What is a Thrombus?

You’re helping Mr. Henderson with his morning care when you notice his left calf looks swollen and feels warm to the touch. He mentions it...

What is a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)?

You walk into Mr. Henderson’s room to find him confused and struggling to speak, but by the time you return with the nurse five minutes...

What Are Ureters?

You’re halfway through your shift when Mr. Henderson mentions a dull ache in his lower back that won’t go away. While you might initially think...

What is Validation Therapy?

You’re helping Mr. Henderson get dressed for the day when he becomes agitated, insisting he needs to leave immediately to catch the school bus. You...

What is Gangrene?

You are performing routine foot care for a resident with diabetes when you notice a dark, blackish discoloration on their toe that wasn’t there yesterday....

What Does Graduate Mean?

It’s the end of a busy shift, and the nurse asks you for Mr. Henderson’s exact urine output. You reach for that clear, plastic cylinder...

What is Etch and Roll?

As you walk into Mr. Henderson’s room to help him with breakfast, you notice his stroke-affected hand is resting comfortably on a pillow, cupped around...

Understanding Healthcare Directives: What They Mean and Why They Matter

You’ve likely heard a family member ask, “Does Mom really want to go back to the hospital if she stops breathing?” or seen a specific...

What is Echemiparesis?

As you help Mr. Henderson get dressed for the day, you notice he struggles to pull his shirt over his left arm, while his right...

What is Hemiplegia?

You’re helping Mr. Henderson get dressed after a stroke, and you notice he cannot move his left arm or leg at all, while his right...