Video Notes: Vital Signs, Thermoregulation, and Respiratory Concepts (Vocabulary Flashcards)

Vocabulary flashcards covering terms related to patient positioning, vital signs, thermoregulation, and respiratory concepts from the video notes.

Trendelenburg Position

Patient supine with feet elevated; used for hypotension to increase circulation.

Fowler's Position

Patient sitting upright; used to help breathing and reduce high BP strain.

Hypothalamus

Part of the brain that regulates body temperature and maintains set point.

Antipyretics

Medications (e.g., acetaminophen, ibuprofen) used to reduce fever.

Antipyretic Response

Reduction of fever by lowering hypothalamic set point.

Thermogenesis

Heat production through metabolism, shivering, or muscle activity.

Thermolysis

Heat loss through conduction, convection, evaporation, and radiation.

Pulse Amplitude (0-3 scale)

Describes pulse strength: 0 = absent, 1 = weak, 2 = normal, 3 = bounding.

Point of Maximum Impulse (PMI)

Location where apical pulse is best heard (5th intercostal space, mid-clavicular line).

Pulse Oximeter Limitations

Conditions (nail polish, cold fingers, anemia) that can cause inaccurate SpO2 readings.

Tidal Volume

Amount of air inhaled/exhaled in a normal breath.

Ventilation

Mechanical movement of air in and out of the lungs.

Perfusion

Exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide at the capillary level.

Hypoxemia

Low oxygen levels in the blood; may cause increased respiratory rate.

Baseline Vital Signs

A patient's initial vital signs, used for comparison to detect changes.

Baroreceptors

Pressure sensors in aortic arch/carotids that help regulate blood pressure.

Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS)

Hormonal system that regulates BP through vasoconstriction and fluid balance.

Sphygmomanometer

Device (cuff and manometer) used to measure blood pressure.

Cuff Size Error

Incorrect cuff size leads to inaccurate BP readings (too small = false high, too large = false low).

MAP (Mean Arterial Pressure)

Average arterial pressure during one cardiac cycle; critical for organ perfusion (>60 mmHg).

Reverse Trendelenburg

Supine with head elevated above feet; sometimes used for hypertension.

Afebrile

Without fever; body temperature within normal range.

Apnea

Absence of breathing.

Auscultatory Gap

Silent interval during BP measurement between systolic and diastolic sounds, may cause errors if not detected.

Blood Pressure (BP)

Force of blood against arterial walls; expressed as systolic/diastolic.

Bradycardia

Pulse rate below 60 beats per minute.

Bradypnea

Respiratory rate below 12 breaths per minute.

Diastolic Pressure

Arterial pressure when the heart relaxes (bottom number).

Dyspnea

Difficulty or labored breathing.

Dysrhythmia (Arrhythmia)

Irregular pulse rhythm.

Eupnea

Normal, unlabored breathing.

Febrile

Having a fever.

Fever (Pyrexia)

Elevated body temperature due to reset hypothalamic set point.

Hypertension

High BP: systolic ≥130 mmHg or diastolic ≥80 mmHg.

Hyperthermia

High body temperature not due to set point change (e.g., heat stroke).

Hyperventilation

Increased rate and depth of breathing.

Hypotension

Abnormally low BP (below 90/60 mmHg in adults).

Hypothermia

Abnormally low body temperature.

Hypoventilation

Decreased rate and depth of breathing, often irregular.

Korotkoff Sounds

Sounds heard while measuring BP, indicating systolic and diastolic pressures.

Orthopnea

Difficulty breathing when lying flat; relieved by sitting upright.

Orthostatic Hypotension

Drop in systolic (≥20 mmHg) or diastolic (210 mmHg) BP when moving from lying to standing.

Pulse

Wave of blood created by left ventricle contraction, felt at arteries.

Pulse Deficit

Difference between apical and radial pulse rates, indicating ineffective heart contractions.

Pulse Pressure

Difference between systolic and diastolic BP.

Respirations

Movement of air in/out of lungs (oxygen in, CO2 out).

Systolic Pressure

Arterial pressure during heart contraction (top number).

Tachycardia

Pulse rate above 100 beats per minute.

Tachypnea

Respiratory rate above 20 breaths per minute.

Temperature

Measure of body heat regulated by hypothalamus.

Core Temperature

Internal temperature of vital organs (e.g., heart, brain), usually measured invasively; more accurate than surface temp.

Surface Temperature

Temperature of the skin and extremities; influenced by environment (e.g., sweating, cold exposure).

Circadian Rhythm

Natural daily body cycle; temperature usually lower in the morning, higher in the late afternoon.

Conduction

Transfer of heat through direct contact (e.g., cold washcloth on forehead).

Convection

Transfer of heat through air or liquid movement (e.g., fan blowing).

Evaporation

Heat loss through water turning into vapor (e.g., sweating).

Radiation

Transfer of heat through electromagnetic waves without direct contact (e.g., body heat lost to cooler room).

Shivering

Involuntary muscle activity that generates heat when body temp drops.

Pyrogen

Substance (often from pathogens) that triggers fever by affecting hypothalamic set point.

Hyperpyrexia

Extremely high fever, usually above 41°C (105.8°F); dangerous.

Neurogenic Fever

Fever caused by brain injury or trauma affecting hypothalamic regulation; does not respond to antipyretics.

Fever of Unknown Origin (FUO)

Fever lasting ≥3 weeks without identified cause.

Apical Pulse

Pulse heard with stethoscope at the apex of the heart; most accurate heart rate assessment.

Peripheral Pulse

Pulse felt at a peripheral artery (e.g., radial, dorsalis pedis).

Bounding Pulse (+3)

Very strong pulse; may indicate hypertension or after exercise.

Thready Pulse (+1)

Weak, faint pulse; may indicate shock or hypotension.

Pulse Oximetry (SpO2)

Noninvasive method of measuring oxygen saturation of hemoglobin.

Cheyne-Stokes Respiration

Breathing pattern with gradual increase and decrease in depth followed by apnea; seen in brain injury or end-of-life.

Biot's Respiration

Irregular breathing with variable rate/depth and apnea; often caused by brain injury.

Kussmaul Breathing

Deep, rapid respirations seen in metabolic acidosis (e.g., diabetic ketoacidosis).

Baseline

A patient's normal vital sign values used for comparison.

Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP)

Average pressure in arteries during a cardiac cycle; calculated as (2 × diastolic + systolic)/3.

Pulse Oximeter Probe Sites

Finger, toe, ear, or forehead; site must be dry and free of nail polish for accuracy.