Glossary

This means that your loved one has become well enough to move to a lower level of care where they will not be monitored as closely. This may be to a medical/surgical unit or to a progressive care unit​.

Nothing by mouth. This means the patient cannot eat or drink.

This is an emergency situation where nurses and doctors must revive a patient, such as when the patient’s heart stops beating, or they are unable to breathe on their own.

Also called a Vent. A machine that attaches to a tube in the patient’s throat to help them breathe.

A flexible tube that drains urine from the patient’s bladder into a bag.

Insertion of a tube, called an endotracheal tube, through the mouth or trachea to the lungs to help with breathing.

A breathing tube that is inserted into the mouth or trachea to help with breathing.

A tube that is inserted into the neck so that the patient can breathe from there. Sometimes something is blocking the airway higher up or the breathing tube has been in too long and the patient needs longer-term breathing support.

Removal of a tube or endotracheal tube.

Small tube that is inserted through the nose or mouth and ends with the tip in the stomach. Can be used for feeding or suction.​

Small yellow tube inserted through the nose to the duodenum (lower part of the stomach) used for patient feeding.

A catheter inserted into an artery. Used for monitoring of blood pressure and to obtain samples for arterial blood gas labs.

The medical team presents information about the patient to other members of the medical team involved in the patient’s care. This is where the team can discuss care and treatments with one another, as well as the family. These happen every morning and we invite you to ask questions to the doctors at this time.

This is the head physician. He/she has completed all medical training and leads the team.

A physician who has completed residency, and is further specializing in an area.

A physician who is completing their residency, or first training experience, as a doctor that has just graduated from med school.

A healthcare provider who is not a physician but who performs medical activities typically performed by a physician. These could be physician’s assistants or nurse practitioners.

This occurs when a nurse hands over patient care to another nurse. This usually occurs 2 times a day, at 7am and 7pm.

Arterial blood gas. Tells the blood levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide within the arteries.

Emergency situation requiring insertion of an endotracheal tube through the mouth or trachea to provide a way for the patient to breath.

May also be called charge nurse, coordinates nursing care for the unit and also a resource for nurses.

White sleeves that wrap around the legs and inflate with air to improve blood flow in the legs helping to prevent blood clots

Walking

Washing the genitals and buttocks.

Chlorhexidine or CHG is a special soap that disinfects and helps prevent infections. We use this soap for daily bed baths.

A test that produces images of structures inside of the body

A series of X-ray images that provide more detailed information than an X-ray.

Large tube-shaped machine that produces detailed pictures of organs and tissues within the body.

Test detects electrical activity in the brain by placing lots of electrodes on the skin of the head

Uses sensors that attach to the chest and sometimes the arms and legs to detect the electrical activity of the heart.

This is when the patient is relaxed or sleepy because of a medication. ​There are 3 levels of sedation

• Minimal Sedation: The patient is able to respond normally when you speak to them. If they are on minimal sedation, but cannot respond, it could mean they have some brain or physical impairment.
• Moderate Sedation: The patient is able to respond to verbal commands alone or accompanied by light touch. 
• Deep Sedation: Patient cannot be easily awakened. They respond to painful stimulation. Often require assistance with breathing.

This is the liquid that provides nutrition that is delivered to the patient’s stomach through a tube in their nose or mouth, or a tube placed through the abdomen and directly into the stomach.

This is nutrition in liquid form that is given through an IV. It is often used when the stomach isn’t working properly and the patient can’t eat.