Unit 10 - Vitals

Question 1

apical pulse

Answer 1

a central pulse located at the apex of the heart and taken with a stethoscope

Question 2

apnea

Answer 2

temporary absence of breathing

Question 3

arrythmia

Answer 3

any disturbance or abnormality in the heart’s normal rhythmic pattern

Question 4

aural temperature

Answer 4

body temperature taken at the tympanic membrane of the ear

Question 5

axillary temperature

Answer 5

body temperature taken at the axilla, or in the armpit

Question 6

blood pressure

Answer 6

the force exerted against the inside walls of the arteries each time the heart contracts, its measured with a sphygmomanometer

Question 7

bradycardia

Answer 7

a heart rate of less than 60 beats per minute

Question 8

bradypnea

Answer 8

an abnormally slow rate of respiration (breathing) usually of less than 10 breaths per minute

Question 9

cyanosis

Answer 9

a bluish discoloration of the skin, lips or mucosa resulting from poor circulation or inadequate oxygenation of the blood.

Question 10

diastolic pressure

Answer 10

the pressure on the inside wall of the arteries when the heart (ventricles) are at rest, or in between contractions of the heart

Question 11

Dyspnea

Answer 11

difficulty breathing, shortness of breath

Question 12

fever

Answer 12

a rise in the temperature of the body, generally above 101 F

Question 13

hypertension

Answer 13

an abnormally high blood pressure

Question 14

hyperthermia

Answer 14

An abnormally high body temperature. It can cause heat exhaustion, heat cramps, and heat stroke. Severe hyperthermia is defined as a temp over 104 F, rectally

Question 15

hypotension

Answer 15

abnormally low blood pressure

Question 16

oral temperature

Answer 16

The average range for this temperature is 98.6 F to 99.6 F . It is obtained by placing the thermometer in the patient’s mouth under the tongue.

Question 17

pulse

Answer 17

pressure wave of blood created by each heartbeat, it can be felt at body sites where the artery lies close to the skin and over a bone

Question 18

Hypothermia

Answer 18

An abnormally low body temperature usually defined as a temperature below 95 F.

Question 19

pulse pressure

Answer 19

the difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Its determined by subtracting the diastolic pressure from the systolic pressure

Question 20

Pyrexia

Answer 20

another term for fever

Question 21

Rales

Answer 21

abnormal bubbling or crackling sound made in the airways during inspiration and caused by fluid in the airway passages

Question 22

rate

Answer 22

a measure, quantity or frequency; typically used to describe the frequency of the pulse or respirations

Question 23

rectal temperature

Answer 23

An internal temperature that is the most accurate. Its usually taken on infants, small children and patients with hypothermia. Its a temperature taken in the rectum

Question 24

respirations

Answer 24

breathing in oxygen (inhalation or inspiration) and breathing out carbon dioxide (exhalation or expiration) through the respiratory system

Question 25

rhythm

Answer 25

A regularly or irregularly recurring sequence of events or actions; its used to describe a pulse and respirations

Question 26

sphygmomanometer

Answer 26

an instrument used to measure blood pressure in millimeters of mercury

Question 27

stethoscope

Answer 27

an instrument used to listen to sounds within the body

Question 28

systolic pressure

Answer 28

Blood pressure measured during contraction of the ventricles as blood is pumped or forced into the arteries

Question 29

Tachycardia

Answer 29

Abnormally rapid heartbeat over 100 beats per minute

Question 30

Tachypnea

Answer 30

Increased or rapid breathing rate

Question 31

temporal temperature

Answer 31

Measurement of body temperature in the area of the temporal artery on the side of the forehead.

Question 32

tympanic thermometer

Answer 32

Specialized electronic thermometer that is placed in the auditory canal and records the temperature radiating from the eardrum or tympanic membrane.

Question 33

vital signs

Answer 33

Measurements of the body’s most basic functions. they include, pulse, respirations, b/p and temperature and are useful in detecting or monitoring medical problems.

Question 34

Volume

Answer 34

a description of the degree of strength of the pulse, ie. weak, strong, full, bounding, thready

Question 35

Wheezing

Answer 35

The production of high pitched whistling sounds during expiration such as occurs in asthma and bronchiolitis.