Fundamentals of nursing 6th edition chapter 4 vital signs
Apical pulse
Heartbeat as measured with the bell or disk of the stethoscope placed over the apex of the heart; most
authentic of all pulses
Ausculate
Listen for sounds within the body to evaluate the condition of the heart, lungs, pleura, intestine, or
other organs to detect fetal heart sounds
Blood pressure
Pressure exerted by the circulating volume of blood on the arterial walls, veins, and Chambers of the
heart
Bradycardia
Slow rhythm characterized by pulse rate of fewer than 60 bpm
Bradypnea
Slow respiratory rate of fewer than 12 breaths per minute
Cheyne-Stokes Respirations
Abnormal pattern of respiration characterized by alternating periods of apnea and deep, rapid breathing
Diastolic
Period of time between contractions of the atria or the ventricles during which blood enters the relaxed
Chambers from the systemic circulation and the lungs
Dyspnea
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, caused by disturbances in the lungs, certain heart conditions
and hemoglobin deficiency
Dysrhythmia
Any disturbances or abnormality in a normal rhythmic pattern, specifically irregularity in normal rhythm
of heart aka arrhythmia
Febrile
Body temperature above normal
Hypertension
Occurs when elevated blood pressure is above normal
Hyperthermia
, Condition of abnormally high body temperature
Hypotension
Occurs when blood pressure is below normal
Hypothermia
Condition of abnormally low body temperature
Korotkoff sounds
Sounds heard while measuring blood pressure when using a sphygmomanometer and stethoscope
Orthostatic hypotension
Drop of 25 mm Hg in systolic pressure and a drop of 10 mm Hg in diastolic pressure when moving from
lying to a sitting position
Pulse
A rhythmic beating or vibrating movement; regular recurrent expansion and contraction of the artery
produced by waves of pressure caused by the ejection of blood from the left ventricle of the heart as it
contracts
Pulse deficit
Condition that exists when the radial pulse rate is less than the ventricular rate as ausculated at the apex
of the heart
Pulse pressure
Difference between the systolic and the diastolic blood pressure, usually 30 - 40 mm Hg
Respirations
Taking in of oxygen, it's use in the tissues, and giving off of carbon dioxide, the act of breathing
Sphygmomanometer
Device for measuring arterial blood pressure
Stethoscope
Instrument placed against patients body to hear heart, bowel sounds, lungs
Systolic
Number or reading that represents ventricles contracting, forcing blood into the aorta and pulmonary
arteries. In blood pressure readings it is higher of the two readings
Tachycardia
Abnormal condition in which the myocardium contracts regularly but at a rate greater than 100 bpm
Apical pulse
Heartbeat as measured with the bell or disk of the stethoscope placed over the apex of the heart; most
authentic of all pulses
Ausculate
Listen for sounds within the body to evaluate the condition of the heart, lungs, pleura, intestine, or
other organs to detect fetal heart sounds
Blood pressure
Pressure exerted by the circulating volume of blood on the arterial walls, veins, and Chambers of the
heart
Bradycardia
Slow rhythm characterized by pulse rate of fewer than 60 bpm
Bradypnea
Slow respiratory rate of fewer than 12 breaths per minute
Cheyne-Stokes Respirations
Abnormal pattern of respiration characterized by alternating periods of apnea and deep, rapid breathing
Diastolic
Period of time between contractions of the atria or the ventricles during which blood enters the relaxed
Chambers from the systemic circulation and the lungs
Dyspnea
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, caused by disturbances in the lungs, certain heart conditions
and hemoglobin deficiency
Dysrhythmia
Any disturbances or abnormality in a normal rhythmic pattern, specifically irregularity in normal rhythm
of heart aka arrhythmia
Febrile
Body temperature above normal
Hypertension
Occurs when elevated blood pressure is above normal
Hyperthermia
, Condition of abnormally high body temperature
Hypotension
Occurs when blood pressure is below normal
Hypothermia
Condition of abnormally low body temperature
Korotkoff sounds
Sounds heard while measuring blood pressure when using a sphygmomanometer and stethoscope
Orthostatic hypotension
Drop of 25 mm Hg in systolic pressure and a drop of 10 mm Hg in diastolic pressure when moving from
lying to a sitting position
Pulse
A rhythmic beating or vibrating movement; regular recurrent expansion and contraction of the artery
produced by waves of pressure caused by the ejection of blood from the left ventricle of the heart as it
contracts
Pulse deficit
Condition that exists when the radial pulse rate is less than the ventricular rate as ausculated at the apex
of the heart
Pulse pressure
Difference between the systolic and the diastolic blood pressure, usually 30 - 40 mm Hg
Respirations
Taking in of oxygen, it's use in the tissues, and giving off of carbon dioxide, the act of breathing
Sphygmomanometer
Device for measuring arterial blood pressure
Stethoscope
Instrument placed against patients body to hear heart, bowel sounds, lungs
Systolic
Number or reading that represents ventricles contracting, forcing blood into the aorta and pulmonary
arteries. In blood pressure readings it is higher of the two readings
Tachycardia
Abnormal condition in which the myocardium contracts regularly but at a rate greater than 100 bpm
