TL;DR
Browse 302 key terms across 9 healthcare and trades certification exams. Each entry includes a definition, why it matters for your exam, and links to practice questions.
By Valenke Exam Prep Team·Last updated 2026-06-02
Certification Exam Glossary
302 terms across healthcare and trades certifications
A
- Advance Directives— Legal documents specifying healthcare preferences and designating a decision-maker if the patient becomes unable to comm…
- Airway Management— Techniques for patent airway: head-tilt chin-lift, jaw thrust, OPA, NPA, suctioning, BVM ventilation.
- Allergic Reactions and Anaphylaxis— Immune responses from mild urticaria to anaphylaxis (airway compromise, hypotension) requiring epinephrine.
- Altered Mental Status— Deviation from normal consciousness assessed by AVPU and GCS, with AEIOU-TIPS differential.
- Advanced Airway Management— Paramedic-level: ETT intubation, supraglottic airways, RSI, and cricothyrotomy.
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)— Algorithms for cardiac arrest (VF/pVT, PEA, asystole), bradycardia, tachycardia, and post-arrest care.
- Appointment Scheduling— Patient appointment organization using wave, modified wave, double-booking, cluster, or open-hours methods.
- Abuse Reporting— Legal obligation to recognize and report abuse, neglect, and exploitation of vulnerable populations.
- Aspiration Precautions— Preventing airway entry: upright positioning, diet modification, and controlled feeding technique.
- Ambulation Assistance— Helping patients walk safely with gait belts and assistive devices (walkers, canes, crutches).
- Autoclave Operation— Steam sterilization in clinical settings: loading, cycle selection, indicator verification.
- Auxiliary Labels— Warning labels: Take with Food, May Cause Drowsiness, Do Not Crush, Refrigerate.
- AED Operation— Power on, apply pads, analyze rhythm, shock if advised, resume CPR.
- Ampere Interrupting Capacity (AIC)— Maximum fault current a protective device can safely interrupt without destruction. Must equal or exceed available fault…
- Alligation Method— Mathematical method for calculating proportions when mixing two different concentrations to achieve a desired intermedia…
- Activated Charcoal— Adsorbent given orally for certain ingested poisons to prevent GI absorption. Contraindicated if altered consciousness o…
B
- Body Temperature— A vital sign measuring core heat, normally 97.8–99.1°F orally, via oral, tympanic, temporal, axillary, or rectal routes.
- Blood Pressure— Force of blood against arterial walls, measured in mmHg as systolic/diastolic. Normal: <120/80.
- Branch Circuits— Circuit conductors between the final overcurrent device and outlet(s), classified by OCPD rating: 15A, 20A, 30A, 40A, 50…
- Box Fill Calculations— NEC Article 314 calculations for minimum box volume based on conductors, devices, and fittings.
- Business Management (Electrical)— Business aspects: estimating, bidding, permits, inspections, safety, and supervision.
- Burn Management— Burn assessment: BSA (Rule of Nines), depth classification, airway management, fluid resuscitation.
- Body Systems (Anatomy & Physiology)— The 11 organ systems: integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular, lymphatic, respiratory, dig…
- Brand and Generic Drug Names— Two naming systems: generic (USAN Council) and brand (manufacturer). Example: acetaminophen / Tylenol.
- Body Mechanics— Coordinated use of alignment, balance, and movement to prevent musculoskeletal injury during lifting.
- Bed Bath— Complete bathing of immobile patients, systematically from cleanest to dirtiest areas at 105-110 degrees F.
- Bag-Valve-Mask (BVM) Ventilation— Manual ventilation delivering 100% O2. Proper seal and tidal volume (visible chest rise).
- Beyond-Use Dating (BUD)— Date after which a compounded preparation should not be used, per USP guidelines.
- Blood Glucose Monitoring— Point-of-care glucometer testing. Normal fasting: 70-110 mg/dL.
- Behavioral Emergencies— Psychiatric crises: suicidal ideation, psychosis, excited delirium, requiring de-escalation.
- Bowel Elimination— Assisting with bedpans, commodes, and toileting. Monitoring bowel patterns and reporting abnormalities.
- Back Table Setup— Organizing sterile instruments and supplies on the back table in a logical, consistent arrangement for efficient retriev…
- Braden Scale— Pressure injury risk assessment tool scoring sensory perception, moisture, activity, mobility, nutrition, and friction/s…
C
- Conductor Ampacity— Maximum continuous current a conductor can carry without exceeding its temperature rating, per NEC Table 310.16.
- Conduit Fill— NEC raceway fill limits: 53% for 1 wire, 31% for 2 wires, 40% for 3+ wires (Chapter 9, Table 1).
- Current (Amperage)— Flow of electrical charge through a conductor, measured in amperes (A).
- CPR and AED— Chest compressions and ventilations during cardiac arrest combined with defibrillation.
- Cardiac Assessment— Systematic cardiovascular evaluation: pulse, BP, skin signs, capillary refill, and cardiac emergency recognition.
- Capnography (ETCO2)— Continuous end-tidal CO2 measurement for ETT confirmation, ventilation monitoring, and CPR quality. Normal: 35-45 mmHg.
- Cardiac Dysrhythmias— Abnormal rhythms from impulse formation or conduction disturbances: sinus, atrial, junctional, ventricular.
- CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure)— Non-invasive ventilation for pulmonary edema, COPD exacerbation, and respiratory distress.
- Cardioversion and Defibrillation— Defibrillation (unsynchronized for VF/pVT) and cardioversion (synchronized for unstable tachycardias).
- Cultural Sensitivity— Awareness and respect for cultural differences in healthcare beliefs, practices, and communication.
- Clinical Nutrition— Dietary assessment, therapeutic diets, supplementation, and diet-disease relationships.
- Catheter Care— Indwelling urinary catheter maintenance: perineal cleansing, tubing management, drainage monitoring.
- Cricothyrotomy— Surgical airway through cricothyroid membrane when all other methods fail.
- Cardiac Medications (Paramedic)— Epinephrine, amiodarone, lidocaine, atropine, adenosine, dopamine, vasopressin.
- Crew Resource Management (CRM)— Team communication strategies: closed-loop, cross-checking, and escalation protocols.
- Capillary Puncture— Skin puncture using lancet on fingertip (adults) or heel (infants) for point-of-care testing.
- CPT Codes— Five-digit codes for medical procedures: E/M codes, surgical codes, and modifiers.
- Controlled Substance Ordering— DEA Form 222 for Schedule II and CSOS for electronic ordering.
- Chest Injuries— Rib fractures, flail chest, pneumothorax, hemothorax, open pneumothorax, cardiac tamponade.
- Chain of Infection— Six links required for disease transmission: infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, transmission mode, portal of e…
D
- Diabetic Emergencies— Hypoglycemia (<60 mg/dL) and hyperglycemia/DKA (>300 mg/dL with acidosis).
- Dosage Calculations— D/H × Q formula, weight-based dosing (mg/kg), and metric/household/apothecary conversions.
- Drug Classifications— Medication categories by mechanism, therapeutic effect, or chemical structure.
- Drug Side Effects and Adverse Reactions— Unintended effects from common (nausea, dizziness) to serious (anaphylaxis, hepatotoxicity, QT prolongation).
- Dosage Forms— Physical medication forms: tablets, capsules, solutions, suspensions, ointments, patches, suppositories, inhalants.
- DEA Controlled Substance Schedules— Five-tier classification: I (heroin), II (oxycodone), III (testosterone), IV (benzodiazepines), V (codeine cough preps).
- Drug Storage and Stability— Maintaining integrity: room temp 20-25°C, refrigerator 2-8°C, freezer -25 to -10°C, light protection, beyond-use dating.
- Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Orders— Physician order not to perform CPR if heart stops or breathing ceases.
- Delegation in Healthcare— Transfer of task responsibility from licensed nurse to CNA following the five rights of delegation.
- Documentation (CNA)— Recording observations, care provided, vital signs, I&O, and status changes accurately and promptly.
- Demand Factors— NEC Article 220 multipliers accounting for non-simultaneous load operation.
- Drug Interactions— Pharmacological interactions: additive, synergistic, antagonistic, and potentiation effects.
- Drug Recall Classes— FDA: Class I (serious/death), Class II (temporary adverse), Class III (unlikely adverse).
- Denture Care— Cleaning and storing removable dental prostheses: brush with denture cleaner, rinse, store in labeled cup with water.
- Dementia Care— Specialized care for residents with Alzheimer's and other dementias: consistent routines, redirection, validation, safe …
- Drowning— Respiratory impairment from submersion/immersion in liquid. Focus on early ventilation, not water removal from lungs.
- Days Supply Calculation— Determining how long a dispensed quantity will last based on the sig code: quantity / (dose x frequency).
- Dressing Changes— Wound dressing application and removal following sterile or clean technique based on wound type and physician orders.
- Dilution Calculations— C1V1 = C2V2 formula for determining volumes needed when diluting concentrated solutions to desired concentrations.
E
- Emergency Electrical Systems— NEC Article 700 systems providing power during normal power loss for life safety.
- Environmental Emergencies— Conditions from exposure: hypothermia, heat stroke, drowning, altitude illness, bites/stings.
- Endocrine Emergencies— Acute hormone imbalance: DKA, HHS, hypoglycemia, thyroid storm, myxedema coma, adrenal crisis.
- Electrocardiogram (EKG/ECG)— Non-invasive recording of heart electrical activity showing P waves, QRS complexes, and T waves.
- Ergonomics— Designing workspaces and tasks to fit the worker, reducing musculoskeletal injury risk.
- End-of-Life Care— Providing comfort, dignity, and emotional support during the dying process.
- Electrical Safety (OSHA/NFPA 70E)— Lockout/tagout, arc flash protection, approach boundaries, and PPE requirements.
- Epinephrine Auto-Injector— Pre-filled IM device for anaphylaxis. Administered to lateral thigh.
- EMS Documentation— Patient care reports for legal and clinical continuity.
- Electrical Formulas— Essential equations: Ohm's law, Watt's law, voltage divider, current divider, and power factor calculations.
- Emergency Moves— Patient movement techniques used when immediate danger exists: clothes drag, blanket drag, firefighter carry, and shield…
- Electronic Prescribing— Digital transmission of prescriptions from prescriber to pharmacy, including EPCS (Electronic Prescribing for Controlled…
- Elastic Bandage Application— Wrapping technique for sprains, strains, and edema: distal to proximal, overlapping 50%, checking circulation.
F
- Fractions and Decimals— Numerical representations of parts of a whole essential for measurement and calculation in the trades.
- Fire Alarm Systems— Detection and notification systems per NEC Article 760.
- Fault Current (Short Circuit)— Abnormally high current from unintended low-resistance path, requiring properly rated protective devices.
- FDA REMS Programs— Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies for high-risk medications: prescriber certification, registries, restricted di…
- Fall Prevention— Measures to reduce falls: environmental modifications, risk assessment, and mobility aids.
- Fever (Pyrexia)— Temperature above 100.4°F (38°C) from infection, inflammation, or tissue injury.
- Fire Safety— RACE (Rescue, Alarm, Contain, Extinguish) and PASS (Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep) mnemonics.
- Fluid Resuscitation— IV crystalloids (NS, LR) to restore intravascular volume in shock, dehydration, and burns.
- Feeder Circuits— Conductors between the service equipment and the final branch circuit overcurrent device, sized per NEC Article 215.
G
- Grounding and Bonding— Grounding connects systems to earth for voltage stabilization. Bonding connects metallic parts for electrical continuity…
- Geriatric Considerations— Age-related changes affecting assessment and treatment: reduced renal function, polypharmacy, altered pain perception.
- Gowning and Gloving— Open gloving, closed gloving, and assisted gloving procedures for sterile surgical attire.
- GFCI and AFCI Protection— Ground-fault (5 mA trip) and arc-fault circuit interrupters for personnel and fire protection.
- Garbing Procedures— PPE sequence for sterile compounding per USP 797.
- Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)— Neurological scoring: eye opening (1-4), verbal (1-5), motor (1-6). Total 3-15.
- Good Samaritan Laws— Legal protection for voluntary emergency care given in good faith without compensation.
- Generic Substitution— Dispensing a generic equivalent when a brand-name drug is prescribed, permitted by state law unless prescriber indicates…
H
- HIPAA— The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act — federal law protecting patient health information privacy and …
- Hand Hygiene— The practice of cleaning hands to remove pathogens, using soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub, to prevent healthcar…
- Hemostasis— Stopping bleeding during surgery through mechanical (clamping, ligation), thermal (electrosurgery), and chemical (topica…
- Hazardous (Classified) Locations— Areas with flammable gases, vapors, dusts, or fibers creating fire/explosion hazards (NEC Articles 500-516).
- HVAC Electrical Systems— NEC Article 440: conductor sizing, disconnects, and MCA vs. MOP on equipment nameplates.
- Hemorrhage Control— Stopping life-threatening bleeding: direct pressure, wound packing, tourniquet, hemostatic agents.
- Hematology Basics— Blood components and tests: CBC, hemoglobin, hematocrit, WBC differential, platelet count, coagulation studies.
- High-Alert Medications— Medications with heightened harm risk (ISMP): anticoagulants, insulins, opioids, neuromuscular blockers, concentrated el…
- Hypothermia— Core temperature below 95°F (35°C) from cold exposure causing shivering, confusion, and dysrhythmias.
- Hypertension— Persistently elevated BP above 130/80 mmHg. Major risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease.
- Hypotension— Systolic BP below 90 mmHg indicating shock, dehydration, hemorrhage, or cardiac failure.
- Head and Spine Injuries— Concussion, intracranial hemorrhage, vertebral fractures, spinal cord injury. Cushing triad = increased ICP.
- Hospice Care— Palliative approach focused on comfort, dignity, and quality of life for terminally ill patients with prognosis of 6 mon…
- Heat Emergencies— Heat cramps, heat exhaustion (cool/moist skin, normal/low BP), and heat stroke (hot/dry skin, altered mental status).
I
- Infection Control— Practices and procedures used to prevent the spread of infectious agents in healthcare settings, including hand hygiene,…
- IV and IO Access— Vascular access: peripheral IV cannulation and intraosseous needle insertion into bone marrow.
- Injection Techniques— Parenteral routes: intradermal (15°), subcutaneous (45°), intramuscular (90°) with specific site selection.
- Informed Consent— Voluntary agreement to treatment after receiving information about nature, risks, benefits, alternatives, and refusal co…
- Infection Control in Pharmacy— Contamination prevention during medication preparation: hand hygiene, cleanroom protocols, aseptic technique.
- Instrument Passing Techniques— Transferring instruments handle-first for immediate surgeon use without looking away from the field.
- Intake and Output (I&O)— Measurement of all fluids consumed and excreted to monitor fluid balance.
- Intubation Confirmation— ETT verification: waveform capnography (gold standard), clinical assessment, tube visualization.
- Insurance Terminology— Premium, deductible, copay, coinsurance, EOB, prior authorization, formulary, appeals.
- ICD-10 Codes— Alphanumeric diagnosis codes required on all insurance claims.
- IV Flow Rate Calculations— gtts/min = (volume x drop factor) / time. Drop factors: 10, 15, 20, 60 gtts/mL.
- Implied Consent— Legal doctrine allowing treatment of unconscious patients based on assumed consent to life-saving care.
- Isolation Precautions— Room-level infection control: private room, signage, dedicated equipment, and visitor instructions for contact/droplet/a…
L
- Load Calculations— Determining total electrical demand using NEC Article 220 standard and optional methods to size service and feeders.
- Law and Ethics in Healthcare— Legal framework (malpractice, negligence, respondeat superior) and ethical principles (autonomy, beneficence, nonmalefic…
- Laboratory Safety— PPE, chemical handling, biohazard disposal, SDS/MSDS, and spill management per OSHA.
- Laminar Airflow Hoods— ISO Class 5 air for sterile compounding: LAFW for non-hazardous, BSC for hazardous drugs.
- Look-Alike Sound-Alike (LASA) Drugs— Medications with similar names causing dispensing confusion: metFORMIN vs. metroNIDAZOLE.
- Laser Safety in Surgery— Operating room laser precautions: eye protection, fire prevention, smoke evacuation, and controlled access per ANSI stan…
- Levels of Disinfection— High-level (kills all except some spores), intermediate (kills most), and low-level (kills some vegetative bacteria) dis…
M
- Motors and Motor Circuits— NEC Article 430: conductor sizing at 125% FLC, overcurrent protection, disconnects, and controllers.
- Medical Terminology— Standardized terms from Greek/Latin roots, prefixes, and suffixes for anatomy, pathology, and procedures.
- Medical Records and Documentation— SOAP notes, progress notes, problem lists, and medication records following legal/regulatory standards.
- Medical Billing and Coding— Translating services into CPT (procedures), ICD-10 (diagnoses), and HCPCS (supplies) codes for reimbursement.
- Mental Health Observations— Observing, documenting, and reporting changes in mental status, mood, behavior, and cognition.
- Microbiology for Surgical Technology— Microorganisms relevant to surgery: bacteria, viruses, fungi, prions.
- Medical Direction— Physician oversight: online (real-time) and offline (standing orders/protocols) direction.
- Musculoskeletal Injuries— Fractures, dislocations, sprains, and strains requiring assessment, splinting, and neurovascular checks.
- Medical Asepsis (Clean Technique)— Practices reducing pathogen numbers — distinguished from surgical asepsis (sterile technique).
- Multifamily Dwelling Calculations— Apartment building load calculations using standard or optional method per NEC Article 220.
- Mechanism of Injury (MOI)— Forces causing injury (blunt or penetrating) used to predict injury patterns and guide assessment.
- Medication Math (Paramedic)— Concentration/volume, drip rate (gtts/min), weight-based dosing, and infusion rate conversions.
- Medical Math Basics— Metric conversions, household measures, Roman numerals, temperature conversions.
- Medical Abbreviations— Standard healthcare abbreviations: BID, TID, QID, PRN, NPO, ADL, ROM, VS, I&O, and Joint Commission prohibited abbreviat…
- Mayo Stand Setup— Arranging frequently used instruments on the Mayo stand in order of anticipated use, positioned over the patient for imm…
- Medication Errors— Any preventable event causing inappropriate medication use or patient harm. Root cause analysis and prevention strategie…
- Medication Reconciliation— Process of comparing patient medication lists across care transitions to identify discrepancies and prevent errors.
N
- Number Series— Sequences following mathematical patterns where you identify the rule and determine the next number(s).
- National Electrical Code (NEC)— NFPA 70 — the standard for safe electrical installation in the United States, updated every three years.
- Needle Chest Decompression— Emergency procedure for tension pneumothorax: large-bore needle at 2nd ICS midclavicular or 4th/5th ICS anterior axillar…
- Nutrition and Hydration— Adequate food and fluid provision: special diets, intake monitoring, feeding assistance, malnutrition/dehydration recogn…
- NM Cable (Romex)— Non-metallic sheathed cable for residential wiring per NEC Article 334. Not permitted in commercial construction.
- Nitroglycerin (EMT)— Sublingual vasodilator for chest pain. EMT assists with patient's prescribed NTG. Contraindicated if SBP<100.
- Nasal Cannula— Low-flow O2: 1-6 LPM delivering 24-44% FiO2 for mild hypoxemia.
- Non-Rebreather Mask (NRB)— High-flow O2: 10-15 LPM delivering 60-90% FiO2 with reservoir bag.
- Negligence— Failure to act with reasonable care: duty, breach, causation, damages.
- Nail Care— Trimming and cleaning fingernails and toenails. CNAs may not trim diabetic patients' nails in most states.
- Neonatal Resuscitation— Newborn assessment and interventions: drying, warming, stimulating, suctioning, and ventilation if needed.
- Naloxone (Narcan)— Opioid antagonist reversing respiratory depression and sedation from opioid overdose. May require repeat dosing.
- Non-Sterile Compounding— Preparation of oral, topical, and rectal medications from bulk ingredients per USP 795 standards.
- NEC Definitions (Article 100)— Standardized electrical definitions: accessible, bonding, grounded conductor, service, feeder, branch circuit, and dwell…
O
- Ohm's Law— Fundamental electrical relationship: voltage (E) = current (I) × resistance (R).
- Overcurrent Protection— Fuses and circuit breakers that interrupt excessive current to prevent overheating, insulation damage, and fire.
- Oxygen Therapy— Supplemental oxygen via nasal cannula (1-6 LPM) or non-rebreather mask (10-15 LPM).
- Obstetric Emergencies— Pregnancy emergencies: imminent delivery, breech, prolapsed cord, postpartum hemorrhage, preeclampsia.
- Operating Room Turnover— Cleaning, restocking, and preparing OR between cases.
- Oral Care— Assistance with teeth brushing, denture care, and mouth assessment to prevent aspiration pneumonia.
- Oxygen Safety— Precautions: no flames, no petroleum products, proper tank storage, flow rate verification.
- OPA and NPA Airways— Oropharyngeal (unconscious, no gag) and nasopharyngeal (semi-conscious) adjunct airways.
- Oxygen Delivery Devices— Range of devices: nasal cannula, simple mask, partial rebreather, non-rebreather, Venturi mask, and BVM.
- Outside Branch Circuits and Feeders— NEC Article 225 requirements for outdoor wiring: clearances, supports, disconnects, and conductor protection.
- OPQRST Pain Assessment— Onset, Provocation/palliation, Quality, Radiation, Severity (1-10), Time. Systematic pain history framework.
- Oral Glucose— Glucose paste administered by EMTs for conscious hypoglycemic patients with intact gag reflex.
- OSHA Compliance in Healthcare— Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards: bloodborne pathogens, hazard communication, and workplace safet…
P
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)— Barriers worn by healthcare workers to protect against exposure to infectious agents, including gloves, gowns, masks, fa…
- PEMDAS (Order of Operations)— Mathematical evaluation rule: Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication/Division (left to right), Addition/Subtraction (lef…
- Pediatric Assessment— Age-specific assessment using the Pediatric Assessment Triangle (appearance, work of breathing, circulation).
- Pharmacology (Paramedic)— Drug mechanisms, classifications, dosages, routes, interactions, and side effects for prehospital medications.
- Pain Management (Paramedic)— Prehospital pain treatment: fentanyl, morphine, ketamine, ketorolac.
- Phlebotomy— Drawing blood via venipuncture or capillary puncture following proper order of draw.
- Pharmacology (Medical Assistant)— Drug classifications, mechanisms, dosage calculations, administration routes, and side effects in ambulatory care.
- Patient Confidentiality— Ethical and legal obligation to protect patient health information, governed by HIPAA.
- Pharmacy Law and Regulations— Federal/state laws: FDCA, Controlled Substances Act, Poison Prevention Packaging Act, DSCSA, HIPAA.
- Pharmacy Calculations— Dilution/concentration, ratio/proportion, percent solutions, IV flow rates, days supply, and business math.
- Pharmacy Compounding— Preparing customized medications by combining or altering ingredients for patient-specific needs.
- Pharmacy Inventory Management— Ordering, receiving, storing, tracking medications: formulary, reorder points, drug recall procedures.
- Patient Positioning— Placing patients in specific positions for comfort, safety, procedures, or complication prevention.
- Pressure Ulcers— Localized injuries from sustained pressure over bony prominences. Staged 1-4, unstageable, and DTPI.
- Patient Identification— Verification using at least two identifiers before any procedure, medication, or specimen collection.
- Pulse Oximetry— Non-invasive SpO2 measurement. Normal 95–100%. Below 94% requires intervention.
- Personal Hygiene Care— Assistance with bathing, oral care, hair care, nail care, shaving, and perineal care.
- Pathophysiology— Functional changes from disease/injury bridging normal physiology and clinical presentation.
- Perineal Care— Cleaning the perineal area front to back to prevent infection and skin breakdown.
- Patient Assessment Sequence— Scene safety, primary survey (ABCs), secondary survey, vital signs, SAMPLE history.
- Patient Education— Teaching patients using appropriate language, teach-back method, and written materials.
- Patient Refusal— Competent patient right to refuse care, requiring documented informed refusal with risks explained.
- POLST/MOLST Forms— Portable physician orders for life-sustaining treatment recognized across care settings.
- Primary Survey (ABCDE)— Rapid assessment: Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability (neuro), Exposure. Identifies and treats life threats immed…
- Poisoning— Exposure to toxic substances via ingestion, inhalation, injection, or absorption. Treatment based on substance and route…
- Pediatric Drug Dosing— Weight-based medication calculations using Broselow tape or actual weight in kg. Doses differ significantly from adult d…
- Pediatric Vital Signs (MA)— Age-specific normal ranges: higher heart and respiratory rates, lower blood pressure in younger children.
- Pharmacy Ethics— Professional standards: patient welfare, confidentiality, accuracy, professional competence, and reporting impaired prac…
- Pharmacy Workflow— Sequential steps: receive, enter, clinical review, fill, verify, dispense. Each step has specific verification requireme…
- Pediatric Airway Differences— Anatomical differences: proportionally larger tongue, higher/anterior larynx, shorter trachea, and smaller airway diamet…
- Patient Assistance Programs— Manufacturer and foundation programs providing medications at reduced or no cost for eligible patients.
Q
R
- Resident Rights— Legal protections for long-term care residents under OBRA: dignity, privacy, autonomy, and freedom from abuse.
- Reading Comprehension— The ability to read written passages, identify main ideas, draw inferences, and determine word meaning from context.
- Resistance— Opposition to current flow in ohms (Ω). Determined by material, cross-section, length, and temperature.
- Rapid Sequence Intubation (RSI)— Pharmacologically facilitated intubation with sedative and paralytic for optimal conditions.
- Restorative Care— Nursing approach maintaining/improving function through consistent reinforcement of rehabilitation goals.
- Respiratory Rate— Breaths per minute, normally 12–20 in adults, counted without patient awareness.
- Range of Motion (ROM) Exercises— Joint exercises: active (patient), passive (caregiver), and active-assistive.
- Raceway Systems— Enclosed conductor channels: EMT, IMC, RMC, PVC, FMC, wireways, cable trays.
- Respiratory Emergencies— Asthma, COPD, pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, and pneumothorax causing breathing difficulty.
- Respiratory Medications— Albuterol, ipratropium, magnesium sulfate, epinephrine for bronchospasm.
- Receptacle Requirements— NEC Article 210 rules for receptacle placement, spacing, and type based on location and circuit rating.
- Referral Management— Coordinating specialty referrals: obtaining authorization, scheduling, transmitting records, and follow-up.
S
- Standard Precautions— Infection control practices applied to all patients regardless of diagnosis, treating all blood and body fluids as poten…
- Sterile Technique— Practices eliminating all microorganisms from surgical areas to prevent surgical site infections.
- Surgical Instruments— Specialized operative tools categorized by function: cutting, clamping, grasping, retracting, and suturing.
- Surgical Counts— Systematic counting of sponges, instruments, sharps, and miscellaneous items to prevent retained surgical items.
- Sterilization— Complete destruction of all microbial life including bacterial spores through physical or chemical methods.
- Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Systems— Systems converting sunlight to DC electricity per NEC Article 690.
- Service Entrance Equipment— Conductors, metering, main disconnect, and OCPD connecting utility to building per NEC Article 230.
- Swimming Pools and Similar Installations— NEC Article 680: bonding, GFCI protection, and clearance requirements for wet locations.
- Signs, Outline Lighting, and Marquees— NEC Article 600: grounding, disconnects, GFCI, and wiring for electric signs.
- Shock (Hypoperfusion)— Inadequate tissue perfusion: hypovolemic, cardiogenic, distributive, or obstructive.
- Spinal Motion Restriction— Minimizing spinal movement using cervical collars and controlled movement based on mechanism and clinical findings.
- Scene Safety and BSI— First priority at every EMS call: hazard assessment and appropriate PPE before patient contact.
- Stroke (CVA)— Acute brain blood supply disruption (ischemic or hemorrhagic) assessed by Cincinnati Stroke Scale.
- Sepsis— Life-threatening organ dysfunction from infection. qSOFA: altered mental status, RR≥22, SBP≤100.
- Sig Codes (Prescription Abbreviations)— Latin-based abbreviations: PO (by mouth), BID (twice daily), QHS (at bedtime), PRN (as needed), QID (four times daily).
- Scope of Practice— Legally defined activities a healthcare professional is authorized to perform.
- Specimen Handling— Proper collection, identification, containment, and transfer of surgical/clinical specimens.
- Surgical Skin Preparation— Antiseptic preparation of surgical site to reduce microbial count and SSI risk.
- Skin Assessment— Systematic inspection of color, temperature, turgor, moisture, integrity, lesions, and wounds.
- Safety Measures in Healthcare— Fire safety (RACE/PASS), oxygen safety, electrical safety, and chemical safety.
- Surgical Safety Checklist— WHO three-phase verification (Sign In, Time Out, Sign Out) to prevent surgical errors.
- Surgical Anatomy— Anatomical structures for surgical access: tissue layers, vasculature, nerve pathways, organ relationships.
- Surgical Pharmacology— Intraoperative medications: anesthetics, antibiotics, hemostatic agents, irrigating solutions, contrast media.
- Surgical Supply Management— Ordering, stocking, and managing supplies: case carts, preference cards, par levels.
- SBAR Communication— Structured handoff: Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation.
- Surgical Draping— Sterile drapes creating the surgical field: square draping or fenestrated techniques.
- Surgical Positions— Operating positions with specific risks: supine, prone, lateral, lithotomy, Trendelenburg.
- Suture Materials— Classification by absorbability, structure, material, and USP size system.
- Surgical Retractors— Instruments for tissue exposure: handheld (manual) or self-retaining (independent).
- Spaulding Classification— Processing framework: critical (sterilize), semi-critical (high-level disinfect), non-critical (low-level disinfect).
- SAMPLE History— Signs/symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Pertinent past history, Last oral intake, Events leading up.
- Splinting— Immobilization of suspected fractures/dislocations. Immobilize joints above and below, check PMS before and after.
- Suctioning— Mechanical airway clearance using rigid (Yankauer) or flexible catheters. Maximum 15 seconds.
- Supraglottic Airways— Blind insertion devices (King LT, i-gel) sitting above the glottis without laryngoscopy.
- Sedation and Analgesia— Midazolam, ketamine for procedural sedation and agitation management.
- Spirometry— Pulmonary function test measuring FEV1 and FVC to diagnose/monitor respiratory conditions.
- Seven Rights of Medication Administration— Right patient, drug, dose, route, time, documentation, and reason.
- Sharps Safety in Surgery— Safe handling of scalpels, needles, and other sharp instruments: neutral zone technique, loaded needle counting, and bla…
- Series and Parallel Circuits— Circuit configurations: series (same current, voltages add) and parallel (same voltage, currents add), and combination c…
- Scene Size-Up— Initial scene evaluation: safety, MOI/NOI, number of patients, additional resources needed, and C-spine consideration.
- Seizures— Abnormal electrical activity in the brain causing involuntary movement, altered consciousness, or both. Status epileptic…
- STEMI Recognition— ST elevation in 2+ contiguous leads indicating acute myocardial infarction requiring emergent reperfusion therapy.
T
- Transformers— Electromagnetic devices that step voltage up or down per NEC Article 450.
- Trauma Assessment— Systematic exam using DCAP-BTLS (Deformities, Contusions, Abrasions, Penetrations, Burns, Tenderness, Lacerations, Swell…
- Triage— Patient prioritization using START (Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment) when resources are insufficient.
- Therapeutic Communication— Purposeful techniques for trust, information gathering, and emotional support.
- Toxicology (EMS)— Poisoning and overdose management: substance identification, antidotes, decontamination.
- Types of Anesthesia— General (unconsciousness), regional (nerve blocks, spinal, epidural), and local anesthesia.
- Three-Phase Power— AC power through three conductors 120 degrees apart for efficient commercial/industrial delivery.
- Transformer Sizing— Calculating kVA rating and overcurrent protection per NEC Article 450.
- Tourniquet Application— Hemorrhage control device applied 2-3 inches proximal to wound when direct pressure fails.
- Transcutaneous Pacing— External cardiac pacing for symptomatic bradycardia unresponsive to atropine.
- Tall Man Lettering— ISMP uppercase differentiation: hydrOXYzine vs. hydrALAZINE, predniSONE vs. prednisoLONE.
- Therapeutic Equivalence— FDA Orange Book determination that a generic is bioequivalent and substitutable for the brand.
- Tap Rules— NEC 240.21 provisions allowing conductors to be tapped from a feeder without overcurrent protection at the tap point und…
- Telephone Triage— Screening patient calls to determine urgency: emergency (call 911), urgent (same-day appointment), or routine (scheduled…
U
- Urinalysis— Urine analysis: physical (color, clarity), chemical (dipstick), and microscopic (cells, casts, crystals, bacteria).
- USP 797 (Sterile Compounding)— Standards for compounded sterile preparations: cleanroom requirements, garbing, beyond-use dating, environmental monitor…
- USP 800 (Hazardous Drug Handling)— Standards for safe hazardous drug handling: receiving, storage, compounding, administration, disposal.
- Urinary Elimination— Assisting with urinals, bedpans, and toileting. Measuring and documenting urinary output.
V
- Vital Signs— Measurable indicators of essential body functions including temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, and oxygen …
- Voltage Drop— Reduction in voltage across a conductor due to resistance. NEC recommends 3% branch / 5% total.
- Voltage (Electromotive Force)— Electrical pressure driving current flow, measured in volts (V).
- Venipuncture— Blood collection using Vacutainer system following order of draw and proper site selection.
- Vaccine Administration— Immunization delivery following CDC schedules: cold chain, reconstitution, administration, documentation.
- Vasopressors— Medications increasing blood pressure: norepinephrine, dopamine, phenylephrine, and vasopressin for refractory hypotensi…
W
- Word Problems— Mathematical problems in narrative text requiring translation into equations and solving.
- Wiring Methods— Approved conductor installation methods: cable types (NM, MC, AC) and raceway types (EMT, IMC, RMC, PVC, FMC) per NEC Ch…
- Welders (Electric)— NEC Article 630: conductor sizing, overcurrent protection, and disconnects for welding equipment.
- Watt's Law (Power Formula)— P = E × I. Combined with Ohm's law, produces 12 formulas for voltage, current, resistance, and power.
- Wound Care— Assessment, cleaning, and management of lacerations, abrasions, punctures, and surgical incisions.
- Wound Closure— Tissue edge approximation using sutures, staples, adhesives, or steri-strips.
- Wheelchair Transfer— Safe bed-to-wheelchair movement using gait belt, body mechanics, and locked brakes.
- Wound Healing Phases— Inflammatory (0-3 days), proliferative (3-21 days), and maturation/remodeling (21 days to 2 years).
- Wire Sizing— Conductor selection based on ampacity, voltage drop, and derating factors per NEC Table 310.16.
- Working Space Requirements— NEC Article 110 clearances: depth, width, height, illumination, and dedicated space for equipment.