Ch. 20 Vital Signs

Question 1

apnea

Answer 1

abnormal, periodic cessation of breathing

Question 2

arteriosclerosis

Answer 2

thickening, decreased elasticity, and calcification

Question 3

auscultated

Answer 3

listened to with a stethoscope

Question 4

bonding

Answer 4

describes a pulse that feels full because of the increased power of cardiac contraction or as a result of increased

Question 5

bradycardia

Answer 5

a slow heart beat; a pulse below 60 beats per minute

Question 6

bradypnea

Answer 6

abnormally slow breathing

Question 7

calibrated

Answer 7

determined by or checked against a standard

Question 8

cerumen

Answer 8

a waxy secretion in the ear canal, commonly card ear wax

Question 9

Cheyne-Stokes respiration

Answer 9

deep, rapid breathing followed by a period of apnea

Question 10

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Answer 10

a progressive, irreversible lung condition that results in diminished lung capacity

Question 11

diurnal variation

Answer 11

fluctuations that occur during each day

Question 12

dyspnea

Answer 12

difficult or painful breathing

Question 13

essential hypertension

Answer 13

elevated blood pressure of unknown cause that develops for no apparent reason; sometimes called primary hypertension

Question 14

febrile

Answer 14

pertaining to an elevated body temperature

Question 15

fluctuate

Answer 15

to shift back and forth

Question 16

homeostasis

Answer 16

the internal environment of the body that is compatible with life

Question 17

hyperpnea

Answer 17

excessive deep breathing

Question 18

hyperventilation

Answer 18

abnormally increased breathing

Question 19

hypotension

Answer 19

blood pressure that is below normal. (systolic pressure below 90 mm Hg and diastolic pressure below 50 mm Hg)

Question 20

idiopathic

Answer 20

of unknown cause

Question 21

intermittent pulse

Answer 21

a pulse in which beats occasionally are skipped

Question 22

larynx

Answer 22

the voice box

Question 23

lymphedema

Answer 23

a condition in which extra lymph fluid builds up in tissues and causes swelling. It may occur in an arm or leg if lymph vessels are blocked, damaged, or removed by surgery

Question 24

malaise

Answer 24

a condition of general bodily weakness or discomfort, often marking the onset of disease

Question 25

mycardium

Answer 25

the middle layer, and thickest layer, of the heart; composed of cardiac muscles

Question 26

occlude

Answer 26

to close, shut, or stop

Question 27

orthopnea

Answer 27

a condition of difficult breathing unless in an upright position

Question 28

orthostatic (postural) hypotension

Answer 28

a temporary fall in blood pressure when a person rapidly changes from a recumbent position to a standing position

Question 29

otitis externa

Answer 29

inflammation or infection of the external auditory canal; commonly called swimmers ear

Question 30

peripheral

Answer 30

refers to an area outside of or away from an organ or structure

Question 31

pulse deficit

Answer 31

a condition in which the radial pulse is less than the apical pulse; it may indicate a peripheral vascular abnormality

Question 32

pulse pressure

Answer 32

the difference between the systolic an diastolic blood pressures (30 to 50 mm Hg is considered normal)

Question 33

pyrexia

Answer 33

a febrile condition or fever

Question 34

rales

Answer 34

an abnormal lung sound heard on auscultation, characterized by discontinuous bubbling noises

Question 35

rhonchi

Answer 35

an abnormal rumbling sound heard on auscultation, caused by airways blocked by secretions or muscle contractions

Question 36

sinus arrhythmia

Answer 36

an irregular heartbeat that originates in the sinoatrial node (pacemaker)

Question 37

stertorous

Answer 37

heavy, as related to snoring

Question 38

syncope

Answer 38

fainting; a brief lapse in consciousness

Question 39

tachycardia

Answer 39

a rapid but regular heart rate; one that exceeds 100 beats per minute

Question 40

tachypnea

Answer 40

rapid, shallow breathing

Question 41

thready

Answer 41

decreases a pulse that is thin and feeble

Question 42

vertigo

Answer 42

dizziness; an abnormal sensational of movement wen there is none

Question 43

wheezing

Answer 43

whistling sound made during breathing