Chapter 4 - Vital Signs

Question 1

afebrile (uh-FEB-ril)

Answer 1

without fever; the body is normal temperature

Question 2

antecubital (AN-tih-CYOO-bi-tul) space

Answer 2

thin-walled air sacs of the lungs in which exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes places

Question 3

antipyetic (AN-tih-pye-REH-tik)

Answer 3

an agent that reduces fever

Question 4

aorta (ay-OR-tuh)

Answer 4

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

Question 5

apical-radical pulse

Answer 5

comparison of a person’s apical pulse and radial pulse to determine how well blood is flowing from the heart to the rest of the body

Question 6

bardycardia (BRAY-dee-CAR-dee-uh)

Answer 6

an abnormally slow heart rate (less than 60 beats per min)

Question 7

bardypnea (BRAY-dip-NEE-uh)

Answer 7

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

Question 8

crisis

Answer 8

A sudden falling of an elevated body temp to normal

Question 9

cyanosis (sye-an-OH-sus)

Answer 9

A bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes

Question 10

diastole(dye-AS-toh-lee)

Answer 10

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

Question 11

diastolic (DYE-uh-STOL-ik) pressure

Answer 11

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

Question 12

dyspnea (DISP-nee-uh)

Answer 12

Shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing

Question 13

dysrhythmia (dis-RITH-mee-uh)

Answer 13

An irregular rhythm; also termed arrhythmia

Question 14

eupnea (YOOP-nee-uh)

Answer 14

Normal respiration. 16-20 res per min

Question 15

febrile (FEH-bril)

Answer 15

pertaining to fever

Question 16

fever

Answer 16

A body temp above normal; synonym for pyrexia

Question 17

frenulum linguae (FREN-yoo-lum LIN-gway)

Answer 17

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

Question 18

hyperpnea breathing

Answer 18

An abnormal increase in the rate and depth of respiration

Question 19

hyperpyrexia (HYE-per-pye-REK-see-uh)

Answer 19

An extremely high fever

Question 20

hyperventilation

Answer 20

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

Question 21

hypopnea

Answer 21

An abnormal decrease in the rate and depth of respiration

Question 22

hypotension

Answer 22

Low blood pressure

Question 23

hypothermia

Answer 23

A body temperature that’s below normal

Question 24

hypoxemia (hye-pok-SEE-nee-uh)

Answer 24

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

Question 25

hypoxia

Answer 25

A reduction in the oxygen supply to the tissues of the body

Question 26

inhalation

Answer 26

The act of breathing in

Question 27

intercostal

Answer 27

Between the ribs

Question 28

Korotkoff (kuh-ROT-kof) sounds

Answer 28

Sounds heard during the measurement of BP test that are used to determine the systolic and diastolic BP readings

Question 29

malaise (mal-AYZE)

Answer 29

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

Question 30

orthopnea (orth-OP-nee-uh)

Answer 30

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

Question 31

pulse oximeter

Answer 31

A computerized device consisting of a probe and a monitor used to measure the oxygen saturation of arterial blood

Question 32

pulse oximetrey

Answer 32

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

Question 33

radiation

Answer 33

The transfer of energy, such as heat, in forms of waves

Question 34

SaO2 (saturation of arterial oxygen)

Answer 34

Abbreviation for the percentage of hemoglobin that is saturated with oxygen in arterial blood

Question 35

SpO2 (saturation of peripheral oxygen)

Answer 35

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

Question 36

sphygmomanometer (SFIG-moe-man-OM-uh-ter)

Answer 36

An instrument used for measuring arterial BP

Question 37

systolic (sis-TOL-ik) pressure

Answer 37

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

Question 38

systole (SIS-toh-lee)

Answer 38

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

Question 39

tachycardia (TAK-ih-KAR-dee-uh)

Answer 39

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

Question 40

tachypnea (TAK-ip-NEE-uh)

Answer 40

An abnormal increase in the respiratory system of more than 20 breaths per min