Vital Signs Lecture Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards defining core terms, physiological processes, normal parameters, and assessment metrics for vital signs based on the provided notes.

Vital Signs

Measurements of the body's most basic functions, routinely including temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure (abbreviated as T, P, R, and BP).

Body Temperature

The difference between the amount of heat produced by the body and the amount of heat lost to the environment measured in degrees.

Afebrile

A term describing a person with a normal body temperature (without fever).

Febrile

A term describing a person who has an increased body temperature or fever (pyrexia).

Radiation

The diffusion or dissemination of heat by electromagnetic waves, such as heat given off from uncovered body surfaces.

Convection

The dissemination of heat by motion between areas of unequal density, such as an oscillating fan blowing cool air across a warm body.

Evaporation

The conversion of a liquid to a vapor, such as body perspiration vaporizing from the skin.

Conduction

The transfer of heat to another object during direct contact, such as body heat transferring to an ice pack.

Antipyretic

A fever-reducing drug, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or acetaminophen.

Hypothermia

A body temperature that is below the lower limit of normal.

Pulse

A throbbing sensation that can be palpated over a peripheral artery or auscultated over the apex of the heart.

Tachycardia

A pulse rate of 100 to 180 beats/min in an adult.

Bradycardia

A pulse rate below 60 beats/min in an adult.

Apical Pulse

A pulse located at the 5th intercostal space (ICS), assessed by auscultation over the apex of the heart.

Pulse Deficit

The difference between the apical and radial pulse rates when counted simultaneously.

Respiration

The process that enables the body to obtain oxygen and eliminate carbon dioxide ($CO_2$).

Eupnea

Normal, unlabored respiration.

Tachypnea

An increased respiratory rate, defined as greater than 24 breaths/min in adults.

Bradypnea

A decreased respiratory rate, defined as less than 10 breaths/min in adults.

Ventilation

The movement of gases in and out of the lungs (breathing).

Diffusion

The exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the alveoli of the lungs and the circulating blood.

Perfusion

The exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the circulating blood and tissue cells.

External Respiration

Breathing that involves bringing air into the lungs (inhalation) and releasing air to the atmosphere (exhalation).

Internal Respiration

The exchange of gases between the bloodstream and tissues, as well as the process of cellular respiration.

Apnea

Periods during which there is no breathing.

Dyspnea

Difficult or labored breathing, usually characterized by rapid, shallow respirations.

Orthopnea

The ability to breathe more easily only when in an upright position.

Hyperventilation

Very deep, rapid respirations.

Hypoventilation

Very shallow respirations.

Blood Pressure

The force of moving blood against arterial walls.

Systolic Pressure

The highest pressure created during ventricular contraction.

Diastolic Pressure

The pressure occurring during relaxation of the heart, which is lower than systolic pressure.

Pulse Pressure

The mathematical difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

Hypertension

A clinical diagnosis made when systolic pressure is $140\,mmHg$ or higher or diastolic pressure is $90\,mmHg$ or higher.

Hypotension

Below-normal blood pressure, such as a consistent systolic reading of $90\text{--}115\,mmHg$.

Orthostatic Hypotension

A drop in systolic BP of $\ge 20\,mmHg$ or diastolic BP of $\ge 10\,mmHg$ within 3 minutes of standing.

Pulse Oximeter

A noninvasive device that measures a client's arterial blood oxygen saturation ($SaO_2$) via a sensor attached to a peripheral site.

Pain

An unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage, recognized as the fifth vital sign.

Acute Pain

Short-term, self-limiting pain that serves a protective purpose by warning of actual or potential tissue damage.

Chronic Pain

Persistent pain categorized into malignant (cancer-related) and nonmalignant types.

PQRST Method

A systematic approach to pain assessment covering Provocation, Quality, Region, Severity, and Timing.

COLDSPA

An initial pain assessment mnemonic covering Character, Onset, Location, Duration, Severity, Pattern, and Associated factors.

Wong-Baker FACES Scale

A visual pain assessment tool using facial expression diagrams for children aged 4 to 12 years.