Ch 16 Vital Signs

apnea

when you stop breathing while you’re asleep or almost having no airflow

dyspnea

shortness of breath not due to an underlying disease

tachypnea

abnormally rapid breathing

bradypnea

slow respiratory rate (

orthopnea

discomfort when breathing lying down

systolic pressure

top number when taking blood pressure, pressure in walls of arteries when left ventricle contracts

diastolic pressure

bottom number when taking blood pressure, constant pressure in walls of arteries when left ventricle is relaxed

pulse pressure

difference between systolic and diastolic pressure

hypertension

high blood pressure, greater than 140/90

hypotension

low blood pressure, less than 90/60

apex of heart with a stethoscope

Where and how is pulse count taken?

one respiration

one inspiration (breathing in) and one expiration (breathing out)

Exercise

Factor that can change pulse rate?

Rate of respirations

number of breaths per minute

Character of respiration

Depth and quality of respirations

Rhythm of respiration

regularity of respirations/space between breaths

respiration

process of taking in oxygen and expelling carbon dioxide from lungs and respiratory tract

pulse

pulse of blood pushing against the wall of an artery as the heart beats and rests

pulse rate

number of beats per minute

tachycardia

pulse rate over 100 beats per minute

bradycardia

pulse rate under 60 beats per minute

Use cool water on glass thermometers to prevent breakage, disposable plastic sheath may be used, follow agency policies

Proper way of cleaning thermometers?

hypothermia

body temperature below 95 degrees F

pyrexia (fever)

body temperature above 101 degrees F

hyperthermia

body temperature exceeding 104 degrees F

oral, rectal, axillary, aural, temporal

Ways to find out body temperature?

causes of variation

body sites, time of day, individual differences

Normal body temperature

96 degrees F to 100 degrees F

Homeostasis

Constant state of fluid balance in the body

perspiration, respiration, excretion

How is heat lost?

food metabolism, muscle, and gland activity

How is heat produced?

pulse rhythm

arrhythmia, regularity of pulse

pulse volume

Strength, force, quality, or intensity of pulse? Strong, weak, thready, bounding?