• Oral / nasal gastric tubes ( OGT / NGT ) – used to remove fluid and gas from the stomach to prevent vomiting . These tubes may also be used for tube feedings and giving medications .
• Oxygen saturation ( O2 Sat ) – the amount of oxygen in the patient ’ s blood . Normal is greater than 90 %.
• Palliative Medicine – part of the health care team that helps in the prevention and relief of suffering during serious or life-threatening conditions .
• Pan Cultures – blood , urine , and sputum tests that check for infection .
• Paralytics – drugs that prevent the patient from being able to move .
• Patient Controlled Analgesia ( PCA or pain pump ) – a pump that gives pain medicine through an IV either continuously or at the patient ’ s demand .
• Peripheral Intravenous Line ( PIV or IV ) – a small tube placed in a vein by a nurse , usually in the arm , that allows fluids , medications , and blood to be given .
• Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy ( PEG ) – a feeding tube surgically placed into the stomach .
• Pulmonary Artery ( PA ) Catheter / Swan Ganz Catheter – a tube that sits in the heart and provides the health care team with information on how well the heart is working .
• Restraints – soft wrist or ankle bands that are used for patient safety .
• Sedation – drugs that relieve stress and help the patient relax .
• Sequential Compression Device ( SCD )/ Anti-embolism hose ( TED ) – SCDs and TEDs aide in prevention of blood clots .
• Tracheotomy ( Trach ) – a procedure where a tube is passed through a surgical incision on the neck that goes into the windpipe ( trachea ). It is usually used when the patient is expected to be on the ventilator for a long time . It also helps to wean the ventilator .
• Tube feedings – liquid food given to the patient by a feeding tube .
• Ventilator ( vent ) – a machine used to help the patient breathe . uabmedicine . org 29