterized by the accumulation of gas in the intestinal lumen.
Phlebitis
Inflammation of a vein.
Flexion
Movement of some joints that decreases the angle between articulated bones.
Photophobia
Abnormal sensitivity of the eyes to light.
Fracture
Breakage of a bone caused by the application of a violent force to the body; interruption of the continuity of bone tissue.
Tactile thrill
Trembling vibration of the chest wall during breathing, palpable on physical examination.
Vocal thrill
Vibration of the chest wall when speaking or singing, which allows the person's voice to be heard when the examiner listens to the
chest with the stethoscope.

Ventricular gallop
Low-pitched heart sound, abnormally added (S4), auscultable at the beginning of diastole.
Cardiac output
Volume of blood ejected by the ventricles of the heart, equal to the amount of blood ejected in each heartbeat multiplied by the
number of heartbeats that occur during the period used for the calculation (usually 1 minute)

Stool
Waste or excrement from the gastrointestinal tract.
Hematemesis
Vomiting blood indicating bleeding from the upper gastrointestinal tract.
Hematocrit
Measurement of global cellular and erythrocyte volume, expressed as a percentage of total blood volume.
Hematoma
Accumulation of blood that is trapped in the tissues of the skin or an organ.
Hematuria
Abnormal presence of blood in the urine.
Hemolysis
Breakdown of red blood cells and release of hemoglobin, which can occur from the administration of isotonic intravenous solutions
that cause swelling and bursting of erythrocytes.
Hemoptysis
Expectoration of blood from the respiratory tract.
Hemorrhoids
Dilation and permanent engorgement of the veins of the rectal mucosa.
Hemosiderosis
Abnormal iron deposition in various tissues.
Hemostasis
Stopping bleeding by mechanical or chemical means or by the body's coagulation process.
Hemothorax
Accumulation of blood and fluid in the pleural cavity, between the visceral and parietal leaves.
Hernia
Protrusion of an organ through an abnormal opening in the muscular wall of the cavity that contains it.
Oral hygiene
State or practice of maintenance of the tissues and structures of the mouth.
Perineal hygiene
Washing procedure prescribed for the genital and anal areas as part of daily bathing or after various obstetric and gynecological
procedures.
Evening hygiene
Systematic hygienic care carried out before sleeping.
Hyperkalemia
Elevation of serum potassium levels.
Hypercapnia
Amount of carbon dioxide in the blood above the normal value.
Hypercarbia
Carbon dioxide levels in the blood higher than normal; Also called hypercapnia.
Hyperchloremia
Elevation of serum chloride levels.
Hyperextension
Maximum extension position of a joint.
Hyperglycemia
Elevation of serum glucose levels.
Hyperhydration or excess fluid volume
Excess water in the extracellular fluid.
Hypermagnesemia
Elevation of serum magnesium levels.
Hypernatremia
Elevation of serum sodium levels.
Hyperthermia
Situation in which the body temperature exceeds the limit considered normal.
Hyperventilation
Respiratory frequency higher than that required to maintain normal levels of carbon dioxide in body tissues.
Alveolar hyperventilation
Increase in respiratory rate above the level required to maintain normal carbon dioxide concentrations in organic tissues.
hypothalamus
Part of the diencephalon of the brain that activates, controls and integrates the peripheral autonomic nervous system, endocrine
processes and numerous body functions, such as body temperature, sleep and appetite.
Hypotension
Abnormal decrease in blood pressure or blood pressure, insufficient for normal irrigation and oxygenation of the tissues.
Hypothermia
Abnormal decrease in body temperature below 35°C, usually due to prolonged exposure to cold.
Clinic history
Written record about the patient; legal documentation.
Nursing clinical history
Data collected on the patient's current condition, on possible changes in lifestyle or sociocultural role, as well as on mental and
emotional reactions to the illness.
Health history
Subjective and objective data about the patient's previous health status, obtained by the nurse during the interview.

Identity
Self-concept component
Body image
Subjective concept of the person about their physical appearance.
Report
Transfer of information from the nurse from one shift to the next. The report can also be transmitted by one of the members of the
nursing team to another healthcare professional, for example, a doctor or therapist.
Immobility
Inability to move freely, due to a disorder under which movement is prevented or therapeutically limited.
Inspection
A method of physical examination in which the patient's appearance, structure, functionality, and behavior are systematically
visually examined.
Integument
Skin and its annexes
Auscultatory interval
Disappearance of sound when measuring blood pressure; It characteristically takes place between the first and second Korotkoff
noises.
Interventions
Actions aimed at preventing harm to the patient or improving their mental, emotional, physical or social functions.
Food poisoning
Toxic process due to the ingestion of food contaminated by toxic substances or by bacteria that contain toxins.
Ischemia
Decreased blood supply to a part of the body, such as skin tissue, or to an organ, such as the heart.
tissue ischemia
Area in which the tissues receive insufficient oxygen and irrigation.

Laceration
Tear wound with jagged edges.
Lactation
Process and time in which the mother produces milk for the child.
Lactation
Life stage between one month and one year of age.
Laxatives
Drugs that act by promoting evacuation.
Leukocytosis
Abnormal increase in the number of circulating leukocytes.
Leukoplakia
Thick white plaques observed on the oral mucosal membrane.
Ligaments
White, shiny, flexible bands of fibrous tissue that join joints together and connect various bones and cartilages.
Lymphocyte
Type of leukocyte that develops in the bone marrow; It is responsible for the synthesis of antibodies and T lymphocytes, which
attack antigens.
Lymphocyte
Type of leukocyte that develops in the bone marrow; It is responsible for the synthesis of antibodies and T lymphocytes, which
attack antigens.
Lipids
Compounds insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents.
Interstitial fluid
Liquid that occupies the spaces between most of the cells of the organism and that constitutes an important part of the liquid
medium.
intracellular fluid
Liquid existing inside the cell membrane.
Extracellular fluids
Portion of body fluids made up of interstitial fluid and blood plasma.

Maceration
Softening and cracking of the skin due to prolonged exposure to humidity.
Maturation
Process by which complete development and growth is achieved and throughout which the biological capacity of the individual and
environmental circumstances can modify functions and learning.
Malnutrition
Any nutritional disorder, such as an unbalanced, deficient or excessive diet, or impaired absorption, assimilation or utilization of
food.
Valsalva maneuver
Forced expiratory effort against the obstacle of a closed airway, as occurs when the subject holds his breath and tenses his muscles
in an energetic and coordinated effort to move a heavy object or to change position in bed.
March
Form or style of walking, which includes rhythm, cadence and speed.
Chew
Chewing or tearing food with your teeth while mixing it with saliva.
Body mechanics
Coordinated efforts of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems to maintain proper balance, posture, and organ alignment.
Preventive nursing measures
Nursing measures aimed at preventing disease and promoting health, so as not to have to resort to primary, secondary or tertiary
healthcare.
Universal precautionary measures
Set of measures recommended to health care professionals to avoid exposure to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which
causes AIDS, blood-borne pathogens, such as hepatitis and HIV.
Mane
Abnormal, slimy, black stool containing digested blood; indicative of gastrointestinal bleeding.
Menarche
Presentation of the first menstruation in a girl.
Metabolism
The set of all chemical processes that develop in living organisms, leading to growth and energy production. The elimination of
waste products and other functions related to the blood transport of nutrients after digestion.
Urination
Act of voluntary exit or expulsion of urine through the urethra.
Microorganisms
Microscopic beings capable of carrying out living processes, such as bacteria, viruses and fungi.
Minerals
Inorganic elements essential for the body due to their role as catalysts of biochemical reactions.
Modeling
Technique by which a person learns a given response by observing how another person develops it.
Motivation
Internal impulse that causes a person to perform an action.
Mobility
A person's ability to move freely.
Accessory muscles
Muscles of the rib cage that participate in breathing.
Antagonist muscles
Muscles that work together to execute a movement at a joint.
Antigravity muscles
Muscles that participate in stabilizing the joints, opposing the effect of gravity on the body.
Synergistic muscles
Muscles that contract at the same time to perform the same movement.

Physiological needs
Human requirements for survival, including those related to oxygen, fluid, nutrition, temperature, elimination and shelter.
Necrotic
Relating to the death of tissue as a result of disease or injury.
Nephron
Structural and functional unit of the kidney formed by the glomerulus and the renal tubules.
Negligence
Act of omission or commission that, through carelessness, causes injury to another person.
Neonate
Stage of life from birth to the first month of age.
Pneumothorax
Accumulation of air or gas in the pleural space.
Nystagmus
involuntary and rhythmic movement of the eyes; The oscillations can be horizontal, vertical, rotational or mixed. It may be
indicative of vestibular, neurological or vascular disease.
Total parenteral nutrition (TPN)
Administration of a hypertonic solution composed of glucose, proteins, minerals and vitamins through an indwelling catheter placed
in the superior vena cava. It is used in patients with prolonged coma or severe uncontrolled malabsorption, extensive burns, GI
fistulas, and other conditions in which oral feeding does not provide sufficient nutrients.
Nutrients
Foods that contain the elements necessary for body functions, including water, carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and
minerals.

Obesity
Abnormal increase in the proportion of fat cells, mainly in the viscera and subcutaneous tissues.
Data collection
Phase of the assessment of the nursing procedure in which all relevant subjective and objective information about the patient is
gathered. Data collection includes the nursing history, physical examination, laboratory diagnostic data and tests, and information
provided by members of the healthcare team, family members, and friends of the patient.
Ophthalmics
Drugs deposited in the eye, in the form of eye drops or ointments.
Olfactory
Relating to the sense of smell.
sexual orientation
Clear and persistent erotic preference for a person of the same or opposite sex.
Temporal orientation
Value that the patient assigns to speed, planning for the future and establishing appointments, important elements in the
programming of long-term care and the treatments that the patient must follow once discharged.
residual urine
Volume of urine that remains in the bladder after normal urination; Normally the bladder is practically empty after urination.
Orthopnea
An anomalous situation in which the subject, to breathe comfortably, has to be sitting or standing.
Osmolality
The concentration or osmotic pressure of a solution expressed in osmoles or milliosmoles per kilo of water.
Osmoreceptors
Receptors sensitive to the liquid concentration of blood plasma and regulate the secretion of antidiuretic hormone.
Osmosis
Movement of a pure solute across a semipermeable membrane from a solution with a lower solute concentration to another with a
higher solute concentration.
Osteoporosis due to disuse
Decrease in skeletal mass that usually accompanies immobility or paralysis.
Ostomy
Surgical procedure that consists of making an opening in the abdominal wall to allow the exit of intestinal contents from the
intestine (colostomy) or urinary contents from the bladder (urostomy)
Ototoxic
Which has a harmful effect on the VIII cranial nerve (vestibulocochlear) or on the organs of hearing or balance.
oximeter, oximetry
Device to measure blood oxyhemoglobin.

Outpatient
A patient not admitted to the hospital who receives treatment in a clinic or facility associated with the hospital.
Palliative
Relating to treatment designed to relieve or reduce the intensity of bothersome symptoms, but not to produce a cure.
Pallor
Low color intensity or absence of skin color
Palpation
Method of physical examination in which the examiner applies fingers or hands to the patient's body in order to perceive the parts
located under the skin
Palpitations
Skipping or racing of the heart associated with normal emotions or a cardiac disorder.
Parasite
An organism that lives inside or on another organism and that feeds on it.
Heart attack
Sudden cessation of cardiac output and effective circulation.
Birth
Process of giving birth.
Pathogens
Microorganisms capable of causing a disease.
Preoperational thinking
Children can think about things not physically present using representations, but they are severely limited by their inability to use
logic.
Perception
Mental image or concept that a person has of the elements of their environment and in which the information obtained through the
senses intervenes.
Percussion
Physical examination method that allows determining the location, size and density of a body region through the sound obtained by
tapping short and rapid fingers.
Thoracic percussion
Action of hitting the chest wall with the cupped hand to facilitate the mobilization and drainage of lung secretions.
Loss of ripening
Loss, which is usually an aspect of the self, as a result of the normal changes of growth and development.
Insensible water loss
Loss of body fluid through evaporation, as normally occurs during breathing.
Sensory motor period
Phase of development in childhood, which spans from birth to 2 years of age.
Critical periods of development
Specific periods of time during which the environment has the greatest impact on the subject's surroundings.
Peristalsis
Rhythmic contractions of the intestine that propel gastric contents along the gastrointestinal tract.
Pigment
Organic coloring material, such as melanin, that gives color to the skin.
Pyrexia
Abnormal elevation of body temperature above 37°C due to illness. Synonym of fever.
Pyrogen
Substances that cause an increase in body temperature, such as bacterial toxins.
Nursing care plan
Written summary or outline that includes the identification of the expected results for solving the problem, as well as specific
interventions and nursing instructions. The care plan, a legal document that is part of the patient's written record, documents and
ensures follow-up of the nursing procedure.
Frontal plane
Vertical line that crosses the body from side to side and divides it into an anterior and posterior part.
Sagittal plane
Line that crosses the body from the front to the back, dividing it into a right and a left side
Transverse plane
Any of the planes that cross the body perpendicular to the frontal and sagittal planes, dividing it into a cranial and caudal part.
Carriers
Animals or people that transport and transmit disease-causing microorganisms, but do not develop the disease.
Prescription
Written instructions about a certain therapeutic agent, that is, a medication, a drug.
pulse pressure
Difference between systolic and diastolic pressures, normally 30-40 mmHg.
hydrostatic pressure
Pressure caused by a liquid.
Early childhood
Stage of children between 1 and 3 years.
Problem
Issue proposed for solution or consideration.
Nursing procedure
Systematic problem-solving method by which the healthcare assistant personalizes patient care. The five phases of the nursing
procedure are assessment, diagnosis, planning, execution and evaluation.
Professionalism
Behavior or qualities that characterize or distinguish a professional.
Professions
Vocations that require specialized knowledge and intensive academic preparation.
Prolapse
Fall, descent or slipping of an organ from its normal position in the body, such as uterine prolapse.
Health promotion
Activities aimed at maintaining or improving the health and well-being of patients.
Proprioceptors
Nerve endings that are located in muscles, tendons and joints and that respond to stimuli related to position in space or movement
and originating from within the body.
Proteins
Wide range of organic nitrogenous compounds. Proteins are made up of long chains of amino acids that contain the elements
carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, usually sulfur, and sometimes phosphorus, iron, iodine or other essential constituents of living
cells. Proteins are the main source of elements for the synthesis of muscles, blood, skin, hair, nails and internal organs.
stress test
Evaluation of the patient's cardiopulmonary resistance in physical activity. The test usually includes an ECG and a study of
respiratory function.
guaiac test
Test for the detection of occult blood in feces.
Lung function tests
Method to determine the ability of the lungs to effectively exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Ptyalin
Digestive enzyme secreted by the salivary glands.
Ptosis
Disorder of one or both upper eyelids characterized by lowering of the eyelid as a consequence of weakness of the levator muscle
or paralysis of the III cranial nerve.
Puberty
Period of development, with emotional and physical changes, including the appearance of secondary sexual characteristics and
menstruation and ejaculation.
Puerperium
Period of approximately six weeks duration that occurs after childbirth and during which the woman's reproductive system is in a
transition to the non-pregnant state.
Apical pulse
Heartbeat taken with the bell or membrane of the stethoscope resting on the tip of the heart.
Carotid pulse
Rhythmic beat palpated over the carotid artery.
Ulnar pulse
Pulse of the ulnar artery, which is palpated along the ulnar aspect of the forearm.
Femoral pulse
Rhythmic beat palpated over the femoral artery.
Humeral pulse
Rhythmic beat palpated over the brachial artery.
Pediatric pulse
Rhythmic beat palpated over the pediatric artery.
Popliteal pulse
Pulse of the popliteal artery, which is palpated on the posterior aspect of the knee in flexion, with the patient in the prone position.
radial pulse
Radial artery pulse palpated at the wrist over the radius. This pulse is the one taken most frequently.
Posterior tibial pulse
Pulse of the posterior tibial artery, palpated on the medial aspect of the ankle, immediately behind the medial malleolus.
Venous puncture
A technique that involves puncture of a vein transcutaneously using a sharp rigid styler (such as a butterfly needle), a cannula
(such as an angiocatheter containing a flexible plastic catheter), or a needle attached to a syringe.
Point of Maximum Boost (PMI)
Point at which the heartbeat can most easily be palpated through the chest wall.

Burned
Popular term used to define the state of depletion of mental or physical energy after a period of ongoing chronic work-related
stress, sometimes characterized by physical illness.
chyme
Viscous, semi-fluid content present in the stomach during the digestion of a meal, which ultimately passes to the intestine.

Idiosyncratic reactions
Individual sensitivity to the effects of a drug, caused by hereditary or constitutional factors.
Referrer
Factor that induces a person to communicate with another subject.
urinary reflux
Abnormal flow of urine backwards.
Record
Written form of communication that permanently collects information related to healthcare treatment.
Reference record
Medical history model in which each department or specialty has its own section.
Computerized records
System that contains all the relevant information for the request, provision and documentation of healthcare for a specific patient.
Relaxation
Act of relaxing or being less tense.
Religion
Belief in a superhuman power (or powers), which must be obeyed and venerated as creator and ruler of the universe.
Religious
Relating to the specific practices, rites and rituals of the religion one professes.
Biological clock
Cyclical nature of organic functions; functions controlled from within the organism are synchronized with environmental factors; It
has a meaning analogous to the term biorhythm.
Reminiscence
Remembrance of the past for the purpose of assigning new meaning to past experiences.
Referrals
Partial or complete disappearances of the subjective and clinical characteristics of a chronic or neoplastic disease; remission may be
spontaneous or due to treatment.
Remodeling
Physiological response during wound healing, in which collagen fibers modify their cellular organization.
Bed rest
Patient remaining in bed for a prescribed period for therapeutic reasons.
Airway resistance
It is the difference in pressure between the mouth, nose and other airways and the alveoli.
bone resorption
Destruction of bone cells and release of calcium into the blood.
Abdomino-diaphragmatic breathing
Breathing in which, during inspiration, the abdomen moves forward, while the diaphragm descends.
Breathing with pursed lips
Deep inhalation followed by a long exhalation through pursed lips.
Diaphragmatic breathing
Type of breathing in which the abdomen distends while the diaphragm descends during inspiration.
External respiration
Movement of air between the external environment and the pulmonary alveoli.
internal breathing
Movement of oxygen at the cellular level between hemoglobin and tissues.
Responsibility
Ability to respond for one's own actions
Inflammatory answer
Localized reaction to trauma, which prevents the spread of infection and promotes wound healing.
reflex response to pain
Reflex and involuntary withdrawal of a part of the body when faced with a harmful or painful stimulus.
Expected result
State of the patient estimated to be found at the end of a treatment or illness, including the level of health and the need for
continued care, medications, support, socio-psychological assistance or education.
Urinary retention
Retention of urine in the bladder; disorder often caused by a temporary loss of muscle function.
Feedback
Process by which information output from a system returns to it.
Circadian rhythm
Repetition of certain physiological phenomena in a 24-hour cycle.
Pleural friction rub
Abnormal lung noise produced during inspiration by the friction between the inflamed visceral and parietal pleural sheets.
Roncus
Abnormal hoarse sounds perceived during lung auscultation; They are produced when air passes through airways with a high
mucus content.
Abnormal noises
Abnormal lung sounds perceived during auscultation.
Korotkoff noises
Noises heard when taking blood pressure using a sphygmomanometer and stethoscope.

Health
dynamic state in which the subject adapts to its internal and external environments, establishing a situation of physical, emotional,
intellectual, social and spiritual well-being.
Spiritual health
Awareness and receptivity in relation to a belief system, a supreme being or a god; transcendent presence within each person.
Family health
Determined by the effectiveness of the family structure, by the procedures the family uses to achieve its objectives and by internal
and external resources.
Oxygen saturation
Amount of hemoglobin fully saturated with oxygen, given as a percentage figure.
Tallow
Normal secretion of the sebaceous glands of the skin; When combined with sweat it forms a moist, oily, acidic film that prevents
the skin from drying out.
Segmentation
Alternating contraction and relaxation of the gastrointestinal mucosa.
Wheezing
Abnormal lung sounds originating from a narrowed bronchus.
Vital signs
Temperature, pulse, respiration and blood pressure.
Synapse
Region surrounding the point of contact between two neurons or between a neuron and an effector organ.
Systole
Contraction of the heart that directs blood to the aorta and pulmonary arteries. The beginning of systole coincides with the first
heart sound perceived by auscultation and with the apex beat, which is palpable.
Socialization
Process of development in a given culture and acquisition of the characteristics of a given group.
Solution
Mixture of one or more substances dissolved in another substance. The molecules of each of the substances are dispersed
homogeneously and do not undergo chemical changes. Solutions can be liquids, gases or solids.
Blew it
Abnormal sound or murmur perceived when listening to an organ, gland or artery.
Murmurs
Blowing or transit noises caused by alterations in blood flow through the heart or by abnormalities in the closure of the valves.
Sublingual
Route of drug administration, in which the drug is placed under the patient's tongue.
Dream
state characterized by reduced consciousness, decreased skeletal muscle activity, and depressed metabolism.
Supination
Hand position with palm facing down.

Tachycardia
Regular and fast heart rate ranging between 100 and 150 beats per minute.
tachypnea
Abnormally increased frequency of breathing.
Taxonomy
Classification system for nursing diagnoses into broad groups of human response patterns.
Temper
Characteristic or habitual inclination of the emotional response.
Tendons
Bright white bands of fibrous tissue that connect muscle to bone.
Thermoregulation
Internal control of body temperature.
Tinnitus
Ringing heard in one or both ears.
Tolerance
Point from which a person is not willing to accept pain of greater intensity or duration.
Muscular tone
Normal state of muscular tension in balance.
productive cough
Sudden expulsion of air from the lungs, which effectively eliminates sputum from the respiratory tract and helps clean the airways.

Assessment
First phase of nursing care; The activities that make up this first phase are data collection and its verification, classification and
documentation. The objective is to gather information to identify the health problem that arises.
Varicose veins
Alterations of the veins characterized by inflammation and irregularity of shape or course.
Vasoconstriction
Narrowing of the lumen of any blood vessel, especially the arterioles and veins of the blood reservoirs of the skin and abdominal
viscera.
Vasodilation
Increase in diameter of a vessel due to inhibition of its vasoconstrictor nerves or stimulation of dilators.
Ventilation
Respiratory process by which gases enter and leave the lungs.
Respiratory airways
Part of the pulmonary airways in which the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place.
Vibration
Gentle shaking pressure applied by hands on the chest wall only during expiration.
Stroke volume
Amount of blood expelled by the ventricles in each contraction.

Private zone
Personal space between the patient and the healthcare provider; 45 cm or less.
Social area
Distance maintained by members of a group when communicating with others; It is usually estimated to be approximately 1.20 to
3.5 m.