terminology

Nursing Students Student Assist

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Hi,

I am curious about some terminology and have been unable to find any place that really discusses the difference. When I am reading a list of s/s, what is the difference between drowsiness and lethargy? If I feel one, I generally feel the other, especially if I have been having to stay in bed. Here are a couple:

lethargy and drowsiness

slow wound healing and decreased healing

decreased resistance and increased susceptibility to infection

I've seen them listed as if they are different, but I'm not sure what the medical difference is, or if there is one.

Thanks!

Jennifer

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Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

it is a good idea to begin your search by looking these things up in dictionaries. if you do not have your own you can access online ones at https://allnurses.com/nursing-student-assistance/need-help-abbreviations-89810.html - need help with abbreviations, medical terminology (see post #19)

  • lethargy - "a condition of functional torpor or sluggishness" (page 1095, taber's cyclopedic medical dictionary, 18th edition)
    • torpor - "abnormal inactivity; dormancy; numbness; apathy" (page 1970, taber's cyclopedic medical dictionary, 18th edition)

    [*]drowsiness - "the state of almost falling asleep" (page 576, taber's cyclopedic medical dictionary, 18th edition)

    [*]slow - "exhibiting retarded speed" (page 1776, taber's cyclopedic medical dictionary, 18th edition)

    [*]healing - "the restoration to a normal mental or physical condition, esp[ecially] of an inflammation or a wound." (page 845, taber's cyclopedic medical dictionary, 18th edition)

    [*]decreased - "verb, to become or cause to become gradually less, smaller, etc.; diminish." (webster's new world dictionary of the american language, college edition)

    [*]increased - "verb, to become greater in size, amount, degree, etc.; add to; augment." (webster's new world dictionary of the american language, college edition)

    [*]resistance - "the sum total of body mechanisms that oppose the progress of invasion, multiplication of infectious agents or damage by their toxic products." (page 1660, taber's cyclopedic medical dictionary, 18th edition)

    [*]susceptibility - the state of "having little resistance to a disease or foreign protein" (page 1870. taber's cyclopedic medical dictionary, 18th edition)

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I just wanted to say thank you if no one else does. Excellent job on the references.

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Specializes in OB/Gyn, L&D, NICU.

Drowsiness would pertain to a feeling of sleepiness.

Lethargy is feeling a lack of energy, but not necessarily sleepy.

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