Chapter 13: Vital Signs

31 vocabulary flashcards covering key terms related to vital signs and respiratory assessment, based on the provided lecture notes.

Apical pulse

The pulse felt on the left side of the chest, just below the nipple.

Auscultation

The act of listening to sounds within the body using a stethoscope.

Apnea

The absence of breathing.

BPM

Medical abbreviation for beats per minute.

Brachial pulse

The pulse located inside the elbow, about 1 to 1 ½ inches above the elbow.

Bradycardia

Slow heart rate, under 60 beats per minute.

Celsius

Temperature scale in which water boils at 100° and freezes at 0°.

Cheyne-Stokes respiration

Alternating periods of slow, irregular respirations and rapid, shallow respirations, possibly with apnea.

Diastolic

The second blood-pressure measurement; phase when the heart relaxes or rests.

Dilate

To widen.

Dyspnea

Difficulty breathing.

Eupnea

Normal respirations.

Expiration

The process of exhaling air out of the lungs.

Fahrenheit

Temperature scale in which water boils at 212° and freezes at 32°.

Hypertension

High blood pressure, regularly measuring 130/80 mm Hg or higher.

Hypotension

Low blood pressure, measuring 90/60 mm Hg or lower.

Hypothermia

Severe subnormal body temperature; body temperature drops below the level required for normal functioning.

Inspiration

The process of inhaling air into the lungs.

Kussmaul breathing

Very deep, rapid breathing associated with diabetic ketoacidosis and kidney failure; also called air hunger.

Orthopnea

Shortness of breath when lying down that is relieved by sitting up.

Orthostatic hypotension

Sudden drop in blood pressure when a person stands or sits up; also called postural hypotension.

Palpate

To touch body parts in order to feel structures beneath the skin.

Radial pulse

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

Respiration

The process of inhaling air into the lungs (inspiration) and exhaling air out of the lungs (expiration).

Sphygmomanometer

A device that measures blood pressure.

Stethoscope

An instrument used to hear sounds in the body, such as heartbeat, breath sounds, or bowel sounds.

Systolic

The first blood-pressure measurement; phase when the heart contracts and pushes blood out of the left ventricle.

Tachycardia

Rapid heart rate, over 100 beats per minute.

Tachypnea

Rapid respirations, over 20 breaths per minute.

Thermometer

A device used for measuring degree of heat or cold.

Vital signs

Measurements—temperature, pulse rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure—that monitor the functioning of the vital organs of the body.