General Survey and Vital Sign Measurement

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering key terms related to general survey, vital signs, and measurement techniques from the lecture notes.

General survey

Objective data collection of a patient’s general health, including appearance, behavior, and vital signs.

Objective data

Information observed or measured by the clinician, not solely based on patient reports.

Appearance

Observable aspects such as skin color, dress, hygiene, and apparent age as part of the general survey.

Skin color

Observed color and condition of the skin during assessment.

Body structure

Build, physical development, weight, height, and gender as part of assessment.

Mobility

The patient’s ability to move, including posture and gait.

Posture

Body’s position while standing or sitting, contributing to mobility assessment.

Gait

The manner of walking; an indicator of mobility and balance.

Behavior

Affect, level of consciousness, facial expression, and speech observed during assessment.

Affect

Emotional tone or mood expressed by the patient.

Level of consciousness

Alertness and orientation to person, place, time, and event.

Vital signs

Core physiological measurements: temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, and pain.

Core body temperature

Deep body temperature closest to the body’s core.

Oral temperature

Temperature measured in the mouth; normal range approx. 36.5–37.7°C (96.0–99.9°F); not ideal for mouth breathers.

Rectal temperature

Temperature measured in the rectum; more accurate and typically about 1°F higher than oral.

Axillary temperature

Temperature measured under the arm; may be less accurate due to placement.

Tympanic temperature

Temperature measured at the tympanic membrane; close to core body temperature.

Temporal artery temperature

Noninvasive temperature measurement over the temporal artery.

Diurnal variation

Natural fluctuations in body temperature across the day.

Bradycardia

Abnormally slow heart rate, typically below 60 beats per minute.

Tachycardia

Abnormally fast heart rate, typically above 100 beats per minute.

Radial pulse

Pulse felt at the radial artery on the wrist; used to assess rate and rhythm.

Pulse amplitude

Strength of the pulse: 0 absent, 1+ weak, 2+ normal, 3+ bounding.

Systolic blood pressure

Pressure in arteries during ventricular contraction; first Korotkoff sound.

Diastolic blood pressure

Pressure in arteries during ventricular relaxation; last Korotkoff sound.

Korotkoff sounds

Sounds heard during auscultation that define systolic and diastolic pressures.

Auscultation

Listening with a stethoscope to hear Korotkoff sounds for BP measurement.

Cuff

Inflatable bladder used to occlude and measure blood pressure.

Brachial artery

Major artery in the upper arm used as the BP measurement site.

Orthostatic hypotension

Drop in BP with position changes (supine to sitting/standing) indicating volume status or medication effects.

Tachypnea

Rapid breathing; increased respiratory rate.

Bradypnea

Slow breathing; decreased respiratory rate.

Normal respiratory rate

Adult respiratory rate typically 12–20 breaths per minute.

Respirations

Breathing pattern and rate; observation includes chest rise/fall, rhythm, and depth.

White coat syndrome

Anxiety-induced elevation of blood pressure in a clinical setting.

Pulse rhythm

Regularity of heartbeat; regular vs irregular rhythm.