Vital Signs Review (NUR 209)

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering vital signs assessment, terminology, physiology, and normal/abnormal ranges as presented in the NUR 209 lecture.

Vital Signs

Measurements including Temperature, Pulse, Respirations, and Blood Pressure (TPR & BP), often including pain and Oxygen ($O_2$) saturation assessment.

Baseline Data

Information that identifies a patient's usual state of health and serves as a basis for interpreting future data.

Core Temperature

The temperature of internal tissues (e.g., abdominal organs), which is relatively constant and maintained by the hypothalamus.

Radiation

The release of heat waves by the body, such as heat lost from the head when not wearing a hat.

Conduction

The flow of heat from the body to an object through direct contact, such as an ice pack melting from body heat.

Convection

Heat conducted to air and then carried away by currents, such as an oscillating fan.

Evaporation

Heat lost through the vaporization of liquid, including sweat, elimination, and insensible loss.

Circadian Rhythms

Biological cycles where body temperature is typically lower in the early morning and higher in the late afternoon.

Hypothermia

A low body temperature below $96\text{ F}$ ($35.5\text{ C}$) orally, with death potential at $95\text{ F}$ ($35\text{ C}$).

Pyrexia (Fever)

An increase in body temperature above $100.4\text{ F}$ ($38\text{ C}$) orally due to a change in the hypothalamic thermoregulatory set point.

Neurogenic Fever

An elevated temperature caused by disease or trauma to the hypothalamus, such as stroke or cerebral edema, which does not respond to antipyretics.

Intermittent Fever

A temperature pattern where the body temperature returns to normal at least once every $24$ hours.

Remittent Fever

A fever where temperature fluctuates a few degrees but does not return to normal.

Relapsing (Recurrent) Fever

Episodes of fever alternating with one or more days of normal temperature.

Sustained (Continuous) Fever

A body temperature that remains above normal with very little variation.

Afebrile

The state of having a normal body temperature, typically between $97$ and $98.6\text{ F}$ ($36$–$37\text{ C}$).

Hyperpyrexia

A medical emergency characterized by a very high fever, typically between $105.8$ and $111.2\text{ F}$ ($41$–$44\text{ C}$).

Tachycardia

A rapid heart rate exceeding $100\text{ bpm}$ in adults.

Bradycardia

A slow heart rate less than $60\text{ bpm}$ in adults.

Pulse Deficit

The difference between the apical pulse and the radial pulse, indicating that not all heartbeats are reaching peripheral arteries.

Pulse Amplitude Grade +1

A pulse described as weak or thready on the grading scale.

Apical Pulse Location

Auscultated at the $5\text{th}$ intercostal space ($5\text{th ICS}$) at the left midclavicular line (Left MCL).

Eupnea

Normal, unlabored respiration, typically $12$–$20\text{ breaths per minute}$ for an adult.

Tachypnea

Rapid breathing with a regular rate greater than $24\text{ rpm}$.

Bradypnea

Slow breathing with a regular rate less than $10\text{ rpm}$.

Apnea

A temporary period without breathing.

Dyspnea

Difficult or labored breathing.

Orthopnea

Difficulty breathing in any position except upright sitting or standing.

Cheyne-Stokes Respirations

A breathing pattern alternating deep, rapid breathing with periods of apnea.

Biot's Respirations

Varying depth and rate of breathing followed by irregular periods of apnea; often associated with neurological damage.

Diffusion

The exchange of $O_2$ and $CO_2$ between the alveoli of the lungs and circulating blood.

Perfusion

The exchange of $O_2$ and $CO_2$ between circulating blood and tissue cells.

Systolic Pressure

The maximum force exerted against arterial walls during ventricular contraction.

Diastolic Pressure

The lowest pressure exerted against arterial walls when the heart relaxes between beats.

Pulse Pressure

The numeric difference between the systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings.

Cardiac Output ($CO$)

The volume of blood pumped out of the heart in one minute, calculated as $CO = HR \times SV$.

Hypertension Stage 1

Blood pressure categorized by a systolic of $130$–$139\text{ mm Hg}$ or a diastolic of $80$–$89\text{ mm Hg}$.

Hypertension Stage 2

Blood pressure categorized by a systolic $\ge 140\text{ mm Hg}$ or a diastolic $\ge 90\text{ mm Hg}$.

Orthostatic Hypotension

An abnormal drop in blood pressure ($SBP$ decrease $\ge 20\text{ mm Hg}$) and increase in heart rate ($HR increase $\ge 20\text{ bpm}) upon standing.

Auscultatory Gap

The temporary disappearance of Korotkoff sounds during the latter part of Phase I and Phase II, which can lead to inaccurate readings.

Korotkoff Sounds Phase I

The first appearance of faint, clear tapping sounds which represents the systolic pressure.

Korotkoff Sounds Phase V

The level at which all sound disappears completely, representing the diastolic pressure in adults.