Resource Guide Glossary

Glossary of Terms

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I.C.D.	See International Classification of Disease.
I.C.N.	International College of Nurses.
I.C.P.	See Intracranial Pressure.
I.C.U.	See Intensive Care Unit.
I.I.O.	Insurance Institute of Ontario.
I.V.	See Intravenous.
Impairment	Reduced capacity for functioning. This term may be used in describing the reduction in functions of a single muscle, organ, or reduced capacity for social, and family relations, independent living or enjoyment of life as the result of some event or illness.
Imperception	Refers to a failure to perceive stimulation on one side of the body when both sides are being stimulated simultaneously (double simultaneous stimulation). It is not due to a primary sensory deficit such as deafness or blindness but appears to be an attentional deficit. It is less severe than "neglect" and may occur in a patient recovering from neglect.
Impulse Control	Refers to the patient's ability to withhold inappropriate verbal or motor responses while completing a task. Patients who act or speak without first considering the consequences are viewed as having poor impulse control.
Incontinent	Inability to control bowel or bladder functions. Many people who are incontinent can become continent with training.
Incoordination	A problem with coordination of movement of parts of the body, resulting from dysfunction of the nervous system rather than weakness of muscles.
Independent	The ability to perform a task without assistance or supervision.
Independent Living Program	Primary emphasis is on community-based services to maximize a person's ability to be empowered and self-directed. An independent living program allows an individual to live in a residence with maximum personal control over how services are delivered.
Inflexibility	Inability to adjust to changes.
Initiative	Refers to the individual's ability to begin a series of behaviours directed toward a goal.
Insight Regarding Impairment	The extent to which an individual accurately judges one's own strengths and weaknesses. A patient's ability in this area may be judged on the basis of actions or statements regarding intended actions. Patients with brain injuries often overestimate their strengths and underestimate their limitations. For example, a patient with right hemisphere damage may attempt to drive a car while out on a pass and get involved in a serious accident. A head injured patient with two broken legs in casts may state that he can't walk because he's "too tired".
Intellect	Pertains to many of the higher functions of the brain.
Intensive Care Unit	Hospital unit that utilizes highly sophisticated equipment and specially trained nurses to care for patients who are in such serious condition that they must be continuously monitored.
Intensive Rehabilitation	An active, multidisciplinary rehabilitation program provided for several hours daily, using a team approach. Focus is often on skill development, rather than on treatment of specific deficits.
Intercerebral	Between the cerebral hemispheres.
Intermittent Catheterization Program (ICP)	Bladder training program where a catheter is inserted to empty the bladder at regular time intervals.
Intern (Medical)	A physician who has finished medical training and is usually in the first year of specialty training. Interns work under the supervision of attending physicians and residents.
International Classification Of Disease (ICD)	A three digit "N" code indicates the pathological nature of an injury. The ninth revision of this classification (ICD-9) has been in use for several years. Unfortunately, the term "head injury" does not appear as a category. There are ten rubrics which cover most head injuries. The ICD is less useful than desired because rubrics are not mutually exclusive. Differences occur in coding from one institution to another. A new version, ICD-10, is under preparation.
Internist	A physician who specializes in internal medicine.
Interpersonal Skills	The ability to relate to others in a socially appropriate, meaningful way.
Intracranial Pressure (Icp)	Cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) pressure measured from a needle or bolt introduced into the CSF space may be defined as the pressure which must be exerted just to prevent the escape of fluid. The ICP is thus defined as the pressure of the cerebrospinal fluid.
Intracranial Pressure Monitor	An ICP monitor. A monitoring device to determine the pressure within the brain. It consists of a small tube (catheter) attached to the patient at the skull by either a Ventriculostomy, Subarachnoid Bolt, or Screw and is then connected to a transducer, which registers the pressure.
Intracranial Insults	Includes hematomas (intraparenchymal and extraparenchymal; immediate or delayed) elevations of intracranial pressure (ICP), brain swelling, edema, and vasospasm.
Intravenous	Tubing inserted into a vein through which fluids and medications can be given.
Intravenous Board	A simple wooden or plastic board usually attached with tape to the patient's forearm. It prevents bending and dislocation of the intravenous, arterial or CVP lines.
Ilpsilateral	Same side of the body.
Ischemia	A severe reduction in the supply of blood to body tissue.

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Material for the glossary was provided by the Ontario Brain Injury Association (OBIA).