Chapter 21 Glossary Terms

Allen Test

test that determines the patency of the radial and ulnar arteries by compressing one artery site and observing the return of skin color as evidence of patency of the other artery

Aneurysm

defect or sac formed by dilation in artery wall due to atherosclerosis, trauma, or congenital defect

Arrhythmia

variation from the heart's regular rhythm

Arteriosclerosis

plaques of fatty deposits formed in the inner layer (intima) of the arteries

Bradycardia

slow heart rate, less than 50 beats per minute in the adult

Bruit

blowing, swooshing sound heard through a stethoscope when an artery partially occluded

Cyanosis

dusky blue discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes due to excessive amount of deoxygenated hemoglobin in the blood

Diastole

the heart's filling phase

Ischemia

deficiency of arterial blood to a body part due to constriction or obstruction of a blood vessel

Lymph Nodes

small oval clumps of lymphatic tissue located at grouped intervals along lymphatic vessels

Lymphedema

swelling of the extremity due to obstructed lymph channel, nonpitting

Pitting Edema

indentation left after the examiner depresses skin over swollen edematous tissue

Profile Sign

viewing the finger from the side to detect early clubbing

Pulse

pressure wave created by each heartbeat, palpable at body sites where the artery lies close to the skin and over a bone

Pulsus Alternans

regular rhythm, but force of pulse varies with alternating beats of large and small amplitude

Pulsus Bigeminus

irregular rhythm; every other beat is premature; premature beats have weakened amplitude

Pulsus Paradoxus

beats have weaker amplitude with respiratory inspiration, stronger with expiration

Systole

the heart's pumping phase

Tachycardia

rapid heart rate, more than 95 beats per minute in the adult

Thrombophlembitis

inflammation of the vein associated with thrombus formation

Ulcer

open skin lesion extending into dermis, with sloughing of necrotic inflammatory tissue

Varicose Veins

dilated tortuous veins with incompetent valves