II Glossary

Action stage: Individuals are actively involved in changing their behavior and are open to receiving assistance from others. (Chapter 2.7)

ADOPIE: A mnemonic which provides an easy way to remember the ANA Standards and the nursing process. (Chapter 2.8)

Body mass index (BMI): The most commonly used assessment of a person’s weight. It is calculated using a formula and the client’s weight and height. (Chapter 2.3)

Breast cancer: Occurs when breast cells mutate and become cancerous cells that multiply and form tumors. (Chapter 2.4)

Cervical cancer: Cancer of the cervix which is mostly caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). (Chapter 2.4)

Colon cancer: Develops from polyps in the lining of the colon and typically affects people aged 45 years and older. (Chapter 2.4)

Colonoscopy: A screening test for colon cancer that is similar to a flexible sigmoidoscopy but visualizes the entire large intestine, including the colon, rectum, and anus. (Chapter 2.4)

Computed Tomography (CT) Colonography: A screening test for colon cancer where a CT scan produces images of the entire colon, and the images are displayed on a computer monitor for the health care provider to analyze; also called a virtual colonoscopy. (Chapter 2.4)

Contemplation stage: The client is aware of and acknowledges the risks related to their lifestyle choices and/or behaviors. (Chapter 2.7)

Disease prevention: Refers to specific, population-based and individual-based interventions for minimizing the burden of disease and reduce associated risk factors, also referred to as primary and secondary prevention. (Chapter 2.2)

Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT): This test uses antibodies to detect blood in the stool. (Chapter 2.4)

Flexible Sigmoidoscopy: A screening test for colon cancer where a flexible tube is inserted into the rectum and the lower third of the colon. (Chapter 2.4)

Guaiac-based Fecal Occult Blood Test (gFOBT): This test uses a chemical called guaiac to detect blood in the stool. (Chapter 2.4)

Health: A state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. (Chapter 2.2)

Health promotion: The process of empowering people to control their determinants of health and increase their healthy behaviors. (Chapter 2.2)

Holistic health: An approach to wellness that recognizes the interconnectedness of the physical, mental, emotional, intellectual, social, spiritual, cultural, and environmental components of health. (Chapter 2.2)

Maintenance stage: Exhibit total abstinence from the changed behavior and also have the ability to avoid temptations to return to the previous behavior. (Chapter 2.7)

Mammogram: A radiographic image of breast tissue that can detect signs of cancer, often before a lump is felt. (Chapter 2.4)

Melanoma: Skin cancer caused by the uncontrolled growth of melanocytes, the pigment-producing cells in the epidermis. (Chapter 2.4)

Metastasis: The spread of cancer cells from the place where they first formed to another part of the body. (Chapter 2.4)

Moderate alcohol consumption: Limiting intake to two or fewer drinks a day for men and one or fewer a day for women. (Chapter 2.3)

Modifiable risk factors: Include factors like obesity and smoking and can be reduced by a change in behavior such as healthy diet choices, increased physical activity, and smoking cessation. (Chapter 2.6)

Motivational interviewing (MI): A therapeutic communication technique used to elicit and emphasize a client’s personal motivation for modifying their behavior to promote health. (Chapter 2.7)

Nonmodifiable risk factors: Factors that cannot be changed by the client and include such as age, gender, and family history/genetic predisposition. (Chapter 2.6)

Nursing process: A critical thinking model based on a systematic approach to client-centered care. (Chapter 2.8)

Pack-year: Defined as smoking one pack of cigarettes a day for a year. (Chapter 2.4)

Precontemplation stage: Clients see no need to find a solution to a problem because they are unaware of a problem or lack insight into the consequences of their lifestyle choices and/or behavior. (Chapter 2.7)

Preparation stage: The client acknowledges that a behavior or risk is problematic and can make a commitment to correct it in the next 30 days. (Chapter 2.7)

Primary prevention: Refers to interventions to prevent illness and injury that are implemented before health disorders develop. (Chapter 2.3)

Relapse: Occurs when an individual returns to the former problematic behavior, such as smoking, drinking excessively, or misusing other substances. (Chapter 2.7)

Secondary prevention: Interventions focus on screening to identify early stages of disease, often before the client experiences signs or symptoms of the disease. (Chapter 2.4)

Shingles: A painful rash that usually develops on one side of the body, often the face or torso. (Chapter 2.3)

Sleep hygiene: Healthy habits that support good sleep. (Chapter 2.3)

Social determinants of health: The conditions in the environments where people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age that affect a wide range of health, functioning, and quality-of-life outcomes. (Chapter 2.2)

Standard drink: Equivalent to 12 ounces of beer, a 5-ounce glass or wine, or 1.5 ounces of liquor. (Chapter 2.3)

Stool DNA Test: This test combines the fecal immunochemical test with a test that detects altered DNA in the stool. (Chapter 2.4)

Substance misuse: The use of alcohol or drugs in a manner, situation, amount, or frequency that could cause harm to the user or to those around them. (Chapter 2.3)

Tertiary prevention: Helps clients reduce the severity of disease and/or altered functioning, also referred to as “rehabilitation.” (Chapter 2.5)

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF): An independent, volunteer panel of national experts that makes evidence-based recommendations about preventive services including screening. (Chapter 2.4)