Chapter 26: Vital Signs Flashcards

Flashcards covering the vocabulary and core concepts of Vital Signs, including temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure based on Chapter 26 notes.

Vital Signs

A set of clinical measurements including temperature (T), pulse (P), respiration (R), and blood pressure (BP), often including pain and pulse oximetry.

Normal Oral Temperature Range

The average range for healthy adults is $35.8-37.5^{\circ}\text{C}$ ($96.4-99.5^{\circ}\text{F}$).

Radiation

The diffusion or dissemination of heat by electromagnetic waves, such as when heat is lost from an uncovered head.

Convection

The dissemination of heat by motion between areas of unequal density.

Evaporation

The conversion of a liquid to a vapor, such as sweat evaporating from the skin to lose heat.

Conduction

The transfer of heat to another object during direct contact.

Afebrile

A state identifying that a patient is without fever.

Pyrexia

A state of fever, identifying that a patient is febrile.

Intermittent fever

A fever pattern where the body temperature returns to normal at least once every $24$ hours.

Remittent fever

A fever pattern where the temperature does not return to normal and fluctuates a few degrees up and down.

Sustained (Continuous) fever

A fever where the body temperature remains above normal with minimal variations.

Relapsing (Recurrent) fever

A fever pattern where the temperature returns to normal for one or more days with one or more episodes of fever.

Normal Rectal Temperature Range

The measured range for healthy adults is $36.3-38.1^{\circ}\text{C}$ ($97.4-100.5^{\circ}\text{F}$).

Normal Axillary Temperature Range

The measured range for healthy adults is $35.4-36.9^{\circ}\text{C}$ ($95.6-98.5^{\circ}\text{F}$).

Sinoatrial (SA) node

The cardiac node that, along with the autonomic nervous system, regulates the pulse.

Parasympathetic stimulation

Activation that decreases the heart rate.

Sympathetic stimulation

Activation that increases the heart rate.

Tachycardia

An increased pulse rate, exceeding the normal range for adults.

Bradycardia

A decreased pulse rate, falling below the normal range for adults.

Stroke volume

The volume of blood ejected with each individual heartbeat.

Pulse Amplitude Grade +1

A pulse that is diminished and weaker than expected.

Pulse Amplitude Grade 3+

A pulse categorized as bounding.

Ventilation

The movement of air in and out of the lungs, including inhalation and exhalation.

Diffusion

The exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the alveoli of the lungs and the circulating blood.

Perfusion

The exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the circulating blood and tissue cells.

Carbon dioxide ($CO_2$)

The increase of this gas is considered the most powerful respiratory stimulant.

Eupnea

Normal, unlabored respiration, typically at a ratio of one respiration to four heartbeats.

Tachypnea

An increased respiratory rate, which may occur in response to an increased metabolic rate.

Bradypnea

A decreased respiratory rate occurring in some pathologic conditions.

Apnea

Periods during which no breathing occurs.

Dyspnea

Difficult or labored breathing.

Orthopnea

Changes in breathing that occur when a person moves to a sitting or standing position.

Systolic pressure

The maximum pressure when the left ventricle contracts and pushes blood through the aortic valve into the aorta.

Diastolic pressure

The lowest pressure when the heart rests between beats.

Pulse pressure

The difference between the systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings.

Renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system

A humoral mechanism that acts to raise blood pressure.

Hypotension

A blood pressure reading of less than $90/60\,\text{mm Hg}$.

Orthostatic hypotension

Also known as postural hypotension, it is a drop in blood pressure resulting from an inadequate response to rising to an erect position.

Korotkoff sounds

The specific sounds listened for with a stethoscope during blood pressure assessment to determine systolic and diastolic values.