Vital Sign Ranges & Terminology

Question 1

Afebrile

Answer 1

Without fever

Question 2

Febrile

Answer 2

With fever

Question 3

Normal temperature ranges

Answer 3

Oral (under tongue): 97.6F - 99.6F
Axillary (in armpit): 96.6F - 98.6F
Rectal: 98.6F - 100.6F

Question 4

Normal pulse range

Answer 4

60 - 100 beats per minute

Question 5

What are the two types of pulse rhythm?

Answer 5

Regular

Irregular

Question 6

Bradycardia

Answer 6

Pulse < 60 bpm

The word “bradycardia” is from the Greek βραδύς bradys “slow”, and καρδία kardia “heart”.

Question 7

Tachycardia

Answer 7

Pulse > 100 bpm (for adults)

the combining forms tachy- + -cardia, which are from the Greek ταχύς tachys, “quick, rapid” and καρδία, kardia, “heart”.

Question 8

Apnea

Answer 8

Without breathing

Question 9

Systolic

Answer 9

Blood Pressure - top number

100 - 120 mmHg

Pressure against the arterial walls during heart muscle contraction

from συστέλλειν (sustéllein ‘to contract’; from σύν sun ‘together’ + στέλλειν stéllein ‘to send’)

Question 10

Diastolic

Answer 10

Blood Pressure - bottom number

60 - 80 mmHg

Pressure against the arterial walls during heart muscle relaxation

between the beats

Question 11

Hypertension

Answer 11

> 140

Question 12

Hypotension

Answer 12

< 60

Question 13

Pulse Oximetry / SpO2

Normal lung capacity

Answer 13

90% - 100%

Question 14

Pulse Oximetry / SpO2

Decreased lung capacity

Answer 14

88% - 92%

Question 15

Hypoxia

Answer 15

Pulse Oximetry / SpO2

< 90% or < 88%

Question 16

Blood Glucose

Normal range

Answer 16

65 - 99 deciliters

Question 17

Blood Glucose

Critical Values

Answer 17

Adults
< 40 or > 400

Infants
> 145

Question 18

Blood Glucose

Hypoglycemia

Answer 18

< 65

Question 19

Blood Glucose

Hyperglycemia

Answer 19

> 99

Question 20

Respirations normal

Answer 20

12 - 20 beats per minute

Question 21

Bradypnea

Answer 21

< 12 breaths per minute

Question 22

Tachypnea

Answer 22

> 20 breaths per minute

Question 23

Carotid pulse check

Answer 23

Neck

Use to determine if CPR is needed in adult / child

Question 24

Brachial pulse check

Answer 24

Under arm muscle

Use to determine if CPR is needed in infants

Question 25

Radial pulse check

Answer 25

Thumb side of the inner wrist