Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
784
Introduction to Health Science
resistant not susceptible; able to survive in negative
conditions
respiration one breath in (inhalation) and one breath
out (exhalation)
respiratory related to the act of or organs involved in
breathing
respiratory hygiene practices that seek to protect
people from airborne infectious particles; also called
cough etiquette
résumé a short, one-page document that contains
your accomplishments and experiences and explains
how these relate to a job in which you are interested
review articles scientifi c papers that give an
overview of a specifi c topic by summarizing the
data and conclusions from several different studies
ribosomes organelles that build proteins for the cell;
may be free in the cytoplasm or attached to rough
endoplasmic reticulum
risk assessments methods used to calculate and
describe a person’s chance of becoming ill or dying
of a specifi ed condition
root the part of a hair where growth begins, which is
embedded at the bottom of a hair follicle
root word the foundation of a medical term; carries
the term’s meaning
rotation the action of turning on an axis
S
safety check the process of looking for and removing
potential hazards that could cause injury or harm
Safety Data Sheet (SDS) an OSHA-required
document that explains the hazards of a chemical
product
safety precautions information about the safe
operation of a piece of equipment, which is usually
found in the instruction manual or on equipment
labels
sagittal plane the body plane that divides the body,
organ, or appendage into right and left sections
sales presentation a prearranged meeting in which a
salesperson presents detailed information and often
a demonstration of a product
salivary glands glands in the mouth that secrete
saliva
sanitation term that describes procedures and
practices that maintain cleanliness and preserve
public health
SBAR system a method that helps healthcare
workers communicate with each other more
clearly by using a standardized communication
format for reporting changes in a patient’s status;
stands for Situation, Background, Assessment, and
Recommendation
scientifi c communication a type of technical
communication used by scientists and nonscientists
to provide information and promote understanding
sclera the tough, fi brous outer layer of the eye; also
known as the white of the eye
scope of practice tasks that an employee is legally
allowed to perform based on his or her training and
certifi cation
scrotum a sac that holds the testes on the outside of
the body
sebaceous gland a small gland in the skin that
provides an oily secretion that coats the hair and
skin with a softening, waterproof fi lm
secondary care teams groups of healthcare providers
that deliver specialized services to hospital patients
secondary source a document that summarizes the
results of several studies
secretion the release of a liquid substance from
blood, cells, or tissues
select agent a highly dangerous and strictly
controlled substance that can potentially be used to
develop biological or chemical weapons
semen a thick, milky white fl uid that supports sperm
on their way to the uterus
semi-Fowler’s an inclined position in which the
patient’s body is elevated at 30 degrees
sensory impairments conditions such as hearing
loss, vision loss, or speech diffi culties that may
create communication barriers
service learning an educational experience that
integrates academic achievement with community
service
sharps needles, scalpels, or other sharp-edged
objects found in healthcare settings that can
puncture the skin
shift report a statement that tells oncoming staff the
information necessary for a smooth continuation of
patient care
short bone a bone that is as long as it is wide and
which is made of spongy bone covered by a layer of
compact bone
sign evidence of a health condition that can be seen
or measured
simulate to imitate an action
sinus cavities air-fi lled spaces around the nose
that contain mucous membranes that help defend
against infection
skeletal muscle a voluntary, striated muscle that
connects to bones and is responsible for movement
slander verbal defamation
sleep defi cit a lack of suffi cient sleep
smooth muscle an involuntary muscle located in
the body’s visceral organs and blood vessels; also
known as visceral muscle
social media a group of online communication
tools that allow people to share information and
resources via the Internet
Social Security a government program that provides
retirement income, disability, and survivors’
benefi ts
soft skills employability skills related to
communication, attitude, teamwork, and problem
solving that are diffi cult to teach but critical to
workplace success