Vital Signs Flashcards
Thermoregulation
physiological and behavioral mechanismsregulate the balance between heat lost and heat produced.
Vasodilation
widening of blood vessels to encourage heat loss
Vasoconstriction
narrowing of blood vessels to reduce blood flow to the skin and extremities, conserving heat.
Basal Metabolic Rate
heat produced by the body at absolute rest
Radiation
transfer of heat from teh surface of one object to the surface of another without direct contact between the two.
Conduction
Transfer of heat from one object to another with direct contact
convection
transfer of heat away by air movement. Increases when moist skin comes into contact with slightly moving air
Evaporation
transfer of heat energy when liquid is changed to gas
Pyrogens
substances that cause a rise in body temperature, as in the case of bacterial toxins
FUO
fever of unknown origin- undetermiend case
Malignant Hyperthermia
hereditary condition of uncontrolled heat production that occurs when susceptible people have certain anesthetic drugs. Very high fever with surgery. Temperature keeps climbing- quickly can affect brain
ventilation
the movement of gases in and out of the lungs
diffusion
the movement of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the alveoli and the red blood cells
external respiration
from alveoli to blood
internal respiration
capillary bed to toe tissue
perfusion
the distribution of RBC to and from the pulmonary capillaries
eupnea
normal rate and depth of ventilation
bradypnea
rate of breathing is regular, but abnormally slow (less than 12 breaths per minute) slower than the range for that age
tachypnea
rate of breathing is regular but abnormally rapid (greater than 20 breaths per minute)
apnea
respirations cease for several seconds. persistent cessation results in respiratory arrest
hypoventilation
respiratory rate abnormally low, and depth of ventilation is depressed Hypercarbia
hyperventilation
rate and depth of respirations increased Hypocarbia
regular respiration rhythm
even and same height wave curves
Cheyne- Stokes
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 rates and depth. The pattern reverses- breathing slows and becomes shallow, climaxing in apnea before respiration resumes. Happens in dying patient or when have neurological difficulties
Kussmaul
respirations are abnormally deep regular and increased in rate. Exaggerated hyperventilation. Usually in acidoic condition
Biots
respirations are abnormally shallow for two or three breaths followed by irregular period of apnea- neurological injury
Ataxic
irregular- neurological injury
Bradypnea
shallow
P-wave
atrial contraction
Q wave
normally small (larger on MI)
ORS
ventricle squeeze
ST
segment before repolarization
T
repolarization, recharge and ions go back across membrane to get ready for next beat
Hypovolemia
abnormally low circulating blood volume
Huff Couch
make coughing sound to rattle bronchial tube
Cascade cough
seriies of small coughs to move stuff up
Pursed lip breathing
used when patients have trouble with air trapping- COPD. Puts positive pressure back on airway to exhale longer and get more air out
Modified Borg Dyspnea Scale
assess shortness of breath
Orthostatic hypotension
reduction in systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure by at least 20 or 10 mmHg respectively within 1-4 minutes of standing after being recumbent for at least 5 minutes
Postprandial Hypotension
systolic blood pressure reduction of 20 mmHg or more within 2 hours of eating a meal
