CH 13: Vital Signs and Monitoring Devices Flashcards
auscultation
listening. A stethoscope is used to auscultate for characteristic sounds.
blood pressure
the force of blood against the walls of the blood vessels.
blood pressure
monitor a machine that automatically inflates a blood pressure cuff and measures blood pressure.
brachial artery
the major artery of the arm.
brachial pulse
the pulse felt in the upper arm.
bradycardia
a slow pulse; any pulse rate below 60 beats per minute.
carotid
pulse the pulse felt along the large carotid artery on either side of the neck.
constrict
get smaller
diastolic
blood pressure the pressure remaining in the arteries when the left ventricle of the heart is relaxed and refilling
dilate
get larger.
oxygen saturation (SpO2)
the ratio of the amount of oxygen present in the blood to the amount that could be carried, expressed as a percentage.
palpation
touching or feeling. A pulse or blood pressure may be palpated with the fingertips.
pulse
the rhythmic beats felt as the heart pumps blood through the arteries.
pulse oximeter
an electronic device for determining the amount of oxygen carried in the blood, known as the oxygen saturation or SpO2.
pulse quality
the rhythm (regular or irregular) and force (strong or weak) of the pulse.
pulse rate
the number of pulse beats per minute.
pupil
the black center of the eye.
radial
pulse the pulse felt at the wrist.
reactivity
in the pupils of the eyes, reacting to light by changing size.
respiration
the act of breathing in and breathing out.
respiratory rate
quality the normal or abnormal (shallow, labored, or noisy) character of breathing.
respiratory rhythm
the regular or irregular spacing of breaths.
sphygmomanometer
the cuff and gauge used to measure blood pressure.
systolic blood pressure
the pressure created when the heart contracts and forces blood out into the arteries.
tachycardia
a rapid pulse; any pulse rate above 100 beats per minute, for an adult.
vital signs
outward signs of what is going on inside the body, including respiration; pulse; skin color, temperature, and condition (plus capillary refill in infants and children); pupils; and blood pressure.
