basic nursing skills

vital signs

measurement of the body's most basic functions; temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure

radial pulse

the pulse located on the inside of the wrist, where the radial artery runs just beneath the skin

tachycardia

abnormally fast heart rate

bradycardia

abnormally slow heart rate

apical pulse

the pulse on the left side of the chest, just below the nipple

stethoscope

an instrument used to listen to sounds within the body

auscultation

listening to sounds within the body, usually with a stethoscope

respiration

Inhalation and exhalation of air

inspirations

breathing in

expirations

breathing out

apnea

temporary cessation of breathing

dyspnea

difficult or labored breathing

eupnea

normal breathing

orthopnea

difficulty breathing when lying down

tachypnea

abnormally fast breathing

bradypnea

abnormally slow breathing

Cheyne-Stokes

alternating periods of slow, irregular breathing and rapid, shallow breathing

palpate

to examine by touch

pulse oximeter

external monitor placed on the patient's finger or earlobe to measure the oxygen saturation level in the blood

hypoxia

low oxygen saturation of the body, not enough oxygen in the blood

systolic

measurement of blood pressure taken when the heart is contracting and forcing blood into the arteries

diastolic

measurement of blood pressure take when the ventricles are relaxed

hypertension (HTN)

persistently high blood pressure

hypotension

abnormally low blood pressure

sphygmomanometer

instrument used to measure blood pressure

hydrocephalus

accumulation of fluid in the spaces of the brain

body mass index (BMI)

a measure of body weight relative to height

preoperative

before surgery

NPO

nothing by mouth (nil per os)

postoperative

after surgery

embolism

obstruction of a blood vessel by a clot of blood or foreign substance

sterile field

an area free of microorganisms and prepared to receive sterile items

mayo stand

portable metal tray table used for setting up small sterile fields for minor surgery and procedures

drug interactions

effects that may occur when a drug is given along with another drug, food, or substance

route

the path that must be followed to get to a place

diversion

something that turns your attention off of what you are thinking about

controlled medications

a drug that is considered to have the potential for abuse, such as strong painkillers

anaphylaxis

a severe allergic reaction