Chapter 19: Vital Signs Flashcards
adventitious sounds
Abnormal breath sounds.
Afebrile
Without fever; the body temperature is normal.
Alveoli
Thin-walled air sacs of the lungs in which the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place.
Antecubital space
The space located at the front of the elbow.
antipyretic
An agent that reduces fever
Aorta
The major trunk of the arterial system of the body. The aorta arises from the upper surface of the left ventricle.
Apnea
The temporary cessation of breathing.
Axilla
the armpit
bradypnea
An abnormal decrease in the respiratory rate of less than 10 respirations per minute.
Conduction
The transfer of energy, such as heat, from one object to another by direct contact.
Convection
The transfer of energy, such as heat, through air currents.
Crisis
A sudden falling of an elevated body temperature to normal.
cyanosis
A bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes.
diastole
The phase in the cardiac cycle in which the heart relaxes between contractions.
diastolic pressure
The point of lesser pressure on the arterial wall, which is documented during diastole.
dynspnea
Shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing.
dysrhythmia
An irregular rhythm; also termed arrhythmia.
eupnea
Normal respiration. The rate is 16 to 20 respirations per minute, the rhythm is even and regular, and the depth is normal.
exhalation
the act of breathing out
febrile
Pretaining to a fever
Frenulum linguae
The midline fold that connects the undersurface of the tongue with the floor of the mouth.
Hyperpnea
An abnormal increase in the rate and depth of respiration.
Hyperpyrixia
An extremely high fever
Hypertension
High blood pressure
Hyperventilation
An abnormally fast and deep type of breathing, usually associated with acute anxiety conditions.
Hypopnea
An abnormal decrease in the rate and depth of respiration
Hypotension
Low blood pressure
Hypothermia
A body temperature that is below normal
Hypoxeima
A decrease in the oxygen saturation of the blood. Hypoxemia may lead to hypoxia.
Intercostal
Between the ribs
Korotkoff sounds
Sounds heard during the measurement of blood pressure that are used to determine the systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings.
Malaise
A vague sense of body discomfort, weakness, and fatigue that often marks the onset of a disease and continues through the course of the illness.
Manometer
An instrument for measuring pressure.
Orthopnea
The condition in which breathing is easier when an individual is in a sitting or standing position.
Pulse oximentry
The use of a pulse oximeter to measure the oxygen saturation of arterial blood.
Pulse Pressure
The difference b/w the systolic and diastolic pressure
Pulse rhythem
The time interval b/w heartbeats
Pulse volume
The strength of the heartbeat
Radiation
The transfer of energy, such as heat, in the form of waves.
SaO2 (saturation of peripheral oxygen)
Abbreviation for the percentage of hemoglobin that is saturated with oxygen in arterial blood as measured by a pulse oximeter.
Systole
The phase in the cardiac cycle in which the ventricles contract, sending blood out of the heart and into the aorta and pulmonary trunk.
Systolic pressure
The point of maximum pressure on the arterial walls, which is documented during systole.
Tachycardia
An abnormally fast heart rate (more than 100 beats/min).
Tachypea
An abnormal increase in the respiratory rate of more than 20 breaths/min.
Thready pulse
A pulse with a decrease volume that feels weak and thin
