Vital Signs Flashcards
Sphygmomanometer
Blood pressure cuff used to measure blood pressure
Hypertension
High blood pressure
Systolic reading constantly above 140 or a diastolic reading constantly above 90
What are the 6 vital signs?
- Blood Pressure
- Temperature
- O2 Sat
- Pulse
- Respiration
- Pain
Stroke Volume
The amount of blood ejected from the heart in one contraction
Cardiac Output
The volume of blood pumped from the heart in a full minute
Arteriosclerosis
The hardening of arteries
Systolic Pressure
Measurement of the force exerted by the blood against the walls of arteries during contraction of the heart ventricles;
When the pressure is the highest
Systole
Time during which the ventricles are contracted
Diastolic Pressure
Measurement of the pressure exerted by the blood on the artery walls while the heart ventricles are not contracting;
When the pressure is the lowest
Diastole
Time during which the ventricles are at rest
Pulse Pressure
Measurement of the difference between the systolic and diastolic pressures.
Normal Range: 30-50
Prehypertension
When the systolic pressure rises above 120
Korotkoff’s Sounds
sounds heard over an artery during cuff deflation representing the blood flow.. (5 sounds)
Auscultatory Gap
Silence and the return of sounds when checking blood pressure
Primary Hypertension
The rise in blood pressure that results
Secondary Hypertension
When there is renal or endocrine disease process that results in elevation of blood pressure
Hypotension
When blood pressure suddenly falls 20 mm Hg to 30 mm Hg below the patient’s normal range or falls below the low normal of 90/60
Orthostatic Hypotension
When position changes result in a systolic pressure drop of 15 to 20 mm Hg or the diastolic pressure falls 10 mm Hg
Modified Trendelenburg Position
Supine position in which the feet are elevated above the level of the heart;
Initial treatment for when a patient becomes faint due to hypotension
Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)
The amount of heat that produced by the body when at total rest
Thermoregulation
Regulation of body temperature
Hypothalamus
Part of the brain that controls the thermoregulation
Diaphoresis
When sweat production is high enough to be seen on the skin
Circadian Rhythm
The body’s “time clock” or rhythm of it’s own
Tympanic Thermometer
Infrared device used with a disposable cover over the tip of the speculum.
Used to measure body temperature in the ear
Febrile
The state of having a fever
Afebrile
The state of being without fever
Hyperthermia
Serious elevation of a body temperature above 105 degrees
Phagocytes
Specialized white blood cells whose purpose is to ingest the invaders
Shivering
When muscles involuntarily contract
Hypothermia
A core temperature below 95 degrees F (35 C);
Slows body’s metabolism
Pulse
Throbbing sensations at various points all over the body
Apical Pulse
Central or primary pulse site;
Located over the apex of the heart where the contraction is the strongest
Distinct
When both heart sounds (S1 and S2) are heard very strongly
Distant
When both hearts sounds cannot be heard strongly
Pulse Deficit
When the radial pulse is slower than the apical pulse
Peripheral Pulses
Various pulse sites other than the apical pulse where the pulse may be palpated
Bradycardia
A pulse less than 60 bpm
Tachycardia
A pulse greater than 100 bpm
Thready Pulse
When a pulse is so weak that slight fingertip pressure on the pulse site results in the pulse disappearing
Obliterates
When a thready pulse disappears
Bounding Pulse
A pulse that is very strong and does not disappear
Doppler Ultrasound Machine
A device that uses sound waves to determine if blood flow is present
Respiration
The interchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the atmosphere in the body
External Respiration
The exchange of these gases between the lungs’ alveoli and the blood found in the capillaries that surround the alveoli
Internal Respiration
The exchange of these gases between the circulating blood and the tissue cells that make up the body
Ventilation
The movement of air into and out of the lungs
Inspiration
The mechanics of respiration involved in the act of breathing in (inhalation)
Expiration
Breathing out (exhalation)
Carotid Body
A section of the carotid artery wall
Aortic Body
A section of the aortic arch wall
Eupnea
Normal respirations
Bradypnea
Respiratory rate below 12 respirations per minute
Tachypnea
When the respiratory rate exceeds 20 respirations per minute
Apnea
When respirations cease or are absent
Tidal Volume
The average amount of air inhaled in one breath
between 300 and 500 mL
Dyspnea
Labored or difficult breathing
Hypoxemia
Decreased oxygen level in the blood
Hypoxia
Decreased delivery of oxygen to the tissues and cells
Orthopnea
Difficulty breathing unless sitting in an upright position or standing
Stertorous
Noisy, snoring, labored respirations that are audible without a stethoscope
Adventitious Sounds
Abnormal sound that may be heard when auscultating the lungs with a stethoscope
Wheezes
Musical, whistling sounds that may be audible without a stethoscope or heard only during auscultation
Rales (Crackles)
Short, choppy, popping, snapping, or raspy sounds that may resemble the sound made by rubber strands of hair between your thumb and index fingers.
Rhonchi
Continuous, low pitched, rattling, or bubbling, snoring or sonorous wheezing sounds that can be auscultated when there is partial obstruction of the larger airways due to secretions or tumor
Stridor
Audible, high pitched crowing sound that results from partial obstruction of the airways
Acute Pain
Pain that has a sudden onset, may have severe symptoms, and runs a shorter course than chronic pain
Chronic Pain
Pain of a longer duration or is ongoing with little change or progression
What are factors that can affect blood pressure?
- Age
- Race
- Exertion or Exercise
- Rest
- Circadian Rhythm
- Anxiety or Stress
- Medications
- Nicotine and Caffeine
- Obesity
- Hydration
- Hemorrhage
What are the categories of blood pressure?
Prehypertension- 120-139 or 80-89
Stage 1 Hypertension- 140-159 or 90-99
Stage 2 Hypertension- 160+ or 100+
