Module 6 Vocab Flashcards
A slow heart rate (less than 60 beats per minute in an adult)
bradycardia
A blowing or whooshing sound auscultated with the stethoscope over arteries; heard best with the bell of the stethoscope
bruit
The length of time it takes the color to return to the nailbeds after applying pressure; a measure of capillary bed perfusion; normally less than 3 seconds
capillary refill
The period between contractions of the atria or the ventricles during which blood enters the relaxed chambers from the systemic circulation and the lungs
diastole
The accumulation of fluid in the intercellular spaces leading to swelling
edema
A sharp, clicking sound arising from near the heart, possibly caused by sudden swelling of a pulmonary artery, abrupt dilation of the aorta, or forceful opening of the aortic cusps
ejection click
Rising of the cardiac area of the chest secondary to increased left ventricular contraction; AKA lifts
heaves
Pain in the calf and popliteal area on passive dorsiflexion of the foot, may indicate deep venous thrombosis of the calf
Homan’s sign
A blowing or whooshing heart sound heard through the wall of the chest; caused by blood flow through a heart valve
murmur
A sharp, high-pitched click heard in early diastole related to opening of the abnormal valve in cases of mitral stenosis
opening snap
Difficulty in breathing when lying flat
orthopnea
Sensations of fluttering, pounding, or racing of the heart
palpitations
A disorder characterized by sudden attacks of respiratory distress that awaken the person usually after several hours of sleep in a reclining position; due to increased fluid in central circulation; PND
paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
The sound produced by the rubbing together of inflamed membranes of the pericardium, as may occur in pericarditis or after a myocardial infarction; auscultated with each heart beat; resembles the sound of squeaky leather and often is described as grating, scratching, or rasping
pericardial friction rub
The area of the anterior chest overlying the heart and great vessels
precordium
The point on the chest wall over the heart at which the contraction of the heart is best seen or felt; normally at the fifth intercostal space in the left midclavicular line in adults
point of maximal impulse
The mathematical difference between the systolic and diastolic blood pressures
pulse pressure
The mathematical difference between the auscultated apical and the palpated radial pulse rates determined when assessing them simultaneously; normally, there is no pulse deficit
pulse deficit
The first heart sound in the cardiac cycle, occurring at the onset of ventricular systole
S1
The second heart sound in the cardiac cycle, associated with closure of the aortic and pulmonic valves at the onset of ventricular diastole
S2
The third heart sound in the cardiac cycle normally audible only in children and physically active young adults and usually disappears with age
S3
The fourth heart sound in the cardiac cycle, occurs late in diastole on contraction of the atria; not normally heard
S4
A regularly irregular cardiac rhythm in which the heart rate increases during inspiration and decreases during expiration; common in children and young adult
sinus arrhythmia
The period of contractions of the atria or the ventricles during which blood is propelled into the pulmonary arteries and the aorta
systole
