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Vital Signs
N/A
46
Nursing
Undergraduate 2
10/07/2012

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Term
Afebrile
Definition
Without fever
Term
Antipyretic
Definition
Substance or procedure that reduces fever
Term
Auscultatory gap
Definition
Disappearance of sound when obtaining a blood pressure; typically occurs between the first and second Korotkoff sounds
Term
Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)
Definition
Amount of energy used in a unit of time by a fasting, resting subject to maintain vital funtions
Term
Bradycardia
Definition
Slower than normal heart rate; heart contracts fewer than 60 times/min
Term
Blood pressure
Definition
The force exerted on the walls of an artery by the pulsing blood under pressure from the heart
Term
Cardiac output (CO)
Definition
Volume of blood expelled by the ventricles of the heart, equal to the amount of blood ejected at each beat multiplied by the number of beats in the period of time used for computation (usually 1 min)
Term
Conduction
Definition
The transfer of heat from one object to another with direct contact
Term
Convection
Definition
The transfer of heat away by air movement
Term
Core temperature
Definition
Temperature of deep structures of the body
Term
Diaphoresis
Definition
Secretion of sweat,especially profuse secretion associated with an elevated body temperature, physical exertion, or emotional stress
Term
Diastolic pressure
Definition
When the ventricles relax, the blood remaining in the arteries exerts a minimum pressure
Term
Diffusion
Definition
Movement of molecules from an area of high concentration to one of lower concentration
Term
Dysrhythmia
Definition
Deviation from the normal pattern of the heartbeat
Term
Eupnea
Definition
Normal respirations that are quiet, effortless, and rhythmical
Term
Evaporation
Definition
The transfer of heat energy when a liquid is changed to a gas
Term
Fahrenheit
Definition
Denotes temperature scale in which 32 degrees is the freezing point of water and 212 degrees is the boiling point of water at sea level
Term
Febrile
Definition
Pertaining to or characterized by an elevated body temperature
Term
Fever
Definition
Elevation in the hypothalamic set point so body temperature is regulated at a higher level
Term
Fever of unknown origin (FUO)
Definition
A fever with undetermined cause
Term
Frostbite
Definition
Occurs when the body is exposed to subnormal temperatures
Term
Heat Exhaustion
Definition
Abnormal condition caused by depletion of body fluid and electrolytes resulting from exposure to intense heat or the inability to acclimatize to heat
Term
Heatstroke
Definition
A body temperature of 40C or 104F or more
Term
Hematocrit
Definition
The percentage of red blood cells in the blood; to determine blood viscosity
Term
Hypertension
Definition
Disorder characterized by an elevated blood pressure persistently exceeding 120/80 mm Hg
Term
Hyperthermia
Definition
Situation in which body temperature exceeds the set point
Term
Hypotention
Definition
Abnormal lowering of blood pressure that is inadequate for normal perfusion and oxygenation of tissues
Term
Hypothermia
Definition
Abnormal lowering of body temperature below 35C or 95F usually caused by prolonged exposure to cold
Term
Hypoxemia
Definition
Arterial blood oxygen level less than 60 mm Hg; Low oxygen level in blood
Term
Malignant hyperthermia
Definition
Autosomal- dominant trait characterized by often fatal hyperthermia in affected people exposed to certain anesthetic agents
Term
Nonshivering thermogenesis
Definition
Occurs primarily in neonates. Because neonates cannot shiver, a limited amount of vascular brown adipose tissue present at birth can be metabolized for heat production
Term
Orthostatic hypotention/Postural hypotension
Definition
Abnormally low blood pressure occurring when a person stands
Term
Oxygen saturation
Definition
Amount of hemoglobin fully saturated with oxygen, given as a percent value
Term
Perfusion
Definition
The distribution of red blood cells to and from the pulmonary capillaries
Term
Pulse deficit
Definition
Condition that exists when the radial pulse is less than the ventricular rate as auscultated at the apex of seen on an electrocardiogram. The condition indicates a lack of peripheral perfusion for some of the heart contractions.
Term
Pulse pressure
Definition
Difference between the systolic and diastolic pressures, normally 30 to 40 mm Hg
Term
Pyrexia
Definition
Abnormal elevation of the temperature of the body above 37C or 98.6F because of disease; SAME AS FEVER
Term
Pyrogens
Definition
Substances that cause a rise in body temperature, as in the case of bacterial toxins
Term
Radiation
Definition
The transfer of heat from the surface of one object to the surface of another without direct contact between the two
Term
Shivering
Definition
An involuntary body response to temperature differences in the body
Term
Sphygmomanometer
Definition
Blood pressure cuff
Term
Systolic pressure
Definition
The peak of maximum pressure when ejection occurs
Term
Tachycardia
Definition
Rapid regular heart rate ranging between 100 and 150 beats/min
Term
Thermoregulation
Definition
Internal control of body temperature
Term
Ventilation
Definition
Respiratory process by which gases are moved into and out of the lungs
Term
Vital Signs
Definition
Temperature, pulse, respirations, and blood pressure (and pain)
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