Chapter 37 - Vital Signs Flashcards

Vital Signs and Measurements

• Fahrenheit: Temperature scale where a normal adult body temperature is 98.6°F.
• Hypotension: Refers to low blood pressure, indicating insufficient blood flow to organs.
• Rales: Crackling sounds in the lungs, indicative of fluid accumulation, often associated with respiratory issues.
• Diastolic Pressure: Measures blood pressure when the heart is relaxed between beats, reflecting resting state.
• Febrile: Condition marked by a body temperature exceeding the normal range, often indicating infection.
• Systolic Pressure: Blood pressure measurement when the left ventricle contracts, representing the peak force during heartbeats.
• Stethoscope: An instrument designed to amplify sounds within the body, primarily for listening to heart and lung sounds.
• Dyspnea: Refers to difficulty or discomfort in breathing, which can indicate various health conditions.
• Hypertension: Defined as high blood pressure, potentially leading to severe cardiovascular issues and organ damage.
• Apical Pulse: Pulse measured at the apex of the heart, often providing accurate heart rate readings.
• Hyperpnea: Characterized by deep and rapid breathing, which may occur during exercise or metabolic conditions.
• Calibrate: The process of adjusting an instrument to ensure accurate measurements.
• Antecubital Space: The area at the bend of the elbow, commonly used for blood pressure readings and venipuncture.
• Apex of the Heart: The lower left corner of the heart where the strongest heart sounds can be auscultated.
• Afebrile: Indicates a body temperature within the normal range, signifying absence of fever.
• Hyperpyrexia: Refers to an extremely high fever, often above 106°F, requiring immediate medical attention.
• Cheyne-Stokes Respirations: A distinctive pattern of breathing that includes cycles of deep, shallow breaths followed by periods of apnea.
• Temporal Scanner: A device for measuring body temperature at the forehead, providing quick and non-invasive readings.
• Bradycardia: A slow heart rate defined as less than 60 beats per minute, may indicate cardiac issues.
• Tachycardia: Fast heart rate exceeding 100 beats per minute, potentially signaling stress, pain, or an underlying condition.
• Tympanic Temperature: Temperature measured in the ear canal by assessing the tympanic membrane.

Pulse and Temperature Sites

• Pulse Sites:

  • Popliteal: Behind the knee
  • Radial: Wrist area
  • Femoral: Between the femur and pelvis
  • Carotid: Side of the neck
  • Posterior Tibial: Top of the heel
  • Brachial: In the antecubital space
  • Dorsalis Pedis: On the top of the foot
  • Temporal: Side of the head

• Temperature Sites:

  • Axillary: Armpit
  • Oral: Mouth
  • Rectal: Rectum
  • Aural/Tympanic: Ear
  • Temporal: Across the forehead

Additional Concepts

• Sphygmomanometer: Alternative name for a blood pressure cuff used to measure arterial blood pressure.

• Auscultated Blood Pressure: Blood pressure determined by listening to the heartbeat through a stethoscope.

• Five Vital Signs: The key indicators of health include temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, and pain assessment.

• Parts of the Stethoscope:

  • Inflatable cuff for blood pressure measurement.
  • Pressure bulb used to inflate the cuff.
  • Manometer for displaying the pressure reading.

• Accurate Tympanic Temperature Measurement: Requires pulling the ear back and up to ensure accurate reading.

Test your knowledge with flashcards from Chapter 37 focusing on vital signs and measurements. This quiz covers important terms like Fahrenheit, hypotension, and rales. Perfect for students in health sciences or nursing courses to reinforce their vocabulary.