VITAL SIGNS

Question 1

bradypnea

Answer 1

rate of breathing is regular but abnormally slow. less than 12 breaths per minute.

Question 2

Afebrile

Answer 2

not feverish

Question 3

antipyretics

Answer 3

medications that reduce fever. Acetaminophen and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, salicylates, and indomethacin reduce fever by increasing heat loss.

Question 4

auscultatory gap

Question 5

blood pressure

Answer 5

the force exerted on the walls of an artery by the pulsing blood under pressure from the heart

Question 6

bradycardia

Answer 6

abnormally slow heart rate, below 60 b/m

Question 7

capnography

Answer 7

measurement of exhaled carbon dioxide throughout exhalation.

Question 8

conduction

Answer 8

is the transfer of heat from one object to another with direct contact.

Question 9

convection

Answer 9

transfer of heat away by air movement.

Question 10

core temperature

Answer 10

relatively constant temperature of the deep tissue

Question 11

diaphoresis

Answer 11

visible perspiration primarily occurring on the forehead and upper thorax, although it occurs in other places on the body.

Question 12

diastolic pressure

Answer 12

the minimal pressure exerted against the arterial walls at all times.

Question 13

dysrhythmia

Answer 13

An interval interrupted by an early or late beat or a missed beat indicates an abnormal rhythm

Question 14

eupnea

Answer 14

The sigh, a prolonged deeper breath, is a protective physiological mechanism for expanding small airways and alveoli not ventilated during a normal breath.

Question 15

Evaporation

Answer 15

the transfer of heat energy when a liquid is changed to a gas.

Question 16

febrile

Answer 16

having or showing the symptoms of a fever.

Question 17

fever

Answer 17

occurs because heat-loss mechanisms are unable to keep pace with excessive heat production, resulting in an abnormal rise in body temperature.

Question 18

fever of unknown origin -FUO

Answer 18

fever with an undetermined cause

Question 19

frostbite

Answer 19

occurs when the body is exposed to subnormal temperatures. Ice crystals form inside the cells, and permanent circulatory and tissue damage occurs.

Question 20

heat exhaustion

Answer 20

profuse diaphoresis results in excess water and electrolyte loss

Question 21

heatstroke

Answer 21

Heat depresses hypothalamic function. Prolonged exposure to the sun or a high environmental temperature overwhelms the heat-loss mechanisms of the body.

Question 22

hematocrit

Answer 22

percentage of red blood cells in the blood which determines blood viscosity

Question 23

hypertension

Answer 23

an elevated blood pressure

Question 24

hyperthermia

Answer 24

an elevated body temperature related to the inability of the body to promote heat loss or reduce heat production

Question 25

hypotension

Answer 25

when the systolic BP falls to 90 mm Hg or below

Question 26

hypothermia

Answer 26

Heat loss during prolonged exposure to cold overwhelms the ability of the body to produce heat

Question 27

malignant hyperthermia

Answer 27

hereditary condition of uncontrolled heat production that occurs when susceptible people receive certain anesthetic drugs

Question 28

non-shivering thermogenesis

Answer 28

heat production primarily in neonates, because they cannot shiver

Question 29

orthostatic (postural) hypotension

Answer 29

occurs when a normotensive person develops symptoms and a drop in systolic pressure by at least 20 mm Hg or a drop in diastolic pressure by at least 10 mm Hg within 3 minutes of rising to an upright position

Question 30

oxygen saturation

Answer 30

measure of how much hemoglobin is currently bound to oxygen compared to how much hemoglobin remains unbound. A saturation greater than 93% is acceptable while a saturation of less than 90% is a clinical emergency

Question 31

postural hypotension

Question 32

pulse deficit

Answer 32

An inefficient contraction of the heart that fails to transmit a pulse wave to the peripheral pulse site. o assess a pulse deficit you and a colleague assess radial and apical rates simultaneously and then compare rates (see Skill 29.2). The difference between the apical and radial pulse rates is the pulse deficit.

Question 33

pulse pressure

Answer 33

The difference between systolic and diastolic pressure

Question 34

pyrexia

Answer 34

fever

Question 35

pyrogens

Answer 35

a substance, typically produced by a bacterium, which produces fever when introduced or released into the blood

Question 36

radiation

Answer 36

transfer of heat from the surface of one object, to the surface of another without direct contact between the two

Question 37

shivering

Answer 37

involuntary body response to temperature differences in the body. The skeletal muscle movement during shivering requires significant energy. Shivering sometimes increases heat production 4 to 5 times greater than normal.

Question 38

sphygmomanometer

Answer 38

blood pressure cuff

Question 39

systolic pressure

Answer 39

The peak of maximum pressure when ejection occurs

Question 40

tachycardia

Answer 40

abnormally elevated HR above 100 b/m

Question 41

thermogenesis

Answer 41

the production of heat in the body

Question 42

thermoregulation

Answer 42

physiological and behavioral mechanisms that regulate the balance between heat loss and heat produced

Question 43

ventilation

Answer 43

movement of gases in and out of the lungs

Question 44

vital signs

Answer 44

The most frequent and routine measurements obtained by health care providers. temp, pulse, BP, RR, and ox sat.

Question 45

adult temperature range

Answer 45

Average temperature range: 36° to 38°C (96.8° to 100.4°F) Average oral/tympanic: 37°C (98.6°F) Average rectal: 37.5°C (99.5°F) Axillary: 36.5°C (97.7°F)

Question 46

adult pulse range

Answer 46

60-100 beats/min. strong and regular

Question 47

average pulse oximetry range for adults

Answer 47

normal SpO2 ≥95%

Question 48

Adult respiration range

Answer 48

12-20 breaths /min. deep and regular

Question 49

adult blood pressure ranges

Answer 49

Systolic <120 mm Hg Diastolic <80 mm Hg Pulse pressure: 30 to 50 mm Hg

Question 50

adult capnography (EtCO2) range

Answer 50

Normal: 35-45 mm Hg

Question 51

Mechanisms of heat loss

Answer 51

sweating vasodilation of blood vessels inhibition of heat production

Question 52

mechanisms of heat conservation

Answer 52

vasoconstriction of blood vessels voluntary muscle contraction and muscle shivering

Question 53

hypoxemia

Answer 53

Low levels of arterial O2. When arterial oxygen levels fall, these receptors signal the brain to increase the rate and depth of ventilation.

Question 54

tachypnea

Answer 54

Rate of breathing is regular but abnormally rapid (greater than 20 breaths/min).

Question 55

hyperpnea

Answer 55

Respirations are labored, increased in depth, and increased in rate (greater than 20 breaths/min) (occurs normally during exercise).

Question 56

Apnea

Answer 56

Respirations cease for several seconds. Persistent cessation results in respiratory arrest

Question 57

Hyperventilation

Answer 57

Rate and depth of respirations increase. Hypocarbia sometimes occurs.

Question 58

Hypoventilation

Answer 58

Respiratory rate is abnormally low, and depth of ventilation is depressed. Hypercarbia sometimes occurs.

Question 59

Cheyne-stokes respiration

Answer 59

Respiratory rate and depth are irregular, characterized by alternating periods of apnea and hyperventilation. Respiratory cycle begins with slow, shallow breaths that gradually increase to abnormal rate and depth. The pattern reverses; breathing slows and becomes shallow, concluding as apnea before respiration resumes.

Question 60

Kussmaul’s respiration

Answer 60

Respirations are abnormally deep, regular, and increased in rate.

Question 61

Biot’s respiration

Answer 61

Respirations are abnormally shallow for two to three breaths, followed by irregular period of apnea