Help
Options
Didn't know it?
click below
click below
Knew it?
click below
click below
Don't Know
Remaining cards (0)
Know
retry
shuffle
restart
0:00
Embed Code - If you would like this activity on your web page, copy the script below and paste it into your web page.
Normal Size Small Size show me how
Normal Size Small Size show me how
Ch. 11 Terms
Vital Signs, Monitoring Devices, and History Taking Key Terms
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Baseline Vital Signs: | The first set of vital signs obtained from a patient, used as a starting point for comparison with later measurements. |
| Respiratory Rate | The number of breaths a patient takes in one minute, usually expressed as breaths per minute. |
| Respiratory Quality | A description of how effectively a patient is breathing, including depth, effort, breath sounds, and chest movement. |
| Respiratory Rhythm | The pattern and regularity of a patient's breathing, such as regular or irregular. |
| Cheyne-Stokes respirations | An abnormal breathing pattern in which respirations gradually increase in depth and rate, then decrease, followed by a period of apnea before the cycle repeats. |
| Kussmaul respirations | Deep, rapid, and usually regular respirations commonly associated with metabolic acidosis, such as diabetic ketoacidosis. |
| Pulse | The pressure wave produced by the heart's contraction that can be felt in an artery; assessed for rate, rhythm, and strength. |
| Capillary Refill | A test of peripheral circulation performed by pressing a nail bed or skin until it blanches and observing how quickly normal color returns. |
| Systolic Blood Pressure | The pressure exerted against the arterial walls when the ventricles contract; it is the top number of a blood pressure reading. |
| Diastolic Blood Pressure | The pressure remaining in the arteries while the ventricles relax between contractions; it is the bottom number of a blood pressure reading. |
| Pulse Pressure | The difference between the systolic and diastolic blood pressures. For example, a BP of 120/80 mmHg has a pulse pressure of 40 mmHg. |
| Sphygmomanometer | A device consisting of an inflatable cuff and pressure gauge used to measure blood pressure. |
| Auscultation: | The process of listening to sounds within the body, usually with a stethoscope, such as breath sounds or blood pressure sounds. |
| Palpation | The process of using the hands or fingers to feel the body to assess characteristics such as a pulse, tenderness, swelling, or deformity. |
| Orthostatic Vital Signs | Vital signs measured in different body positions, such as lying, sitting, and standing, to identify changes in pulse and blood pressure associated with position changes. |
| Pulse Oximetry | A noninvasive method of estimating the percentage of hemoglobin in arterial blood that is saturated with oxygen. |
| SpO | Peripheral oxygen saturation; the estimated percentage of hemoglobin carrying oxygen as measured by a pulse oximeter. |
| Capnography | The continuous measurement and graphical display of carbon dioxide levels during a patient's respiratory cycle. |
| Capnometry | The numerical measurement of carbon dioxide concentration in exhaled air, particularly at the end of exhalation. |
| EtCO | End-tidal carbon dioxide; the amount or partial pressure of carbon dioxide measured at the end of exhalation. |
| Capnogram | The waveform or graphical display produced by capnography that represents changes in exhaled carbon dioxide during the respiratory cycle. |
| Blood Glucose level (BGL) | The amount of glucose present in the blood, commonly measured with a glucometer and reported in mg/dL. |
| Wong-Baker FACES | A pain-rating scale that uses a series of facial expressions to help patients communicate the severity of their pain. |
| FLACC | A behavioral pain assessment scale that evaluates Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Consolability, particularly useful for young children or patients unable to communicate their pain. |
| Core Temperature | The temperature of the body's internal tissues and organs, reflecting the body's true internal temperature. |
| SAMPLE | A mnemonic used to obtain a patient's medical history: Signs/Symptoms, Allergies,Medications, Pertinent past medical history, Last oral intake, and Events leading up to the illness or injury. |
| OPQRST | A mnemonic used to evaluate a patient's pain or chief complaint: Onset, Provocation/Palliation, Quality, Region/Radiation, Severity, and Time. |
| Facilitation | A communication technique that encourages a patient to continue speaking or provide additional information through verbal or nonverbal cues. |
| Reflection | A communication technique in which the EMT repeats or restates part of what the patient has said to encourage further discussion and demonstrate understanding. |
| Clarification | A communication technique used to make a patient's statement clearer by asking for additional information or asking the patient to explain what they mean. |
| Empathic Response | A communication technique that recognizes and acknowledges a patient's feelings, concerns, or experiences while demonstrating understanding and compassion. |
Created by:
Academic_Weapon
Popular Paramedic/EMT sets