š§ 1. Nervous System
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Neuro/o | Nerve |
| Encephal/o | Brain |
| -algia | Pain (e.g., neuralgia = nerve pain) |
| -pathy | Disease (e.g., neuropathy = nerve disease) |
| Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA) | Stroke; disruption of blood supply to the brain |
| Seizure | Sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbance in the brain |
ā¤ļø 2. Cardiovascular System
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Cardi/o | Heart |
| Angi/o | Vessel |
| -sclerosis | Hardening (e.g., arteriosclerosis = artery hardening) |
| -megaly | Enlargement (e.g., cardiomegaly = enlarged heart) |
| Myocardial Infarction (MI) | Heart attack |
| Hypertension | High blood pressure (ā„ 140/90 mmHg) |
š« 3. Respiratory System
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Pulmon/o | Lung |
| Bronch/o | Bronchus |
| -pnea | Breathing (e.g., apnea = no breathing) |
| -thorax | Chest (e.g., pneumothorax = air in chest cavity) |
| Asthma | Chronic airway inflammation with wheezing |
| COPD | Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease; restricts airflow |
š 4. Digestive System
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Gastr/o | Stomach |
| Enter/o | Intestine |
| -emesis | Vomiting (e.g., hematemesis = vomiting blood) |
| -lith | Stone (e.g., cholelith = gallstone) |
| Gastroenteritis | Inflammation of stomach and intestines |
| GERD | Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease |
š§“ 5. Integumentary System (Skin)
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Dermat/o | Skin |
| Cutane/o | Skin |
| -osis | Abnormal condition (e.g., dermatosis) |
| -itis | Inflammation (e.g., dermatitis) |
| Melanoma | Skin cancer of melanocytes |
| Alopecia | Hair loss |
š¦“ 6. Musculoskeletal System
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Oste/o | Bone |
| Arthr/o | Joint |
| My/o | Muscle |
| -malacia | Softening (e.g., osteomalacia = bone softening) |
| Fracture | Broken bone |
| Arthritis | Joint inflammation |
š§ 7. Endocrine System
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Thyroid/o | Thyroid gland |
| Pancreat/o | Pancreas |
| -emia | Blood condition (e.g., hyperglycemia = high blood sugar) |
| Diabetes Mellitus | Disorder of insulin production/use |
| Hypothyroidism | Underactive thyroid function |
š©ø 8. Hematologic & Immune Systems
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Hemat/o | Blood |
| Leuk/o | White (often white blood cells) |
| -penia | Deficiency (e.g., leukopenia = low white cells) |
| -cyte | Cell (e.g., erythrocyte = red blood cell) |
| Anemia | Low red blood cells or hemoglobin |
| Leukemia | Cancer of white blood cells |
š§ Bonus: Word Building Tips
- Prefix + Word Root + Suffix = Medical Term
- Example: Hypo- (below) + glyc (sugar) + -emia (blood) = Hypoglycemia
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Apgar Score | A rapid assessment of a newbornās physical condition at 1 and 5 minutes after birth, scoring Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, and Respiration. |
| Antepartum | The period during pregnancy before the onset of labor. |
| Birth Plan | A written document in which a pregnant woman outlines her preferences for labor and delivery. |
| Colostrum | The first form of milk produced immediately following delivery, rich in antibodies and nutrients. |
| Contraction Stress Test (CST) | A test to evaluate fetal well-being during contractions, often used when fetal oxygenation is in question. |
| Eclampsia | A severe complication of preeclampsia characterized by seizures in a pregnant woman. |
| Fetal Heart Rate (FHR) | The number of heartbeats per minute of the fetus; monitored to assess fetal well-being. |
| Fundal Height | Measurement from the pubic bone to the top of the uterus (fundus) to assess fetal growth and gestational age. |
| Gestational Age | The age of the fetus or newborn, usually expressed in weeks from the first day of the motherās last menstrual period. |
| Kangaroo Care | Skin-to-skin contact between a newborn and a parent to promote bonding and regulate the baby’s body temperature. |
| Lochia | Vaginal discharge after childbirth, consisting of blood, mucus, and uterine tissue. |
| Neonatal Period | The first 28 days of life, a critical time for monitoring newborn adaptation and complications. |
| Preeclampsia | A pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure and signs of damage to other organ systems, often the liver and kidneys. |
| Postpartum | The period after childbirth when the mother’s body returns to a non-pregnant state. |
| Rooming-In | A hospital practice in which the newborn stays in the same room with the mother to promote bonding and breastfeeding. |
| SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) | The sudden, unexplained death of an apparently healthy infant, usually during sleep. |
| Teratogen | Any agent or substance that can cause birth defects or harm fetal development. |
| Tocolytics | Medications used to suppress premature labor by inhibiting uterine contractions. |
| Umbilical Cord Care | Practices to keep the stump clean and dry until it naturally falls off, preventing infection. |
| Vernix Caseosa | A white, cheesy substance that covers and protects the skin of the fetus in utero and is present at birth. |
| Well-Child Visit | Regular pediatric checkups that monitor growth, development, and provide vaccinations and health education. |
| Breastfeeding | Feeding an infant directly from the motherās breast, known for promoting immunity and bonding. |
| Developmental Milestones | Specific physical or behavioral signs of growth and development in children at expected ages. |
| Pediatric Dosage Calculation | Determining correct medication amounts for children based on weight or body surface area, to ensure safety. |
| Immunization Schedule | A chart or guideline outlining when children should receive specific vaccines to prevent disease. |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) | Basic self-care tasks such as bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, and mobility. |
| Assessment | The systematic collection of patient data to determine their current health status. |
| Asepsis | The absence of disease-causing microorganisms; practices that reduce infection risk. |
| Autonomy | The right of patients to make their own decisions about their care. |
| Care Plan | A written plan developed by the nurse that outlines individualized patient care goals and interventions. |
| Charting/Documentation | The process of recording patient care, observations, and treatments in a legal medical record. |
| Clinical Judgment | The application of knowledge and experience to make patient care decisions. |
| Critical Thinking | Purposeful, reflective thinking used to make sound clinical decisions. |
| Cultural Competence | The ability to understand and respect cultural differences in healthcare practices and beliefs. |
| Diagnosis (Nursing) | A clinical judgment about individual, family, or community responses to actual or potential health problems. |
| Ethics | Moral principles that govern nursing practice, including respect, fairness, and responsibility. |
| Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) | The integration of best current evidence with clinical expertise and patient values for optimal care. |
| Hygiene | Personal practices that contribute to cleanliness and health, such as bathing and oral care. |
| Infection Control | Procedures and practices used to prevent the spread of infections. |
| Intervention | Any action taken by a nurse to improve a patientās condition. |
| Licensure | Legal permission granted by a state board that allows nurses to practice. |
| Patient-Centered Care | Healthcare that respects and responds to individual patient preferences, needs, and values. |
| Prioritization | Determining the most important patient needs and addressing them first. |
| Professionalism | The conduct, behavior, and attitude of someone in a professional role. |
| Pulse Oximetry | A non-invasive method for measuring oxygen saturation levels in the blood. |
| Range of Motion (ROM) | The full movement potential of a joint, usually its range in degrees. |
| Scope of Practice | The procedures, actions, and processes that a nurse is legally permitted to perform. |
| Standard Precautions | Infection control practices applied to all patients, regardless of diagnosis. |
| Vital Signs | Basic indicators of body function: temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure. |
| Wellness | A dynamic state of health in which individuals make conscious choices toward a healthier life. |