CH. 19 VITAL SIGNS Flashcards
Learning VItal Signs Terminology
abnormal breath sounds
Adventitious Sounds
without fever; the body temperature is normal
Afebrile
thin-walled air sacs of the lungs in which the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place
alveoli
the space located at the front of the elbow
Antecubital space
an agent that reduces fever
antipyretic
the major trunk of the arterial system of the body. the aorta arises from the upper surface of the left ventricle
aorta
the temporary cessation of breathing
apnea
the armpit
axilla
a pulse with an increased volume that feels very strong and full
bounding pulse
an abnormally slow heart rate (< 60 beats/min)
bradycardia
an abnormal decrease in the respiratory rate of less than 10 respirations per min
bradypnea
a temperature scale in which the freezing point of water is 0 degrees and the boiling point of water is 100 degrees; also called the centrigrade scale
celsius scale
the transfer of energy, such as heat, from one object to another by direct contact
conduction
the transfer of energy through air currents
convection
a sudden falling of an elevated body temperature to normal
crisis
a bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes
cyanosis
the phase in the cardiac cycle in which the heart relaxes between contractions
diastole
the point of lesser pressure on the arterial wall which is documented during diastole
diastolic pressure
shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
dyspnea
an irregular rhythm; also called arrhythmia
dysrythmia
normal respiration; the rate is 16-20 respirations per min the rhythm is even and regular and the depth is normal (the act of breathing out)
exhalation
a temperature scale in which the freezing point of water is 32 degrees and the boiling point of water is 212 degrees
fahrenheit scale
pertaining to fever
febrile
a body temperature that is above normal, synonym for pyrexia
fever
the midline fold that connects the undersurface of the tongue with the floor of the mouth
frenulum linguae
an abnormal increase in the rate and depth of respiration
hyperpnea
an extremely high fever
hyperpyrexia
high blood pressure
hypertension
an abnormally fast and deep type of breathing, usually associated with acute anxiety conditions
hyperventilation
an abnormal decrease in the rate and depth of respiration
hypopnea
low blood pressure
hypotension
a body temp that is below normal
hypothermia
a decrease in the oxygen saturation of the blood. hypoxemia may lead to hypoxia
hypoxemia
a reduction in the oxygen supply to the tissues of the body
hypoxia
the act of breathing in
inhalation
between the ribs
intercostal
sounds heard during the measurement of blood pressure that are used to determine the systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings
korotkoff sounds
a vague sense of body discomfort, weakness and fatigue that often marks the onset of a disease and continues through the course of an illness
malaise
an instrument for measuring pressure
manometer
the curved surface on a column of liquid in a tube
meniscus
the condition in which breathing is easier when the individual is in a sitting or standing position
orthopnea
the difference between systolic and diastolic pressures
pulse pressure
a computerized device consisting of a probe and a monitor used to measure the oxygen saturation of arterial blood
pulse oximetry
the time interval between heartbeats
pulse rhythm
the strength of the heartbeat
pulse volume
the transfer of energy in the form of waves
radiation
abbreviation for the percentage of hemoglobin that is saturated with oxygen in arterial blood
SaO2 (saturation of arterial oxygen)
an instrument for measuring arterial blood pressure
sphygmomanometer
abbreviation for the percentage of hemoglobin that is saturated with oxygen in arterial blood as measured by a pulse oximeter
Sp02 (saturation of peripheral oxygen)
an instrument used for amplifying and hearing sounds produced by the body
stethoscope
the phase in the cardiac cycle in which the ventricles contract, sending blood out of the heart and into the aorta and pulmonary trunk
systole
the point of maximum pressure on the arterial walls which is documented during systole
systolic pressure
an abnormally fast heart rate (more than 100 bpm)
tachycardia
an abnormal increase in the respiratory rate of more that 20 breaths/min
tachypnea
a pulse with a decreased volume that feels weak and thin
thready pulse
