Exam 1 - Vital Signs Flashcards
Diaphoresis
Sweating
non-shivering thermogenesis
A way to create heat (metabolism?)
Pyrexia
Fever
Febrile episode
a fever, or specifically when the hypothalamus sets the thermometer to a higher setting
Afebrile
When a fever “breaks”. More specifically, the period after a fever breaks.
Antipyretic
Anti-fever medication. Reduces a fever.
Hyperthermia
Elevated body temp
heat stroke
Dangerous heat emergency defined as body temperature of 40.2 C or 104.4 F or more. S&S include giddiness, confusion, cramps, delirium, and more!
Infrared thermometer
Relies on thermal radiation to measure body temp
Digital thermometer
Contains a probe connected to a microprocessor chip which translates signals into degrees and sends a temp to a digital display
Apical Pulse
Assess the apical pulse by listening for heart sounds.
Tachycardia
Abnormally elevated heart rate. More than 100 BPM.
Bradycardia
Slow heart rate. Less than 60 BPM in adults
Dysrhythmia
A regular interval interrupted by an early beat, late beat, or missed beat.
Pulse deficit
An inefficient contraction of the heart that fails to transmit a pulse wave to a peripheral pulse site.
Pulse Pressure
The difference between the systolic and diastolic pressure
Hypertension
Usually BP of greater than 140/90.
Hypotension
a SBP less than 90 mm hg
Orthostatic Hypotension
A reduction of SBP of at least 20 mm hg or a reduction of DBP of at least 10 mm hg within 3 min of quiet standing.
Auscultatory Gap
The disappearance of kortkoff sounds and then their eventual reappearance.
Ventilation
The mechanical movement of gases into and out of the lungs
Perfusion
the distribution of RBCs to and from pulmonary capillaries.
Eupnea
The normal rate and depth of ventilation
Bradypnea
respiratory rate less than 12 per min or lower than acceptable limits.
