Lesson 2: Directional Terms, Positions, and Imaging (Textbook p. 32)
Medical terminology uses medical terms to attain standardized communication within medicine and in the healthcare industry, from Exploring Medical Language, 11ed.
The anatomic position is the assumed body position when using directional terms
In The Lesson
In Lesson 2, you are introduced to the following:
- directional terms
- anatomic planes
- abdominopelvic regions
- diagnostic imaging
- patient positions
Directional terms, anatomic planes, patient positions, and abdominal regions are essential for medical personnel to provide a precise and consistent system for identifying body areas. For example, these terms describe the location of pain, the patient’s position for a specific treatment, and information for diagnostic imaging.
Diagnostic imaging is an important part of the evaluation of patients with a variety of signs and symptoms.
Preventing Wrong-Side Errors
Confusing the patient’s right and left with the provider’s right and left can lead to significant errors. Tips for preventing wrong-side errors are:
- The right and left are that of the patient and not the observer.
- Avoid saying ‘right’ when correct is meant.
- When a patient indicates the side choice is ‘right,’ confirm the response meant ‘correct.’