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Vital signs MT I
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Average normal temperature for adults | 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit or 37 degrees Celsius |
| Temperature | How much heat is in the body measures in degrees |
| Pulse | How fast the heart beats |
| Respiration | How often a person breaths in and out in a minute |
| Average normal pulse rate for an adult | 72 beats per minute |
| Average normal respiration rate for an adult | 16 breaths per minute |
| Blood pressure | How much effort the heart is exerting to circulate the blood |
| Average normal blood pressure for an adult | 120/80 |
| Celsius or Centigrade | A scale used to measure temperature in which the freezing point of water is 0 degrees and the boiling point is 100 degrees |
| Fahrenheit | A scale used to measure temperature in which 32 degrees is the freezing point of water and 212 degrees is the boiling point |
| Axillary temperature | The temperature reading obtained by placing the thermometer in the patient's axilla |
| Oral temperature | The temperature reading obtained by placing the thermometer in the patient's mouth under their tongue |
| Rectal temperature | The temperature reading obtained by placing the thermometer in the patient's rectum |
| Lubricant | A material which reduces the rubbing of two surfaces; decreases friction. |
| Sheath | A case or covering |
| Pyrexia | A temperature usually above 100 degrees Fahrenheit; a fever |
| Antiseptic | A solution or substance which prevents organisms (germs) from growing |
| Hyperpyrexia | A high temperature of 105 degrees Fahrenheit or more |
| Constant fever | One that does not vary more than 2 degrees Celsius, but the temperature does not come down to normal during the day |
| Intermittent fever | Showa large variations far above and below normal during the same day |
| Remittent fever | One in which changes may be wider than 2 degrees Celcius, but does not come down to normal |
| Febrile | With an elevated temperature |
| Antipyretic | Of or pertaining to a substance or procedure that reduces a fever |
| Thermometer | Instrument used to measure body temperature |
| Pulse rate | Indicates the number of times the heart beats in one minute |
| Arrhythmia | Any variation from normal rhythm |
| Bradycardia | Abnormally slow pulse |
| Tachycardia | Abnormally fast heartbeat |
| Pulsation | A rhythmic beat |
| Pulse rhythm | The spacing of the beats |
| Pulse deficit | Diffeerence between apical and radial pulse |
| Apical pulse | Pulse measured at the apex of the heart using a stethoscope |
| Rhythm | Refers to the regularity of the beats |
| Tension | Refers to the force against the arterial walls and is described as high or low |
| Pulse | The alternate expansion (rise) and recoil (fall) of an artery as the wave of blood is forced through it by the contraction of the heart |
| Intermittent pulse | One in which a beat is dropped occasionally at regular or irregular intervals |
| Apnea | A period of no respirations |
| Dyspnea | Difficult or labored breathing |
| Cheyne-Stokes | Periods of labored respirations followed by apnea |
| Blood pressure | The pressure the blood exerts against the walls of the vessels in which it is contained |
| Systolic pressure | The greatest pressure that the contration of the heart causes |
| Diastolic pressure | The lowest pressure that occurs between the contraction of the ventricles (relaxing phase) |
| Pulse pressure | The difference between the systolic and diastolic pressure |
| Hypertension | Abnormally high blood pressure |
| Hypotension | Abnormally low blood pressure |
| Sphygmomanometer | The instrument used to measure blood pressure |
| Deflate | To release the air |
| Diastolic reading | Bottom reading; last beat heard when taking blood pressure |
| Gauge | An instrument which measures, using a dial or scale |
| Inflate | To fill with air; pump up |
| Systolic reading | Top reading; first beat heard when taking a blood pressure |
| Palpate | To feel or touch |
| Palpatory pressure | Pressure felt before taking blood pressure |
| Aneroid syphgmomanometer | Device used for measuring blood pressure; shown on a dial indicator |
| Mercury syphgmomanometer | Device used for measuring blood pressure; shown on a vertical scale |