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6.6: Key Terms

  • Page ID
    111192
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    bedside assessment
    systematic exam of all patient body systems
    body language
    type of nonverbal communication based on physical movement and expression
    chief complaint
    reason the patient is currently seeking care
    comprehensive physical assessment
    detailed, inclusive assessment of body systems to provide a big-picture, broad view of a patient’s overall health
    constitutional
    relating to the whole body
    focused assessment
    physical examination centered on a patient’s chief complaint
    intuition
    “sixth-sense” of knowing that largely comes from years of education and problem-solving in real-world patient situations
    medication reconciliation
    process of reviewing a patient’s medications listed in their medical record and comparing that list to what the patient is actually currently taking at home
    negative
    used to note when signs or symptoms in a system are absent
    nonverbal communication
    physical movements or motions, including body language, that convey thoughts, attitudes, and sentiments
    patient-centered
    decisions made with respect for the patient’s interests, needs, culture, values, and preferences
    PERRLA
    eye assessment that determines if pupils are equal, round, reactive to light and accommodation
    poikilothermia
    inability to regulate core temperature
    positive
    used to note when signs or symptoms in a system are present
    professional boundary
    clear separation between personal and work life when interacting with patients
    verbal communication
    spoken word, in whatever language the patient can best communicate and understand
    visual communication
    strategies like return demonstration that can confirm a patient’s understanding
    written communication
    reinforcement of verbal information given to the patient in a format they can read

    This page titled 6.6: Key Terms is shared under a CC BY 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by OpenStax.

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