Vital Signs

These flashcards cover key vocabulary concepts related to vital signs, their measurements, implications, and related health indicators.

Vital Signs (VS)

Measurements that provide critical information about a patient's health status, including temperature, pulse, respirations, and blood pressure.

Temperature

A measure of the body's ability to generate and lose heat; considered one of the four classic vital signs.

Pulse

The rhythmic expansion and contraction of the arteries as blood is pumped by the heart, typically measured in beats per minute.

Respirations

The act of breathing, measured by the number of breaths taken per minute.

Blood Pressure (BP)

The force exerted by circulating blood on the walls of the body's arteries, measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg).

Normal Pulse Rate

The typical range for adults is 60 to 100 beats per minute.

Tachycardia

A condition where the heart rate exceeds 100 beats per minute.

Bradycardia

A condition where the heart rate falls below 60 beats per minute.

Hypotension

A blood pressure reading of less than 90/60 mm Hg, often causing symptoms like dizziness and fainting.

Hypertension

A blood pressure reading of greater than 140/90 mm Hg, which is a risk factor for various cardiovascular diseases.

Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)

An objective tool used to assess a patient's level of consciousness based on verbal, motor, and eye-opening responses.

Hyperthermia

An elevation of body temperature above normal, which can result from exercise or infection.

Hypothermia

A significant drop in body temperature below the normal range, often due to cold exposure.

Pulsus Paradoxus

A medical sign where the blood pressure drops more than 10 mm Hg during inspiration, indicating possible respiratory distress.

Korotkoff Sounds

The sounds taken through a stethoscope when measuring blood pressure, associated with the closing and opening of an artery.

Sphygmomanometer

An instrument used to measure blood pressure in millimeters of mercury.

Trend in Vital Signs

The pattern formed by monitoring vital signs over time to assess changes in a patient's condition.