Term | Definition |
diaphoresis | excessive perspiration |
flushing | a red appearance by the skin, which generally affects the face & neck. commonly present with a fever |
jaundice | a yellow appearance by the skin, first evident in the white of the eyes. |
rash | an eruption of the skin. |
bradycardia | an abnormally slow pulse rate (less than 60 bmp) |
dehydration | a decrease in the amount of water in the body. the patient has a flushed appearance, dry skin, & decreased output of urine. |
edema | the retention of fluid in the tissues, resulting in swelling. skin over the area is tight. this is most easily observed in the extremities. |
trachycardia | an abnormally fast heart beat (greater than 100 bmp) |
anorexia | a loss of appetite & lack of interest in food. |
constipation | a condition in which the stool becomes hard & dry, resulting in difficult passage from the rectum. the consistency of the stool, rather than the frequency of defecation, is used as a guide in determining the presence of this. |
diarrhea | the passage of an increased loose, watery stools. the fecal material moves rapidly through the intestinal tract, resulting in decreased absorption by the body of water, electrolytes & nutrients. |
flatulence | the presence of gas in the stomach or intestines. |
nausea | a sensation of discomfort in the stomach with a feeling that vomiting may occur. |
vomiting | this is the ejection of the stomach contents through the mouth, also known as emesis. (the ejected contents is know as vomitus.) |
cough | an involuntary & forceful exhalation of air followed by a deep inhalation. it may be productive (meaning a discharge is produced) or non productive (no discharge is present) |
cyanosis | a bluish discoloration of the skin due to lack of oxygen. |
dyspnea | labored or difficult breathing. |
epistaxis | hemorrhaging from the nose (nosebleed) |
chills | a feeling of coldness accompanied by shivering; generally present with a fever. |
convulsion | involuntary contractions of the muscles. |
fever or pyrexia | a body temperature that is higher than normal. |
headache | a feeling of pain or aching in the head; a common symptom that accompanies many illnesses; can be a result of tension, fatigue, and/or eyestrain. |
malaise | a vague sense of body discomfort, weakness, & fatigue, often making the onset of a disease & continuing through the course of illness. |
pain | irritation of pain receptors, resulting of distress or suffering; it is an important indication that a part of the body is not working properly. |
pruritus | severe itching. |
veritgo | a feeling of dizziness or light-headedness. |