Delegated Nursing Procedures: Respiration and Heart Rate Parameters

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering vital sign parameters (respiration and heart rate), normal values, abnormalities, clinical observations, and measurement procedures from the Delegated Nursing Procedures lectures.

Respiration (Ademhaling)

A vital bodily function that enables oxygen uptake into the lungs and carbon dioxide excretion, evaluated by rate, rhythm, depth, chest movement symmetry, and adventitious breath sounds.

Alveoli (Longblaasjes)

Small air sacs situated at the end of the airways surrounded by capillary networks, where gas diffusion occurs based on partial pressure differences.

Hypoxia (Hypoxie)

An inadequate supply of oxygen in the body's tissues that prevents mitochondria from converting glucose into ATP via aerobic combustion, potentially causing organ damage.

Hypercapnia (Hypercapnie)

An excessive concentration of carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) in the blood, which alters blood pH and can cause respiratory acidosis.

Hypocapnia (Hypocapnie)

An abnormally low level of carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) in the blood, typically resulting from hyperventilation, which can trigger respiratory alkalosis.

Normal Adult Respiratory Rate

A resting frequency between $12$ and $20\text{ breaths per minute}$ in a healthy adult.

Pediatric Respiratory Rates

Normal breathing frequencies in youth, ranging from $30$ to $40\text{ breaths per minute}$ in babies, and an average of $18$ to $26\text{ breaths per minute}$ in children aged $6$ to $12\text{ years}$.

Tachypnea (Tachypnoe)

A respiratory rate exceeding $20\text{ breaths per minute}$ in adults, seen during exertion, fever, anxiety, pain, or conditions such as pneumonia.

Bradypnea (Bradypnoe)

An abnormally slow breathing rate of fewer than $12\text{ breaths per minute}$ in adults, which can be caused by opiates, neurological disorders, or hypothermia.

Apnea (Apnoe)

A temporary or permanent cessation of breathing (respiratory arrest) that is potentially life-threatening.

Cheyne-Stokes Respiration

A specific irregular breathing pattern characterized by alternating periods of breathing and respiratory pauses (apneic episodes).

Kussmaul Respiration

A deep and rapid respiratory pattern typically associated with metabolic acidosis, such as diabetic ketoacidosis.

Dyspnea and Orthopnea (Dyspnoe en Orthopnoe)

Dyspnea refers to general shortness of breath; orthopnea specifically refers to shortness of breath that occurs when a patient lies down flat.

Adventitious Breath Sounds

Abnormal respiratory sounds including wheezing (piepen) caused by narrowed airways, rattling (reutelen) caused by mucus or inflammation, and stridor, a high-pitched crowing sound caused by upper airway obstruction.

Cyanosis (Cyanose)

A bluish discoloration of the lips, skin, or nail beds resulting from oxygen deficiency in the bloodstream.

Oxygen Saturation (Zuurstofsaturatie)

The proportion of oxygen carried in the blood, which normally ranges between $95$ and $100\%$.

Hyperventilation (Hyperventilatie)

Breathing faster and/or deeper than needed for standard gas exchange, causing excessive loss of $CO_2$, hypocapnia, respiratory alkalosis, dizziness, tingling in the extremities, and muscle spasms due to calcium imbalance.

Huffing Technique

A guided breathing method where the patient inhales calmly and deeply (or in three stages), tenses the thorax, and coughs forcefully to expel mucus.

Heart Rate (Hartslag / Hartfrequentie)

The number of cardiac contractions per minute that propel blood through the circulation, with a normal adult resting value between $60$ and $100\text{ beats per minute}$.

Tachycardia (Tachycardie)

A resting heart rate exceeding $100\text{ beats per minute}$ in adults, which requires immediate reporting if accompanied by shortness of breath, chest pain, or diaphoresis (sweating).

Bradycardia (Bradycardie)

A resting heart rate below $60\text{ beats per minute}$ in adults, requiring immediate reporting if accompanied by weakness, confusion, or syncope (fainting).

Beta-blockers (Bètablokkers)

Medications that inhibit the binding of stress hormones like adrenaline to beta-receptors, slowing heart rhythm, decreasing contractile force, and reducing myocardial oxygen demand.

Arrhythmia (Aritmie)

An irregular heart rhythm that may indicate cardiac conduction abnormalities, electrolyte imbalances, or heart disease, necessitating prompt reporting.

Arteria radialis Palpation Site

The primary anatomical site for pulse palpation at the wrist, positioned on the thumb side between the tendon (pees) and the radial wrist bone (polsbeen).

Peripheral Arterial Pulse Sites

Alternative palpation locations for assessing the pulse, consisting of the neck (arteria carotis), the groin (arteria femoralis), and the top of the foot (arteria dorsalis pedis).

Pulse Amplitude (Kracht of amplitude)

The perceived fullness or strength of a pulse wave (strong, weak, or difficult to palpate), where a weak pulse often suggests hypotension or impaired circulation.

Radial Pulse Measurement Protocol

A clinical procedure performed by placing two or three fingertips (never the caregiver's thumb) over the radial artery, counting beats for $30\text{ seconds}$ and multiplying by $2$, or counting for a full $60\text{ seconds}$ if irregularities occur.

Respiratory Rate Measurement Protocol

The method of assessing breathing by resting a hand on the patient's thorax while they sit or lie comfortably, counting rises of the chest for $30\text{ seconds}$ under normal conditions, or for a full $60\text{ seconds}$ during illness or abnormalities.