Vital Signs and Temperature Measurement

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers vital signs, specific temperature measurement techniques, normal ranges, and clinical terminology related to respiratory and cardiovascular assessment.

Vital signs

Measurements used to evaluate health problems, including temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, and pain assessment.

Body measurements

Clinical measurements including height, weight, and head circumference.

Temperature

The measurement that determines the relationship of heat production and heat loss.

Infection

The most common reason for a fever.

Normal adult oral temperature

$98.6\,^{\circ}F$ or $37.0\,^{\circ}C$.

Febrile

A state of fever, defined as a temperature greater than $100.5\,^{\circ}F$, often a sign of inflammation or infection.

Afebrile

A normal temperature ranging from $98.6\,^{\circ}F$ to $99.1\,^{\circ}F$.

Pyrexia

A medical term for fever.

Hyperpyrexia

An extremely high body temperature.

Temporal temperatures

A measurement taken by stroking a scanner across the forehead over the temporal artery; normal is $99.6\,^{\circ}F$.

Infrared thermometers

Thermal thermometers that use a direct laser in the middle of the forehead.

Tympanic temperatures

Aural temperatures taken in the ear; normal is $99.6\,^{\circ}F$.

Aural technique (Adult vs. Child)

For adults, pull the ear up and back; for children, pull the ear down and back.

Oral temperature technique

Thermometer is placed under the tongue in one pocket off-center; patient must wait $15\,\text{minutes}$ after eating, drinking, or smoking.

Axillary

Temperature taken under the arm, noted as the least accurate method.

Rectally

The most accurate method for taking temperature; normal is $99.6\,^{\circ}F$.

Palpation

The act of touching.

Auscultation

Listening with a stethoscope.

Rales

Clicking or crackling sounds.

Rhonchi

Rattling sounds.

Sphygmomanometer

A blood pressure cuff.

Systolic pressure

The first sound heard during a blood pressure reading.

Diastolic pressure

The last sound heard during a blood pressure reading.

Korotkoff sounds

The five phases of sound that are heard during a blood pressure reading.

Dyspnea

Difficult or painful breathing.

Tachypnea

Rapid breathing.

Bradypnea

Slow breathing.

Apnea

A period of breathing cessation.