Ex 2 Vital Signs Assessment Vocabulary

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering vital signs assessment, ranges, measurement techniques, physiological factors, and clinical guidelines.

Vital Signs

Objective measures of the body's basic functions, including temperature, respiratory rate, pulse, blood pressure, and O2 saturation.

Core Body Temperature

The temperature of internal body tissues, regulated by the hypothalamus, with a normal mean oral baseline of $36.5^\circ\text{C}$ ($97.7^\circ\text{F}$).

Pulse

The peripheral pressure wave created when the heart ejects approximately $70\,\text{mL}$ of blood into the aorta during contraction, reflecting heart rate, rhythm, and force.

Respirations

The assessment of pulmonary function counting breathing rate and evaluating respiratory pattern, with a normal adult range of $16\text{ to }25\,\text{breaths/min}$.

Blood Pressure

The force exerted by circulating blood against vascular walls during cardiac contraction and relaxation cycles.

O2 Saturation

The percentage of oxygen-saturated hemoglobin in arterial blood, typically measured noninvasively using pulse oximetry.

Thermoregulation

The body process controlled by the hypothalamus that balances heat production (metabolism, exercise) with heat loss (radiation, evaporation, convection, conduction).

Diurnal Cycle (Temperature)

A daily temperature rhythm that fluctuates $1\text{ to }1.5^\circ\text{F}$, reaching its lowest point in the early morning and highest point in the late afternoon.

Oral Temperature Route

The most convenient measurement site, requiring a wait of at least $15\,\text{minutes}$ if the patient recently ate, drank hot or cold liquids, or smoked.

Rectal Temperature Route

The most accurate core body temperature measurement route, used when other sites are impractical or precise core readings are essential.

Tympanic Membrane Temperature

Infrared measurement of eardrum emissions sharing blood supply with the hypothalamus, yielding accurate core readings in $2\text{ to }3\,\text{seconds}$.

Temporal Artery Probe

An infrared device slid across the forehead and behind the ear to record multiple core readings in about $6\,\text{seconds}$.

Hyperthermia

Fever defined by body temperature $>37.8^\circ\text{C}$ ($>100.04^\circ\text{F}$), caused by pyrogens in infections, tissue breakdown, or neurological dysfunction.

Hypothermia

Body temperature dropping below $36.0^\circ\text{C}$, caused by prolonged cold exposure or medically induced to lower metabolic oxygen demand.

Radial Pulse

The primary pulse palpated at the flexor aspect of the wrist laterally along the radius bone using the finger pads.

Bradycardia

A resting heart rate below $50\text{ to }60\,\text{beats/min}$, which can be normal in well-conditioned athletes or patients taking specific cardiac medications.

Tachycardia

A heart rate exceeding $95\text{ to }100\,\text{beats/min}$, occurring normally with exercise or anxiety, and pathologically with fever, sepsis, pneumonia, MI, or pancreatitis.

Bounding Pulse (Force 3+)

A pulse force indicating increased stroke volume (such as after running a mile or during high anxiety) where the pulse feels full and exaggerated.

Weak, Thready Pulse (Force 1+)

A pulse force reflecting decreased stroke volume, commonly seen in conditions like hemorrhagic shock.

Absent Pulse (Force 0)

A pulse force rating where no arterial wave is felt, signifying a critical absence of peripheral flow requiring immediate intervention.

Tachypnea

An abnormally elevated respiratory rate exceeding $25\,\text{breaths/min}$ in adults.

Bradypnea

An abnormally low respiratory rate measuring between $8\text{ to }12\,\text{breaths/min}$ in adults.

Systolic Pressure

The maximum blood pressure generated against arterial walls during left ventricular contraction.

Diastolic Pressure

The resting pressure exerted on vessel walls between contractions while the left ventricle relaxes.

Pulse Pressure

The mathematical difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings.

Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP)

The average arterial pressure across the cardiac cycle; a value of $\ge 60\,\text{mm Hg}$ is required to ensure adequate tissue perfusion.

Peripheral Vascular Resistance

The opposition to blood flow through arteries; vasoconstriction increases vascular resistance and blood pressure, whereas vasodilation reduces it.

Blood Viscosity

The thickness of blood determined by its formed elements, where increased thickness raises pressure by requiring greater pumping effort from the heart.

Arterial Elasticity

The capacity of vessel walls to stretch and recoil; rigid walls in conditions like atherosclerosis increase the force needed to pump blood.

Oscillometry

The automated blood pressure measurement technology in electronic cuffs that detects pressure oscillations, though it may be inaccurate in atrial fibrillation.

Blood Pressure Cuff Sizing Rule

Standard sizing rule where cuff bladder width must equal $40\%$ of arm circumference and bladder length must equal $80\%$ of arm circumference.

Blood Pressure Cuff Placement

Positioning the cuff center approximately $2.5\,\text{cm}$ ($1\,\text{inch}$) above the antecubital area over the palpated brachial artery.

Korotkoff Sounds

The series of sounds heard through a stethoscope during manual blood pressure measurement, spanning Phase I (systolic) to Phase V (diastolic disappearance).

Phase V Korotkoff Sound

The point of complete sound disappearance during manual cuff deflation, defining diastolic blood pressure across all ages.

Orthostatic Hypotension

A postural reduction in blood pressure of $\ge 20\,\text{mm Hg}$ systolic or $\ge 10\,\text{mm Hg}$ diastolic upon standing, linked to dehydration, bed rest, or medications.

Pulse Oximetry

A noninvasive sensor technique measuring light absorption to calculate arterial oxygen saturation ($\text{SpO}_2$); normal room air value is $97\text{ to }99\%$.

Dyshemoglobinemias

Hemoglobin disorders (such as sickle cell anemia) that impair normal oxygen binding and cause inaccurate pulse oximetry readings.

Clinical Judgment in Vital Signs

Using professional nursing assessment and clinical presentation rather than routine schedules alone to judge measurement frequency and provider notification.