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Medical-Surgical Nursing

Key Terms

Medical-Surgical NursingKey Terms
advance directive
document that allows a patient to convey, in writing, their wishes for care if they are unable to advocate for themselves due to a medical condition
certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA)
advanced practice RN who has received special training to administer anesthesia
detoxification
withdrawal from substance
incentive spirometer
tool used for breathing exercises to promote lung function
malignant hyperthermia
serious genetic condition that causes a life-threatening elevation of body temperature and muscle spasms, among other severe symptoms
morbidity
illness measured in prevalence or incidence within a population
mortality
death measured within a population expressed as a ratio
NPO
nothing by mouth
preoperative phase
begins when the decision is made to proceed with a surgery or procedure and ends when the patient arrives in the operating room
sentinel event
unexpected event that leads to serious patient harm or death
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