Glossary
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daily hassles
the irritating, distressing and frustrating demands of everyday life.daily uplifts
things in a person's daily life that help to balance stressors such as relating well to one's spouse or lover, relating well to friends, completing a task or feeling healthy.dandruff
dry, scaly material shed from the scalp.data
information the researcher (investigator) collects from subjects or participants in the research study, or about objects in a non-human study.data base
a component of the POMR including the physician history and physical exam and the nursing history and functional health assessment.data base assessment
an evaluation of the patient, conducted on admission to a health care agency or upon initial contact with the patient.debridement
removal of dead tissue from a wound.deductive
working from existing theory to hypothesize relationships that can then be tested.deductive reasoning
involves the development of specific predictions or the generation of certain details from a major theory, generalization, fact or assumption.defamation of character
damage to a person's reputation by written or spoken words that tend to lower his or her esteem in the eyes of other people.defecation
the evacuation of feces.defence mechanisms
strategies that people commonly use in day-to-day life to buffer the emotional component of a stressful situation.defining characteristic
lists or categories of signs and symptoms or risk factors that depict hypothesized problems.dehiscence
the disruption of a surgical wound.dehydration
loss of water from body tissues.delayed gratification
the ability to put off immediate rewards in order to achieve long-term goals.delirium
A state of temporary and reversible mental confusion and frenzied excitement.
It is characterized by disorientation, restlessness, clouding of the consciousness and fear.
It may result from metabolic disorders, postpartum or postoperative stress, ingestion of toxic substances or shock.dementia
a broad term used for impaired intellectual functioning severe enough to interfere with a person's normal social and work life.democratic
a teaching style advocated by the humanists where the students participate in decisions about learning but are not the sole decision makers.demonstration
method of teaching by exhibition and explanation of a procedure.demonstration project
involves studying a new method of delivering health care in the community.denial
refusal to acknowledge a threat.dental caries
decay of the teeth.dependence
is the state in which the individual experiences symptoms of withdrawal, which occur when the drug is abruptly discontinued.dependent variable (outcome variable)
the characteristic that is being measured to show results in a research study.depression
profound feeling of sadness, low self-esteem and hopelessness.dermis
the inner, thicker layer of skin.descriptive study
measure the amount and distribution of a health concern within a given population.descriptive theory
classify or describe phenomena of concern to a discipline.developmental crises
at certain times in an individual's life, major changes occur.Dewali
Festival of Lights.diabetic ulcer
located on the bottom or side of the foot.
It is caused by pressure or friction.diagnosis
a deliberate, systematic process of data analysis and synthesis that ends with a clinical judgement, the nursing diagnosis.diagnostic cue
one that gives strong, valid information for making inferences.diagnostic reasoning
the process of critical thinking in which the nurse uses his or her clinical knowledge and experience to collect information, interpret the information collected, and form a conclusion about the patient's health or illness status (the nursing diagnosis).diaphoresis
sweating or perspiration.diarrhea
the frequent discharge of loose, watery stools.diastolic pressure
the force exerted against the arterial wall during ventricular relaxation.dietary thermogenesis
where food is ingested and the body uses energy to digest, absorb, transport and further process the nutrients.dietitian
a member of the health team usually responsible for planning meal service for patients and staff, supervising other workers in the preparation of food and counselling patients about their nutritional problems.diffusion
the process whereby dissolved particles (ions and molecules) distribute themselves equally within a given space; the particles move from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration until equilibrium is reached.digestion
the process by which complex food forms are changed into simpler, soluble chemical parts so that they can be absorbed into the circulation for use by the body.digital
verbal communication.dilation
cervical opening.discharge summary
concludes the POMR which includes a discussion of each problem and its outcome.disciplinary bodies
monitor the practice of nurses to whom they have granted registration/licensure.discussion
involves participation on the part of the patient, facilitates the retention of learning.disease
an interruption in the continuous process of health, manifested by abnormalities or disturbances in the structure and function of body parts, organs or systems.displacement
type of behaviour in which one transfers anger at one person to another person or object.distal
farther from a point of reference or point of attachment.distress
detrimental, harmful, unpleasant or damaging stress.diuresis
excretion of an increased amount of urine.diuretic
a drug given to increase the secretion of urine in the kidneys.documentation
the communication in writing of essential facts in order to maintain a continuous history of events over a period of time.donor
blood taken from an individual.dorsal recumbent position
lying on the back with the head and shoulders slightly elevated on a pillow.dorsalis pedis pulse
the pulse located on the dorsum of the foot in a line between the first and second toes, just above the longitudinal arch.dorsiflexion
flexion of a body part toward the back, such as upward bending of the fingers, hand, foot or toes.drug addiction
the psychological need to use drugs for other than medical reasons, such as pain relief.drug dependence
symptoms of withdrawal which occur when a drug is abruptly discontinued.drug interactions
the effects of two or more drugs on the body.drug tolerance
the circumstance in which a therapeutic response to a drug dosage lessens after continuous exposure to it.drug toxicity
the effects of a drug produced by an overdose, accumulation of the drug in the body or an abnormal sensitivity to the drug.dual-career family
a family in which both heads of the household pursue careers and at the same time maintain a family life together.duodenum
is the primary site in the small bowel for iron and calcium absorption.duration of action
the length of time a drug produces a pharmacological effect.dyspnea
difficult or laboured breathing.dyssomnias
conditions characterized by difficulties with the quantity and quality of sleep; insomnia, hypersomnia
and narcolepsy.dysuria
difficulty or pain on voiding.
