GLOSSARY OF FREQUENTLY USED TERMS
A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - X - Y - Z
A
Abdominal Binders
A wide belt placed snugly around the abdomen to prevent the decrease in blood pressure that happens in orthostatic hypotension.
Acute Care
A level of medical care that requires frequent monitoring and treatment.
Alignment
The natural position of the spinal bones.
Analgesics
Medications that relieve pain.
Antibiotics
Medications that fight infection.
Arterial/Arteries
Refers to blood vessels that circulate oxygen-rich blood to the body.
Arterial lines/Art line
A line placed into an artery. These lines are used to monitor blood pressures and to take blood samples.
Atrophy
Decrease in muscle mass, due to either non-use or loss of innervation of muscles.
Autonomic Dysreflexia
Exaggerated responses to an irritant by the nervous system, resulting in a sudden rise in blood pressure. It is associated with sweating, nasal stuffiness, headaches and a slow pulse. Common sources of irritation can be a full bladder or distended bowel. Immediate attention is required.
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Bedside Spirometry
The use of an instrument to measure the volume of air inhaled (breathed in) or exhaled (breathed out). Several tests that determine lung volume and capacity are used throughout the acute phase of injury.
Bladder Routine
A program to train the bladder to hold and empty urine on a regular schedule.
Blood Gases/ABG's
Analysis of oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in a sample of blood from an artery. This test is done frequently in critical care to assess respiratory and basic metabolic function.
Bowel
The portion of the digestive system where waste materials (feces) are collected for elimination.
Bowel Routine
A procedure using several drugs - such as mild laxatives and stool softeners - to help the bowel empty on a regular schedule.
Braden scale
A scale used by care providers to determine risk of skin breakdown.
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Catheter
A tube that varies in size depending on its purpose. Some catheters are used to deliver fluids to the body, such as intravenous fluids, medications, blood and tube feedings. Other catheters remove fluid from the body such as secretions, fluids, blood and urine.
Collars/Braces
Special devices for maintaining alignment and immobilization.
Communication Devices
When a person is unable to speak, this equipment helps care providers and others understand the person's needs by using a choice of pictures or a special alphabet board.
Complete Injury
No movement or sensation below the level of injury.
Condom Catheter
Use of a condom connected to a plastic tube that directs the flow of urine into a special bag.
Contracture
A shortening and tightening of muscle fibers that interferes with the full range of motion in a joint.
Cork/Corked/Uncorking
As breathing improves, a small device (a cork) is used to cover the opening created by the tracheostomy tube.
C Spine X-rays
X-rays (diagnostic images) that can show fractures and dislocations of the bones in the cervical spine (the neck).
Critical Care/ICU/Intensive Care Unit
Usually a separate patient care unit where the degree of care requires one nurse for every one or two patients or for every two patients.
CT Scan/Computed Tomography
An image created by a computer combining multiple x-ray images to show cross-sections at various levels. This test can reveal bone and many soft tissue structures.
Culture and Sensitivity/C&S
Tests to determine the presence of bacteria in samples of urine, blood, sputum or other materials and to check which antibiotics the bacteria may respond to. Final results can take several days.
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Decreased Level of Consciousness
Decreased responsiveness to sensory stimuli such as sound, touch and pain and a decreased level of awareness of one's surroundings.
Deep Vein Thrombosis/DVT
A blood clot in a vein (most often a leg) as a complication of decreased venous blood flow. Prevention measures include elastic stockings, range of motion exercises, and specific medications.
Diagnosis
Name or label given to a medical condition.
Diaphragm
A sheet of muscle in the lower chest involved in the work of breathing.
Disimpaction
A manual method for removing feces (stool) from the rectum, the external opening of the lower bowel.
Discs
Cushions of cartilage, located between the vertebrae.
Dislocation
Bones that are shifted or displaced from the normal position.
Dopplers
The use of ultrasound to measure the flow in a blood vessel and detect any changes.
Drug/Medication/Medicine
Interchangeable words to indicate preparations used to prevent or treat specific problems. They may be given: intravenously; by injection (a needle into the skin or muscle); injected into the feeding tube; taken by mouth; applied to the skin surface; or, by suppository in the rectum.
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Edema
Swelling caused by the accumulation of fluids in tissues.
Elastic Stockings
Tight elastic stockings with open toes, used to increase venous return. Also called Anti-embolic Stockings or TEDs.
Endotracheal tube
A tube that is used to keep the airway open or patent. It may be inserted through the mouth or the nose.
Evoked Potential Test
The use of electrical stimuli to measure the ability of nerves and the spinal cord to conduct an electrical impulse.
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Feces/stool
Bodily waste, usually formed, but may be loose.
Flaccid
Ability of the muscle fibers to shorten or tighten is impaired because the muscle is not innervated. The muscle is limp or weak.
Fracture
Cracked or broken bone.
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Gastrostomy Tube/G-tube/PEG
A tube that is surgically inserted through the abdomen into the stomach or intestine for delivering liquid nutrition.
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Halo Apparatus
A device to maintain alignment and immobilize the cervical spine (neck). It is composed of a metal ring, posts, and a lined plastic chest brace.
Hyperesthesia
Very unpleasant, exaggerated response to touch associated with nerve root irritation, often described as burning.
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Immobilize
Use of many kinds of equipment (halo apparatus, collars, braces, splints) or specific surgeries to prevent movement in a fractured or unstable area and, to allow for undisturbed healing.
Impair
Affect, lessen, diminish.
Incomplete Injury
Presence of some movement and/or sensation below the level of injury.
Innervated/Innervation
Served by an intact nerve path.
Intercostal muscles
Small muscles located between each rib. Lesions above T7 paralyze intercostal function and decrease the ability to cough or deep breathe.
Intermittent Catheterization
A method for emptying the bladder using a special catheter, usually done on a regular schedule. Sometimes called IC's or Cath's.
Intravenous lines/IV lines
A means for delivering fluids and some medications directly into the bloodstream through the veins.
Intubated
A term used to describe the use of an endotracheal tube to keep the airway open. Because the tube passes through the vocal cords, it is impossible to speak while the tube is in place.
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Lesion
A term to indicate an area of injury.
Lift
A piece of equipment that is used to move a person from one place to another, such as bed to chair. In the hospital, the term Hoyer lift is used to indicate a specific kind of equipment. In rehabilitation, a lift can also refer to equipment used to move a person using a wheelchair into a motor vehicle.
Ligaments
Bands of fibrous tissue which hold the vertebrae in place. They can be stretched by force and allow the vertebrae to slip out of place, causing injury to the cord.
Log roll
A method for ensuring alignment when changing the position of a person with a suspected spinal cord injury. Log rolling requires the help of several people.
Lower motor
Injury at T12 or below results in flaccid paralysis and non-reflexive bladder, or surgery.
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Monitors
Different kinds of equipment that indicate changes in vital functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels.
Motor fibres
Nerve fibres associated with movement.
MRI/Magnetic Resonance Image
A special imaging technique, using a magnetic field, that shows internal structures of the body including soft tissues.
Mucous Plugs
Thick mucous and dry air can cause an area in the lungs to become temporarily blocked.
Muscle Tone
Degree of flacidity or spasticity in a muscle.
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Nasogastric tube/NG tube
A thin plastic tube that is inserted through the nose and goes to the stomach. When it is attached to suction, it can be used to draw up secretions and gas to relieve abdominal pressure. It can also deliver medicines and liquid feedings directly to the stomach (see tube feeding).
Neurological
Pertaining to the central nervous system.
Neurological Vital Signs
Indicators of the state of the central nervous system, which include verbal responses, eye opening, type and strength of motor responses, as well as measurements of blood pressure, heart rate, breathing and temperature.
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Orthostatic Hypotension
A drop in blood pressure resulting in mild to severe dizziness that can happen with a change in position from lying to sitting. The dizziness results from decreased circulation to the brain because blood pools in the abdomen and legs.
Oxygen Saturation/O2 Sats
A frequent monitoring of the amount of oxygen carried in the blood. The aim is to maintain levels above 90%.
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Paraplegia
An injury to the cord at the thoracic level or lower. Depending on location, this injury can impair some functions in the trunk, legs, bladder, bowels and sexual function.
Paresthesia
Abnormal sensations such as pins and needles caused by nerve irritation in an incomplete injury.
Patent
Patent means open, for example a patent or open airway.
Pneumonia
Secretions and bacteria can lodge in the lungs, causing an infection and requiring treatment with antibiotics.
Post-Voiding Residuals
A test to determine how much urine is left in the bladder after voiding.
Pressure Sore/Decubitus Ulcers
An area of redness on the skin surface that, if ignored or untreated can quickly progress from skin breakdown to a deep wound.
Primary Nurse
A nurse who is involved in care planning with each patient throughout their hospital stay. The primary nurse may also provide direct care.
Processes
Finger-like parts of the vertebra that protrude (stick out) from the rounded part or body of each vertebra. Each vertebra has 7 processes.
Proprioception
The ability to sense the position of any part of the body without looking at it, for example, to sense if a toe is pointing up or down.
Pt/Ptt
A blood test used to determine clotting time. Used when medication that alters clotting time is administered.
Pulmonary
Pertains to the lungs and breathing functions.
Pulmonary Embolus (PE)
A blood clot that travels from another location and lodges in a pulmonary artery in the lungs. It is characterized by sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, and a rapid heart rate.
Pulmonary Function Tests
Tests used to determine how well the whole breathing system is working. First, the physical ability to move air in and out of the lungs. Second, the ability to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide within the deep structures of the lungs (the tiny blood vessels and air sacs).
Pulmonary Hygiene
A routine that includes coughing and deep breathing to maintain clean, clear lungs.
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Reduction
The process of pulling bones back into the correct alignment using weights.
Reflex Arc
Refers to a response to an intact sensory/motor arc that does not require messages to go to the brain for the action to happen, for example: bladder contraction.
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Secretions
Mucous and body fluids.
Skin Breakdown
Some of the effects of spinal cord injury leave skin vulnerable to injury from friction and pressure over bony areas. Preventive care includes regular hygiene (cleaning), regular inspection, and frequent shifting of position to relieve pressure.
Special beds/Therapeutic beds
Beds that use advanced technology to help prevent skin breakdown and increase comfort. They are mainly used in acute care.
Suctioning
The process of clearing mucous and secretions from the lungs by inserting a long catheter, connected to a vacuum, to draw up the secretions.
Sphincter
A circular muscle that controls openings. There are sphincter muscles in the stomach, bowel and bladder.
Spinal Cord
A thin, soft and delicate tube of nerve cells and fibres that extends from the brain to the low back and carries messages between the brain and the body. The cord runs through a canal, created by a central opening in each vertebra.
Spinal Cord Testing
A systematic approach to testing movement and sensation to determine the extent of injury. This is done very frequently right after the injury and after any surgery. The frequency of testing decreases as the situation becomes stable.
Spinal Shock
Occurs immediately following SCI, and lasts from hours to months. It is recognized by flaccid (limp) paralysis caused by a loss of reflex activity below the level of the lesion, and low blood pressure and pulse rate.
Spine
A flexible column of 33 vertebrae (bones) stacked one upon another, that extends from the base of the skull to the tailbone. The spine provides support and stability for the body.
Splints
Devices used to support, protect, or immobilize functioning muscles in the limbs.
Steroids
Medications given in the early hours after injury to limit spinal cord swelling.
Surgeries/Operations
The use of surgery varies with each hospital and the specialty of your physician. If you need surgery, your consent must be obtained. Obtaining consent requires your doctor to name the surgery, explain the risks and benefits and answer your questions.
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Tracheostomy tube
A small plastic or metal tube inserted into a surgical opening in the trachea (windpipe) to maintain an open airway. Once in place, the term 'trached' is used to describe this method of managing the airway.
Traction/Tongs, Pulleys, Weights
Temporary devices used to obtain and maintain neck bone alignment.
Transfers
The act of moving sideways from one sitting place to another, as from a bed to a chair. Often a smooth board is used to make the slide easier.
Tube Feeding
A system for delivering liquid nutrition directly to the stomach.
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Unconscious
Inability to respond to sensory stimuli.
Upper Motor Neuron Lesion
Injury at T12 or above will result in spasticity and reflex bladder, bowel and sexual functioning.
Ureters
Tubes within the urinary tract that connect each kidney to the bladder.
Urethra
The internal tube that connects the bladder with the urinary meatus (opening to the outside of the body). A sphincter muscle is located here.
Urinary Reflux
Back flow of urine.
Urinary Tract Infection/UTI
An infection that develops within the urinary tract and may affect the bladder, ureters and urethra.
Urodynamics
A series of tests that measure the flow of urine within the urinary tract, from kidneys, to bladder, to ureters, to elimination.
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Venous/Veins
Refers to blood vessels that return oxygen-poor blood to the heart and lungs to be re-oxygenated.
Ventilator/Respirator
A machine that assists with breathing. Initially, by providing air at a set volume, rate and pressure referred to as the 'settings'. Settings will change with progress. The ventilator is connected to the endotracheal tube or the tracheostomy tube by a long flexible tube.
Vertebrae
The 33 bones that form the spinal column and protect the spinal cord. There are 7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar and 5 sacral and the 4 coccyx.
Voiding
Passing urine.
Volume Augmentation or Stacked Breaths
A method for increasing lung volumes that is practiced as part of a daily routine.
VQ Scan
A nuclear medicine test that involves the inhalation of a radioactive gas and the injection of a radioactive compound into the bloodstream. This test can be used to detect a blood clot (pulmonary embolus) in the arteries of the lungs.
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Weaning
After a period of assisted breathing, the process for slowly withdrawing dependence on the ventilator by increasing the length of time that an individual is able to breath without assistance.
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