Vital Signs - flashcards

Normal oral temperature

98.6°F (37°C)

Normal rectal temperature

99.5°F (37.5°C)

Hyperthermia

Fever, body temperature above 105°F (40.5°C)

Hypothermia

Abnormally low core temperature, below 95°F (35°C)

Normal pulse range for adults

60-100 beats/min

Apical pulse

Most accurate pulse, taken by auscultation at the apex of the heart

Radial pulse

Most commonly used pulse for adults, taken by palpation at the radial artery

Pulse rate

Number of beats in a minute

Pulse rhythm

Intervals between heartbeats; will be regular or irregular

Pulse quality

Pulse volume bilaterally; considered the strength of the pulse

Normal respiration range for adults

12-20 breaths/min

Respiratory rate

Number of breaths, in and out, in a minute

Respiratory depth

The amount of air taken with inspiration

Respiratory rhythm

The regularity or irregularity of the breathing pattern

Respiratory effort

Degree of work required to breathe

Wheezes

High-pitched continuous musical sounds from restricted airways

Rhonchi

Low-pitched continuous gurgling sounds for large airway secretions

Crackles

Caused by fluid in the alveoli; discontinuous sounds heard on inspiration

Stridor

Piercing, high-pitched sound heard on inspiration

Bradypnea

Respiratory rate less than 12 breaths/min for an adult

Tachypnea

Respiratory rate greater than 20 breaths/min for an adult

Kussmaul respirations

Respirations that are regular but abnormally deep and increased in rate

Biot respirations

respirations are abnormally shallow for two to three breaths, followed by irregular period of apnea

Cheyne-Stokes respirations

rate and depth are irregular, alternating periods of apnea and hyperventilation

Apnea

Absence of breathing

Systolic blood pressure

Peak pressure exerted against arterial walls

Diastolic blood pressure

Minimum pressure exerted against arterial walls

Normal blood pressure for an adult

120/80 mm Hg

Pulse pressure

Measurement of the difference between the systolic and diastolic pressures

Sphygmomanometer

A BP cuff

Tachycardia

Pulse greater than 100 beats/min for an adult

Hypertension

Systolic reading consistently above 130 or a diastolic reading consistently over 80

Orthopnea

Difficulty breathing unless positioned in an upright position

Pulse deficit

Condition in which the radial pulse is slower than the apical pulse

Dyspnea

Labored or difficult breathing

Febrile

State of having a fever

Afebrile

No fever

Bradycardia

Pulse less than 60 beats/min for an adult

Diastole

Time during which the ventricles are at rest