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
