HA Exam 1 Terms
Subjective Data
data obtained from a health history or provider to the nurse by the patient
objective data
data obtained from the examination, measurements, or diagnostic test; observable by
the nurse
Palpation
an examination technique in which the examiner's hands are used to feel the texture,
size, consistency, and location of certain body parts
percussion
tapping on a surface to determine the difference in the density of the underlying
structure
inspection
data obtained by a visual examination of the body, including body movements and
posture, as well that obtained by smell
Auscultation
listening to sounds within the body
supine position
lying on back, facing upward
dorsal recumbent
lying on back with legs bent and feet flat
Lithonomy position
female genitalia and genetical tract
Trendelenburg position
lying on back with body tilted so that the head is lower than the feet
skin turgor
Measure of hydration, which tests how quickly the skin returns to its normal position
after being pinched
wheal
elevated, solid, transient lesions; often irregular shaped but well demarcated; an
edematous response
nodule
a solid skin elevation that extends into the dermal layer and that is 1 to 2 cm in diameter
Macule
flat, circumscribed lesion of the skin or mucous membrane that is 1 cm or less in
diameter
papule
solid, elevated, circumscribed, superficial lesion 1 cm or less in diameter
ulcer
circumscribed crater on the surface of the skin or mucous membrane that results from
necrosis
purulent
containing pus
vesicle
Subjective Data
data obtained from a health history or provider to the nurse by the patient
objective data
data obtained from the examination, measurements, or diagnostic test; observable by
the nurse
Palpation
an examination technique in which the examiner's hands are used to feel the texture,
size, consistency, and location of certain body parts
percussion
tapping on a surface to determine the difference in the density of the underlying
structure
inspection
data obtained by a visual examination of the body, including body movements and
posture, as well that obtained by smell
Auscultation
listening to sounds within the body
supine position
lying on back, facing upward
dorsal recumbent
lying on back with legs bent and feet flat
Lithonomy position
female genitalia and genetical tract
Trendelenburg position
lying on back with body tilted so that the head is lower than the feet
skin turgor
Measure of hydration, which tests how quickly the skin returns to its normal position
after being pinched
wheal
elevated, solid, transient lesions; often irregular shaped but well demarcated; an
edematous response
nodule
a solid skin elevation that extends into the dermal layer and that is 1 to 2 cm in diameter
Macule
flat, circumscribed lesion of the skin or mucous membrane that is 1 cm or less in
diameter
papule
solid, elevated, circumscribed, superficial lesion 1 cm or less in diameter
ulcer
circumscribed crater on the surface of the skin or mucous membrane that results from
necrosis
purulent
containing pus
vesicle
