ATI Vital Signs Flashcards
Antipyretic
A substance or procedure that reduces fever.
Apnea
Temporary or transient cessation of breathing.
Auscultatory Gap
Temporary disappearance of sounds usually heard over the brachial artery, occurring when the cuff pressure is high and is gradually reduced, with the sounds again heard at a lower level of pressure (usually occurring in patients who have hypertension)
Axillary
Pertaining to the axilla, the cavity beneath the junction of a forelimb and the body; also called the armpit or the underarm.
Brachial Pulse
Beating or throbbing felt over the brachial artery, usually palpated in the antecubital space.
Bradycardia
An abnormally slow pulse rate, usually fewer than 60 beats per minute in an adult
Bradypnea
An abnormally slow respiratory rate, usually fewer than 12 breaths per minute in an adult.
Cardiac Output
The amount of blood pumped into the arteries by the heart during one minute; the product of the heart rate and the stroke volume.
Core temperature
The amount of heat in the deep tissues and structures of the body, such as the liver.
Diastolic Pressure
The force exerted when the heart is at rest in between each beat; the lowest pressure exerted against the arterial walls at all times.
Dyspnea
The sensation of difficult or labored breathing.
Eupnea
Normal respiration
Febrile
Feverish; pertaining to fever
Hypertension
A common cardiovascular disorder, often with no symptoms, on which the blood exerts an abnormal amount of force on the inside walls of the arteries persistently and blood pressure readings are persistently above 120/80 mmHg.
Hypotension
A condition in which blood pressure falls below the normal range; not usually considered a problem unless it causes symptoms, such as dizziness or fainting.
