Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
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Introduction to Health Science
genomic medicine personalized medical care that
uses a patient’s unique combination of genes and
chromosomes to prevent illness and maintain
health
Golgi apparatus an organelle made up of layers of
membrane in the cytoplasm; inspects, sorts, and
packages proteins for use within or removal from
the cell.
gonads the primary reproductive organs; testes in
males and ovaries in females
goniometer an instrument for measuring angles
good laboratory practices (GLPs) regulations that
describe how laboratories must operate
good manufacturing practices (GMPs) regulations
that describe how manufacturers must operate
graduated cylinder a tall container used for
measuring the volume of liquids
gross pay the total amount of money earned in a pay
period
grounding the act of carrying current safely away
from an electrical circuit to prevent shocks from
occurring in the event of a problem with the circuit
gurney a wheeled stretcher
H
hair follicle a tube within the skin’s surface that
surrounds the root of a hair
hand hygiene procedure that includes regular hand
washing using plain or antibacterial soap and the
use of alcohol-based gels
handoff care report report used during a shift
change or change in the level of patient care to
explain a patient’s current situation
harassment unwelcome, offensive, and repeated
language or actions based on race, color, religion,
sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetic
information that affect an employee’s job
performance or advancement opportunities or
create an uncomfortable working environment
harms damages or injuries
Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) an OSHA
regulation aimed at promoting awareness of
hazardous substances and understanding of safe
handling practices
hazardous dangerous; risky
healthcare-associated infection (HAI) an infection
that is not present when a patient is admitted to a
hospital or healthcare facility but develops 48 hours
or more after admission
health informatics (HI) a group of careers that
combines health information management and
health information technology; workers design
and develop information systems that improve the
quality, effectiveness, and effi ciency of patient care
health informatics services career pathway that
involves methods, devices, and resources used to
acquire, store, retrieve, and work with healthcare and
biomedical information
health information management (HIM) a fi eld
of health informatics services that is responsible
for assembling and organizing a patient’s health
information to create a medical record
health information technology (HIT) a fi eld of
health informatics services that focuses on the
systems that are used to manage health information
and the secure exchange of health information in a
digital format
Health Information Technology for Economic
and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act a law that
made signifi cant changes to the HIPAA privacy
and security regulations and seeks to increase the
nationwide use of electronic health records
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability
Act (HIPAA) a federal law that makes it easier to
obtain healthcare coverage and protects personal
health information
health literacy a person’s ability to obtain and
understand health-related information and make
informed decisions using that information
health maintenance organization (HMO) insurance
organization that employs doctors, pharmacists,
dentists, laboratories, and hospitals in an integrated
and patient-focused network to cover all aspects of
medical care for insured individuals
hemoglobin a protein that helps red blood cells
carry oxygen and gives them their red color
heredity the passing of traits (such as eye color,
height, and some diseases) from parent or ancestor
to offspring through chromosomes
hierarchy a term that describes the levels of
authority within an organization
high Fowler’s an inclined position in which the
patient’s body is elevated at 90 degrees
hindbrain the part of the brain that includes the
cerebellum and brainstem
hinge joint a joint that only bends and straightens or
opens and closes with no side-to-side movement
holistic care therapies that treat the patient as a
whole person after assessing the individual’s
physical, social, mental, and spiritual well being
home health care healthcare provided for frail,
elderly, or disabled people who live at home; care is
provided by nurses, home health aides, clergy, and
professionals who provide rehabilitation services
homeostasis a state of balance between
interdependent elements
hormone a chemical used to send messages from an
endocrine gland to a target organ
HOSA–Future Health Professionals a career and
technical student organization for future healthcare
workers
hospice care healthcare available for clients who
have been diagnosed with a terminal disease and
generally have less than six months to live
hospital typically a large facility that offers a wide
range of services from inpatient care, surgery, and
critical care to physical therapy, radiology, and
laboratory services