Vital Signs

Question 1

Sphygmomanometer

Answer 1

Blood pressure cuff used to measure blood pressure

Question 2

Hypertension

Answer 2

High blood pressure

Systolic reading constantly above 140 or a diastolic reading constantly above 90

Question 3

What are the 6 vital signs?

Answer 3

1. Blood Pressure
2. Temperature
3. O2 Sat
4. Pulse
5. Respiration
6. Pain

Question 4

Stroke Volume

Answer 4

The amount of blood ejected from the heart in one contraction

Question 5

Cardiac Output

Answer 5

The volume of blood pumped from the heart in a full minute

Question 6

Arteriosclerosis

Answer 6

The hardening of arteries

Question 7

Systolic Pressure

Answer 7

Measurement of the force exerted by the blood against the walls of arteries during contraction of the heart ventricles;
When the pressure is the highest

Question 8

Systole

Answer 8

Time during which the ventricles are contracted

Question 9

Diastolic Pressure

Answer 9

Measurement of the pressure exerted by the blood on the artery walls while the heart ventricles are not contracting;
When the pressure is the lowest

Question 10

Diastole

Answer 10

Time during which the ventricles are at rest

Question 11

Pulse Pressure

Answer 11

Measurement of the difference between the systolic and diastolic pressures.
Normal Range: 30-50

Question 12

Prehypertension

Answer 12

When the systolic pressure rises above 120

Question 13

Korotkoff’s Sounds

Answer 13

sounds heard over an artery during cuff deflation representing the blood flow.. (5 sounds)

Question 14

Auscultatory Gap

Answer 14

Silence and the return of sounds when checking blood pressure

Question 15

Primary Hypertension

Answer 15

The rise in blood pressure that results

Question 16

Secondary Hypertension

Answer 16

When there is renal or endocrine disease process that results in elevation of blood pressure

Question 17

Hypotension

Answer 17

When blood pressure suddenly falls 20 mm Hg to 30 mm Hg below the patient’s normal range or falls below the low normal of 90/60

Question 18

Orthostatic Hypotension

Answer 18

When position changes result in a systolic pressure drop of 15 to 20 mm Hg or the diastolic pressure falls 10 mm Hg

Question 19

Modified Trendelenburg Position

Answer 19

Supine position in which the feet are elevated above the level of the heart;
Initial treatment for when a patient becomes faint due to hypotension

Question 20

Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)

Answer 20

The amount of heat that produced by the body when at total rest

Question 21

Thermoregulation

Answer 21

Regulation of body temperature

Question 22

Hypothalamus

Answer 22

Part of the brain that controls the thermoregulation

Question 23

Diaphoresis

Answer 23

When sweat production is high enough to be seen on the skin

Question 24

Circadian Rhythm

Answer 24

The body’s “time clock” or rhythm of it’s own

Question 25

Tympanic Thermometer

Answer 25

Infrared device used with a disposable cover over the tip of the speculum. Used to measure body temperature in the ear

Question 26

Febrile

Answer 26

The state of having a fever

Question 27

Afebrile

Answer 27

The state of being without fever

Question 28

Hyperthermia

Answer 28

Serious elevation of a body temperature above 105 degrees

Question 29

Phagocytes

Answer 29

Specialized white blood cells whose purpose is to ingest the invaders

Question 30

Shivering

Answer 30

When muscles involuntarily contract

Question 31

Hypothermia

Answer 31

A core temperature below 95 degrees F (35 C); | Slows body's metabolism

Question 32

Pulse

Answer 32

Throbbing sensations at various points all over the body

Question 33

Apical Pulse

Answer 33

Central or primary pulse site; | Located over the apex of the heart where the contraction is the strongest

Question 34

Distinct

Answer 34

When both heart sounds (S1 and S2) are heard very strongly

Question 35

Distant

Answer 35

When both hearts sounds cannot be heard strongly

Question 36

Pulse Deficit

Answer 36

When the radial pulse is slower than the apical pulse

Question 37

Peripheral Pulses

Answer 37

Various pulse sites other than the apical pulse where the pulse may be palpated

Question 38

Bradycardia

Answer 38

A pulse less than 60 bpm

Question 39

Tachycardia

Answer 39

A pulse greater than 100 bpm

Question 40

Thready Pulse

Answer 40

When a pulse is so weak that slight fingertip pressure on the pulse site results in the pulse disappearing

Question 41

Obliterates

Answer 41

When a thready pulse disappears

Question 42

Bounding Pulse

Answer 42

A pulse that is very strong and does not disappear

Question 43

Doppler Ultrasound Machine

Answer 43

A device that uses sound waves to determine if blood flow is present

Question 44

Respiration

Answer 44

The interchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the atmosphere in the body

Question 45

External Respiration

Answer 45

The exchange of these gases between the lungs' alveoli and the blood found in the capillaries that surround the alveoli

Question 46

Internal Respiration

Answer 46

The exchange of these gases between the circulating blood and the tissue cells that make up the body

Question 47

Ventilation

Answer 47

The movement of air into and out of the lungs

Question 48

Inspiration

Answer 48

The mechanics of respiration involved in the act of breathing in (inhalation)

Question 49

Expiration

Answer 49

Breathing out (exhalation)

Question 50

Carotid Body

Answer 50

A section of the carotid artery wall

Question 51

Aortic Body

Answer 51

A section of the aortic arch wall

Question 52

Eupnea

Answer 52

Normal respirations

Question 53

Bradypnea

Answer 53

Respiratory rate below 12 respirations per minute

Question 54

Tachypnea

Answer 54

When the respiratory rate exceeds 20 respirations per minute

Question 55

Apnea

Answer 55

When respirations cease or are absent

Question 56

Tidal Volume

Answer 56

The average amount of air inhaled in one breath | between 300 and 500 mL

Question 57

Dyspnea

Answer 57

Labored or difficult breathing

Question 58

Hypoxemia

Answer 58

Decreased oxygen level in the blood

Question 59

Hypoxia

Answer 59

Decreased delivery of oxygen to the tissues and cells

Question 60

Orthopnea

Answer 60

Difficulty breathing unless sitting in an upright position or standing

Question 61

Stertorous

Answer 61

Noisy, snoring, labored respirations that are audible without a stethoscope

Question 62

Adventitious Sounds

Answer 62

Abnormal sound that may be heard when auscultating the lungs with a stethoscope

Question 63

Wheezes

Answer 63

Musical, whistling sounds that may be audible without a stethoscope or heard only during auscultation

Question 64

Rales (Crackles)

Answer 64

Short, choppy, popping, snapping, or raspy sounds that may resemble the sound made by rubber strands of hair between your thumb and index fingers.

Question 65

Rhonchi

Answer 65

Continuous, low pitched, rattling, or bubbling, snoring or sonorous wheezing sounds that can be auscultated when there is partial obstruction of the larger airways due to secretions or tumor

Question 66

Stridor

Answer 66

Audible, high pitched crowing sound that results from partial obstruction of the airways

Question 67

Acute Pain

Answer 67

Pain that has a sudden onset, may have severe symptoms, and runs a shorter course than chronic pain

Question 68

Chronic Pain

Answer 68

Pain of a longer duration or is ongoing with little change or progression

Question 69

What are factors that can affect blood pressure?

Answer 69

1. Age 2. Race 3. Exertion or Exercise 4. Rest 5. Circadian Rhythm 6. Anxiety or Stress 7. Medications 8. Nicotine and Caffeine 9. Obesity 10. Hydration 11. Hemorrhage

Question 70

What are the categories of blood pressure?

Answer 70

Prehypertension- 120-139 or 80-89 Stage 1 Hypertension- 140-159 or 90-99 Stage 2 Hypertension- 160+ or 100+