Tag: Congenital vs acquired

According to the National Academy of Medicine, 6 in 10 American adults live with at least one chronic disease, many of which are acquired conditions. In the context of general health, understanding what it means if something is acquired is crucial, as it distinguishes conditions developed after birth from those present from birth.

In the medical field, a condition is considered 'acquired' if it is not inherited or present at birth but developed later in life. For nurses, understanding what does acquired mean in nursing is crucial for proper assessment, effective care planning, and the prevention of new health issues, including serious hospital-acquired conditions (HACs).

According to the CDC, approximately 1 in 25 hospitalized patients will contract a healthcare-associated infection, which is a type of **acquired** condition. In a medical context, understanding **what does acquired mean in healthcare** is crucial for distinguishing between conditions that develop after birth and those present from birth.

An acquired deformity is a medical condition where a body part's normal size or shape changes due to external factors like injury or infection, not from birth. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of what does acquired deformity mean, distinguishing it from congenital issues and covering its various aspects.