Vital+signs+vocab+part+2

Vital Signs

Hypothermia- a low body temperature, below 95 degrees measured rectally. Oral Temperatures- are taken in the mouth. This is the most common, convenient, and comfortable method of obtaining a temperature. Palpation- technique used to feel the texture, size, consistency, and location of all the body parts with the hands. Percussion- technique of tapping with the fingertips to evalulate size, borders, and consistency of the internal structures of the body. Pulse- pressure of the blood felt against the wall of an artery as the heart contracts or beats. Pulse deflect- the difference between the rate of an apical pulse and the rate of a radial pulse. Pulse pressure- the difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Pupil- The black center of the eye. Radial Pulse- The pulse at the wrist. Rate- number per minute, as with the pulse and respirations. Reactivity- in the pupil of the eye reacting to the light changing size. Rectal Temperatures- are taken in the rectum and is the most accurate of all methods. Respiration- The process of taken in oxygen (o2) and expelling carbon dioxide (CO2) from the lungs and respiratory tract. Rhythm- Referring to regular; regular or irregular. Sign- an indication of a patients condition that is objective, or can be observed by another person; and indication that can be seen, heard,smelled or felt by a medical practioner. Sphygmanmometer- instrument calibrated for measuring blood pressure in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). Stethoscope- Instrument used for listening to internal body sounds. Symptom- an indication od a patients condition that cannot be observed by another persons but rather is a subjective, or felt and reported by the patient. Systolic Blood Pressure- the pressure created in the arteries by the blood during ventricular contraction. Tachypnea- Respirtory rate above 25 respirations beats per minute. Tachycardia- Fast or rapid, heart beat (usually more than 100 beats per minute in an adult). Temperature- the balance between heat lost and produced by the body. Themometer- instrument used to measure temperature. Tympanic Themometer- are specialized electronic that record the aural temperature in the ear. Vital signs- outward signs of whats going on inside the body; including respiration; pulse; skin; color, temperature, and condition (plus capillary refill in infants and children); and blood pressures.