Measuring Vital Signs

Question 1

hypoxemia

Answer 1

decreased levels of oxygen in the blood

Question 2

auscultation

Answer 2

hearing

Question 3

orthostatic hypotension

Answer 3

drop in blood pressure when arising to a standing position

Question 4

apnea

Answer 4

absence of breathing

Question 5

eupena

Answer 5

a normal relaxed breathing pattern

Question 6

Cheyne-Stokes Respiration

Answer 6

respirations are faster & deeper then, slower, followed by a period of no breathing w/continuation of this cycle

Question 7

Biot Respirations

Answer 7

4 or 5 breaths of equal depth alternating w/ irregular periods

Question 8

Stertor

Answer 8

Snoring sound produced when patients are unable to cough up secretions from the trachea or bronchi

Question 9

Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)

Answer 9

the rate at which heat is produced when the body is at rest

Question 10

pyrogens

Answer 10

agents that cause fever

Question 11

hypoxia

Answer 11

insufficient oxygen

Question 12

stroke volume

Answer 12

the volume of blood pushed into the aorta w/each heartbeat

Question 13

Tympanic Membrane

Answer 13

eardrum (reading a temp via the ear)

Question 14

febrile

Answer 14

the stage where the body temp rises to the new point established by the Hypothalmus & remains there until the cause of the fever resolves

Question 15

defervescence

Answer 15

abatement of fever

Question 16

lysis

Answer 16

gradual return to normal temp

Question 17

apex

Answer 17

the pointed end of the heart

Question 18

arrhythmia

Answer 18

irregular pulse

Question 19

tachypnea

Answer 19

increased or rapid breathing

Question 20

cyanosis

Answer 20

blueish discoloration

Question 21

Kussmaul Respiration

Answer 21

deep panting and long, grunting exhalation

Question 22

stridor

Answer 22

obstruction of upper air passage

Question 23

dyspnea

Answer 23

difficulty (labored) breathing

Question 24

rhonchi

Answer 24

continuous dry, rattling sound

Question 25

cardiac output

Answer 25

the pulse rate multiplied by the stroke volume

Question 26

core temperature

Answer 26

the temp of the deep tissue of the body

Question 27

palpate

Answer 27

to feel

Question 28

bradycardia

Answer 28

slow pulse that is less than 60 bpm

Question 29

pulse deficit

Answer 29

the difference between the apical and radial pulse (this requires two people to count at the same time)

Question 30

crackles

Answer 30

abnormal, nonmusical sound

Question 31

wheeze

Answer 31

whistling sound of air forced past a particular obstruction

Question 32

pulse pressure

Answer 32

the difference between the systolic and diastolic pressures

Question 33

sphygmomanometer

Answer 33

the device used to measure blood pressure

Question 34

Korotkoff Sounds

Answer 34

sounds that relate to the effect of the blood pressure cuff on the arterial wall

Question 35

shock

Answer 35

circulatory collapse

Question 36

orthostatic hypotension

Answer 36

drop in blood pressure when arising to a standing position

Question 37

normal pulse rate

Answer 37

72

Question 38

normal range of respiration for healthy adult is

Answer 38

12 to 20 per min

Question 39

symptoms of hypoxia include

Answer 39

restlessness, confusion, change in level of consciousness, and cyanosis

Question 40

rectal temps are

Answer 40

about 1 degree F higher, than oral

Question 41

axillary temps are

Answer 41

about 1 degree F lower, than oral

Question 42

bradypnea

Answer 42

slow and shallow breathing

Question 43

Factors that affect the body temperature

Answer 43

time of day, environment, age, physical exercise, menstrual cycle, stress, disease and drugs

Question 44

Apical Pulse

Answer 44

is midclavical between ribs 5 & 6