Vital Signs Flashcards
Apnea
The absence of respirations
*usually temporary
apical pulse
Pulse taken with a stethoscope near the apex of the heart
Arrhythmia
An irregular or abnormal rhythm
*usually caused by a defect in the electrical conduction pattern of the heart.
Aural
Temperature that is taken with a special thermometer that is placed in the ear
* or auditory canal
Axillary
When temperature is taken in the armpit
Blood pressure
The force exerted by the blood against the arterial walls when the heart contracts or relaxes.
Bradycardia
Pulse rate under 60 beats per minute
Oral
By mouth
Orthopnea
Severe dyspnea in which breathing is very difficult in any position other than sitting up or standing.
Hypothermia
Low body temperature below 95 degrees F
Pulse
The pressure of the blood felt against the wall of an artery as the heart contracts and relaxes (beats)
Pulse deficit
The difference between the rate of an apical pulse and the rate of a radial pulse
Pyrexia
Another term for fever
Systolic
Pressure occurs in the walls of the arteries when the left ventricle of the heart is contracting and pushing blood into the arteries.
Pulse pressure
The difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
Bradypnea
Is the slow respiratory rate usually below 10 respirations per minute.
Character
Refers to the depth and quality of respirations
Cheyene Stokes
Respirations- periods of dyspnea followed by periods of apnea
*noted frequently in dying patients
cyanosis
Dusky, bluish discoloration of the the skin, lips, and nail beds as a result of decreased oxygen and increased carbon dioxide in the bloodstream.
Diastolic
Pressure in the arteries when the left ventricle of the heart is at rest/ between contractions
Dyspnea
Difficult or labored breathing
Fiebre
FEVER:
An elevated body temperature
*usually over 101 degrees Fahrenheit measure rectally
Homeostasis
The ideal health state in the human body.
Hypertension
High blood pressure, when the pressure is greater than 140mm hg systolic and 90mm hg diastolic.
Hyperthermia
When the body temperature exceeds over 104 degrees Fahrenheit *measured rectally
Hypotension
Low blood pressure when pressures are under 100mm hg systolic and 60mm hg diastolic.
Rale
Bubbling or noisy sounds caused by fluids or mucus in the air passages.
Rate
Refers to the number of beats per minute of pulse
Rectal
Temperatures taken in the rectum
Respirations
Reflect the breathing rate of the patient
*breathing in and out
Rhythm
Refers to the regularity of the pulse
*pattern of beats
Sphygmomanometer
measures blood pressure with a cuff and air
Stethoscope
instrument used to listen to internal body sounds.
Tachycardia
High pulse rate over 100 beats per minute.
Tachypnea
Respiratory rate over 65 respirations per minute.
Temperature
The balance between the heat lost and the heat the body produces
Volume
Refers to the strength of the pulse
Wheezing
Difficult breathing with a high pitched whistling or sighing sounds during expiration; caused by a narrowing of the bronchioles
