II Glossary
Anesthesia: Medications used to reduce or temporarily eliminate sensory perception; commonly referred to as “negative sensation.” (Chapter 2.2)
Atelectasis: Collapse of lung tissue. (Chapter 2.3)
Cardiovascular surgery: Surgery involving the heart and blood vessels; often performed to treat heart conditions or improve blood flow. (Chapter 2.2)
Child life specialists: Members of the health care team who work with children and their families to provide education and preparation during hospitalization. (Chapter 2.3)
Conscious sedation: A state where the client remains conscious but deeply relaxed and pain-free; also known as “moderate sedation” or “twilight anesthesia.” (Chapter 2.2)
Cosmetic surgery: Surgery performed primarily to enhance or alter a person’s appearance. (Chapter 2.2)
Curative surgery: Surgery performed to remove or treat the cause of a disease, providing a cure or permanent resolution. (Chapter 2.2)
Cyanosis: Bluish skin discoloration. (Chapter 2.5)
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT): The formation of a blood clot (thrombus) in a deep vein, usually in the legs. (Chapter 2.3)
Dehiscence: The separation of surgical wound edges, exposing underlying tissues. (Chapter 2.5)
Diagnostic surgery: Surgery performed to obtain a definitive diagnosis or to assess the extent of a disease or condition. (Chapter 2.2)
Dyspnea: Shortness of breath. (Chapter 2.5)
Embolism: A blockage in a blood vessel caused by a dislodged clot or foreign material, often in the lungs (pulmonary embolism). (Chapter 2.5)
Emergency department surgical setting: Urgent or emergency surgeries that are necessary to address critical conditions or life-threatening situations. (Chapter 2.2)
Epidural blocks: A procedure involving injection of an anesthetic agent into the epidural space; often used for vaginal, perineal, hip, and lower extremity surgeries. (Chapter 2.2)
Evisceration: The protrusion of internal organs through a dehisced surgical incision site. (Chapter 2.5)
Expected outcomes: Statements of measurable action for the client within a specific time frame that are responsive to nursing interventions. (Chapter 2.3)
Exploratory surgery: Surgery performed to visualize and inspect internal organs and structures to diagnose or assess health conditions. (Chapter 2.2)
Field blocks: A series of local anesthetic injections around the operative field. (Chapter 2.2)
General anesthesia: The use of medications to induce a state of unconsciousness and loss of sensation throughout the entire body. (Chapter 2.2)
Hemoptysis: Coughing up blood. (Chapter 2.5)
Hemorrhage: Excessive bleeding at the surgical site due to blood vessel damage or clotting abnormalities. (Chapter 2.5)
Informed consent: An active, shared decision-making process between the health care provider and the recipient of care, empowering clients to participate in decisions about their treatment and surgical procedures. (Chapter 2.2)
Inpatient setting: Surgery requiring the client to be admitted to the hospital eith