Module 3 health terms

Question 1

No elevation in body temperature

Answer 1

afebrile

Question 2

The heart rate as heard with a stethoscope placed on the chest wall adjacent to the cardiac apex

Answer 2

apical pulse

Question 3

Absence of breathing

Answer 3

apnea

Question 4

Time in which sound is not heard in the auscultatory method of measuring blood pressure with a sphygmomanometer. This is an abnormal finding, occurring particularly in hypertension and in aortic stenosis

Answer 4

Auscultatory gap

Question 5

The amount of energy used in a unit of time by a fasting, resting subject to maintain vital functions

Answer 5

Basal metabolic rate

Question 6

A slow heart rate (less than 60 beats per minute in an adult)

Answer 6

bradycardia

Question 7

A slow respiratory rate (less than 12 breaths per minute in an adult)

Answer 7

Bradypnea

Question 8

The volume of blood expelled by the ventricles of the heart with each beat multiplied by the heart rate

Answer 8

cardiac output

Question 9

The temperature of deep structures of the body as compared to that of peripheral tissues

Answer 9

core temp

Question 10

The minimum level of blood pressure measured between contractions of the heart; the point at which Korotkoff sounds can no longer be heard when auscultating the blood pressure (for adults) or when the Korotkoff sunds muffle in children

Answer 10

diastolic blood pressure

Question 11

Difficult breathing; AKA shortness of breath (SOB)

Answer 11

dyspnea

Question 12

Any abnormal heart rhythm

Answer 12

dysrhythmia

Question 13

Normal respiration (12-20 breaths per minute in the adult)

Answer 13

eupnea

Question 14

Releasing air from the lungs through the nose or mouth; AKA exhalation

Answer 14

expiration

Question 15

An extremely elevated temperature (greater105 F; 40.5 C ); sometimes occurs in acute infectious diseases, especially in young children

Answer 15

hyperpyrexia

Question 16

High blood pressure

Answer 16

hypertension

Question 17

Low blood pressure

Answer 17

hypotension

Question 18

Subnormal temperature of the body (under 96.8 F; 36.6 C)

Answer 18

hypothermia

Question 19

The drawing of air into the lungs; AKA inhalation

Answer 19

inspiration

Question 20

Five distinct sounds to listen for when auscultating the blood pressure

Answer 20

Korotkoff sounds

Question 21

Difficulty in breathing when lying flat

Answer 21

orthopnea

Question 22

When a person experiences a severe drop in blood pressure on rising to a standing position

Answer 22

orthostatic hypertension

Question 23

The systolic blood pressure obtained by the process of inflating the sphygomomanometer while palpating the radial pulse until 20-30 mm Hg after the pulse disappears; then slowly releasing the pressure, noting the mm of Hg at which the pulse reappears during deflation.

Answer 23

palpatory blood pressure

Question 24

The strength or magnitude of a pulse

Answer 24

pulse amplitude

Question 25

The mathematical difference between the auscultated apical and the palpated radial pulse rates determined when assessing them simultaneously; normally, there is no pulse deficit

Answer 25

pulse deficit

Question 26

The mathematical difference between the systolic and diastolic blood pressures

Answer 26

pulse pressure

Question 27

Fever, elevation of body temperature above the normal circadian range as a result of an increase in the body’s core temperature; above 37.2 C (98.9 F) in the morning or above 37.7 C (99.9 F) in the evening

Answer 27

pyrexia

Question 28

The mm of Hg at which the first Korotkoff sound is auscultated; represents the maximum pressure at which the arterial system operates

Answer 28

systolic blood pressure

Question 29

A rapid heart rate (greater than 100 beats per minute in an adult)

Answer 29

tachycardia

Question 30

A rapid respiratory rate (greater than 20 breaths per minute in an adult)

Answer 30

tachypnea

Question 31

Resistance to blood flow that must be overcome to push blood through the circulatory system

Answer 31

vascular resistance