Vital Signs Flashcards
What is considered the patient’s vital signs?
- body temperature
- heart rate (HR)
- pulse blood pressure (BP)
- respiratory rate (RR)
Define Anoxia
absence of oxygen in the tissues
Define Apical pulse
the pulse that is found when a stethoscope is placed on the chest wall over the apex of the heart; also may be found by palpation.
Define Apnea
the absence of breathing
Define arrythmia
variation from the normal rhythm
Define auscultation
listening for sounds produced within the body by using the unaided ear or a stethoscope
Define bradycardia
a slow heartbeat <60 bpm
Define cardiac output
The amount of blood that is pumped from the heart during each contraction.
Define diaphoresis
profuse perspiration
Define diastole
the period when the least amount of pressure is exerted on the walls or the arteries during the heartbeat; usually indicates the resting phase of the heartbeat.
Define dyspnea
difficulty breathing
Define the disturbance of breathing
dysthymia
Define ectopic
arising or produced abnormally
define the passive phase of respiration when the person breathes out; also referred to exhalation
expiration
The body temperature that is above the normal level; also referred to as pyrexia is defined as
fever
High blood pressure is defined as
hypertension
Abnormally low blood pressure is defined as
hypotension
Pertaining to the groin is defined as?
inguinal
The active phase of respiration when the person breathes in; also know as inhaling is defined as
inspiration
The insertion of a tube into the larynx to maintain an open airways is defined as
intubation
Sounds hear during auscultatory determination of blood pressure; believed to be produced by vibratory motion of the arterial wall as the artery suddenly distends when passing through the vessel or within the wall itself is defined as
Korotkoff sounds
Define occlude
to fit close together; to close tight; to obstruct or close off
Define orthopnea
a condition in which breathing is easier when the person is seated or standing.
A palpable wave of blood produced in the walls of the arteries with each heartbeat or contraction is defined as
pulse
A medical device that measures levels of blood oxygen saturation, monitors pulse rate, and calculates heart rate is defined as
pulse oximeter
An abnormal, discontinuous, nonmusical sound heard on auscultation of the chest, primarily during inhalation; also called a crackle is defined as
rale
Pertains to the rectum or the distal portion of the large intestine is defined as
rectal
The act of breathing is defined as
respiration