| 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 patient’s 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. |
