Glossary P
Glossary P
Physical care refers to one of the four (4) dimensions of care for individuals who are coping with dying. Physical care is designed to address bodily pain or other sources of corporeal distress, such as constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, dehydration, loss of energy or appetite, shortness of breath, skin ulcers or bedsores, sleeplessness. The therapeutic interventions may involve carefully selected medications balanced to need and administered in appropriate ways, usually coupled with other modalities, such as positioning in bed or in a chair
Physical culture encompasses the objects, technologies, structures, tools, and other artifacts of a culture.
Physical dependence refers to an adaptive physiological state that occurs with regular drug use and results in a withdrawal syndrome when drug use stops.
Physical environments is the natural settings, such as forests and beaches, as well as environments built by humans, such as buildings, ships, and cities.
Physical Examination refers to the inspection and examination of patient's body to determine the presence or absence of physical problems. A typical Physical Examination includes:
1. inspection (looking at the body)
2. palpation (feeling the body with hands)
3. auscultation (listening to sounds)
4. percussion (producing sounds)
Physical fitness refers to a broad term describing healthful levels of cardiovascular function, strength, and flexibility ; fitness is specific to the activities performed.