MA - Chapter 20

Apnea

Abnormal, periodic cessation of breathing.

Arteriosclerosis

Thickening, decreased elasticity, and calcification of arterial walls.

Auscultated

Listening to the sounds within the body with a stethoscope.

Bounding

Describes a pulse that feels full because of the increased blood volume.

Bradycardia

A slow heartbeat; a pulse below 60 beats per minute.

Bradypnea

Abnormally slow breathing.

Calibrated

Determined by or checked against a standard (as in readings).

Cerumen

A waxy secretion in the ear canal; commonly called ear wax.

Cheyne-Stokes Respiration

Deep, rapid breathing followed by a bout of apnea.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

A progressive, irreversible lung condition that results in diminished lung capacity.

Diurnal

Fluctuations that occur during each day.

Dyspnea

Difficult or painful breathing.

Essential Hypertension

Elevated blood pressure of unknown cause that develops for no apparent reason; sometimes called primary hypertension.

Febrile

Pertaining to an elevated body temperature.

Fluctuate

To shift back and forth.

Homeostasis

The internal environment of the body that is compatible with life. A steady state that is created by all the body systems working together to provide a consistent and unvarying internal environment.

Hyperpnea

Excessively deep breathing.

Hyperventilation

Abnormally increased breathing.

Hypotension

Blood pressure that is below normal (systolic pressure below 90 mm Hg and diastolic pressure below 50 mm Hg).

Idiopathic

Of unknown cause.

Intermittent Pulse

A pulse in which beats occasionally are skipped.

Larynx

The voice box.

Lymphedema

A condition in which extra lymph fluid builds up in an arm or leg if lymph vessels are blocked, damaged, or removed by surgery.

Malaise

A condition of general bodily weakness or discomfort, often marking the onset of a disease.

Myocardium

The middle layer, and thickest layer, of the heart; composed of cardiac muscle.

Occlude

To close, shut, or stop up.

Orthopnea

A condition of difficult breathing unless in an upright position.

Orthostatic (Postural) Hypotension

A temporary fall in blood pressure when a person rapidly changes from a recumbent position to a standing position.

Otitis Externa

Inflammation or infection of the external auditory canal; commonly called swimmer’s ear.

Peripheral

Refers to an area outside of or away from an organ or structure.

Pulse Deficit

A condition in which the radial pulse is less than the apical pulse; it may indicate a peripheral vascular abnormality.

Pulse Pressure

The difference between the systolic and diastolic blood pressures (30 to 50 mm Hg is considered normal).

Pyrexia

A febrile condition or fever.

Rales

An abnormal lung sound heard on auscultation, characterized by discontinuous bubbling noises.

Rhonchi

An abnormal rumbling sound heard during auscultation, caused by airways blocked by secretions or muscle contractions.

Stertorous

Heavy, as related to snoring.

Syncope

Fainting; a brief lapse in consciousness.

Tachypnea

Rapid, shallow breathing.

Thready

Describes a pulse that is thin and feeble.

Vertigo

Dizziness; an abnormal sensation of movement

Wheezing

Whistling sound made during breathing.