Key Terms
What is measurements—temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure—that monitor the functioning of the vital organs of the body?
Vital signs
What is an instrument used to examine the ears?
Otoscope
What is the distance around something, such as the distance around a patient’s waist?
Girth
What is a category of medication that can be purchased and used without a prescription?
Over-the-counter (OTC)
What is free of fever?
Afebrile
What is a device that measures blood pressure?
Sphygmomanometer
What is in health care, a sheet used to cover a patient and protect privacy?
Drape
What is a form of examination that involves tapping on a body part with one or more fingers and listening to the sounds produced?
Percussion
What is An initial value that can be compared to future measurements?
Baseline
What is an extremely high body temperature; 40°C (104°F) or above?
Hyperthermia
What is an instrument used to listen to the heart, lungs, and abdominal sounds?
Stethoscope
What is in health care, gathering information by visual inspection, smell, and auditory inspection?
Observation
What is a form of examination that involves moving a body part to gather information?
Manipulation
What is in health care, a measurement that is so high or low that is life-threatening?
Critical value
What is an extremely low body temperature; 35°C (95°F) or below?
Hypothermia
What is an instrument used to measure body temperature?
Thermometer
What is the act of touching parts of the body to feel structures beneath the skin.?
Palpation
What is the procedure used to collect important information about a patient’s health status before the patient meets with a provider?
Patient intake
What is the 24-hour, day-night cycle?
Circadian rhythm
What is a word used to describe skin that is lighter than normal for the patient’s natural skin tone?
Pallor
What is an instrument used to examine the eyes?
Ophthalmoscope
What is listening to sounds within the body using a stethoscope?
Auscultation
What is in health care, a brief statement of the reason for a patient’s visit to a medical office?
Chief complaint
What is having a fever?
Febrile
What is condition in which the skin develops a blue or gray tint?
Cyanosis