Vital Signs, Oxygen, Chest Tubes, and Lines

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering vital signs, oxygen therapy devices, and specialized medical tubes and lines.

Homeostasis

The body’s ability to maintain a stable internal environment despite changes in external conditions.

Thermoregulation

The balance between heat produced and heat lost by the body.

Hypothalamus

The structure in the brain that acts as the body's thermostat.

Rectal Temperature

The most accurate method of measuring body temperature, with an average normal of $99.6^\circ F$.

Pyrexia

Another term for fever or hyperthermia, indicating an abnormally high body temperature.

Pulse

A vital sign that reflects the rapidity of each heart contraction and is recorded as beats per minute ($bpm$).

Tachycardia

An abnormally rapid heart rate exceeding $100\,bpm$.

Bradycardia

An abnormally slow heart rate measuring less than $60\,bpm$.

Respiration

The exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide, measured in breaths per minute.

Diaphragm

The major muscle used in ventilation.

Pulse Oximetry

A fast, noninvasive device used to monitor oxygen saturation ($SaO_2$) of hemoglobin ($Hgb$).

Hemoglobin ($Hgb$)

A protein that carries $O_2$ from the lungs to the rest of the body.

Blood Pressure

A measure of the force exerted by blood on arterial walls during the contraction and relaxation of the heart.

Systolic Pressure

The peak pressure during the contraction of the left ventricle; normal range is $90-120\,mm\,Hg$.

Diastolic Pressure

The pressure during the relaxation of the ventricles; normal range is $60-80\,mm\,Hg$.

Hypertension ($HTN$)

A persistent elevation of blood pressure defined as $140/90\,mm\,Hg$ or higher.

Hypotension

Low blood pressure, characterized by a reading less than $90/60\,mm\,Hg$.

Korotkoff Sounds

A series of tapping, swishing, and muffling sounds heard during blood pressure measurement.

Hypoxemia

A condition characterized by decreased oxygen concentration in the blood.

Hypoxia

A reduction of oxygen supply to the tissues, which are highly sensitive in the brain and heart.

Nasal Cannula

A low-flow delivery device that provides mild supplemental oxygen through prongs placed in the nostrils at a flow rate of $1-6\,L/min$.

Nonrebreather Mask

A low-flow device providing very high oxygen concentrations ($10-15\,L/min$) using a reservoir bag and one-way valves.

Venturi Mask

A high-flow air-entrainment mask that delivers a precise oxygen concentration using color-coded adapters.

Oxyhood

An oxygen enclosure device used primarily for neonates and infants that surrounds the head to allow precise oxygen delivery.

Ventilator

A machine that breathes for the patient, delivering controlled oxygen with settings for $FiO_2$, rate, and tidal volume.

Endotracheal ($ET$) Tube

A tube inserted through the mouth into the trachea to open an airway; the tip should be $5-7\,cm$ above the carina.

Carina

The point of tracheal bifurcation.

Thoracostomy Tube

Also known as a chest tube, it is inserted into the pleural space to remove air, fluid, blood, or pus.

Pneumothorax

A condition where air enters the pleural cavity causing the lung to collapse.

Hemothorax

A collection of blood or fluid in the pleural cavity that prevents lung expansion.

Central Venous Catheter ($CVC$)

A catheter placed in a central vein for vascular access, with the preferred tip location in the superior vena cava ($SVC$).

PICC Line

Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter; inserted through an arm vein with the tip terminating in the superior vena cava ($SVC$).

Implantable Port

A long-term central venous access device placed completely under the skin, accessed using a Huber needle.

Tunneled Catheter

A long-term central venous access device that travels under the skin before entering the vein; examples include Hickman, Broviac, and Groshong.