Measuring and Recording Vital Signs (Chp. 15)

apnea

absence or cessation of breathing

arrhythmia

Abnormal or irregular heart rhythm

arteriosclerosis

abnormal hardening of the walls of an artery or arteries

bounding

a term used to describe a pulse that feels full because of increased power of cardiac contraction or as a result of increased blood volume

bradycardia

bradypnea

an abnormally slow rate of respiration usually of less than 10 breaths per minute

cerumen

a waxy substance secreted by glands located throughout the external canal

COPD

a progressive, irreversible lung condition that results in in diminished lung capacity

dyspnea

difficulty 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

Homeostasis

multiple functions that attempt to keep the body's functions in balance

hyperpnea

increase in depth and rate of breathing

hypertension

high blood pressure

hyperventilation

the condition of taking abnormally fast, deep breaths

hypotension

abnormally low blood pressure (systolic below 90 mm Hg and diastolic pressure below 50 mm Hg)

intermittent pulse

A pulse in which beats occasionally are skipped

orthopnea

condition in which an individual must sit or stand to breathe comfortably

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 (swimmer's ear)

peripheral

term that refers to an area outside of or away from an organ or structure

pulse deficit

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

pulse pressure

difference between systolic and diastolic pressure

pyrexia

febrile condition or fever

rales

abnormal crackling sound made during inspiration

rhonchi

Abnormal rumbling sounds on expiration that indicate airway obstruction by thick secretions or spasms.

secondary hypertension

elevated blood pressure resulting from another condition, typically kidney disease

sinus arrhythmia

irregular heartbeat that originates in the sinoatrial node (pacemaker)

spirometer

an instrument used to measure respiratory volumes

stertorous

a term that describes a strenuous respiratory effort marked by a snoring sound

syncope

fainting; a brief lapse in consciousness

tachycardia

fast heart rate; exceeds 100bpm

tachypnea

rapid, shallow respirations

thready

a term that describes a pulse that is scarcely perceptible

wheezing

A high-pitched, whistling breath sound that is most prominent on expiration; indicates obstruction or narrowing of respiratory passages

What does TRP stand for?

Temperature, Pulse, Respiration

What does BP mean?

blood pressure

anthropometric measurements

Measurements or estimates of physical aspects of the body such as height, weight, circumferences, and body composition. Aren't considered vital, but provide a smaller picture of general health.

Average range of adult body temperature?

97.6-99 degrees Fahrenheit, 36.4-37.3 Celsius

Which factors can effect body temperature?

Age, Stress and physical activities, Gender, External factors

Why do chills and goosebumps occur during fever?

Blood vessels near the skin surface constrict, hair follicles constrict to create goosebumps and chills/shivering may occur.

Continuous fevers

These fevers rarely rise and fall over the course of 24 hours, instead they tend to hover over the patients normal range, with a difference margin of about 3 degrees.

Intermittent fevers

These fevers come and go, alternating between normal and elevated levels.

Remittent fevers

These tend to fluctuate considerably and don't tend to return to the normal range, they tend to have a difference margin of more than 3 degrees

Fever patients tend to have symptoms of?

Anorexia (Loss of appetite)

Headaches

A flushed face

Hot skin

General malaise and tiredness

Antipyretics

Medications that are used to lower body temperatures.

Celsius to Fahrenheit

C=(F-32)5/9

Fahrenheit to Celsius

F=C(9/5)+32

stroke volume

referring to the amount of blood pushed into the Aorta by the heart during it's contraction

Apical pulse measurements are requested when...?

A patient is an infant, on cardiac drugs, or is experiencing Brady/Tachycardia

The Dorsalis Pedis site is usually used on patients with...?

Peripheral Vascular problems (ie Diabetes Mellitus)

3 important factors when analyzing a pulse

The Rate, Rhythm, and Volume of the pulse

the respiratory center of the brain

medulla oblongata

Which respiration takes place on the cellular level?

Internal respiration

How deep do you insert a baby's rectal thermometer?

1 ½ inches