NUR 304 - Fundamentals in Nursing Practice: Vital Signs Review

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the nursing process, vital sign ranges, physiology, and assessment terminology from the NUR 304 lecture.

ADPIE

The nursing process consisting of Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation.

Assessment

The step in the nursing process involving observing and gathering information.

Clinical Inference

The interpretation of cues (signs and symptoms) that happens before identifying a patient's problems.

Average Oral/Tympanic Temperature

$98.6^{\circ}F$ ($37^{\circ}C$).

Average Rectal Temperature

$99.5^{\circ}F$ ($37.5^{\circ}C$).

Average Axillary Temperature

$97.7^{\circ}F$ ($36.5^{\circ}C$).

Pyrexia (Febrile)

A body temperature greater than $100.4^{\circ}F$ ($38^{\circ}C$).

Heatstroke

A dangerous heat emergency characterized by a temperature greater than $104^{\circ}F$ ($40^{\circ}C$), often accompanied by unconsciousness and nonreactive pupils.

Hypothermia

A core body temperature below $96^{\circ}F$ ($36^{\circ}C$).

Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)

A factor contributing to heat production in the regulation of body temperature.

Pulse

The palpable bounding of blood flow in a peripheral artery, acting as an indirect indicator of circulatory status.

Normal Adult Pulse Range

$60$ to $100$ beats per minute (BPM).

Cardiac Output (CO)

The volume of blood pumped by the heart in one minute, typically $5-8\,L/min$, calculated as $CO = HR \times SV$.

Stroke Volume (SV)

The volume of blood pumped from one ventricle of the heart with each beat, typically $50-100\,mL/beat$.

Stethoscope Diaphragm

The part of the stethoscope used for high-pitched sounds, such as lung and bowel sounds.

Stethoscope Bell

The part of the stethoscope used for low-pitched vascular and heart sounds, such as murmurs.

Apical Pulse Location

The 4th to 5th intercostal space at the left midclavicular line (MCL).

Ventilation

The mechanical movement of gases into and out of the lungs.

Diffusion

The movement of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the alveoli and the red blood cells.

Perfusion

The distribution of red blood cells to and from the pulmonary capillaries.

Normal Adult Respiration Range

$12$ to $20$ breaths per minute.

Normal Oxygen Saturation ($SpO_2$)

$95\%-100\%$.

Capnography

The measurement of carbon dioxide in exhaled breath; normal range is $35-45\,mm\,Hg$.

Systolic Pressure

The peak pressure exerted when the ventricles contract and eject blood.

Diastolic Pressure

The minimum pressure exerted when the ventricles are at rest.

Normal Blood Pressure (Adult)

Systolic < $120\,mm\,Hg$ and Diastolic < $80\,mm\,Hg$.

Hypertension Stage 1

Systolic $130-139\,mm\,Hg$ or Diastolic $80-89\,mm\,Hg$.

Hypotension

Systolic blood pressure falling to $90\,mm\,Hg$ or below.

Orthostatic Hypotension

A drop in blood pressure when changing positions (lying to sitting or standing) of at least $20\,mm\,Hg$ Systolic or $10\,mm\,Hg$ Diastolic.

Korotkoff Phase 1

The first appearance of a sharp thump, indicating the systolic pressure reading.

Sphygmomanometer

A manual blood pressure kit, considered more accurate than automated devices.