Vital Signs and Blood Pressure Terminology

Vocabulary flashcards reviewing key terms and definitions for vital signs and blood pressure assessment based on lecture notes.

Blood Pressure

The measurement of the force exerted by the flow of blood against the arterial walls. The pressure in the arteries changes with contraction and relaxation of the heart.

Hypertension

High blood pressure, not diagnosed on one reading alone, but on an average of two or more readings ($\text{SBP} > 129$ or $\text{DBP} > 80$).

Hypotension

$$\text{SBP} < 90\,\text{mmHg}$$

Systole (Systolic Blood Pressure)

Maximum pressure exerted on the walls of the arteries with contraction of the left ventricle at the beginning of systole.

Diastole (Diastolic Blood Pressure)

The lowest pressure, occurs when the left ventricle relaxes between beats.

Auscultatory gap

Period of silence or muffled sound heard when deflating temporary blood pressure cuff, between SBP and DBP.

Mean Arterial Pressure

Calculated by adding one-third of SBP and two-thirds of DBP; a mean pressure of $60\,\text{mmHg}$ is needed to perfuse vital organs.

Cardiac Output

The amount of blood ejected from the left ventricle each minute.

Peripheral Vascular Resistance

The force that blood vessels put on moving blood.

Viscosity

A fluid's internal resistance to flow or deformation; thickness of blood.

Sphygmomanometer

Device that measures BP, consists of an aneroid or mercury gauge.

Orthostatic Hypotension

Drop in SBP of $15\,\text{mmHg}$ or greater, drop in DBP of $10\,\text{mmHg}$ or greater; possible intravascular volume depletion.

Korotkoff sounds

Noises that are listened for through a stethoscope when measuring blood pressure.

Auscultation

Listening to internal sounds of the body with a stethoscope.