Term | Definition |
apnea | Absence or cessation of breathing. |
arrhythmia | An abnormality or irregularity in the heart rhythm. |
bounding | A term used to describe a pulse that feels full because of increased power of cardiac contraction or as a result of increased blood volume. |
bradycardia | A slow heartbeat; a pulse below 60 beats per minute. |
bradypnea | Respirations that are regular in rhythm but slower than normal in rate. |
cerumen | A waxy secretion in the ear canal; commonly called ear wax. |
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) | A progressive, irreversible lung condition that results in diminished lung capacity. |
diurnal rhythm | A pattern of activity or behavior that follows a day-night cycle. |
dyspnea | Difficult or painful breathing. |
essential hypertension | Elevated blood pressure of unknown cause that develops for no apparent reason; sometimes called primary hypertension. |
febrile | Pertaining to an elevated body temperature. |
homeostasis | Internal adaptation and change in response to environmental factors; multiple functions that attempt to keep the body's functions in balance. |
hyperpnea | An increase in the depth of breathing. |
hypertension | High blood pressure. |
hyperventilation | Abnormally prolonged and deep breathing, usually associated with acute anxiety or emotional tension. |
hypotension | Blood pressure that is below normal (systolic pressure below 90 mm Hg and diastolic pressure below 50 mm Hg). |
intermittent pulse | A pulse in which beats occasionally are skipped. |
orthopnea | A condition in which an individual must sit or stand to breathe comfortably. |
orthostatic (postural) hypotension | A temporary fall in blood pressure when a person rapidly changes from a recumbent position to a standing position. |
otitis externa | Inflammation or infection of the external auditory canal (swimmer's ear). |
peripheral | A term that refers to an area outside of or away from an organ or structure. |
pulse deficit | A condition in which the radial pulse is less than the apical pulse; it may indicate a peripheral vascular abnormality. |
pulse pressure | The difference between the systolic and the diastolic blood pressures (30 to 50 mm Hg is considered normal). |
pyrexia | A febrile condition or fever. |
rales | Abnormal or crackling breath sounds during inspiration. |
rhonchi | Abnormal rumbling sounds on expiration, which indicate airway obstruction by thick secretions or spasms. |
secondary hypertension | An elevated blood pressure resulting from another condition, typically kidney disease. |
sinus arrhythmia | An irregular heartbeat that originates in the sinoatrial node (pacemaker). |
spirometer | An instrument that measures the volume of air inhaled and exhaled. |
stertorous | A term that describes a strenuous respiratory effort marked by a snoring sound. |
syncope | Fainting; a brief lapse in consciousness. |
tachycardia | A rapid but regular heart rate; one that exceeds 100 beats per minute. |
tachypnea | A condition marked by rapid, shallow respirations. |
thready | A term that describes a pulse that is scarcely perceptible. |
wheezing | A high-pitched sound heard on expiration; it indicates obstruction or narrowing of respiratory passages. |