Vital Signs and Related Terms

Flashcards covering key vocabulary terms related to vital signs and their definitions.

Ambulation

Walking around.

Vital signs

The measurement of body temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure.

Baseline

The initial recording of vital signs taken when a patient is admitted to a health care facility.

Body temperature

The measurement of the amount of heat in the body.

Fahrenheit

A scale generally used in the United States for measuring and recording temperature, abbreviated °F.

Centigrade

Also known as 'Celsius', a scale for measuring and recording temperature, abbreviated °C.

Axillary

Relating to or located in the armpit.

Pulse

The beat of the heart felt as the rhythmic pressure of blood against an artery.

Respiration

Breathing; the process of taking in oxygen and expelling carbon dioxide.

Radial pulse

Pulse taken in the wrist at the radial artery.

Apical pulse

Pulse taken with a stethoscope on the left side of the chest under the breastbone measuring the heartbeat at the apex of the heart.

Pulse deficit

The difference between the apical pulse rate and the radial pulse rate, often indicative of heart disease.