Common Nursing Terms You Should Know

Essential terms to know for all aspiring healthcare professionals Nursing administrator reviewing terms with staff

Nurses play a critical role in the healthcare field. Their role is centered around effective communication, patient care, and medical documentation. Whether you're a nursing student, a healthcare professional, or simply curious about medical terminology, understanding these common nursing terms is essential. In this article, we'll explore some of the most common nursing terms that you should be familiar with if you go into the nursing field.

General nursing terms

Assessment:
The systematic collection and analysis of patient information, including physical, psychological, and social factors, to determine their healthcare needs.

Blood pressure:
Blood pressure measures the force of your blood pushing against the walls of your arteries. Each time your heart beats, it pumps blood into the arteries. This is one of the most standard vital signs nurses use to monitor patients.

Clinicals:
Clinical rotations allow students to work on practical nursing skills in various settings under the supervision of an RN clinical instructor.

Chart:
This is a medical documentation that follows a patient’s journey at the hospital. This is normally a digital document and it includes medical history, test and imaging results, diagnosis, medication, and a record of events through each shift.

Charting:
The process of adding to a patient’s chart to keep it up to date and accurate. Nurses often use medical acronyms and abbreviations in their chartings.

Code blue:
A medical emergency, such as a cardiac arrest, that requires immediate attention from a team of healthcare providers. Healthcare workers may shorten code blue to "coding."

Diagnosis:
The process of identifying a patient's health condition or medical problem based on their signs, symptoms, and medical history.

Documentation:
The detailed recording of patient information, care provided, and treatment outcomes in medical records, ensuring accurate communication and legal compliance.

Oxygen saturation:
Measure of how much hemoglobin is bound to oxygen in the bloodstream, which is an indication of how much oxygen is available to the tissues.

Heart rate:
The speed at which the heart beats. It is recorded in beats per minute.

Ileus:
An intestinal blockage that can happen after surgery, with certain medications, infections, or health conditions; may resolve spontaneously or may require surgery.

Infection control:
Practices and protocols designed to prevent the spread of infections within healthcare settings, including proper hand hygiene, isolation precautions, and sterilization techniques.

Respiratory rate:
The number of times a patient breathes in one minute.

Specimen:
A sample of something from a patient’s body, such as urine, blood, skin or other tissue, that is taken for testing and analysis.

Patient centered care:
A holistic approach to healthcare that prioritizes the individual patient's preferences, values, and needs, involving them in their care decisions.

Pain scale:
A scale used to measure a patient’s level of pain. Patients are normally given a choice of one to 10.

Post-op:
Post-op stands for post operation. It includes any care, interventions, and education given after surgery to prepare a patient for discharge or to return to the hospital unit.

Vital signs:
Basic indicators of a patient’s health that typically includes heart rate, respiratory rate, body temperature, pain level, and blood pressure.

Nursing initials and acronyms

ABC:
This is the simple way to remember “airway, breathing, circulation,” which is the order in which nurses assess and prioritize a patient who is unresponsive or unconscious.

CAB:
Following the CAB acronym helps nurses remember “chest compressions, airway and breathing” as the correct order for performing CPR.

CPR:
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is an emergency procedure commonly used when a patient has stopped breathing.

NCLEX:
Refers to the nursing exam one must pass to become either a licensed practical nurse (LPN) or a registered nurse (RN).

OTC:
Over-the-counter medication that does not require a prescription.

PPE:
PPE stands for protective personal equipment. This includes specialized gear, such as gloves, masks, and face shields which are meant to protect both patients and nurses from contagious bacteria and illness.

Rx:
Prescription

WNL:
"Within normal limit" This means that a patient's test results or activity level are normal.

Nursing is a dynamic profession that requires a solid understanding of effective patient care. By familiarizing yourself with the most important terminology, you'll not only enhance your ability to communicate within the field but also gain a deeper understanding of nursing practices. Whether you're a student, a healthcare professional, or someone seeking to learn more about the medical world, these terms will give you a solid foundation for your journey into nursing.

Check out Med Libs
Tips for Navigating Online Learning as a Student Some tips for how you can successfully navigate your digital education journey. Published August 6, 2024
Essential Skills for Healthcare Students Taking a look at some of the key abilities needed to excel in your studies and prepare for a successful career in the medical field. Published July 31, 2024
How to Prepare for Your First Healthcare Externship Starting your first healthcare externship is an exciting milestone in your medical career. Here are some essential tips to help you prepare and make the most of this experience. Published July 25, 2024
Strategies to Overcome Procrastination Here are some strategies you can implement to help you overcome procrastination and help keep you on track towards achieving your goals. Published July 9, 2024
Benefits of Working in Healthcare Thinking about pursuing a career in healthcare? Here are perks that come along with working in the medical field Published May 24, 2024
Tips for Boosting Productivity and Efficiency as You Return to School Unlock your academic potential with these actionable tips for a seamless transition back to school. Published April 30, 2024
Common Nursing Terms You Should Know Essential terms to know for all aspiring healthcare professionals Published April 16, 2024
Exploring the Pros and Cons of Adult Education for Career Advancement Delve into the opportunities and challenges of returning to school as an adult, from skill enhancement and career prospects to financial investment and time constraints. Published March 25, 2024
10 Morning Habits to Boost Your Productivity The way you spend your mornings has a big impact on how the rest of the day will go. Published March 18, 2024
Mastering Clinical Procedures: Essential Tips for Nursing Assistants From staying organized to seeking feedback, elevate your skills and provide top-notch care to patients. Published March 11, 2024
Nursing Assistant Terminology Dive into the most commonly used terms with which nursing assistants should be familiar. Published Feb 29, 2024
Common Misconceptions About Medical Assistants Breaking down the most misunderstood aspects about the medical assistant profession. Published Feb 23, 2024
Communication Strategies for Effective Patient Interaction Improving interactions between patients and providers is key to delivering a superior level of care. Published Feb 13, 2024
Digital Detox: Unplugging for Mental Well-Being Ways you can unplug and do a digital detox. Published Feb 9, 2024
How to Manage Stress Transform stressful situations into productive energy Published Dec 28, 2023
Maximizing the Value of Your Education Learn how to make the most of your education journey Published Dec 18, 2023
Memorization Techniques Enhance your learning with these effective memorization techniques Published Dec 5, 2023
How to Care for Your Mental Health Taking a look at various methods of keeping your mind and body healthy, sharp, and focused Published Nov 27, 2023
Interview Tips Top interview tips to help you land your dream job Published Nov 16, 2023
Essential Preparation Checklist for Starting Your Post-Secondary Education How you can prepare to start a post-secondary education Published Oct 31, 2023
Seven Key Skills You Need as a Nursing Assistant Personality traits and characteristics to help you thrive in a career as a nursing assistant Published Oct 12, 2023
10 Productivity Hacks for Remote Workers Unlock your remote work potential with these extra efficiency shortcuts Published Oct 2, 2023
Top 10 Traits of an Exceptional Healthcare Worker Exploring the qualities that define an exceptional healthcare professional Published Sep 27, 2023
Eight ways to turn an externship into a job offer Here are some ways you can use your education and experience to go from externship to employment Published Sep 22, 2023
Vet Tech Terminology Exploring veterinary technician terminology for students and veterinary professionals Published Sep 12, 2023

Change your tomorrow, today.

Get Started
Danielle Gonzalez

I love the VA program. We are all like a big family. The instructor is amazing!

Danielle Gonzalez Graduate Veterinary Assistant student at Canton, MI campus Graduation: May 8, 2019
Denise Stillwell

As an older student returning to the classroom after 20 years, I had concerns that the pace and the computer skills needed would make it hard for me to keep up. But I found the staff was incredibly supportive and patient with students at all levels. The small class created an encouraging, friendly environment to learn.

Denise Stillwell Graduate Medical Assistant student at Granger, IN campus Graduation: March 27, 2019
Jason Barton

My name is Jason Barton and I graduated from Ross in 2012. I have been privileged since then to be able to help Ross with guest speaking engagements, mock interviews, delivering speeches at the graduation ceremonies, and being an advisory board member. For the last two and a half years, I have been even more privileged to be an instructor here at Ross. I am so thankful to be able to give back to Ross, which has given me so much.

Jason Barton Graduate Medical Assistant student at Kalamazoo, MI campus Graduation: December 6, 2012
Tiffany Lawrence

Ross Education provided relevant skills and valuable knowledge to enter the medical field as a competent and confident Medical Assistant. The Taylor campus staff and faculty genuinely care about each student. Thanks to Ross, I am excited about the challenges and rewards now available to me!

Tiffany Lawrence Graduate Medical Assistant student at Taylor, MI campus Graduation: November 13, 2018
Angela Baldomero-Benet

Ross is amazing to me, it saved and changed my life when I felt I had nowhere to go. I went to Ross to get information about their training program, not expecting to be enrolled. The staff was very friendly and informative and by the time I left, my life had changed. I had some fears about the courses, but the staff was always so encouraging and supportive of me. The program is full of motivation and support and that helped me maintain a good grade point average. I am now a proud graduate of Ross Medical Education Center. I was in a very dark place, and Ross helped save my life.

Angela Baldomero-Benet Graduate Medical Assistant student at Knoxville, TN campus Graduation: October 18, 2019
Medical Assistant Program offered at these campus locations:
  • Huntsville
  • Quad Cities
  • Evansville
  • Fort Wayne
  • Kokomo
  • South Bend
  • Lafayette
  • Muncie
  • Bowling Green
  • Erlanger
  • Hopkinsville
  • Owensboro
  • Ann Arbor
  • Battle Creek
  • Brighton
  • Canton (MI)
  • Davison
  • Flint
  • Grand Rapids
  • Kalamazoo
  • Kentwood
  • Lansing
  • Midland
  • Muskegon
  • New Baltimore
  • Port Huron
  • Saginaw
  • Taylor
  • Warren
  • Cincinnati
  • Dayton
  • Elyria
  • Mansfield
  • Niles
  • Canton (OH)
  • Sylvania
  • Johnson City
  • Knoxville
  • Charleston
  • Morgantown
Dental Assistant Program offered at these campus locations:
  • Huntsville
  • Evansville
  • Fort Wayne
  • Kokomo
  • Lafayette
  • South Bend
  • Muncie
  • Erlanger
  • Owensboro
  • Brighton
  • Canton (MI)
  • Davison
  • Flint
  • Grand Rapids
  • Kalamazoo
  • Kentwood
  • Lansing
  • Warren
  • New Baltimore
  • Muskegon
  • Saginaw
  • Cincinnati
  • Dayton
  • Elyria
  • Niles
  • Johnson City
  • Knoxville
  • Charleston
  • Morgantown
Veterinary Assistant Program offered at these campus locations:
  • Huntsville
  • Erlanger
  • Canton
  • Kalamazoo
  • New Baltimore
  • Warren
Pharmacy Technician Program Certificate online program
Nursing Assistant Program offered at these campus locations:
  • Brighton
  • Grand Rapids
  • Kalamazoo
  • Midland
Medical Insurance Billing and Office Administration Certificate online program
Occupational Therapy Assistant Program offered at these campus locations:
  • Hopkinsville
  • Quad Cities
Nursing Program offered at these campus locations:
  • Canton (OH)
  • Cincinnati
  • Dayton
  • Elyria
  • Niles
  • Sylvania
Practical Nursing Program offered at these campus locations:
  • Canton (OH)
  • Cincinnati
  • Dayton
  • Elyria
  • Niles
  • Sylvania
Veterinary Technology Program offered at these campus locations:
  • Canton (OH)
Business Management Program offered at these campus locations:
  • Hopkinsville, KY
Medical Assistant Associate of Applied Science Degree online program
Health Care Administration Associate Degree online program
Human, Social, and Health Services Associate of Applied Science Degree online program
Medical Billing Administrative Specialist Associate Degree online program
Medical Office Administration Certificate Program online program
Medical Insurance Billing and Office Administration Certificate online program
Pharmacy Technician Program Certificate online program