Vital Signs and Respiratory/Nursing Assessment (Video Notes)

Vocabulary flashcards covering respiratory, pulse, BP, temperature, SpO2, and pain assessment concepts from the video notes.

Respiratory rate

The number of breaths per minute; a basic measure of ventilation.

Respiratory rhythm

Regularity of breathing intervals between inhalation and exhalation.

Respiratory depth

The volume of air moved with each breath (tidal volume).

Respiratory manifestations

Signs or symptoms indicating respiratory alterations (e.g., dyspnea, tachypnea).

Abnormal respiratory sounds

Unusual sounds heard on auscultation such as crackles, wheezes, rhonchi, or stridor.

Oxygen therapy (type and flow rate)

Delivery of supplemental oxygen via devices like nasal cannula or mask, with a specified flow rate (L/min).

Nebulizer therapy

Treatment that delivers medication as a fine mist inhaled into the lungs.

Respiratory status post-treatment

Assessment of breathing after a treatment (e.g., nebulizer) to judge effectiveness.

Specimens and cultures

Respiratory samples (e.g., sputum, throat swab) sent to the lab for identification.

Nursing interventions (respiratory)

Actions to support airway clearance and breathing (positioning, humidification, suction, chest physiotherapy).

Client's response to respiratory care

Observable outcome after respiratory interventions (e.g., improved oxygenation, reduced work of breathing).

Pulse rate

The number of heartbeats per minute.

Pulse rhythm

Regularity of the heartbeats.

Pulse strength

Amplitude of the pulse (strong, weak, bounding, thready).

Pulse site

Location used to palpate the pulse (radial, carotid, apical, etc.).

Pulse deficit

Difference between apical and radial pulse rates, indicating possible impaired cardiac efficiency.

Pulse alterations

Changes in pulse rate or quality (tachycardia, bradycardia, irregular).

Nursing interventions (pulse)

Actions to monitor and support circulation (monitor rate/rhythm, assess BP, notify provider).

Client's response to pulse care

Observed changes in circulatory status after interventions.

Blood pressure reading

Systolic and diastolic pressures measured in mmHg.

Blood pressure site

Location of measurement (e.g., brachial artery in the arm).

Blood pressure alterations

Abnormal BP patterns (hypertension, hypotension, wide/narrow pulse pressure).

Nursing interventions (BP)

Measures to stabilize BP (positioning, fluids, medications, monitoring).

Client's response to BP care

BP changes and stability after interventions.

Temperature reading

Numerical value of body temperature.

Temperature route

Method used to measure temperature (oral, tympanic, axillary, rectal).

Temperature alterations

Fever (pyrexia) or hypothermia; deviations from normal range.

Antipyretic

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

Nursing interventions (temperature)

Fever management: antipyretics, cooling measures, and monitoring.

Oxygen saturation (SpO2)

Percentage of hemoglobin carrying oxygen in the blood.

SpO2 site

Site used to measure SpO2 (e.g., finger, earlobe).

SpO2 alterations

Abnormal SpO2 values indicating hypoxemia or hyperoxemia.

Oxygen saturation after nebulizer therapy

SpO2 measurement following nebulizer treatment to assess effect.

Nursing interventions (SpO2)

Actions to maintain or improve oxygenation (monitoring, adjust therapy, positioning).

Pain characteristics

Location, intensity, quality, duration, and pattern of pain.

Pain manifestations

Observable signs of pain (facial expressions, guarding).

Vital signs during pain

Concurrent measurements of heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and temperature during pain assessment.

Nursing interventions (pain)

Pain relief strategies: analgesics, comfort measures, and reassessment.

Client's response to pain care

Pain relief or persistence after interventions.