Health Promo Glossary - Key NCLEX Terms

Health Promotion & Maintenance - Key Nursing Terms

Growth and Development: The progressive increase in physical size (growth) and the maturation of function and complexity (development) that occurs from conception through the end of life. Growth is quantitative and measurable; development is qualitative and follows predictable, sequential patterns.
Erikson's Psychosocial Stages: A theory of eight developmental stages spanning the lifespan, each characterized by a central conflict. Stages include trust vs. mistrust (infancy), autonomy vs. shame/doubt (toddler), initiative vs. guilt (preschool), industry vs. inferiority (school age), identity vs. role confusion (adolescence), intimacy vs. isolation (young adult), generativity vs. stagnation (middle adult), and integrity vs. despair (older adult).
Piaget's Cognitive Development: A theory describing four stages of cognitive maturation: sensorimotor (birth to 2 years, learning through senses and motor actions), preoperational (2-7 years, symbolic thinking but egocentric), concrete operational (7-11 years, logical thinking about concrete events), and formal operational (11+ years, abstract and hypothetical reasoning).
Immunization: The process of inducing immunity through the administration of vaccines. Active immunization stimulates the body's own immune response; passive immunization provides preformed antibodies for immediate but temporary protection. Schedules are established by the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).
Primary Prevention: Health promotion activities and interventions designed to prevent disease before it occurs. Examples include immunizations, health education, nutrition counseling, exercise programs, seat belt use, and smoking cessation programs.
Secondary Prevention: Early detection and treatment of disease to halt progression and reduce the impact of illness. Examples include screening tests (mammography, colonoscopy, blood pressure screening, Pap smears), routine physical examinations, and self-examination techniques.
Tertiary Prevention: Interventions aimed at reducing the impact of an established disease by restoring function and reducing complications. Examples include cardiac rehabilitation, physical therapy after stroke, diabetes management programs, and support groups for chronic conditions.
Prenatal Care: Comprehensive healthcare provided during pregnancy to optimize maternal and fetal outcomes. Includes regular assessments of maternal weight, blood pressure, fundal height, fetal heart tones, urine screening, blood typing, and monitoring for complications such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and preterm labor.
Nagele's Rule: A method for calculating the estimated date of delivery (EDD). Subtract 3 months from the first day of the last menstrual period (LMP) and add 7 days and 1 year. Assumes a 28-day menstrual cycle with ovulation occurring on day 14.
Postpartum Assessment: Systematic evaluation of the mother after delivery using the BUBBLEHE mnemonic: Breasts, Uterus (fundal height, firmness), Bladder, Bowels, Lochia (color, amount, odor), Episiotomy/laceration, Homan's sign (DVT assessment), and Emotional status. Fundus should be firm, midline, and at or below the umbilicus.
Lochia: Normal vaginal discharge following delivery. Progresses from lochia rubra (red, days 1-3), to lochia serosa (pinkish-brown, days 4-10), to lochia alba (yellowish-white, days 11-21 or longer). Foul-smelling lochia or a return to rubra after progression may indicate infection or hemorrhage.
APGAR Score: A rapid assessment tool used to evaluate newborn status at 1 and 5 minutes after birth. Evaluates Appearance (color), Pulse (heart rate), Grimace (reflex irritability), Activity (muscle tone), and Respiration (respiratory effort). Each criterion scored 0-2; total score of 7-10 indicates good condition.
Developmental Milestones: Expected behavioral or physical achievements at specific ages. Key milestones include social smile (2 months), rolling over (4-6 months), sitting without support (6-8 months), crawling (9 months), walking (12-15 months), two-word phrases (2 years), and riding a tricycle (3 years).
Anticipatory Guidance: Proactive counseling provided to patients and families about expected developmental changes, potential health risks, and age-appropriate safety measures. Examples include discussing stranger danger with parents of preschoolers, car seat safety, childproofing, and adolescent risk behaviors.
Screening Tests: Procedures used to detect potential health disorders or diseases in individuals who do not yet have symptoms. Characteristics of effective screening include high sensitivity (few false negatives) and specificity (few false positives), cost-effectiveness, and availability of follow-up treatment.
Body Mass Index (BMI): A numerical value derived from weight and height (kg/m2) used to classify weight status. Categories: underweight (<18.5), normal (18.5-24.9), overweight (25-29.9), obese class I (30-34.9), obese class II (35-39.9), obese class III (40+). Does not differentiate between muscle and fat mass.
Health Literacy: The degree to which individuals can obtain, process, and understand basic health information needed to make appropriate health decisions. Low health literacy is associated with poor health outcomes, higher hospitalization rates, and decreased use of preventive services. Nurses should use teach-back methods and plain language.
Breastfeeding: The feeding of an infant with human breast milk. Benefits include optimal nutrition, passive immunity (IgA antibodies), bonding, reduced infant infection risk, and decreased maternal risk of breast and ovarian cancer. Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first 6 months of life by the WHO and AAP.
Newborn Screening: Mandatory testing performed on all newborns to detect treatable genetic, metabolic, hormonal, and functional conditions. Common tests include phenylketonuria (PKU), congenital hypothyroidism, sickle cell disease, cystic fibrosis, and hearing screening. Performed via heel stick blood sample within 24-48 hours of birth.
Gestational Diabetes: Glucose intolerance first recognized during pregnancy, typically diagnosed between 24-28 weeks gestation via oral glucose tolerance testing. Increases risk for macrosomia, neonatal hypoglycemia, preeclampsia, and future type 2 diabetes in the mother. Managed with dietary modifications, exercise, and insulin if needed.
Preeclampsia: A pregnancy-specific hypertensive disorder characterized by new-onset hypertension (BP 140/90 mmHg or greater after 20 weeks gestation) with proteinuria or end-organ dysfunction. Symptoms include headache, visual changes, epigastric pain, and edema. Severe preeclampsia may progress to eclampsia (seizures). Magnesium sulfate is the drug of choice for seizure prophylaxis.
Leopold's Maneuvers: A systematic method of abdominal palpation performed during pregnancy to determine fetal position, presentation, and engagement. Four maneuvers assess the fundus for fetal part identification, lateral aspects for fetal back location, lower abdomen for presenting part, and pelvic inlet for degree of engagement.
Contraception: Methods used to prevent pregnancy. Categories include barrier methods (condoms, diaphragm), hormonal methods (oral contraceptives, IUD, implants, injections), natural methods (fertility awareness), and permanent methods (tubal ligation, vasectomy). Effectiveness varies by method and correct/consistent use.
Aging Changes: Normal physiological changes associated with the aging process. Include decreased cardiac output, reduced pulmonary function, decreased renal perfusion, diminished vision and hearing, decreased bone density, reduced skin elasticity, and altered pharmacokinetics. These changes are distinct from pathological processes.
Osteoporosis: A progressive metabolic bone disease characterized by decreased bone density and deterioration of bone tissue, increasing fracture risk. Risk factors include advanced age, female sex, postmenopausal status, low calcium intake, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, and corticosteroid use. Prevention includes weight-bearing exercise, calcium, and vitamin D supplementation.
Cancer Screening Guidelines: Evidence-based recommendations for early detection of common cancers. Include mammography for breast cancer, colonoscopy for colorectal cancer, Pap smear and HPV testing for cervical cancer, low-dose CT for lung cancer in high-risk individuals, and PSA testing discussion for prostate cancer. Guidelines vary by age, sex, and risk factors.
Nutrition Across the Lifespan: Age-specific nutritional requirements that change from infancy through older adulthood. Includes iron-fortified formula or breast milk for infants, increased calcium needs during adolescence and pregnancy, folic acid supplementation in women of childbearing age, and increased protein and calcium needs in older adults.
Health Promotion Model: Nola Pender's theoretical framework that identifies factors influencing health-promoting behaviors. Considers individual characteristics, behavior-specific cognitions (perceived benefits, barriers, self-efficacy), and interpersonal and situational influences. Used to design interventions that motivate individuals to engage in behaviors that enhance health and well-being.
Self-Examination: Patient-performed assessments for early detection of abnormalities. Includes breast self-examination (BSE), skin self-examination for suspicious lesions using the ABCDE criteria (asymmetry, border irregularity, color variation, diameter greater than 6mm, evolution), and testicular self-examination (TSE) performed monthly.
Attachment: The emotional bond formed between a caregiver and infant that is critical for healthy social and emotional development. Promoted through skin-to-skin contact, eye contact, responsive caregiving, and breastfeeding. Disrupted attachment may lead to developmental delays and behavioral difficulties.
Teratogens: Agents that can cause structural or functional abnormalities in a developing embryo or fetus. Include certain medications (isotretinoin, warfarin, ACE inhibitors, valproic acid), alcohol, illicit drugs, infectious agents (TORCH infections: toxoplasmosis, other, rubella, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex), radiation, and environmental chemicals.
Childhood Obesity: A BMI at or above the 95th percentile for age and sex in children and adolescents. Associated with increased risk for type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, sleep apnea, and psychosocial problems. Prevention includes promoting physical activity, limiting screen time, encouraging balanced nutrition, and reducing sugar-sweetened beverage consumption.
Vaccine-Preventable Diseases: Infectious diseases for which effective vaccines exist. Include measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, hepatitis A and B, influenza, pneumococcal disease, pertussis, diphtheria, tetanus, polio, rotavirus, HPV, and meningococcal disease. Herd immunity is achieved when a sufficient proportion of the population is immunized.
Teach-Back Method: A communication technique used to confirm patient understanding by asking the patient to explain, in their own words, what they have been taught. It is the responsibility of the nurse to re-teach if the patient cannot accurately restate the information. This method is considered a best practice for health education.