Nasogastric Tube (NG Tube) - A tube that passes through the patient's nose and throat and ends in the patient's stomach. This tube allows for direct "tube feeding" to maintain the nutritional status of the patient or removal of stomach acids. Click Here To Return To List

Neglect - Paying little or no attention to a part of the body. Click Here To Return To List

Neologism - Nonsense or made-up word used when speaking. The person often does not realize that the word makes no sense. Click Here To Return To List

Neuro Developmental Treatment (NDT) - A therapeutic approach based on the development of movement and emphasizing the restoration of normal movement in performing functional activities. Click Here To Return To List

Neurolaw - The field of jurisprudence designed to meet the challenges presented by litigation regarding injuries to the central nervous system (brain or spinal cord). Click Here To Return To List

Neurologist - A physician who specializes in the nervous system and its disorders. Click Here To Return To List

Neurophysiology - The study of the functions of the nervous system. Click Here To Return To List

Neuropsychologist - A psychologist who specializes in evaluating (by tests) brain/behavior relationships, planning training programs to help the survivor of brain injury return to normal functioning and recommending alternative cognitive and behavioral strategies to minimize the effects of brain injury. Often works closely with schools and employers as well as with family members of the injured person. Click Here To Return To List

Neurosurgeon - A physician who specializes in surgery of the nervous system and its surrounding structures. Neurosurgeons operate on the brain, skull, scalp and spinal column. Click Here To Return To List

Non-ambulatory - Not able to walk. Click Here To Return To List

Non-disabled - Term for persons without disabilities. The terms normal, able-bodied, healthy, or whole are less appropriate when contrasting those with and those without disabilities. Click Here To Return To List

Non-Purposeful Movement - Movement that a person may make which has no apparent goal. Click Here To Return To List

Normalization - Philosophy that developmentally disabled individuals should be exposed to patterns and conditions of daily life which are consistent with the norms of society and that training should be provided to enable persons with developmental disabilities to function appropriately in the mainstream of society. Click Here To Return To List

Noxious Stimuli - Stimuli presented to a comatose patient in order to elicit a response. Often the nurse or physician will pinch the patient or shine a bright light in the patient's face or perform some other procedure to try to elicit a response from the patient. Sometimes the healthcare provider will rub the patient's chest very strongly or tickle the eyelid of the patient with a soft kleenex to try to elicit a response. These procedures are referred to as "noxious stimuli". Click Here To Return To List

Numerical Ability - Ability to solve numerical problems using the four fundamental rules of arithmetic: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Click Here To Return To List

Nursing Home - A residential facility for the patient who requires supervision in all activities, including assistance with medication, meal preparation, bathing, dressing, and moving about; the patient may also require special nursing care and/or ongoing therapy. There are nursing homes that provide minimal to maximum care; also called extended care facilities. See Discharge: Options For Rehabilitation Facilities. Click Here To Return To List

Nystagmus - Involuntary horizontal, vertical, or rotary movement of the eyeballs. Click Here To Return To List

NDT - See Neuro Developmental Treatment. Click Here To Return To List

NPO - Latin initials that stand for "Nothing by Mouth". This means no food or liquids for a set period, usually in preparation for certain tests, or when a person cannot safely swallow. Click Here To Return To List