Vital signs

Afebrile

without fever

apical-radial pulse

Taking the apical and radial pulses at the same time

blood pressure (BP)

the amount of force exerted against the walls of the artery by the blood

body temperature

the amount of heat in the body that is a balance between the amount of heat produced and the amount lost by the body

bradycardia

a slow heart rate; less than 60 beats per minutes

Diastole

the period of heart muscle relaxation; the heart is at rest

diastolic pressure

the pressure in the arteries when the heart is at rest

febrile

with a fever

fever

elevated body temperature

hypertension

high blood pressure

hypotension

low blood pressure

pulse

the beat of the heart felt at an artery as a wave of blood passes through the artery

pulse deficit

the difference between the apical and radial pulse rates

pulse rate

the number of heartbeats or pulses felt in 1 minute

respiration

breathing air into and out of the lungs

sphygmomanometer

a cuff and measuring device used to measure blood pressure

stethoscope

An instrument used to listen to the sounds produced by the heart, lungs, and other body organs

systole

the period of heart muscle contraction; the heart is pumping blood

systolic pressure

the pressure in the arteries when the heart contracts

tachycardia

a rapid heart rate; more than 100 beats per minute

thermometer

a device used to measure temperature

vital signs

temperature, pulse, respirations, and blood pressure; pulse oximetry and pain are included in some agencies

Vital signs reflect function of 3 body processes:

1. Body temperature

2. Breathing

3. Heart function

4 functions of vital signs are:

1. temperature

2. pulse

3. respirations

4. blood pressure

(sometimes pain and pulse oximetry)

What is preferred when taking vital signs?

1. the patient is sitting or laying down

What are 6 factors that can affect vital signs?

1. Exercising

2. Age

3. Anger

4. Anxiety

5. Drugs

6. Pain/ Illness

What are 5 main factors that can affect vital signs?

1. stress

2. food or fluid intake

3. medical problems

4. age

5. physical activity

What are vital signs also called?

1. cardinal signs

What are the 3 pulse characteristics that are documented?

1. rate

2. rhythm

3. volume (force)

What are the 3 respiration characteristics that are documented?

1. rate

2. rhythm

3. depth

What are the 4 anthropometric measurements?

1. Weight

2. Height

3. BMI

4. Head circumference

When is the body temperature lower and higher?

1. lower in the morning and higher in the evening

What is fever?

1. the body's natural defense for fighting microorganisms

What are 5 signs and symptoms of a fever?

1. chills 2. anorexia 3. weakness 4. thirst 5. body aches

What is the normal Oral temperature?

1. (97.6 - 99.6 F)

What is the normal Tympanic temperature?

1. (98.6 F)

What is the normal Axillary temperature?

1. (96.6 - 98.6 F)

How much lower are axillary temperatures then oral temperatures?

1. 1 degree

What is the normal Temporal temperature?

1. (97.6 - 99.6 F)

What is the normal Rectal temperature?

1. (99.6 F)

How much higher are rectal temperatures then oral temperatures?

1. 1 degrees

What is the normal heart rate?

1. 60 to 100/min

What is the normal Respiratory Rate?

1. 12 to 20/min

What is the normal Systolic Pressure?

1. Less than 120 mm Hg

What is the normal Diastolic Pressure?

1. Less than 80 mm Hg

What is the average heart rate for newborns?

1. 120 to 160/min

What is the average heart rate for infants?

1. 80 to 140/min

What is the average heart rate for toddlers?

1. 80 to 130/min

What is the average heart rate for preschoolers?

1. 80 to 120/min

What is the average heart rate for school-age children?

1. 70 to 100/min

What is the average heart rate for adults?

1. 60 to 100/min

What is the normal respiratory rate for newborns?

1. 30 to 50/min

What is the respiratory range for bradypnea?

1. Less than 10/min

What is the respiratory range for tachypnea?

1. Greater than 20/min

What is the most common pulse site for adults?

1. radial pulse

What is most common pulse site for children?

1. brachial pulse

What pulse site is used for emergency procedures?

1. carotid pulse

What does one respiration include?

1. an inhalation and an exhalation

What is hypoxia?

1. lack of oxygen

apnea

absence or cessation of breathing

arrhythmia

An abnormality or irregularity in the heart rhythm

arteriosclerosis

thickening decreased elasticity, and calcification (hardening) of arterial walls

bounding

term used to describe a pulse that feels full because of increased power of cardiac contraction or as a result of increased blood volume

bradypnea

respirations that are regular in rhythm but slower than normal in rate

cerumen

a waxy secretion in the ear canal; commonly called ear wax

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

a progressive, irreversible lung condition that results in diminished lung capacity

dyspnea

difficult or painful breathing

essential hypertension

elevated blood pressure of unknown cause that develops for no apparent reason; sometimes called primary hypertension

Homeostasis

internal adaptation and change in response to environmental factors; multiple functions that attempt to keep the body's functions in balance

hyperpnea

an increase in the depth of breathing

hyperventilation

abnormally prolonged and deep breathing, usually associated with acute anxiety or emotional tension

intermittent pulse

A pulse in which beats occasionally are skipped

orthopnea

Condition in which an individual must sit or stand to breathe comfortably

orthostatic (postural) hypotension

A temporary fall in blood pressure when a person rapidly changes from a recumbent position to a standing position

otitis externa

inflammation or infection of the external auditory canal (swimmer's ear)

otitis media

inflammation of the middle ear (ear infection)

peripheral

term that refers to an area outside of or away from an organ or structure

pyrexia

febrile condition or fever