| ABO system | Blood grouping system based on antigens present on red blood cells and antibodies in the serum; the most important system for determining donor/recipient compatibility.
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| Active transport | Transport of solutes from an area of lower concentration across a membrane to an area of higher concentration; requires energy.
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| Airborne transmission | The method by which pathogens from a reservoir are spread by air currents and inhaled by a susceptible host.
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| Aldosterone | Hormone secreted by the adrenal glands that affects fluid balance by causing the retention of sodium when the circulating fluid is low, when the sodium level is low, or when the potassium level is high.
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| Amount to administer (A) | The volume of liquid that contains the desired dose.
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| Anaphylaxis | Life-threatening allergic reaction to a medication or other foreign substance; symptoms include fainting, itching, hives, hypotension, and severe respiratory distress.
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| Anesthetic cream | A solid medication applied to the skin prior to venipuncture that reduces the sensation on the skin, thus reducing the pain of needle insertion. One brand of anesthetic cream is EMLA.
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| Antecubital | The area on the arm inside the elbow; the site commonly used for phlebotomy.
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| Anticoagulants | Medications such as heparin and warfarin that affect the ability of the blood to clot.
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| Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) | Hormone secreted from the pituitary gland that regulates the retention of water.
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| Blanching | The whitish color that appears when pressure is applied to an area of the patient's skin.
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| Blood components | Products separated from a unit of whole blood, such as platelets and red blood cells.
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| Blood-borne pathogen | Microorganisms that are present in blood and cause disease in humans.
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| Bronchospasm | Constriction of the air passages, causing difficulty breathing.
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| Calibration factor (C) | The number of drops needed to deliver 1 mL of fluid through IV tubing; this number is based on the size or calibration of the tubing; also known as drop factor.
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| Cannula system | A venous access device in the form of a plastic tube, the lumen of which, during insertion, is usually occupied by a trocar (needle); once the tube is in place, the needle is removed and discarded.
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| Cannulation | The act of inserting a venous access device into a vein for intravenous therapy.
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| Capillary filtration | Type of fluid transport that forces fluid and solutes through the capillary wall pores from the intravascular fluid into the interstitial fluid.
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| Capillary reabsorption | Type of fluid transport that keep capillary filtration from removing an excess of intravascular fluid.
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| Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) | An agency of the U.S. government that protects the health and safety of individuals through prevention and control of infectious and chronic disease, injuries, workplace hazards, disabilities, and environmental health threats.
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| Central IV therapy | Infusions of fluids or medications directly into a larger vein such as the superior vena cava.
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| Central venous line | A small, flexible plastic tube, called a catheter, inserted into the large vein above the heart through which access to the bloodstream can be made; these catheters can be left in place for many weeks to months; also known as a central line.
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| Chain of infection | A group of six steps that must take place for an infection to occur: reservoir, infectious agent, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, and susceptible host.
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| Compatibility | The ability for solutions or medications to be mixed and administered without an undesirable chemical or physical change occurring and without loss of therapeutic effect.
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| Contact transmission | The method by which pathogens are spread through either direct or indirect contact between the reservoir and a susceptible host.
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| Desired dose (D) | The amount of drug to be given at a single time.
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| Diffusion | A passive process that moves solutes from an area of higher concentration across a membrane to an area of lower concentration.
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| Dosage unit (Q) | The unit by which the drug will be measured when administered.
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| Dose on hand (H) | The amount of drug contained in each dosage unit.
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| Drop factor | The number of drops needed to deliver 1 mL of fluid through IV tubing; this number is based on the size or calibration of the tubing; also known as calibration factor.
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| Droplet transmission | Method by which pathogens are spread from the reservoir to the susceptible host through beads of moisture containing the pathogen, such as from a sneeze.
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| Ecchymosis | Bruise; black-and-blue discoloration of the skin due to blood leaking into the tissues from injured vessels.
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| Electrolytes | Substances that detach into electrically charged particles or ions that conduct electricity necessary for normal cell function.
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| Electronic flow control device | Any type of IV regulator that uses power to control or regulate the flow of IV fluids.
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| EMLA | Brand name of an anesthetic cream made by AstraZeneca that reduces the pain of needlestick procedures.
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| Erythema | Redness of the skin resulting from inflammation.
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| Extension tubing | Tubing added to the primary administration set to provide additional length or medications.
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| Extracellular fluid (ECF) | Fluids outside the cells.
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| Extravasation | The inadvertent infiltration of necrotizing or vesicant (blister-producing) solutions or medications into surrounding tissue.
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| Flash | The appearance of blood in the venous access device once successful cannulation has occurred.
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| gtt/min | Drops per minute; the flow rate value for manually controlled IV infusions.
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| Hematoma | A localized accumulation of partially clotted blood outside a blood vessel.
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| Hemolytic reaction | Blood transfusion reaction caused by a donor/recipient incompatibility.
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| Heparin flush | An injection of a diluted solution of the anticoagulant medication heparin that prevents clotting and keeps any IV access device open and flowing freely.
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| High-alert medication | Medication that can cause significant patient harm if used incorrectly.
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| Hypersensitivity reaction | Allergic reaction; response of the immune system to a medication, solution, or other substance. The reaction may range from a simple rash to anaphylaxis.
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| Hypertonic solutions | Solutions that draw fluids from cells and tissues across the cell membrane into the bloodstream; an example is 3% normal saline.
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| Hypotonic solutions | Fluids that move across the cell membrane into surrounding cells and tissues; examples are 0.45% normal saline and 0.3% normal saline.
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| Incompatibility | A chemical, physical, or therapeutic change that occurs when two or more medication or solutions are mixed.
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| Infectious agent | Pathogen or microorganism that can cause an infection.
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| Infiltration | The inadvertent administration of a nonvesicant (non-blister-causing) solution or medication into surrounding tissues; occurs when the tip of the IV catheter withdraws from the vein or pokes through the vein.
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| Infusion pump | Electronically controlled device that provides precise control over the rate of an IV infusion.
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| Injection cap | A cap placed on the end of a peripheral access device that allows for intermittent IV therapy; also known as a PRN adaptor.
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| Intake and output (I&O) | A measurement of all the fluids that a patient receives and loses. Examples of intake are oral fluids, fluids from IV infusions, fluids from tube feedings, and any nutrient that is liquid at room temperature. Examples of output are urine, wound suctioning or drainage, and diarrhea.
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| Intake and output (I&O) record | An area of the medication record that is used to document the patient's intake and output.
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| Intermittent peripheral infusion device | An IV access site used to administer medications or fluids on a schedule; also known as a saline or heparin lock.
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| Interstitial fluid (ISF) | Fluid that surrounds the cells
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| Intracellular fluid (ICF) | Fluid inside the cells.
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| Intravascular fluid | The fluid in blood; blood plasma.
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| Intravenous (IV) | Within a vein.
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| Isolation precautions | Steps taken to prevent the spread of infection; some examples are separating the infected patient from others and using personal protective equipment.
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| Isotonic solutions | Fluids that do not affect the fluid balance of the surrounding cells or tissues; examples are normal saline and lactated ringers.
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| IV absorbed | Total amount of fluid absorbed by a patient during a shift. This amount is recorded on the intake and output record.
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| IV flow sheet | An electronic or written record of the amount and type of IV fluid a patient is receiving; also known as an IV administration record, or IV record.
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| IV to be absorbed (TBA) | Amount of fluid left in the solution container at the time the fluid balance record is totaled.
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| IVPB | Intravenous piggyback; the administration of IV medications or fluids through a secondary line.
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| Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) | A quality oversight body for health care organizations and managed care in the United States.
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| Lumen | The open space in the center of the tube of the catheter.
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| Macrodrip | A type of IV tubing that usually delivers 10 gtt/mL, 15 gtt/mL, or 20 gtt/mL.
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| Maintenance fluids | IV fluids that are used to maintain the balance of fluids and electrolytes in patients.
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| MAR | Abbreviation for medication administration record; a written or electronic record of the medications that a patient is receiving.
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| Mastectomy | Surgical removal of the breast, usually to treat breast cancer.
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| Microdrip | A type of IV tubing that usually delivers 60 gtt/mL.
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| Midline catheter | Any catheter placed between the antecubital area and the head of the clavicle.
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| Milliliter (mL) | A unit of measure in the metric system; used to measure the volume of fluid infused during IV therapy.
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| mL/h | Milliliters per hour; the flow rate value for most electronically controlled IV infusions.
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| Mode of transmission | Method by which a pathogen is spread.
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| National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) | A division of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that conducts research and makes recommendations for the prevention of workrelated injury and illness.
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| Needleless systems | IV or phlebotomy systems designed without the need for needles.
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| Needlestick injuries | Injuries caused by a needle or IV catheter that pierces the skin.
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| Nosocomial infection | An infection that a patient acquires in a health care facility.
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| Occupation Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) | A division of the U.S. Department of Labor that helps to prevent work-related injuries by coordinating with employers and employees to create a better working environment.
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| Osmolarity | Concentration of a solution; determines the direction of fluid shift between the extracellular and intracellular compartments.
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| Osmosis | The transport of fluid across the cell membrane that is dependent on the concentration of solutes in the fluid compartments and stops when the concentrations on both sides of the membrane are equal.
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| Palpate | To examine by touch; to feel.
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| Parenteral nutrition | The IV infusion of nutrients including amino acids, dextrose, fat, electrolytes, vitamins, and trace elements.
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| Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump | An electronic device that allows patients to control their own pain medication within limits preset according to the physician's order.
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| Peripheral IV therapy | The introduction of fluids through a catheter into a vein other than those found in the chest or abdomen; used for short-term therapy.
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| Peripheral vein | Any vein that is not located on the trunk, head, or neck.
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| Personal protective equipment | Equipment designed to protect the user, such as masks, gloves, and gowns.
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| Phlebitis | Irritation and inflammation of the vein caused by mechanical, chemical, or bacterial injury.
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| Plasma | Fluid portion of the blood.
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| Plasma expanders | IV fluids that act to expand the intravascular space.
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| Portal of entry | The method by which a pathogen enters a susceptible host.
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| Portal of exit | The method by which a pathogen leaves the reservoir.
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| Precipitate | A solid substance separated from a solution; sediment.
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| Primary administration set | The main tube for an IV infusion that includes a drip chamber, sterile tube, regulator, and connectors.
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| PRN adaptor | A cap placed on the end of a peripheral access device that allows for intermittent IV therapy; also known as an injection cap.
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| Rate controller | A type of electronic infusion device that relies on gravity to infuse the solutions, but no clamp is used to adjust the flow rate.
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| Rehydration | Treatment for fluid loss with IV fluids; also known as fluid replacement.
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| Replacement fluids | Fluids that replace electrolytes or fluids lost from dehydration, hemorrhage, vomiting, or diarrhea.
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| Reservoir | The site at which a pathogen grows and multiplies.
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| Rh system | Blood typing system based on inherited antigens found on the surface of red blood cells; the second most important system for determining blood donor/recipient compatibility.
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| Safe-needle devices | Needles or IV catheters that have safety mechanisms designed to blunt or cover the point.
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| Saline flush | An injection of saline to flush the intermittent IV line.
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| Secondary administration set | A small-volume fluid container and administration set used to introduce medication to a patient who has a primary IV in place; also known as a piggyback.
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| Sepsis | Life-threatening condition as a result of a localized infection; marked by fever, elevated white blood cell count, tachypnea, and tachycardia.
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| Skin turgor | Elastic properties of the skin, reflecting the body fluid status.
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| Solutes | Dissolved substances; examples are electrolytes and proteins.
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| Standard Precautions | Procedures, used with all patients, that are designed to prevent the spread of infection.
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| Stopcock | A device attached to an IV line that allows for more than one IV fluid to flow into a single IV access device.
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| Susceptible host | Any person at risk for infection.
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| Syringe pump | An electronic IV controller used to administer and control smaller amounts of medications.
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| Trocar | The needle inside a cannula used for IV access.
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| Urometer | A specialized urine collection bag with a flow meter.
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| Valves | Structures within the vein that are necessary to keep blood flowing toward the heart and that also allow blood to flow against the force of gravity.
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| Venipuncture | Puncture of a vein with a needle.
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| Vesicant | A medication or agent that produces blisters.
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| Virulence | The ability of a pathogen to cause disease.
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| Volume-control sets | Devices used to improve the accuracy of fluid infusion, especially for small volumes of medication or fluid.
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| Y set | An IV administration set used for blood transfusions. It is equipped with two short tubes above the drip chamber. One tube is connected to a fluid container of normal saline; the other is connected to the blood. This set typically contains a micron filter.
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