chapter 16
Apical pulse
Pulse count taken with a stethoscope at the apex of the heart
apnea
Absence of respiration
arrhythmia
Irregular or abnormal rhythm
Aural temperature
Temperature taken with a special tympanic thermometer placed in the ear
Axillary temperature
Temperatures taken in the armpit
Blood pressure
Force exerted by the blood against arterial walls when the heart contracts or relaxes
bradycardia
A pulse rate under 60 beats per minute
bradypnea
Abnormally slow breathing rate
Character
Refers to the depth and quality of respiration
cheyne-strokes
Abnormal breathing pattern characterized by periods of dyspnea followed by apnea
Clinical thermometers
Used to record temperatures but very few health care agencies use them
Cyanosis
A dusky, bluish discoloration of the skin, lips, and or nail beds as a result of decreased oxygen and increased CO2 in the bloodstream
diastolic
The bottom number in a blood pressure reading
Dyspnea
Difficult of labored breathing
Electronic thermometers
Used in most health care facilities
fever
Elevated body temperature
homeostasis
A constant state of fluid balance
hypertension
When pressures are greater than 130 mm Hg systolic and 80 mm Hg diastolic
hyperthermia
Occurs when the body temperature exceeds 104 measured rectally
hypotension
(low blood pressure) Indicated when pressures are less than 90 mm Hg systolic and 60 mm Hg diastolic
hypothermia
Abnormally low body temperature
Noncontact infrared thermometer
Use light wavelength technology to measure the thermal energy radiating from the skin without requiring any physical contact
Oral temperature
Method of obtaining a temperature
orthopnea
Severe dyspnea in which breathing is very difficult in any position other than sitting erect or standing
pain
Unpleasant sensation that is perceived in the nervous system when illness or injury occurs