PCT

Pulse

The number of heartbeats per minute.

Normal adult pulse rate

$$60\text{--}100\text{ BPM}$$

Normal adult respiration rate

$$12\text{--}20\text{ breaths/min}$$

Normal infant respiration rate

$$30\text{--}40\text{ breaths/min}$$

Temporal pulse site

Temple/forehead

Carotid pulse site

Neck

Apical pulse site

Heart/chest

Brachial pulse site

Inside the elbow

Radial pulse site

Wrist

Femoral pulse site

Groin

Popliteal pulse site

Behind the knee

Pedal pulse site

Foot

Apnea

Absence of breathing

Dyspnea

Difficulty breathing

Eupnea

Normal breathing

Orthopnea

Shortness of breath when lying down, relieved by sitting upright

Tachypnea

Abnormally rapid breathing

Bradypnea

Abnormally slow breathing

Cheyne-Stokes respiration

Breathing pattern alternating between slow/irregular and rapid/shallow, with periods of apnea

Systolic blood pressure

The top number in a blood pressure reading, measuring force during heart contraction.

Diastolic blood pressure

The bottom number in a blood pressure reading, measuring force when the heart rests between beats.

Normal adult blood pressure range

Systolic $90\text{--}119$ AND diastolic $60\text{--}79$

Hypotension (Low BP) classification

Systolic below $90$ OR diastolic below $60$

Elevated blood pressure classification

Systolic $120\text{--}129$ AND diastolic below $80$

Stage 1 hypertension classification

Systolic $130\text{--}139$ OR diastolic $80\text{--}89$

Stage 2 hypertension classification

Systolic $140+$ OR diastolic $90+$

Hypertensive crisis classification

Systolic over $180$ OR diastolic over $120$

Antiseptic

Agent that helps reduce the spread of pathogens

Saline

Sterile salt and water solution used for rinsing and flushing

Sutures

Stitches used to repair a cut or surgical incision

ADLs

Activities of daily living

CVA

Cerebrovascular accident (stroke)

DNR

Do not resuscitate

HTN

Hypertension