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VitalSigns
Vital Signs
Term | Definition |
---|---|
homeostasis | a state of equilibrium within the body maintained through the adaptation of body systems to changes in either the internal or external environment. |
what are vital signs? | assessments of pulse, respiration, blood pressure, and temperature, body functions essential to life |
what is a pulse? | a vital sign; a quantitative measurement of the heartbeat using the fingers to palpate an artery or a stethoscope to listen to heartbeat |
what are veins? | blood vessels that cary blood away from the body to the heart |
what are arteries? | blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart to the body |
what does a rapid weak pulse indicate? | shock, bleeding, diabetic coma, or heat exhaustion |
what does a rapid strong pulse indicate? | heart stroke, severe fright, hypertension (high blood pressure) |
what does a strong slow pulse indicates? | skull fracture or a stroke |
what does no pulse indicate? | cardiac arrest or death |
what is a normal pulse? | 60 to 100 beats per minute (70 to 80 bpm on average) |
What is tachycardia? | tachy means fast- cardia means heart , fast heart beat, more than 100 bpm |
What is bradycardia? | Brady means slow- cardia means heart, slower heart beat, less than 60 bpm |
What is a trained athletes pulse? | 50 to 60 bpm |
What are two descriptions used for the quality of a pulse. | quality- refers to strength (weak or strong) thread- weak and rapid bounding- unusually strong and full |
what are two descriptions used for the rhythm of a pulse | rhythm-as regular or irregular |
what is respiration? | breathing; the process of bringing oxygen into the body (for cells to use) and expelling carbon dioxide from the body (waste product of cells) |
Name 3 ways breathing can be altered. | excitement, drugs, and exercise |
How many respirations are normal for a 15yr old and older. | 15 to 20 breathes per minute |
How many respirations are normal for a well trained athlete? | 6 to 8 breaths per minute (Olympics) |