Vital Signs and Communication Lecture Notes

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering vital signs measurement, physical assessment, and professional communication in nursing.

Conversion of $^\text{°F}$ to $^\text{°C}$

$({^\text{°F}} - 32) \times \frac{5}{9} = {^\text{°C}}$.

Conversion of $^\text{°C}$ to $^\text{°F}$

$({^\text{°C}} \times \frac{9}{5}) + 32 = {^\text{°F}}$.

Basal Metabolic Rate

The amount of heat produced by the body when at total rest.

Thermoregulation

The control of body temperature by the hypothalamus.

Vasodilation

The dilation of blood cells that brings more blood to the skin's surface for increased heat loss through radiation.

Vasoconstriction

The closing of blood vessels to allow the majority of blood to go to vital organs to maintain core temperature.

Factors Affecting Body Temperature

Environment (climate), Time of day (circadian rhythm), Gender/Hormones, Physical activity (exercise), Medications (epinephrine), Food intake (calories), Stress, and Illness.

Febrile

A state of elevated body temperature, also known as fever, pyrexia, or hyperthermia.

Pyrogens

Substances secreted by specialized blood cells (T cells, B cells, and Phagocytes) that stimulate fever to protect the body from invaders.

Afebrile

The state of being without a fever.

Hypothermia

A condition where the core temperature is below $95^\text{°F}$ ($35^\text{°C}$), which slows body metabolism.

Photophobia

An increased sensitivity of the eyes to light, often a symptom of fever.

Myalgia

Muscle aches experienced during a fever.

Pulse Rate

The number of cardiac cycles per minute; the normal range for adults is $60-100\text{ bpm}$.

Bradycardia

A pulse rate that is less than $60\text{ bpm}$.

Tachycardia

A pulse rate that is greater than $100\text{ bpm}$.

Stroke Volume

The amount of blood ejected from the left ventricle with each contraction.

Cardiac Output

The volume of blood pumped from the heart in one minute.

Apical Pulse

The pulse located over the apex of the heart where contractions are strongest; also known as the Point of Maximum Impulse (PMI).

PMI Location

Located $3-4\text{ inches}$ to the left of the sternum in the $5\text{th}$ intercostal space.

Pulse Deficit

A condition where the radial pulse is slower than the apical pulse.

External Respiration

The exchange of gases ($O_2$ and $CO_2$) between the lung's alveoli and the blood found in the capillaries.

Internal Respiration

The process of exchanging respiratory gases between the circulating blood and the tissue cells.

Tidal Volume

The average amount of air inhaled per minute, typically $300-500\text{ mL}$.

Eupnea

A state where respiratory rate, depth, rhythm, pattern, and effort all fall within normal parameters.

Dyspnea

Labored or difficult breathing where the patient may appear anxious, frightened, or worried.

Hypoxemia

A decrease in oxygen ($O_2$) levels in the blood.

Stertorous breathing

Noisy, snoring, labored breathing that is audible with a stethoscope.

Stridor

An audible, high-pitched crowing sound resulting from partial obstruction of the airways.

Systolic Pressure

Measurement of the force exerted by blood against the walls of arteries during the contraction of heart ventricles.

Diastolic Pressure

Measurement of the pressure exerted by blood on the arterial walls while heart ventricles are not contracting.

Pulse Pressure

The measurement of the difference between the systolic and diastolic pressures.

Auscultatory Gap

A silent interval where Korotkoff sounds are absent and then reappear while deflating the blood pressure cuff.

Orthostatic hypotension

A drop in blood pressure that occurs when a patient moves from lying to a sitting or standing position.

Therapeutic Communication

A professional, purposeful, and goal-oriented interaction between nurse and patient aimed at promoting health and establishing rapport.

Intrapersonal Communication

Communication that occurs within an individual (self-talk).