Glossary 357
disinfection term for the use of antimicrobial
agents on nonliving objects or surfaces to
destroy or deactivate microorganisms
division process of determining how many
times one number is present in another number
doctorate a degree awarded after two to six
years of education beyond the bachelor’s
degree; available in many disciplines
do not resuscitate (DNR) document a legal
document made by a patient, which states
that CPR or other advanced cardiac life sup-
port should not be performed if a patient stops
breathing or a patient’s heart stops
download transmission of a fi le from one com-
puter system to another; usually from a larger
computer system to a smaller one
durable power of attorney a legal document
that grants another person the authority to
make legal decisions for you; the Durable
Power of Attorney for Health Care includes
patient instructions for healthcare decisions
and gives another person the power to enforce
such decisions
duty of care a legal obligation for healthcare per-
sonnel to take reasonable care to avoid causing
harm to a patient
dyslexia a learning disorder characterized by
problems processing words; often causes dif-
fi culties when learning to read
E
electronic medical records (EMR) digital ver-
sions of a paper chart that contains a patient’s
medical history
emancipated minor a person under 18 years of
age who has legally established that he or she
does not live with parents
empathy the act of identifying with and under-
standing another person’s feelings or situation
endocrine glands glands that secrete chemical
substances called hormones, which regulate
body functions; part of the endocrine system
English system of measurement a system of
measurement commonly used in the United
States; measurements are based on the inch,
pound, gallon, and Fahrenheit degrees
enthusiasm an excited and positive attitude
that you can bring to your work
epidemics diseases that affect many people and
spread rapidly by infecting a certain area or
population
equations mathematical statements containing
expressions composed of both numbers and let-
ters; two sides of an equation are separated by
an equal sign and must be equal to one another
ergonomics term for simple practices meant to
minimize physical effort and discomfort and
maximize effi ciency
F
Fahrenheit temperature scale the temperature
scale commonly used in the United States; the
freezing point of water is 32° and the boiling
point is 212°
fi re triangle term for the three elements needed
to start a fi re: fuel, heat, and oxygen
fi rewall software program or piece of hardware
developed to prevent a hacker from accessing
personal information on your computer or in
the healthcare facility computer system
fractions numbers composed of a numera-
tor on top and a denominator on the bottom;
indicates part of a whole
fungi organisms that include disease-causing
microorganisms such as yeasts and molds
G
Good Samaritan laws laws that protect people
from legal action after voluntarily giving emer-
gency medical aid while using reasonable care
grammar the study of how words and their
components combine to form sentences