Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
780
Introduction to Health Science
muscle tone the normal, partly contracted state of
skeletal muscles in the trunk and limbs, which helps
maintain the body’s balance
myelin a fatty layer that protects the axons of some
nerves
N
nail bed term for the sensitive layer of cells beneath
the nail plate at the tips of a person’s fi ngers and
toes
nanotechnology a fi eld of science that manipulates
individual atoms and molecules to create devices
that are thousands of times smaller than current
technologies allow
National Health Science Standards standards
determined by the National Consortium for Health
Science Education, which describe the skills that
workers need to succeed in healthcare careers
National Institutes of Health (NIH) a division
of the HHS that conducts research and provides
information toward improving public health
through 27 different agencies
National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) a federal law
that gives workers the right to join together, with
or without a union, to discuss ways of improving
working conditions
negative feedback system mechanism that reduces
a body function in response to a stimulus, such as a
hormone
negligence the failure to do something a person with
training should have known enough to do
nephron the fundamental excretory unit of each
kidney
net pay the amount of money received in a pay
period after all deductions have been taken out; also
known as take-home pay
network the group of people who work in healthcare
that someone might know
neuron a nerve cell
neurotransmitter a chemical used to carry a signal
from
an axon to a receptor cell to pass along a
message
non-intact skin broken skin, including rashes
noninvasive procedure a test or treatment that does
not require incisions to the skin or the insertion of
instruments or other materials into the body
nonprofi t organization business entity that uses
any profi ts to achieve its charitable goals, such as
research, education, and low-cost care
nosocomial infections infections acquired in
hospitals or other healthcare facilities
nourishments healthy snacks for residents in a
healthcare facility
nuclear medicine technologists healthcare workers
who administer radioactive substances as part of
the imaging process
nucleolus the organelle located at the center of the
nucleus, which uses ribosomes to build proteins
nucleus the organelle that contains genetic material
controls the cell’s activity
number needed to harm (NNH) the number of
patients who must be treated over a specifi c period
to cause harm in an average of one patient who
would not otherwise have been harmed
number needed to treat (NNT) the number of
patients who must be treated to prevent the
occurrence of the condition under examination
nursing diagnosis the description of a client’s health
problem that a nurse is licensed and competent to
treat
nutrients molecules such as carbohydrates, proteins,
fats, vitamins, and minerals used by the body to
grow and maintain body processes
O
objective observation an indication of a health
condition that can be clearly observed; also called a
sign
objective writing written work that draws
a conclusion from the facts and makes no
assumptions
occipital lobes the smallest of the brain’s lobes,
which are located in the back of the skull and
control sight, visual-spatial processes, memory, and
storage
occupational exposure term for the reasonable
expectation for contact with blood or other
potentially infectious materials during the
performance of job duties
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA) a government agency that creates
regulations to prevent work-related injuries,
illnesses, and deaths
Offi ce of the National Coordinator as Authorized
Testing and Certifi cation Body (ONC-ATCB) an
agency that certifi es bodies for evaluating
electronic health record systems and verifying their
compliance with the US Department of Health and
Human Services’ standards
off-label term that describes a type of prescribing in
which a doctor uses a medication in a way that is
not specifi ed in the product information
olfactory bulb the thickened end of the olfactory
nerve that sends sensory impulses to the olfactory
region of the brain
ombudsman a person who addresses complaints
and advocates for improvements in the long-term
healthcare system
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) a law
that requires certifi ed nursing assistants (CNAs)
to have at least 75 hours of training and to pass
written and skill tests
open-ended question a question that requires more
than a one- or two-word response
ophthalmologist an eye specialist
opportunistic infections diseases that take
advantage of an already weakened immune system