GLOSSARY OF KEY TERMS
Below are some common terms you may hear while in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU):
• Arterial blood gas (ABG) – a blood test used to help the health care team check how well the
patient is breathing.
• Arterial Line (A-line) – a tube placed in an artery, usually in the leg or arm, that measures blood
pressure. Blood for labs can also be obtained from the a-line.
• Bair Hugger – a blanket that constantly blows warmed air on the patient.
• Central Venous Line – a type of IV placed into a large vein in the neck, chest, or leg by the doctor.
It allows fluids/meds/blood products to be given quickly, blood tests/labs to be obtained, and
monitoring of the central venous pressure (CVP).
• Central Venous Pressure (CVP) – a pressure in the heart. This gives the health care team an idea
of the patient’s fluid status.
• Cervical collar (Aspen collar) – used for neck and head injuries to prevent spinal cord damage.
• Chest tube – a tube placed into the chest that removes air or fluid from around the lungs.
• Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT) – a machine is used to filter the blood as the
kidneys would do.
• Delirium – sudden confusion due to physical illness that is usually only for a short time.
• Endotracheal Tube (ETT) – a tube placed in the windpipe (trachea) to maintain the patient’s airway
and to provide a means for mechanical ventilation. This tube can be in the mouth (OETT) or in the
nose (NETT). The patient will not be able to talk, eat, or drink when an ETT is in place.
• External Ventricular Drain (EVD, Ventric) – a tube inserted into the brain that is used to drain fluid
or to monitor pressures.
• Fluid Warmer – warms IV fluids.
• Foley Catheter – a tube placed to drain urine.
• Hospital beds – there are many types, and some are special to prevent skin breakdown, promote
wound healing and patient comfort, and improve breathing.
• IV pump – a pump that delivers blood/fluid/medications into the patient at a set rate.
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