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Medical-Surgical Nursing

Key Terms

Medical-Surgical NursingKey Terms
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adaptive equipment
medical equipment, such as hearing aids or cochlear implants, used to help those with disabilities adapt to full function
ambulatory services
health-care services provided on an outpatient basis, wherein a patient receives care without needing hospital admission for an extended stay
assistive device
type of medical equipment, such as a cane or wheelchair, used to make activities of daily living easier
community-based care
holistic approach that considers the emotional, physical, social, and environmental factors that impact an individual’s health
continuity of care
seamless communication between health-care professionals when a patient is transferring to a new setting
discharge planning
organized process designed to facilitate a safe transition for patients from health-care facilities, like hospitals or rehabilitation centers, back into their own home or a care setting of choice
hospice
service that provides care for patients at the end of life
individualized care plan
outline of a personalized health-care plan
Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility Patient Assessment Instrument (IRF-PAI)
assessment instrument that IRF providers use to collect patient assessment data for quality measure calculation and payment determination in accordance with the IRF Quality Reporting Program
instrumental activity of daily living (IADL)
task that contributes to an individual’s overall well-being and independence but that are more complicated than ADLs
medication regimen
list of all medications the patient is currently taking
neuropsychologist
medical specialist who diagnoses and treats cognitive and behavioral issues related to brain injuries or neurological conditions
occupational health
field of health care focused on improving and protecting employees in their place of work
orthotist
specialist who designs, fabricates, and fits orthotic devices to improve patients’ mobility and functionality
physiatrist
medical doctor specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation
prosthetist
specialist who designs, fabricates, and fits prosthetic devices to improve patients’ mobility and functionality
rehabilitative nursing
recovery and strengthening phase of nursing that helps a patient begin to recover from acute illness, injury, or hospitalization
transitional care
change from one patient setting to another outside of a hospital setting
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