Question | Answer |
Activity Order | A doctor's order that defines the type and amount of activity a hospitalized patient may have. |
Afebrile | without fever |
Apical Rate | Heart rate obtained from the apex of the heart |
Axillary Temperature | The temperature reading obtained by placing the thermometer in the patient's axilla (armpit) |
Bedside Commode | A chair or wheelchair with an open seat, used at the bedside by the patient for the passage of urine and stool. |
Blood Pressure | The measurement of the pressure of blood against the artery walls |
Cardiac Monitor | Monitor of heart function, providing visual and audible record of heartbeat |
Cardiac Monitor Technician | A person who observes the cardiac monitors; health unit coordinators may be cross-trained to this position. |
Dangle | The patient sits and dangles their feet over the edge of the bed |
Diastolic Blood Pressure | The minimum level of blood pressure measured between contractions of the heart; in blood pressure readings, it is the lowest, lower number of the two measurments |
Emesis | Vomit |
Febrile | elevated body temperature(fever) |
Fowler's Position | a semi-sitting position |
Intake and Output | the measurement of the patient's fluid intake and output |
Neurologic Vital Signs (Neurochecks) | The measurement of the function of the body's neurologic system; includes checking pupils of the eyes, verbal response, and so forth. |
Nursing Observation Order | A doctor's order the requests the nursing staff to observe and record certain patient signs and symptoms |
Oral Temperature | The temperature reading obtained by placing the thermometer in the patient's mouth under the tongue. |
Orthostatic Hypotension | A temporary lowering of blood pressure (hypotension) usually due to suddenly standing up; also called postural hypotension |
Orthostatic Vital Signs Measurement (Orthostatics) | Recording the patient's blood pressure and pulse rate while the patient is supine (lying) and again while erect (sitting and/or standing) |
Oxygen Saturation | A noninvasive measurement of gas exchange and red blood cell oxygen-carrying capacity |
Pedal Pulse | The pulse rate obtained on the top of the foot |
Positioning Order | A doctor's order that requests that the patient be placed in a specified body psition |
Pulse Deficit | The discrepancy between the ventricular rate detected at the apex of the heart and the arterial rate of the radial pulse |
Pulse Oximeter | A device that measures gas exchange and red blood cell oxygen-carrying capacity by attaching a probe to either the ear or the finger (also called an Oxygen Saturation Monitor) |
Pulse Oximetry | A noninvasive method of measuring gas exchange and red blood cell oxygen-carrying capacity (considered to be the fifth vital sign) |
Pulse Rate | The number of times per minute the heartbeat is felt through the walls of the artery |
Radial Pulse | Pulse rate obtained on the wrist |
Rectal Temperature | The temperature reading obtained by placing the thermometer in the patient's rectum. |
Respiration Rate | The number of times a patient breaths per minute |
Systolic Blood Pressure | The blood pressure measured during the period of ventricular contraction; in blood pressure readings, it is the higher, upper number of the two measurements |
Temperature | The quantity of body heat, measured in degrees-Fahrenheit or Celsius. |
Trendelenburg Position | A position in which the head is low and the body and legs are on an inclined plane (sometimes used in pelvic surgery to displace the abdominal organs upward, out of the pelvis, or to increase the blood flow to the brain in hypotension and shock. |
Tympanic Temperature | The temperature reading obtained by placing an aural (ear) thermometer in the patient's ear |
Vital Signs | Measurements of body functions, including temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure. |