Ch 26 - Vital Signs

afebrile: a condition in which the body temperature is not elevated

apnea: absence of breathing

blood pressure: force of blood against arterial walls

bradycardia: slow heart rate

bradypnea: slow rate of breathing

diastolic pressure: least amount of pressure exerted on arterial walls, which occurs when the heart is at rest between ventricular contractions

dyspnea: difficult or labored breathing

dysrhythmia: an abnormal cardiac rhythm

eupnea: normal respirations

febrile: condition in which the body temperature is elevated

fever: elevation above the upper limit of normal body temperature; synonym for pyrexia

hypertension: blood pressure elevated above the upper limit of normal

hyperthermia: high body temperature

hypotension: blood pressure below the lower limit of normal

hypothermia: low body temperature

Korotkoff sounds: series of sounds that correspond to changes in blood flow through an artery as pressure is released

orthopnea: type of dyspnea in which breathing is easier when the patient sits or stands

orthostatic hypotension: temporary fall in blood pressure associated with assuming an upright position; synonym for postural hypotension

pulse: wave produced in the wall of an artery with each beat of the heart

pulse deficit: difference between the apical and radial pulse rates

pulse pressure: difference between systolic and diastolic pressures

respiration: gas exchange between the atmospheric air in the alveoli and blood in the capillaries

systolic pressure: highest point of pressure on arterial walls when the ventricles contract

tachycardia: rapid heart rate

tachypnea: rapid rate of breathing

temperature: refers to the hotness or coldness of a substance

vital signs: body temperature, pulse and respiratory rates, and blood pressure; synonym for cardinal signs