Clinical Rotations: Vital Signs Vocabulary

hyperthermia

abnormally high body temperature

hypothermia

abnormally low body temperature

febrile

caused by/related to a fever

afebrile

without a fever

antipyretic

substance that reduces fever

axillary

pertaining to the armpit

tympanic

pertaining to the eardrum (tympanum)

temporal

pertaining to time or the temples of the head

diaphoresis

excessive sweating

pyrexia

fever

tachycardia

fast heart rate, adult heart rate exceeds 100 bpm

bradycardia

slow heart rate, adult heart rate drops below 60 bpm

dysrhythmia

irregular heart rhythm

apical pulse

heartbeat measured directly over apex of the heart

radial pulse

heartbeat felt at the radial artery

pulse deficit

difference between the apical and radial pulse rates

tachypnea

rapid, shallow breathing

bradypnea

abnormally slow resting breathing rate

cheyne-stokes breathing

a distinct pattern of breathing characterized by quickening and deepening respirations followed by a period of apnea

kussmaui respirations

deep, rapid, labored breathing pattern, serves as automatic response to severe metabolic acidosis, associated w/ diabetes

croup

acute viral infection of infants and children with obstruction of the larynx (upper airway)

ronchi

low-pitched rattling sounds caused by secretions or mucus in the larger airway

rales (crackles)

fine, crackling sounds heard during inspiration when there is fluid in the alveoli

wheeze

whistling sound caused by narrow/blocked breathing tubes, most common during expiration

apnea

absence of breathing

orthopnea

shortness of breath when lying flat

eupnea

normal respiration

dyspnea

difficulty breathing

hypoxemia

abnormally low oxygen levels in the blood

hypoxia

deficiency in the amount of oxygen reaching the tissues

cyanosis

skin turns blue due to lack of oxygen

hypercapnia

elevated carbon dioxide levels in the blood

systole

heart muscles contract after filling up with blood

diastole

heart muscles dilate, allowing them to refill w/ blood

pulse pressure

systolic pressure - diastolic pressure

hypertension

high blood pressure

orthostatic hypertension

a sudden drop in blood pressure when rising to sit or stand