Chapter 8C - Diagnostic Signs Flashcards
Chronic
Of long duration, such as a chronic disease like hypertension
Acute
Having rapid onset of severe symptoms
Agitation
Being upset, or hyper, very concerned
Aggravation
Being angry and probably agitated
Alleviate
To relieve or make go away, as in splinting helps alleviate the pain
Amnesia
Loss of memory
Anisocoria
Unequal pupils
Artifact
Artificial action – something extra that should not be there
Asymmetrical
Not symmetrical
Crepitus
The grating or grinding of broken bone ends
diaphoresis
Excessive sweating
Distention
To stretch out
Nasal flaring
A sign of respiratory compromise
Nystagmus
The horizontal or vertical jerking of the eyeball when they look away from the center – often observed with drug abuse
Photophobia
hypersensitivity to bright light – wishing to avoid it – commonly seen with hangovers and meningitis
Ventilation
Moving air – to move air into and out of the lungs
Respiration
To utilize the oxygen we breathe through gas exchanges both in the lungs, and at the cellular level
What are the 12 diagnostic signs?
- pulse
- respirations
- Blood-pressure
- Skin color
- Skin moisture
- Skin temperature
- Pupils
- Level of consciousness
- Reaction to pain
- Ability to move
- Breath sounds
- Respiratory patterns
Pulse - fast & weak (causes)
Shock, heat exhaustion, diabetic coma
Pulse – fast and strong (causes)
Freight, stress, fever, hypertension, heat stroke, stimulant drugs (amphetamines, cocaine)
Pulse – slow and weak (causes)
Downer drug overdose (sedative – hypnotics, tranquilizers, opiates), impending doom
Pulse - slow and strong (causes)
Stroke, head injury