Chapter 19: Vital Signs

Question 1

adventitious sounds

Answer 1

Abnormal breath sounds.

Question 2

Afebrile

Answer 2

Without fever; the body temperature is normal.

Question 3

Alveoli

Answer 3

Thin-walled air sacs of the lungs in which the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place.

Question 4

Antecubital space

Answer 4

The space located at the front of the elbow.

Question 5

antipyretic

Answer 5

An agent that reduces fever

Question 6

Aorta

Answer 6

The major trunk of the arterial system of the body. The aorta arises from the upper surface of the left ventricle.

Question 7

Apnea

Answer 7

The temporary cessation of breathing.

Question 8

Axilla

Answer 8

the armpit

Question 9

bradypnea

Answer 9

An abnormal decrease in the respiratory rate of less than 10 respirations per minute.

Question 10

Conduction

Answer 10

The transfer of energy, such as heat, from one object to another by direct contact.

Question 11

Convection

Answer 11

The transfer of energy, such as heat, through air currents.

Question 12

Crisis

Answer 12

A sudden falling of an elevated body temperature to normal.

Question 13

cyanosis

Answer 13

A bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes.

Question 14

diastole

Answer 14

The phase in the cardiac cycle in which the heart relaxes between contractions.

Question 15

diastolic pressure

Answer 15

The point of lesser pressure on the arterial wall, which is documented during diastole.

Question 16

dynspnea

Answer 16

Shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing.

Question 17

dysrhythmia

Answer 17

An irregular rhythm; also termed arrhythmia.

Question 18

eupnea

Answer 18

Normal respiration. The rate is 16 to 20 respirations per minute, the rhythm is even and regular, and the depth is normal.

Question 19

exhalation

Answer 19

the act of breathing out

Question 20

febrile

Answer 20

Pretaining to a fever

Question 21

Frenulum linguae

Answer 21

The midline fold that connects the undersurface of the tongue with the floor of the mouth.

Question 22

Hyperpnea

Answer 22

An abnormal increase in the rate and depth of respiration.

Question 23

Hyperpyrixia

Answer 23

An extremely high fever

Question 24

Hypertension

Answer 24

High blood pressure

Question 25

Hyperventilation

Answer 25

An abnormally fast and deep type of breathing, usually associated with acute anxiety conditions.

Question 26

Hypopnea

Answer 26

An abnormal decrease in the rate and depth of respiration

Question 27

Hypotension

Answer 27

Low blood pressure

Question 28

Hypothermia

Answer 28

A body temperature that is below normal

Question 29

Hypoxeima

Answer 29

A decrease in the oxygen saturation of the blood. Hypoxemia may lead to hypoxia.

Question 30

Intercostal

Answer 30

Between the ribs

Question 31

Korotkoff sounds

Answer 31

Sounds heard during the measurement of blood pressure that are used to determine the systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings.

Question 32

Malaise

Answer 32

A vague sense of body discomfort, weakness, and fatigue that often marks the onset of a disease and continues through the course of the illness.

Question 33

Manometer

Answer 33

An instrument for measuring pressure.

Question 34

Orthopnea

Answer 34

The condition in which breathing is easier when an individual is in a sitting or standing position.

Question 35

Pulse oximentry

Answer 35

The use of a pulse oximeter to measure the oxygen saturation of arterial blood.

Question 36

Pulse Pressure

Answer 36

The difference b/w the systolic and diastolic pressure

Question 37

Pulse rhythem

Answer 37

The time interval b/w heartbeats

Question 38

Pulse volume

Answer 38

The strength of the heartbeat

Question 39

Radiation

Answer 39

The transfer of energy, such as heat, in the form of waves.

Question 40

SaO2 (saturation of peripheral oxygen)

Answer 40

Abbreviation for the percentage of hemoglobin that is saturated with oxygen in arterial blood as measured by a pulse oximeter.

Question 41

Systole

Answer 41

The phase in the cardiac cycle in which the ventricles contract, sending blood out of the heart and into the aorta and pulmonary trunk.

Question 42

Systolic pressure

Answer 42

The point of maximum pressure on the arterial walls, which is documented during systole.

Question 43

Tachycardia

Answer 43

An abnormally fast heart rate (more than 100 beats/min).

Question 44

Tachypea

Answer 44

An abnormal increase in the respiratory rate of more than 20 breaths/min.

Question 45

Thready pulse

Answer 45

A pulse with a decrease volume that feels weak and thin