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Fundamentals Of Nursing > Vital Signs > Flashcards

Vital Signs Flashcards

1
Q

Sphygmomanometer

A

Blood pressure cuff used to measure blood pressure

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2
Q

Hypertension

A

High blood pressure

Systolic reading constantly above 140 or a diastolic reading constantly above 90

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3
Q

What are the 6 vital signs?

A
  1. Blood Pressure
  2. Temperature
  3. O2 Sat
  4. Pulse
  5. Respiration
  6. Pain
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4
Q

Stroke Volume

A

The amount of blood ejected from the heart in one contraction

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5
Q

Cardiac Output

A

The volume of blood pumped from the heart in a full minute

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6
Q

Arteriosclerosis

A

The hardening of arteries

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7
Q

Systolic Pressure

A

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

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8
Q

Systole

A

Time during which the ventricles are contracted

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9
Q

Diastolic Pressure

A

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

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10
Q

Diastole

A

Time during which the ventricles are at rest

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11
Q

Pulse Pressure

A

Measurement of the difference between the systolic and diastolic pressures.
Normal Range: 30-50

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12
Q

Prehypertension

A

When the systolic pressure rises above 120

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13
Q

Korotkoff’s Sounds

A

sounds heard over an artery during cuff deflation representing the blood flow.. (5 sounds)

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14
Q

Auscultatory Gap

A

Silence and the return of sounds when checking blood pressure

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15
Q

Primary Hypertension

A

The rise in blood pressure that results

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16
Q

Secondary Hypertension

A

When there is renal or endocrine disease process that results in elevation of blood pressure

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17
Q

Hypotension

A

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

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18
Q

Orthostatic Hypotension

A

When position changes result in a systolic pressure drop of 15 to 20 mm Hg or the diastolic pressure falls 10 mm Hg

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19
Q

Modified Trendelenburg Position

A

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

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20
Q

Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)

A

The amount of heat that produced by the body when at total rest

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21
Q

Thermoregulation

A

Regulation of body temperature

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22
Q

Hypothalamus

A

Part of the brain that controls the thermoregulation

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23
Q

Diaphoresis

A

When sweat production is high enough to be seen on the skin

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24
Q

Circadian Rhythm

A

The body’s “time clock” or rhythm of it’s own

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25
Q

Tympanic Thermometer

A

Infrared device used with a disposable cover over the tip of the speculum.
Used to measure body temperature in the ear

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26
Q

Febrile

A

The state of having a fever

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27
Q

Afebrile

A

The state of being without fever

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28
Q

Hyperthermia

A

Serious elevation of a body temperature above 105 degrees

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29
Q

Phagocytes

A

Specialized white blood cells whose purpose is to ingest the invaders

30
Q

Shivering

A

When muscles involuntarily contract

31
Q

Hypothermia

A

A core temperature below 95 degrees F (35 C);

Slows body’s metabolism

32
Q

Pulse

A

Throbbing sensations at various points all over the body

33
Q

Apical Pulse

A

Central or primary pulse site;

Located over the apex of the heart where the contraction is the strongest

34
Q

Distinct

A

When both heart sounds (S1 and S2) are heard very strongly

35
Q

Distant

A

When both hearts sounds cannot be heard strongly

36
Q

Pulse Deficit

A

When the radial pulse is slower than the apical pulse

37
Q

Peripheral Pulses

A

Various pulse sites other than the apical pulse where the pulse may be palpated

38
Q

Bradycardia

A

A pulse less than 60 bpm

39
Q

Tachycardia

A

A pulse greater than 100 bpm

40
Q

Thready Pulse

A

When a pulse is so weak that slight fingertip pressure on the pulse site results in the pulse disappearing

41
Q

Obliterates

A

When a thready pulse disappears

42
Q

Bounding Pulse

A

A pulse that is very strong and does not disappear

43
Q

Doppler Ultrasound Machine

A

A device that uses sound waves to determine if blood flow is present

44
Q

Respiration

A

The interchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the atmosphere in the body

45
Q

External Respiration

A

The exchange of these gases between the lungs’ alveoli and the blood found in the capillaries that surround the alveoli

46
Q

Internal Respiration

A

The exchange of these gases between the circulating blood and the tissue cells that make up the body

47
Q

Ventilation

A

The movement of air into and out of the lungs

48
Q

Inspiration

A

The mechanics of respiration involved in the act of breathing in (inhalation)

49
Q

Expiration

A

Breathing out (exhalation)

50
Q

Carotid Body

A

A section of the carotid artery wall

51
Q

Aortic Body

A

A section of the aortic arch wall

52
Q

Eupnea

A

Normal respirations

53
Q

Bradypnea

A

Respiratory rate below 12 respirations per minute

54
Q

Tachypnea

A

When the respiratory rate exceeds 20 respirations per minute

55
Q

Apnea

A

When respirations cease or are absent

56
Q

Tidal Volume

A

The average amount of air inhaled in one breath

between 300 and 500 mL

57
Q

Dyspnea

A

Labored or difficult breathing

58
Q

Hypoxemia

A

Decreased oxygen level in the blood

59
Q

Hypoxia

A

Decreased delivery of oxygen to the tissues and cells

60
Q

Orthopnea

A

Difficulty breathing unless sitting in an upright position or standing

61
Q

Stertorous

A

Noisy, snoring, labored respirations that are audible without a stethoscope

62
Q

Adventitious Sounds

A

Abnormal sound that may be heard when auscultating the lungs with a stethoscope

63
Q

Wheezes

A

Musical, whistling sounds that may be audible without a stethoscope or heard only during auscultation

64
Q

Rales (Crackles)

A

Short, choppy, popping, snapping, or raspy sounds that may resemble the sound made by rubber strands of hair between your thumb and index fingers.

65
Q

Rhonchi

A

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

66
Q

Stridor

A

Audible, high pitched crowing sound that results from partial obstruction of the airways

67
Q

Acute Pain

A

Pain that has a sudden onset, may have severe symptoms, and runs a shorter course than chronic pain

68
Q

Chronic Pain

A

Pain of a longer duration or is ongoing with little change or progression

69
Q

What are factors that can affect blood pressure?

A
  1. Age
  2. Race
  3. Exertion or Exercise
  4. Rest
  5. Circadian Rhythm
  6. Anxiety or Stress
  7. Medications
  8. Nicotine and Caffeine
  9. Obesity
  10. Hydration
  11. Hemorrhage
70
Q

What are the categories of blood pressure?

A

Prehypertension- 120-139 or 80-89
Stage 1 Hypertension- 140-159 or 90-99
Stage 2 Hypertension- 160+ or 100+

Fundamentals Of Nursing (3 decks)

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