Health Terminology Quiz

Key Medical Terminology

• Afebrile: Indicates a condition where no fever is present; body temperature is within normal range.
• Apical Pulse: Central pulse felt at the apex of the heart; useful in assessing heart function.
• Apical-Radial Pulse: Simultaneous measurement of apical and radial pulses to check for discrepancies in heart function.
• Apnea: Total absence of breathing; critical emergency condition requiring immediate attention.
• Arrhythmia: Abnormal heart rhythm which can lead to inefficiencies in blood circulation.
• Arterial Blood Pressure: Measures the pressure blood exerts on artery walls during circulation, crucial for assessing cardiovascular health.
• Arteriosclerosis: A vascular condition where arteries harden and lose elasticity, often leading to high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases.
• Auscultatory Gap: A phase during blood pressure measurement where sounds fade when cuff pressure is high, only to reappear as it lowers; indicates potential measurement errors.
• Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR): The energy expenditure required to maintain basic physiological functions at rest; influences overall energy balance.
• Body Temperature: The equilibrium between heat produced in the body and heat lost; critical for metabolic processes.
• Bradycardia: Abnormal pulse rate of less than 60 beats per minute; may indicate cardiac issues.
• Bradypnea: Slow respiratory rate, typically under 10 breaths per minute; could signal respiratory distress.
• Cardiac Output (CO): Volume of blood pumped by the heart per minute; vital for assessing heart efficiency.
• Compliance: Refers to how well an individual's behavior aligns with medical advice; important for treatment adherence.
• Conduction: Heat transfer through direct contact between molecules; relevant in thermoregulation.
• Constant Fever: A consistent elevation in body temperature with minimal fluctuations above normal; indicative of ongoing infection or illness.
• Convection: Heat dispersion through air currents; significant in thermoregulation and environment impact.
• Core Temperature: Refers to the temperature of internal body organs; crucial for overall metabolic function.

Understanding Vital Signs

• Factors affecting vital signs include age, sex, activity level, and health status.
• Normal body temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure vary throughout life stages; important for accurate assessments.
• Steps for vital sign assessment include:
  • Body Temperature: Methods may include oral, rectal, or skin measurements.
  • Peripheral Pulse: Check at accessible sites like wrists or ankles.
  • Apical Pulse Assessment: Use a stethoscope at the chest's apex to gauge heart function.
  • Respirations: Observing rate and quality during a resting state.
  • Blood Pressure: Use a sphygmomanometer to assess arterial pressure.
  • Blood Oxygenation: Measured noninvasively using a pulse oximeter.
• Nursing care for altered vital signs should focus on monitoring, assessment, and intervention strategies.
• Common pulse assessment sites include radial, carotid, femoral, popliteal, dorsalis pedis, and others; selected based on situational need.
• Characteristics of pulse assessment include rhythm, volume, and quality, key to understanding cardiovascular health.
• Mechanics of breathing involve diaphragm contraction and relaxation, controlled by neurological mechanisms.
• Reporting and documentation of vital signs are essential for patient care continuity.

Additional Vocabulary

• Peripheral Pulse: Located in limbs; helps evaluate systemic circulation.
• Pulse Oximeter: Noninvasive tool that measures blood oxygen saturation; crucial for respiratory assessment.
• Pulse Pressure: Difference between systolic and diastolic BP; indicates cardiovascular health.
• Pulse Rhythm: Regularity of heartbeat rhythms; aids in diagnosing heart conditions.
• Pulse Volume: Strength of pulse felt; reflects heart's forceful contraction.
• Pyrexia: Fever, characterized by elevated body temperature beyond normal.
• Radiation: Heat transfer without contact, important in temperature regulation and thermoregulation strategies.
• Relapsing Fever: Characterized by cycles of fever and normal temperature, often indicating underlying infections.
• Remittent Fever: Fluctuating body temperature maintaining above normal ranges; indicates infection persistence.
• Respiration: The physiological process of gas exchange, vital for cellular metabolism.
• Respiratory Character: Quality and effort of breathing; essential for diagnosing respiratory conditions.
• Respiratory Rhythm: The pattern and regularity of breathing activities.
• Sphygmomanometer: Instrument for measuring blood pressure; essential in monitoring cardiovascular health.

Test your knowledge of essential health vocabulary with this quiz. It covers key terms related to cardiovascular and respiratory health, helping you understand important medical concepts. Perfect for students and professionals alike.