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Care of Clients With Problems in Cellular Aberrations Key Terms

This document provides definitions for key terms related to the care of clients with cellular abnormalities and acute biological crises, including emergency and disaster nursing. It defines over 30 medical terms covering topics like cancer, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, staging, metastasis, myelosuppression, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and more. The definitions concisely explain each term and its relevance to oncology nursing.

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386 views

Care of Clients With Problems in Cellular Aberrations Key Terms

This document provides definitions for key terms related to the care of clients with cellular abnormalities and acute biological crises, including emergency and disaster nursing. It defines over 30 medical terms covering topics like cancer, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, staging, metastasis, myelosuppression, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and more. The definitions concisely explain each term and its relevance to oncology nursing.

Uploaded by

joyrena ochondra
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Care of Clients with Problems in Cellular Aberrations, Acute Biologic Crisis including

Emergency and Disaster Nursing

Key Terms

alopecia: hair loss

anaplasia: cells that lack normal cellular characteristics and differ in shape andorganization with
respect to their cells of origin; usually, anaplastic cells are malignant.

biopsy: a diagnostic procedure to remove a small sample of tissue to be examined


microscopically to detect malignant cells

brachytherapy: delivery of radiation therapy through internal implants

cancer: a disease process whereby cells proliferate abnormally, ignoring growth regulating
signals in the environment surrounding the cells

carcinogenesis: process of transforming normal cells into malignant cells

chemotherapy: use of drugs to kill tumor cells by interfering with cellular functions and
reproduction

cytokines: substances produced by cells of the immune system to enhance production and
functioning of components of the immune system

dysplasia: bizarre cell growth resulting in cells that differ in size, shape, or arrangement from
other cells of the same type of tissue

extravasation: leakage of medication from the veins into the subcutaneous tissues

grading: identification of the type of tissue from which the tumor originated and the degree to
which the tumor cells retain the functional and structural characteristics of the tissue of origin

hyperplasia: increase in the number of cells of a tissue; most often associated with periods of
rapid body growth

malignant: having cells or processes that are characteristic of cancer

metaplasia: conversion of one type of mature cell into another type of cell

metastasis: spread of cancer cells from the primary tumor to distant sites

myelosuppression: suppression of the blood cell–producing function of the bone marrow

nadir: lowest point of white blood cell depression after therapy that has toxic effects on the bone
marrow

neoplasia: uncontrolled cell growth that follows no physiologic demand

neutropenia: abnormally low absolute neutrophil count


oncology: field or study of cancer

palliation: relief of symptoms associated with cancer

radiation therapy: use of ionizing radiation to interrupt the growth of malignant cells

stomatitis: inflammation of the oral tissues, often associated with some chemotherapeutic
agents

staging: process of determining the size and spread, or metastasis, of a tumor

thrombocytopenia: decrease in the number of circulating platelets; associated with the potential
for bleeding

tumor-specific antigen (TSA): protein on the membrane of cancer cells that distinguishes the
malignant cell from a benign cell of the same tissue type

vesicant: substance that can cause tissue necrosis and damage, particularly when extravasated

xerostomia: dry oral cavity resulting from decreased function of salivary glands

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