Glossary 359
J
job shadowing a job exploration tool that
involves following an employee completing
the tasks of a job you fi nd interesting
joints physical point of connection between
two bones; articulation
K
kinesthetic learner one who learns through
experiencing and doing things; labs, fi eld trips,
and study breaks can be helpful for this learner
L
learning styles different ways that people
learn; three basic types include visual, audi-
tory, and kinesthetic; most people have a mix-
ture of all three
licensure recognition given by a state agency
when a person meets the qualifi cations for a
particular occupation; given after the person
passes a licensure examination; required in
order to practice
ligaments tough bands of fi brous tissue that
connect bone to bone
lymph colorless fl uid from the body’s tissues
that carries white blood cells; collects and
transports bacteria to the lymph nodes for
destruction; carries fats from the digestive
system
lymphocyte white blood cell that destroys
pathogenic microorganisms
M
malignant term that describes a tumor that is
threatening to life; cancerous
malpractice any misconduct or lack of skill that
results in patient injury; also known as profes-
sional liability
malware malicious software used to disrupt
computer operation, gather sensitive informa-
tion, or gain access to private computers
master’s degree academic degree awarded by
a college or university to those who complete
from one to two years (depending on the
degree) of prescribed study beyond the bach-
elor’s degree
material safety data sheet (MSDS) a sheet that
accompanies every chemical used in a hospi-
tal and which contains important information
regarding that chemical
mean mathematical average of data
median the number exactly in the middle of
a group of numbers listed in ascending or
descending order
Medicaid a program jointly-funded by state
and federal taxes that provides medical aid for
low-income individuals of all ages; managed
by the states
medical ethics standards concerned with
whether a healthcare worker’s actions are right
or wrong
medical law standards concerned with whether
a healthcare worker’s actions are legal or illegal
medical specialties specifi c areas of focus prac-
ticed by medical professionals, which are often
named according to a body system
Medicare a federal health insurance program for
persons 65 or older and disabled individuals
metabolism term for the chemical processes
occurring within a living organism that main-
tains life
metastasis the spread of cancerous cells from
their place of origin to other parts of the body
via the bloodstream
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) an antibiotic-resistant bacterium
responsible for a diffi cult-to-treat infection;
sometimes prevalent in hospitals, prisons,
schools, and nursing homes
metric system of measurement a system of
measurement using units related by factors of
ten; measurements based on the gram, liter,
meter, and temperature measure in Celsius