Terminology Questions from a Soon-to-be Pre-Nursing Student

TiffyRN, BSN, PhD · Nov 20, 2004

C-Diff; Clostridium difficile. It's a intestinal infection common in hospitalized patients that causes diarrhea

Telemetry nursing: Working a telemetry floor which has cardiac monitoring that is transmitted from a little box the patient can wear and be mobile instead of being attached to a monitor at the bedside. The boxes are like little radio transmitters that are battery powered. Most of the patients are heart patients but any patient with a potential for heart rhythm disorders might be on telemetry.

Differentials: I think you are talking about extra amounts paid for working off-shifts or holidays. It's not uncommon for hospitals to pay either a set dollar amount extra an hour or a percentage. For example $2 extra an hour for working 3-11 shift. $4 extra an hour for weekend shifts. 25% extra an hour for holidays. These are only examples. There is a great variety in amount of differential paid throughout the country and from hospital to hospital.

R/T: related to. It's a common term used in nursing diagnoses and careplanning. You won't need to worry about them after you graduate but that's a whole other thread.

D/T: Due to. Also a common term used in nursing diagnoses.

SuperSGirl · Nov 20, 2004

*C-diff --C. difficile is a spore forming bacteria which can be part of the normal intestinal flora in as many as 50% of children under age two, and less frequently in individuals over two years of age. C. difficile is the major cause of pseudomembranous colitis and antibiotic associated diarrhea.

C. difficile-associated disease occurs when the normal intestinal flora is altered, allowing C. difficile to flourish in the intestinal tract and produce a toxin that causes a watery diarrhea. Repeated enemas, prolonged nasogastric tube insertion and gastrointestinal tract surgery increase a person's risk of developing the disease. The overuse of antibiotics, especially penicillin (ampicillin), clindamycin and cephalosporins may also alter the normal intestinal flora and increase the risk of developing C. difficile diarrhea.

*telemetry nursing -- nurses who are taking care of cardiac patients that are on portable pocket size cardiac monitors (telemetry). The rhythm of the heart is watched on a monitor continuously by nurses or monitor techs who notify the nurses of significant changes and/or concerns.

*Differentials -- Different pay for w/ends vs day shift. Different pay for dayshifts vs evening shift vs night shift. Higher pay for w/ends and evening shift, then night shift.

*r/t -- related to

*d/t -- I am unfamilar with this abbreviation. Due to seems appropriate.

Hey guys!
I've been reading and posting on this board for the past year. I will be a pre-nursing student beginning in January, so please forgive my ignorance here.
I've seen a few words used on the board here that I don't know anything about. If you all could clarify/define them for me, I'd be grateful! If I think of more than those listed below, I'll let you know. I'm just trying to soak up as much nursing knowledge as I can before I even start nursing school.
Here's the list:
*C-diff. -- I know it's an illness or infection of some sort, from what I've seen posted here. Can someone please explain it in further detail?
*telemetry nursing -- What type of nursing is this?
*Differentials -- In regards to salary, what does this mean?
*r/t -- What is this an abbreviation for? Does it mean "in regards to..."??
*d/t -- Does this stand for "due to"?
Thanks, in advance, for your help! Someday soon, I'll be a full-fledged nursing student and won't have such silly questions! :uhoh21: LOL
Angel

RDH2RN · Nov 20, 2004

Thank you so much, guys! I really appreciate your responses! :)

Angel