Class 8 - Vital Signs and Assessment Flashcards
afebrile
the end of a fever
antecubital fossa
elbow pit
apical pulse
one of the 8 common arterial pulse sites. it can be found in the left center of your chest, just below the nipple
axillary
armpit
baseline
info sound at the beginning of a study or other initial known value which is used for comparison with later data
bradycardia
slow HR
bradypnea
slow breathing
diastolic
“bottom number” pressure in the arteries when the heart rests between beats
tachypnea
shallow breathing, take more breaths than normal in a given moment
laboured breathing
abnormal respiration: increased effort to breathe, including the use of accessory muscles of respiration, grunting, or nasal flaring
cheyne-stokes breathing
respiratory congestion, variety of breathing. respiratory rate and depth are irregular, characterized by alternating periods of apnea and hyperventilation. respiratory cycle begins with slow, shallow breaths that gradually increase to abnormal rate and depth. this pattern reverses, breathing slows and becomes shallow, climaxing in apnea before respiration resumes
febrile
a fever
hypertension
high blood pressure, long term condition
hypotension
low blood pressur
pulse deficit
inefficient contraction of the heart that fails to transmit a pulse wave to the peripheral pulse site
systolic
“first number”
peak of maximum pressure when ejection occurs at contraction
tachycardia
abnormally fast HR
tachypnea
fast breathing
turgor
degree of elasticity of skin
peripheral pulse
a pulse recorded in the arteries (radial or pedal) in the distal portion of the limbs
holistic/comprehensive assessment
should consider all of the patients needs in order to identify actual and potential problems
quick priority assessment
carried out to gain an abbreviated overall assessment
focused or selective assessment
uses knowledge of the patients history and presenting problem
sources of info
primary and secondary
assessment data
objective and subjective
vital signs
important measurements of an individuals condition
- includes temperature, pulse respirations and BP
- accuracy in measurement and reporting vital signs is critical.