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Vital Signs
Nurse Aide
Term | Definition |
---|---|
apical pulse | pulse on the left side of the chest, just below the nipple |
apnea | absence of breathing |
BPM | medical abbreviation for beats per minute |
brachial pulse | pulse inside the elbow, about 1 to 1 1/2 inches above the elbow |
Cheyne-Stokes respiration | type of respiration with periods of apnea lasting at least 10 seconds. along with alternating periods of slow, irregular respirations and rapid, shallow respiration |
diastolic | second measurement of blood-pressure . phase when the heart relaxes |
dilate | to widen |
dyspnea | difficulty breathing |
eupnea | normal respirations |
hypertension | high blood pressure , measuring 140/90 or higher |
hypotension | low blood pressure , measuring 100/60 or lower, |
orthopnea | shortness of breath when lying down that is relived by sitting up |
orthostatic hypotension | a sudden drop on blood pressure that occurs when a person stands or sits up, also called postural hypotension |
prehypertension | condition in which a person has a systolic measurement of 120-139 mm Hg and a diastolic measurement of 80-89 mm Hg. indicator that the person is likely to have high blood pressure in the future |
radial pulse | the pulse on the inside of the wrist, where the radial artery runs just beneath the skin |
sphygmomanometer | a device that measures blood pressure |
stethoscope | an instrument used to hear sounds in the human body, such as the heartbeat or pulse , breathing sounds, or bowel sounds |
systolic | first measurement of blood pressure, phase when the heart is at work, contracting and pushing blood out of the left ventricle |
tachycardia | a fast heartbeat over 100 beats per minute |
tachypnea | rapid respirations - over 20 breaths per minute |
thermometer | a device used for measuring the degree of heat or cold |
vital signs | measurements , body temperature,pulse,respirations , blood pressure, and pain level that monitor the function of the vital organs of the body |
BP, B/P | blood pressure |
hypotherma | condition in which body temperatures drops below the level required for normal functioning , severe sub-normal body temperature |
bradycardia | a slow heart rate under 60 beats per minute |