Long Term Care Glossary of Terms
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Radiation- a variety of types of energy, such as X-rays and ultraviolet. (Source: AMA)

Radiation therapy- treatment of a disease, such as cancer, using forms of radioactivity that damage or destroy abnormal cells. (Source: AMA)

Radiography- the formation of images of the inside of the body using radiation projected through the body and onto film; a radiograph is also called an X-ray. (Source: AMA)

Reconstructive surgery- surgery to rebuild part of the body that has been damaged or defective from birth. (Source: AMA)

Rectal prolapse- bulging of the lining of the rectum through the anus, usually due to straining during a bowel movement. (Source: AMA)

Rectum- a short tube located at the end of the large intestine, which connects the intestine to the anus. (Source: AMA)

Red blood cell- a doughnut-shaped blood cell that carries oxygen from the lungs to body tissues. (Source: AMA)

Reduction of fracture- the realignment of the broken ends of a bone. (Source: AMA)

Referred pain- pain felt in a part of the body remote from the site where pain originates. (Source: AMA)

Reflex- an automatic, involuntary response of the nervous system to a stimulus. (Source: AMA)

Reflux esophagitis- the backflow of gastric acid from the stomach to the lower esophagus, owing to a defect in the valve that separates them. (Source: AMA)

Regurgitation- the backflow of fluid; can refer to food and drink flowing back up from the stomach into the mouth or blood flowing back into the heart through a defective heart valve. (Source: AMA)

Rehabilitation- treatment for an injury or illness aimed at restoring physical abilities. (Source: AMA)

Rehabilitation Hospital - a type of acute care facility which provides rehabilitation services in an inpatient, hospital setting. Care is provided to individuals suffering from functional disabilities related to mobility, self care, and cognition. The ultimate goal of rehabilitation is to return the patient to an independent life style.

Rehydration- treatment for dehydration (an abnormally low level of water in the body) in which levels are restored by taking fluids containing water, salt, and glucose by mouth or, if severe, through a vein. (Source: AMA)

Relapse- the return of a disease or symptom after it had disappeared. (Source: AMA)

Remission- the temporary disappearance of a disease or its symptoms, either partially or completely; also refers to the time period in which this occurs. (Source: AMA)

REM sleep- rapid eye movement sleep; the stage of sleep in which dreaming occurs. (Source: AMA)

Renal cell carcinoma- the most common type of kidney cancer. (Source: AMA)

Renal colic- severe pain on one side of the lower back, usually as a result of a kidney stone. (Source: AMA)

Renal tubular acidosis- inability of the kidneys to remove sufficient amounts of acid from the body, making the blood more acidic than normal. (Source: AMA)

Repetitive strain injury- an injury that occurs when the same movement is repeated continuously. (Source: AMA)

Resection- partial or complete surgical removal of a diseased organ or structure. (Source: AMA)

Respiration- the process by which oxygen is taken in and used by tissues in the body and carbon dioxide is released. (Source: AMA)

Respiratory arrest- a condition in which a person suddenly stops breathing. (Source: AMA)

Respiratory distress syndrome- a condition experienced after an illness or injury damages the lungs, causing severe breathing difficulty and resulting in a life-threatening lack of oxygen in the blood. (Source: AMA)

Respiratory failure- the failure of the body to exchange gases properly, which leads to a buildup of carbon dioxide and a lack of oxygen in the blood. (Source: AMA)

Respiratory system- the organs that carry out the process of respiration. (Source: AMA)

Respite Care - Care given to a nursing home resident so that the usual care giver can rest. (Source - HCFA)

Resting pulse- the pulse rate when a person is not experiencing any physical activity or mental stress. (Source: AMA)

Restraint - Any manual method or physical or mechanical device, material, or equipment attached to or near a resident's body that he/she cannot remove easily and which prevents freedom of movement or normal access to one's own body. A chemical drug used for discipline or convenience and is not needed to treat medical symptoms. (Source : HCFA)

Rh blood group- a blood group classifying whether the substances called Rhesus (Rh) factors are present on the surface of red blood cells; the "positive" or "negative" designation in blood classification (for example, "O negative"). (Source: AMA)

Rheumatoid arthritis- a condition in which joints in the body become inflamed, stiff, painful, and sometimes deformed because of the body's own immune system attacking the tissues. (Source: AMA)

Rheumatoid factors- antibodies that are present in about 80% of people with rheumatoid arthritis; their detection through blood testing can help to diagnose the disorder. (Source: AMA)

Rocky mountain spotted fever- a rare disease transmitted to humans through the bites of ticks; characterized by small pink spots on the wrists and ankles that spread to other parts of the body, become larger, and bleed. (Source: AMA)

Rotator cuff- a structure made up of four muscle tendons that reinforces the shoulder joint. (Source: AMA)

Sacroiliac joints- the pair of joints located in the pelvis between the sacrum and the hipbones. (Source: AMA)

Sacroiliitis- inflammation of the sacroiliac joints, which causes pain in the lower body. (Source: AMA)

Sacrum- the triangular bone located at the bottom of the spine that is connected to the tailbone, the hipbones near the sacroilial joints, and the rest of the spine. (Source: AMA)

Salmonella- a group of bacteria; includes a species that causes food poisoning and another responsible for typhoid fever. (Source: AMA)

Sarcoidosis- a rare disease with no known cause that leads to inflammation in tissues throughout the body, including the lymph nodes, lungs, liver, skin, and eyes. (Source: AMA)

Sarcoma- a cancer in connective tissue, fibrous tissue, or blood vessels. (Source: AMA)

Saturday night palsy- temporary paralysis of the arm after extended pressure on a nerve in the armpit. (Source: AMA)

Scabies- a highly contagious skin disorder caused by a mite that burrows into the skin and produces an intense, itchy rash. (Source: AMA)

Schizophrenia- a group of mental disorders characterized by abnormal thoughts, moods, and actions; sufferers have a distorted sense of reality, and a split personality (thoughts do not logically fit together). (Source: AMA)

Sciatica- pain along the sciatic nerve, which runs down the length of the leg to the foot; usually caused by pressure on the nerve due to disk prolapse or a tumor, abscess, or blood clot. (Source: AMA)

Scleroderma- an immune system disorder of varying degree that can affect many areas of the body. (Source: AMA)

Scoliosis- a condition in which the spine curves to one side and usually curves toward the opposite side in another section to compensate, producing a characteristic S shape. (Source: AMA)

Screening- the testing of an otherwise healthy person in order to diagnose disorders at an early stage. (Source: AMA)

Seasonal affective disorder syndrome- a type of depression that seems to be linked to shorter periods of daylight during the fall and winter. (Source: AMA)

Sedatives- a group of drugs that have a calming effect; used to treat anxiety and pain, bring on sleep, and help relax a person before surgery. (Source: AMA)

Seizure- sudden uncontrolled waves of electrical activity in the brain, causing involuntary movement or loss of consciousness. (Source: AMA)

Seminoma- a type of testicular cancer that is made up of only a single type of cell. (Source: AMA)

Sensorineural hearing loss- deafness caused by damage to the inner ear or the nerve that conducts signals from the ear to the brain. (Source: AMA)

Sensory nerve- nerves that carry information about the bodyâ??s senses toward the brain. (Source: AMA)

Sensory organ- an organ that receives and relays information about the bodyâ??s senses to the brain. (Source: AMA)

Sepsis- the infection of a wound or tissue with bacteria, causing the spread of the bacteria into the bloodstream; now also known as systemic inflammatory response syndrome caused by a microbe. (Source: AMA)

Septic arthritis- joint inflammation caused by a bacterial infection. (Source: AMA)

Septicemia- a life-threatening condition in which bacteria multiply in the blood and produce toxic materials; commonly known as blood poisoning; now also known as systemic inflammatory response syndrome. (Source: AMA)

Septic shock- a life-threatening condition in which tissues become damaged and blood pressure drops due to bacteria multiplying and producing poisons in the blood. (Source: AMA)

Shingles- a nerve infection caused by the chickenpox virus, causing areas of painful rash covered with blisters. (Source: AMA)

Shin splints- pain and tenderness experienced in the lower leg as a result of damage or strain to leg muscles and tendons; usually caused by exercise. (Source: AMA)

Shock- a reduced flow of blood throughout the body, usually caused by severe bleeding or a weak heart; without treatment, can lead to a collapse, coma, and death. (Source: AMA)

Shunt- an artificially constructed or an abnormal passage connecting two usually separate structures in the body. (Source: AMA)

Sickle cell anemia- a genetic disorder in which the red blood cells are abnormal and deformed, causing anemia (reduced ability to transport oxygen in the blood) and clogging of blood vessels; bouts of fever, headache, and weakness result. (Source: AMA)

Sickle cell trait- a less serious form of sickle cell anemia. (Source: AMA)

Sick sinus syndrome- abnormal functioning of the structure that regulates the heartbeat, causing episodes of abnormal heart rhythm. (Source: AMA)

Sigmoidoscopy- an examination of the rectum and the lowest part of the large intestine using a flexible viewing tube inserted through the anus. (Source: AMA)

Single photon emission computed tomography- an imaging technique in which a radioactive substance is introduced into the body and the radiation emitted by the substance is detected by a camera and is transformed into cross-sectional images by a computer. (Source: AMA)

Sinoatrial node- the structure that regulates the heartbeat; a natural "pacemaker". (Source: AMA)

Sinusitis- inflammation of the lining of the cavities in the bone surrounding the nose (the sinuses), usually as a result of a bacterial infection spreading from the nose. (Source: AMA)

Sinus rhythm- normal heart rhythm. (Source: AMA)

Sinus tachycardia- a regular heart rate of over 100 beats per minute. (Source: AMA)

Sleep apnea- a condition in which breathing stops for very short periods of time during sleep. (Source: AMA)

Small-cell carcinoma- the most serious form of lung cancer. (Source: AMA)

Small intestine- the long tube running from the stomach to the large intestine that is involved in digestion of foods and absorption of nutrients. (Source: AMA)

Spasticity- muscle stiffness caused by an increase in contractions of the muscle fibers

Speech therapy- treatment to help someone overcome a problem communicating verbally. (Source: AMA)

Sphygmomanometer- an instrument used to measure blood pressure. (Source: AMA)

Spina bifida- a birth defect in which a section of the baby's spine fails to develop completely, leaving the spinal cord exposed in that section. (Source: AMA)

Spina bifida occulta- the least dangerous form of spina bifida, in which bones in the spine fail to close but there is no protrusion of the spinal cord or its fluid cushion out of the body. (Source: AMA)

Spinal cord- a long tube of nerve tissue inside the spinal column, running from the brain down the length of the back inside of the spine. (Source: AMA)

Spinal fusion- the surgical joining of two or more adjacent vertebrae using bone fragments; used to help severe back pain or prevent damage to the spinal cord. (Source: AMA)

Spirometry- a test of lung condition; a person breathes into a machine called a spirometer that measures the volume of air exhaled. (Source: AMA)

Spleen- an organ located in the upper left abdomen behind the ribs that removes and destroys old red blood cells and helps fight infection. (Source: AMA)

Splenectomy- surgical removal of the spleen. (Source: AMA)

Sprain- the tearing or stretching of the ligaments in a joint, characterized by pain, swelling, and an inability to move the joint. (Source: AMA)

Stenosis- narrowing of a body passageway. (Source: AMA)

Stereotaxic surgery- brain surgery done through a small opening in the skull and guided by X-rays or computer-aided imaging techniques. (Source: AMA)

Stomach bypass- a surgical procedure to treat an obstructed stomach or severe obesity in which the passage of food is diverted around the stomach and directly into the small intestine. (Source: AMA)

Stomach stapling- a procedure in which the stomach is made smaller by partitioning it off using metal staples; used as an extreme treatment of severe obesity. (Source: AMA)

Straight-leg raising- a simple test performed in a doctorâ??s office to check for disk prolapse. (Source: AMA)

Stroke- damage to part of the brain because of a lack of blood supply (due to a blockage in an artery) or the rupturing of a blood vessel; leads to complete or partial loss of function in the area of the body that is controlled by the damaged part of the brain. (Source: AMA)

Sympathetic nervous system- the part of the autonomic nervous system that raises blood pressure and heart rate in response to stress. (Source: AMA)

Syndrome- a group of symptoms that indicate a certain disorder when they occur together. (Source: AMA)

Synovial fluid- a lubricating fluid secreted by the synovial membrane. (Source: AMA)

Synovial membrane- the thin membrane that lines the inside of a joint capsule. (Source: AMA)

Systemic inflammatory response syndrome- a condition characterized by having two of the following four clinical criteria: fever, rapid breathing, increased heart rate, and abnormal white blood cell count. (Source: AMA)

Systemic lupus erythematosus- a disease of the immune system that causes inflammation of connective tissue in many areas of the body, including the skin, lungs, heart, joints, and kidneys. (Source: AMA)

Systolic pressure- the blood pressure measured while the heart is contracting. (Source: AMA)

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