Vital Signs and Measurement Lecture

Vocabulary flashcards covering core concepts of vital signs and physical measurement assessment.

Body Temperature

The balance of heat produced by the body and the heat lost to the environment.

Expected Body Temperature Range

35.8° C - 37.3° C (96.4° F and 99.1° F), with an average of 37° C (98.6° F).

Pyrexia (Hyperthermia)

An increase in body temperature above 37.8° C (100.4° F), commonly caused by infection.

Hypothermia

A decrease in body temperature below 36° C (96.8° F).

Pulse

A reflection of stroke volume, which is the amount of blood every heartbeat pumps into the aorta.

Expected Pulse Reference Range

50 to 95 beats per minute.

Grading Pulses: 0

Absent / nonpalpable pulse.

Grading Pulses: +1

Weak, thready pulse.

Grading Pulses: +2

"Normal" pulse.

Grading Pulses: +3

Bounding pulse.

Tachycardia

A pulse rate greater than 95 beats/minute.

Bradycardia

A pulse rate less than 50 beats per minute.

Inspiration

Intake of air by the lungs in order to oxygenate body tissues and support cellular function.

Expiration

Expels carbon dioxide from the lungs.

Expected Respiratory Rate Range

16 to 25 breaths per minute, with an average rate of 20 breaths/minute.

Tachypnea

An alteration in respiration characterized by a rate greater than 25 breaths per minute.

Bradypnea

An alteration in respiration characterized by a rate of 8-12 breaths per minute (depending on source).

Blood Pressure

The force exerted on the walls of an artery by pulsing blood under pressure from the heart.

Systolic Pressure

Maximum peak pressure during ventricular contraction.

Diastolic Pressure

Minimal pressure during ventricular relaxation.

Pulse Pressure

The difference between systolic and diastolic pressures (e.g., 110/76 has a pulse pressure of 34).

Elevated Blood Pressure

Systolic BP of 120-129 AND Diastolic BP < 80 mm Hg.

Stage 1 Hypertension

Systolic BP of 130-139 mm Hg OR Diastolic BP of 80-89 mm Hg.

Stage 2 Hypertension

Systolic BP > 140 mm Hg OR Diastolic BP > 90 mm Hg.

Hypotension

Blood pressure below the expected reference range as determined by baseline, or a systolic pressure <90 mm Hg or diastolic pressure <60 mm Hg in the absence of baseline data.

Oxygen Saturation

The estimated amount of oxygen bound to hemoglobin expressed as a percentage, reflecting respiratory status (expected range: 97% to 99%).

Decreased Oxygen Saturation

An oxygen saturation level below 95%.

Anatomical Pulse Sites

Locations where arterial pulse points are assessed across the body.

Respiratory Patterns

Variations in breathing wave forms including Eupnea, Hyperpnea, Bradypnea, Tachypnea, Apnea, Cheyne-Stokes, Biot, and Kussmaul.