Medical Term Glossary- Vital Signs Flashcards
Auscultatory gap
a brief period when Korotkoff sounds disappear during auscultation of blood pressure; may occur with hypertension
temporary disappearance of sounds usually heard over the brachial artery, occurring when the cuff pressure is high and is gradually reduced, with the sounds again heard at a lower level of pressure (usually occurring in patients who have hypertension)
Bradycardia
heart rate fewer than 50 or 60 beats per minute in the adult (depending on agency)
Sphygmomanometer
instrument for measuring arterial blood pressure
Stroke Volume
amount of blood pumped out of the heart with each heartbeat
Tachycardia
heart rate greater then 95 beats per minute in the adult
Antipyretic
a substance or procedure that reduces fever
Apnea
temporary or transient cessation of breathing
Axillary
pertaining to the axilla, the cavity beneath the junction of a forelimb and the body; also called the armpit or the underarm
Brachial pulse
beating or throbbing felt over the brachial artery, usually palpated in the antecubital space
Bradypnea
an abnormally slow respiratory rate, usually fewer than 12 breaths per minutes in an adult
Cardiac Output
the amount of blood pumped into the arteries by the heart during one minute; the product of the heart rate and the stroke volume
Core Temperature
the amount of heat in the deep tissues and structures of the body, such as the liver
Diastolic pressure
the force exerted when the heart is at rest in between each beat; the lowest pressure exerted against the arterial walls at all times
Dyspnea
the sensation of difficult or labored breathing
Eupnea
normal respiration
Febrile
feverish; pertaining to a fever
Hypertension
a common cardiovascular disorder, often with no symptoms, in which the blood exerts an abnormal amount of force on the inside walls of the arteries persistently and blood pressure readings are persistently above 120/80 mmHg
Hypotension
a condition in which blood pressure falls below the normal range; not usually considered a problem unless it causes symptoms, such as dizziness or fainting
Korotkoff sounds
a series of five sounds (four sounds followed by an absence of sound) heard during the auscultatory determination of blood pressure and produced by sudden distention of the artery because of the proximally placed pneumatic cuff
Orthopnea
ability to breathe without difficulty only when in an upright position (sitting upright or standing)
Orthostatic hypertension
a sudden drop in blood pressure resulting from a change in position, usually when standing up from a sitting or reclining position and often causing dizziness
Oximetry
determination of the oxygen saturation of arterial blood using a photoelectric device called an oximeter
Palpation
the application of the fingers with light pressure to the surface of the body to determine the condition of the underlying parts
Pulse deficit
the difference between the apical and the radial pulse rates. This condition may indicate a lack of peripheral perfusion for some of the heart contractions.
