Key Terms
Always ask
Is this a medical task? If yes — PCA cannot do it.
Adaptive equipment
Devices that assist movement (walkers, wheelchairs, canes, prosthetics)
Activities of daily living (ADLs)
Basic self-care tasks (toileting, bathing, dressing, eating)
Ambulation
Walking Care plan: prescribed treatments and services a patient will receive Chronic condition: ongoing, long-term healt
Intravenous (IV)
Within or into a vein Liability: legal responsibility for harm caused to a patient Mechanical diet: food modified in tex
Medicare
Federal insurance; covers people 65+, kidney failure, certain disabilities; intermittent home care only
Progressive
A condition that gets worse over time Prognosis: expected course or outcome of a disease Proper body mechanics: correct
Respite
Relief from caregiving; emotional and physical break for family caretakers
Scope of practice
Tasks a health care worker is legally allowed to perform Terminal illness: illness that cannot be cured Thickened liquid
Transferring
Moving a patient from one position or surface to another
Vital signs
Measurable indicators of health — blood pressure, pulse, respiration rate, temperature