click below
click below
Normal Size Small Size show me how
Chapter 13
Nurse Aide
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Apical pulse | the pulse on the left side of the chest, just below the nipple |
| Apnea- | the absence of breathing |
| BPM | the medical abbreviation for “beats per minute” |
| Brachial pulse | the pulse inside the elbow; about 1 to 1 ½ inches above the elbow |
| Bradycardia | a slow heart rate- under 60 beats per minute |
| Cheyne- Stokes respiration- | type of respiration which periods of apnea lasting at least 10 seconds, along with alternating periods of slow, irregular respirations and rapid, shallow respirations |
| 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 lower |
| Hypothermia | a condition in which the body temperature drops below the level required for normal functioning; sever sub-normal body temperature |
| Orthopnea- | shortness of breath when lying down that is relieved by sitting up |
| Orthostatic hypotension | a sudden drop in blood pressure that occurs when a person stands or sits up; also called postural hypotension |
| Prehypertension | a 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, even though he or she does not have it now |
| 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 |