Chapter 14 Flashcards
Vital signs
Measurements—temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, pain level—that monitor the functioning of the vital organs of the body
Radial pulse
The pulse located on the inside of the wrist, where the radial artery runs just beneath the skin
Brachial pulse
The pulse inside the elbow, about 1 - 1 1/2 inches above the elbow
Apical pulse
The pulse located on the left side of the chest, just below the nipple
Stethoscope
An instrument designed to listen to sounds within the body
 respiration
The process of breathing air into the lungs and exhaling air out of the lungs
Inspiration
Breathing in
Expiration
Exhaling air out of the lungs
Apnea
The absence of breathing
Dyspnea
Difficulty breathing
Eupnea
Normal breathing
Orthopnea
Shortness of breath when lying down that is relieved by sitting up
Tachypnea
Rapid breathing
Cheyne-Stokes
Alternating periods of slow, irregular breathing and rapid, shallow breathing
Systolic
First measurement of blood pressure; phase when the heart is at work, contracting and pushing the blood from the left ventrical of the heart
Diastolic
Second measurement of blood pressure; phase when the heart relaxes or rests
Hypertension
High blood pressure, measuring 140/90 or higher
Prehypertension
A condition in which a person has a systolic measurement of 120–139 mm Hg and a diastolic measurement of 80–89 mm Hg; indicates that the person does not have high blood pressure now but is likely to have it in the future
 hypotension
Low blood pressure, measuring 100/60 or lower
Sphygmomanometer
Blood pressure cuff
Sitz bath
A warm soak of the perineal area
Intravenous (IV)
Into a vein
Oxygen therapy
The administration of oxygen to increase the supply of oxygen to the lungs
Oxygen concentrator
A box–like device that changes air in the room into air with more oxygen
Nasal cannula
A piece of plastic tubing that fits around the face and a secured by a strap that goes over the ears and around the back of the head
