vital signs definition

afebrile

no fever; the clients temperature is within the expected range

apical pulse

the pulse measured at the heart’s apex, often used when accuracy is needed

apnea

means absence of breathing

arrhythmia

refers to any irregularity in the heart’s rhythm

ausculatory gap

a brief period when Korotkoff sounds disappear during blood pressure measurement

basal metabolic rate

the body’s energy expenditure at rest

bradycardia

a slow heart rate, typically less than 60 beats per minute

cardiac output

the amount of blood the heart pumps each minute

diastole

the phase when the heart relaxes and fills with blood

dyspnea

is difficult or labored breathing

eupnea

normal, easy breathing

hypertension

is high blood pressure

mean arterial pressure

the average pressure in the arteries during one cardiac cycle

orthostatic hypotension

is a drop in blood pressure when standing up

oxygen saturation

the percentage of hemoglobin saturated with oxygen

pulse deficit

when the heart rate is higher than the palpable pulse rate

pulse pressure

the difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure

tachycardia

means a fast heart rate, typically above 100 beats per minute

tachypnea

is rapid breathing

tidal volume

the amount of air moved in and out of the lungs with each breath