Nursing Lecture: Vital Signs and Patient Assessment

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards based on the vital signs lecture, covering thermoregulation, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure assessment.

Pyrexia

Another term for fever, identifying an elevation in body temperature.

Pyrogens

Substances that elevate body temperature, which can include bacteria.

Antipyretics

Medications used to reduce or lower a fever.

Febrile

A term used to describe a patient who currently has a fever.

Afebrile

A term meaning "without fever."

Diaphoresis

Excessive sweating often accompanied by an electrolyte imbalance.

Frostbite

Peripheral circulatory damage resulting in permanent tissue damage, typically occurring in the fingertips, toes, ears, and nose.

Radial Pulse

An indirect indicator of circulatory status found on the thumb side of the wrist.

Stroke Volume

The amount of blood that enters the heart with each squeeze or contraction.

Cardiac Output

The volume of blood pumped by the heart in one minute, calculated by multiplying stroke volume by heart rate.

Carotid Pulse

Pulse site located near the trachea that supplies blood to the brain; it should only be assessed one side at a time.

Brachial Pulse

Pulse site located in the middle and medial aspect of the arm; the diaphragm of the stethoscope is placed here during blood pressure measurement.

Apical Pulse

A pulse site auscultated for a full minute at the fourth or fifth intercostal space at the left midclavicular line.

Point of Maximal Impulse (PMI)

Another name for the apical pulse site where the heart sounds are loudest.

Tachycardia

An adult heart rate that is increased above $100$ beats per minute.

Bradycardia

An adult heart rate that is decreased below $60$ beats per minute.

Ambient Air

The air found in the surrounding environment.

Respiratory Rate

The number of breaths (one full inhale and exhale) per minute; the normal range for an adult is $12$ to $20$ breaths per minute.

Oxygen Saturation ($S_pO_2$)

An assessment of tissue perfusion; a reading below $90\%$ is considered a medical emergency.

Tachypnea

An increased respiratory rate.

Bradypnea

A slow or decreased respiratory rate.

Apnea

A condition characterized as being "without breathing."

Cheyne-Stokes

An irregular breathing pattern often seen at end-of-life, characterized by varying ventilations and periods of apnea.

Systolic Pressure

The top number in a blood pressure reading that occurs when the ventricles contract or squeeze.

Diastolic Pressure

The bottom number in a blood pressure reading that occurs when the ventricles relax and refill.

Pulse Pressure

The numerical difference between the systolic and diastolic pressures (e.g., $120 - 80 = 40$).

Hypertension

Increased blood pressure, typically occurring when readings remain above $120/80\,mmHg$ over several visits.

Hypotension

Decreased blood pressure, typically indicated by a systolic pressure of $90\,mmHg$ or below.

Myocardial Infarction

A heart attack caused by a complete blockage of blood flow to the heart, often due to plaque buildup.

Sphygmomanometer

The medical instrument used to measure blood pressure, commonly known as a blood pressure cuff.