Adult Vital Sign Interpretation in Acute Care Guide

Vocabulary practice flashcards defining essential acute care vital sign terminology, formulas, physiological parameters, and clinical diagnostic thresholds.

Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP)

The average pressure of the blood in the arteries during a single cardiac cycle, serving as an indicator of vital organ perfusion; calculated as $MAP = \frac{SBP + (2 \times DBP)}{3}$ with a normal resting range of $70 - 110\,\text{mmHg}$.

Pulse Pressure (PP)

The difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure ($PP = SBP - DBP$), with a normal range of $40 - 60\,\text{mmHg}$; values $< 25\%$ of SBP indicate low or "narrowed" pulse pressure.

Orthostatic Hypotension

A decrease in systolic blood pressure $> 20\,\text{mmHg}$ or a decrease in diastolic blood pressure $> 10\,\text{mmHg}$ occurring within three minutes of standing.

Relative Tachycardia

An elevation in resting pulse rate greater than $20\,\text{beats/min}$ above a patient's usual or baseline value.

Relative Bradycardia

A reduction in resting pulse rate greater than $20\,\text{beats/min}$ below a patient's usual or baseline value.

Pulse Grade 1+ (Thread)

A peripheral pulse described as barely perceptible and easily obliterated with slight pressure.

Pulse Grade 4+ (Bounding)

A peripheral pulse character described as very strong and hyperactive.

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)

A multifactorial autonomic disorder defined by a pulse rate $> 120\,\text{beats/min}$ or an increase of $> 30\,\text{beats/min}$ upon moving from supine to standing, without a drop in blood pressure.

Bradypnea

An abnormally slow resting respiratory rate of $< 10\,\text{breaths/min}$.

Tachypnea

An abnormally rapid, usually shallow resting respiratory rate of $> 24\,\text{breaths/min}$.

Hypothermia

A core body temperature characterized by a rectal measurement of $< 35^\circ\text{C}$ ($< 95^\circ\text{F}$).

Cardiac Index (CI)

A hemodynamic measure that factors body surface area into cardiac output to standardize values across differing body habitus; normal adult range is $2.5 - 4.0\,\text{L/min/m}^2$.

Mean Pulmonary Artery Pressure (MPAP)

The average pressure in the pulmonary arterial system calculated as $MPAP = \frac{PASP + (2 \times PADP)}{3}$, with a normal range of $10 - 20\,\text{mmHg}$.

Pulmonary Artery Wedge Pressure (PAWP)

Also called pulmonary artery occlusion pressure (PAOP); an indirect measure of left-sided heart filling pressure with a normal range of $6 - 12\,\text{mmHg}$.

Cerebral Perfusion Pressure (CPP)

The effective pressure gradient driving cerebral blood flow, defined by the formula $CPP = MAP - ICP$, with normal values ranging from $60 - 80\,\text{mmHg}$.

Intracranial Pressure (ICP)

The pressure exerted within the cranium by brain tissue, cerebrospinal fluid, and blood, having a normal range of $5 - 15\,\text{mmHg}$ (acceptable up to $22\,\text{mmHg}$).

Cushing's Triad

A physiological nervous system response to acutely increased intracranial pressure aimed at preserving cerebral perfusion, consisting of relative hypertension, bradycardia, and bradypnea.

Mixed Venous Oxygen Saturation ($SvO_2$)

An indirect measure of peripheral oxygen extraction measured in the pulmonary artery, with a normal reference range of $65 - 75\%$.

$\text{PaO}_2/\text{FiO}_2$ Ratio (P/F Ratio)

A widely used clinical indicator of hypoxemia comparing arterial partial pressure of oxygen to fraction of inspired oxygen; normal values are $400 - 500\,\text{mmHg}$ ($55 - 65\,\text{kPa}$), and values $< 150\,\text{mmHg}$ denote severe hypoxemia.

Pulsatility (ECMO)

A hemodynamic measure defined as the ratio of pulse pressure to mean arterial pressure ($PP / MAP$), which is typically diminished or absent immediately after VA ECMO placement.

Quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA)

A bedside screening score for sepsis indicating strong consideration for ICU admission if at least two criteria are met: respiratory rate $> 22\,\text{breaths/min}$, altered mental status, or systolic blood pressure $< 100\,\text{mmHg}$.

Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI)

The ratio of ankle systolic blood pressure to arm systolic blood pressure; a score of $\le 0.90$ indicates peripheral arterial disease (normal range is $0.9 - 1.3$).

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA)

A pathological aortic dilation of $\ge 50\%$ beyond normal or $\ge 3\,\text{cm}$ in diameter; surgical intervention is typically indicated at $\ge 5.5\,\text{cm}$.

Restrictive Lung Dysfunction

A category of pulmonary dysfunction characterized by an impaired ability to expand the lungs and inhale, diagnosed by an $FEV_1/FVC$ ratio $> 85\%$ with decreased lung volumes.

Obstructive Lung Disease

A pulmonary disorder characterized by expiratory flow limitation and impaired ability to get air out, confirmed by an $FEV_1/FVC$ ratio $< 70\%$.

Paroxysmal Sympathetic Hyperactivity

Also called neurological storming; an abnormal sympathetic and motor response to afferent stimuli following brain injury, resulting in transient surges in blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rate, temperature, sweating, tone, and posturing.

Autonomic Dysreflexia (AD)

A life-threatening complication of spinal cord injury marked by an acute, unregulated elevation in systolic blood pressure, frequently triggered by noxious stimuli below the lesion level and accompanied by baroreflex-mediated bradycardia.