100 Terms Every Nurse Should Know

No.	Term	Definition
1.	ABG	Arterial blood gas analysis of oxygenation and ventilation.
2.	ACE inhibitor	Antihypertensive drug class; reduces angiotensin II effects.
3.	Acidosis	Blood pH below normal; excess acid state.
4.	Acuity	Severity or urgency of a patient’s condition.
5.	Advance directive	Legal document stating healthcare wishes and surrogate.
6.	Aseptic technique	Methods preventing contamination by microorganisms during care.
7.	Aspiration	Inhalation of fluids or solids into airway.
8.	Atrial fibrillation	Irregular atrial rhythm increasing stroke risk.
9.	BGL	Blood glucose level measurement for glycemic control.
10.	BiPAP	Noninvasive ventilation with bilevel positive airway pressure.
11.	Blood culture	Test to detect bloodstream infection organisms.
12.	Bolus	Single, rapid dose of medication or fluid.
13.	Bradycardia	Heart rate slower than normal for age.
14.	Bronchodilator	Medication that relaxes airway smooth muscle.
15.	Capillary refill	Time for color return after blanching.
16.	Catheter-associated UTI	Urinary infection related to indwelling catheter use.
17.	CBC	Complete blood count measuring cells and indices.
18.	CHF	Congestive heart failure with fluid overload symptoms.
19.	CKD	Chronic kidney disease with reduced renal function.
20.	CLABSI	Central line–associated bloodstream infection.
21.	CNA	Certified nursing assistant providing basic patient care.
22.	Code blue	Hospital emergency for cardiopulmonary arrest response.
23.	Consent	Patient agreement after understanding risks, benefits, alternatives.
24.	Contact precautions	Isolation measures preventing spread via touch.
25.	COPD	Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with airflow limitation.
26.	CPR	Cardiopulmonary resuscitation to restore circulation and breathing.
27.	Creatinine	Kidney function marker; rises with impaired filtration.
28.	Culture and sensitivity	Identifies organism and effective antibiotics.
29.	CVC	Central venous catheter for access and monitoring.
30.	De-escalation	Techniques reducing agitation and preventing violence.
31.	Dehydration	Fluid deficit causing impaired perfusion and symptoms.
32.	Delirium	Acute fluctuating confusion and inattention.
33.	Diuresis	Increased urine production, often from diuretics.
34.	DNR	Do not resuscitate order limiting CPR interventions.
35.	Dressing change	Replacing wound covering using sterile or clean technique.
36.	DVT	Deep vein thrombosis; clot in deep veins.
37.	Dysphagia	Difficulty swallowing, increasing aspiration risk.
38.	ECG	Electrocardiogram recording electrical activity of heart.
39.	Edema	Swelling from excess fluid in tissues.
40.	EHR	Electronic health record for clinical documentation.
41.	Electrolytes	Ions essential for fluid balance and function.
42.	Endotracheal tube	Airway tube placed in trachea for ventilation.
43.	EOL care	End-of-life care focusing on comfort and goals.
44.	Epinephrine	Adrenergic drug used in anaphylaxis and arrest.
45.	Fall risk	Likelihood of patient falling; requires prevention measures.
46.	Fever	Elevated body temperature indicating possible infection.
47.	Foley catheter	Indwelling urinary catheter for continuous drainage.
48.	GCS	Glasgow Coma Scale assessing level of consciousness.
49.	GERD	Gastroesophageal reflux disease causing heartburn and regurgitation.
50.	GI bleed	Bleeding in gastrointestinal tract causing anemia or shock.
51.	Glasgow Coma Scale	Neurologic scale scoring eye, verbal, motor responses.
52.	Hand hygiene	Cleaning hands to prevent healthcare-associated infections.
53.	Handoff	Transfer of patient information between caregivers.
54.	Heparin	Anticoagulant medication preventing clot formation.
55.	Hip fracture precautions	Safety measures after hip injury or surgery.
56.	Hypoglycemia	Low blood glucose causing neuroglycopenic symptoms.
57.	Hypokalemia	Low potassium risking arrhythmias and weakness.
58.	Hypotension	Low blood pressure causing poor organ perfusion.
59.	I&O	Intake and output tracking for fluid balance.
60.	ICU	Intensive care unit for critically ill patients.
61.	Insulin	Hormone medication lowering blood glucose levels.
62.	Isolation	Practices separating patients to prevent infection spread.
63.	IV infiltration	IV fluid leaks into surrounding tissue.
64.	Kussmaul respirations	Deep rapid breathing seen in metabolic acidosis.
65.	KVO	Keep vein open; minimal IV infusion rate.
66.	Lab values	Test results guiding diagnosis and treatment decisions.
67.	Lactate	Marker of tissue hypoperfusion and sepsis severity.
68.	LPN/LVN	Licensed practical/vocational nurse providing nursing care.
69.	MASD	Moisture-associated skin damage from urine or stool.
70.	Medication reconciliation	Comparing medication lists to prevent errors.
71.	MI	Myocardial infarction; heart muscle ischemic injury.
72.	Morphine	Opioid analgesic for severe pain and dyspnea.
73.	MRSA	Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection risk.
74.	Na+	Sodium; key electrolyte for fluid and nerve function.
75.	Narcan	Naloxone reversing opioid overdose respiratory depression.
76.	Nasogastric tube	Tube to stomach for feeding or decompression.
77.	Nebulizer	Device delivering aerosolized medication to lungs.
78.	Neuro checks	Serial assessments of neurologic status and changes.
79.	NPO	Nothing by mouth; restrict oral intake.
80.	O2 saturation	Percentage hemoglobin saturated with oxygen.
81.	Orthostatic hypotension	BP drop on standing causing dizziness or falls.
82.	Osmolality	Solute concentration affecting fluid shifts.
83.	Pain scale	Tool rating pain intensity to guide treatment.
84.	Palliative care	Specialty care relieving symptoms and supporting goals.
85.	PCA	Patient-controlled analgesia pump for self-dosing opioids.
86.	PE	Pulmonary embolism; clot obstructing pulmonary artery.
87.	Phlebitis	Vein inflammation, often from IV irritation.
88.	PICC	Peripherally inserted central catheter for long-term access.
89.	Pneumonia	Lung infection causing cough, fever, hypoxia.
90.	PO	By mouth; oral administration route.
91.	PRN	As needed medication administration timing.
92.	QID	Four times daily medication schedule.
93.	QT prolongation	Extended ventricular repolarization increasing torsades risk.
94.	Rapid response	Team activated for acute clinical deterioration.
95.	Restraints	Devices limiting movement to prevent harm.
96.	SBAR	Situation-Background-Assessment-Recommendation communication framework.
97.	Sepsis	Life-threatening organ dysfunction from dysregulated infection response.
98.	Shock	Circulatory failure causing inadequate tissue perfusion.
99.	SpO2	Pulse oximetry estimate of oxygen saturation.
100.	Stroke	Acute neurologic deficit from ischemia or hemorrhage.