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Vital Signs Review- Rev. Defs

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Term
Definition
telemetry unit   "step down" from ICU  
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crash cart   A cart carrying the supplies need for immediate treatment of a heart attack  
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congestive heart failure (CHF)   A condition in which a weakened heart is unable to pump all of the blood out of the lungs each time it beats. Blood pools at the bottom of the lungs, interfering with breathing  
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stethoscope   A device that amplifies sound, used by doctors and other health-care professionals to listen to the heart and to take blood pressure  
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endotracheal tube   A device that is inserted into the airway of a client about to receive a general anesthetic  
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sphygmomanometer   A device used to take blood pressure  
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emphysema   A disease characterized by gradual destruction of the alveoli; which diffuse to form larger air spaces. Exchange of O2 and CO2 through these larger air sacs is inadequate  
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asthma   A disease that affects the air passages in the lung, causing wheezing and shortness of breath  
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atrial fibrillation (AF)   An abnormality of heart rhythm in which chambers of the heart no longer beat in synchrony, with the atrium beating much faster than the ventricles. The heart rate is fast and irregular  
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pneumonia   An acute infection of the tissues of the lung  
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tracheostomy   An artificial airway through an incision in the trachea  
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height and weight   Anthropometric measurements  
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chronic obstructive lung disease/ chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COLD/COPD)   Any chronic lung condition in which the flow of expired air is slowed down  
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suctioning   Applying negative pressure to remove mucus, phlegm and other secretions from airways  
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atherosclerosis   Arteriosclerosis because of fat in atrial walls  
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physiotherapist   Assesses patients, devise deep breathing exercises  
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arterial blood gases (ABGs)   Assessment done on a client to determine the amounts of O2 and CO2 dissolved in the blood  
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sputum specimen   Consist of mucous secretion, not saliva, from the airways, lungs or throat  
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cerebrovascular accident   Damage to the brain that occurs when the blood supply to an area of the brain is diminished or occluded completely  
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myocardial infarct (MI)   Damage to the heart caused by a blockage in one of the coronary arteries, cutting off blood supply to a part of the heart  
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dyspnea   Difficulty breathing  
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pacemaker   Electronic device that regulates the heartbeat  
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hypertension/ high blood pressure   Excessive force of the blood against the vessel walls as the heart pumps it through the body  
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bradycardia   Extremely slow heartbeat  
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oxygen therapy   For clients who, for any reason do not have enough oxygen in their blood  
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arteriosclerosis   Hardening of the arteries; reduces blood flow  
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temperature   Heat is produced by the body as it uses the food needed to maintain normal body functions  
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vital signs   Important measurements of the body's state of health  
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hypoxia   Insufficient oxygen in blood or tissue  
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deep suctioning   Introducing the suction catheter into the lower trachea and bronchi; AKA endotracheal suctioning  
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hemorrhage   Loss of a large amount of blood  
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arrhythmia   Loss of normal rhythm of the heartbeat  
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pulse oximetry   Method used by nurses and respiratory therapists to determine oxygen levels in red blood cells in the arterial blood  
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rhonchi/ wheezes   Musical-pitched sounds produced by air passing through narrowed bronchi, heard on auscultation of the lungs  
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"call the arrest"   Notify the appropriate people  
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respiration   One full cycle of breathing  
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postural drainage   Positioning the client with the head lower than the body so that gravity can help drain the mucus and secretions  
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thoracocentesis   Procedure to remove fluid from the space between the lining of the outside of the lungs and the wall of the chest  
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nurse   Provide ongoing assessment and feedback about a client's oxygenation status  
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vibrations   Rapid movements of flattened hands over the client's chest to move secretions  
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extubate   Remove the endotracheal tube  
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inhalation therapy   Selected medications to be delivered by a mask to the client, often to treat asthma  
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crackles/ crepitation   Sounds produced by air passing over airway secretions  
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endotracheal/ deep suctioning   Type of deep suctioning  
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oropharyngeal suctioning   Suctioning with a catheter through the mouth to reach the mouth only or the mouth and the back of the throat  
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nasopharyngeal suctioning   Suctioning with a catheter through the nose to reach the mouth and throat  
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essential hypertension   The cause of the increased pressure is idiopathic  
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blood pressure   The force that the blood exerts on the arterial walls  
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diastolic pressure   The pressure of the vascular walls when the heart is relaxing  
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systolic pressure   The pressure on the vascular walls when the heart is contracting  
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secondary hypertension   The symptoms are always associated with disease, such as glomerulonephritis, pyelonephritis, or diseases of the adrenal glands  
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telemetry monitor   Traces heart's activity, readout displayed on small screen  
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humidifiers   Used for clients who are experiencing respiratory difficulties  
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clapping/ percussion   Using cupped hands to gently but firmly strike affected regions of the chest to move secretions  
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pulse   When the heart contracts it forces blood throughout the body by way of blood vessels  
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