NAT I Curriculum - Module AA: Measurement Definition List

A comprehensive set of fill-in-the-blank flashcards covering terminology for measurements and vital signs as defined in the NCDHHS/DHSR/HCPEC NAT I Curriculum (July 2024).

A resident is considered __________ when they are without a fever.

Afebrile

A/an __________ is a watch that has moving hands and is typically marked from numbers $1$ through $12$.

Analog Watch

The part of the sphygmomanometer (BP cuff) that includes the dial indicating systolic and diastolic pressures is the __________.

Aneroid Manometer

The __________ is a pulse point located over the heart.

Apical Pulse

Blood vessels that carry blood with oxygen and nutrients away from the heart and to the cells are called __________.

Arteries

__________ is the amount of force exerted by the blood against the walls of the artery.

Blood pressure

The balance between the heat created by the body and heat lost to the environment is known as __________.

Body temperature

Pulse points located in the crooks of the elbows used during blood pressure checks are called __________.

Brachial Pulse

Pulse points located on both sides of the neck are the __________ pulses.

Carotid Pulse

A __________ is a collection device for urine connected to an indwelling (Foley) catheter.

Catheter Bag

The metric scale used to measure temperature, expressed in degrees, is __________.

Centigrade

A/an __________ is a plastic collection container placed under a commode lid for residents with bathroom privileges.

Commode Hat (or specimen pan)

A unit of measure in the metric system equal to $1$ milliliter is a/an __________.

Cubic Centimeter (or cc)

The part of the stethoscope chest-piece used to listen to the presence or absence of brachial artery blood flow is the __________.

Diaphragm

The resting phase of the heart when it fills with blood, representing the bottom number of a blood pressure reading, is __________.

Diastole

A plastic, shallow basin shaped like a kidney used to collect body fluids during mouthcare is a/an __________.

Emesis Basin

The term for normal breathing is __________.

Eupnea

The process of expelling carbon dioxide out of the nose and mouth from the lungs is called __________.

Exhale

An elevated temperature is described as a/an __________.

Fever

__________ occurs when fluid intake roughly equals fluid output.

Fluid Balance

Stomach contents suctioned out using a nasogastric tube are referred to as __________.

Gastric Suction Material

A/an __________ is an accurate measuring device for fluids used in a health care setting.

Graduated Specimen Container

The device on a standing scale that measures a resident’s height is the __________.

Height Rod

The amount of fluid taken in by the body is called __________.

Intake (input)

Involving the breathing in of oxygen through the nose while the chest rises, this process is called __________ or inhalation.

Inspiration

A unit of measure in the metric system used to determine weight is a __________.

Kilogram

The unit of measure for blood pressure is __________ ($mm~Hg$).

Millimeters of Mercury

Information collected by the nurse aide's senses is defined as __________ information.

Objective

An abnormal low blood pressure occurring when a resident suddenly stands up is called __________.

Orthostatic Hypotension

Information provided by the resident is defined as __________ information.

Subjective

Pulse points located in the top of the feet used to check circulation of the leg are __________ pulses.

Pedal Pulse

The beat of the heart felt at an artery as a wave of blood passes through is the __________.

Pulse

The strength of the pulse, which should be easy to feel, is called the __________.

Pulse Force

The number of heart beats per minute is known as the __________.

Pulse Rate

The regularity of heart beats, which should have the same interval between beats, is the __________.

Pulse Rhythm

The pulse points located in the wrists and most often used for routine vital signs are the __________ pulses.

Radial Pulse

The number of inspirations a person takes in a minute is the __________.

Respiratory rate (or respirations)

The equipment used to check a person’s blood pressure, also known as a BP cuff, is a/an __________.

Sphygmomanometer

An instrument used to listen to heart sounds, lung sounds, and the brachial pulse is a/an __________.

Stethoscope

The working phase of the heart when it is pumping blood to the body is __________.

Systole

A thermometer that measures heat from skin specifically over the temporal artery is a/an __________.

Temporal Thermometer

A/an __________ uses the ear as the site to check a resident's temperature.

Tympanic Thermometer

Measurements of temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure are collectively known as __________.

Vital Signs

Food and fluids ejected from the stomach via the esophagus and mouth are called __________.

Vomitus

Diarrhea

frequent passage of loose, watery stools( bowel movements)

Febrile

with a fever

Food Intake

comparison of the amount eaten by a resident at mealtimes with the amount of food provided

Heart

the pump of the cardiovascular( Circulatory) System consisting of four chambers

Intake and Output(I&O)

used to evaluate fluid balance whereby intake and output are measured and documented

Lungs

spongy, elastic, cone shaped air-filled structures involved and the location where the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide occurs

Output

the amount of fluid removed from the body, typically measured over a specified time period.

Pain

pain is whatever the resident says it is and response to that pain may vary by individual.

Thermometer

A device used to measure temperature, often utilized in medical settings to assess body temperature.

Urinal

a plastic, elongated device used by an individual to urinate into, particularly when confined to bed or on measure output