Ch. 28 Measuring Vital Signs

pulse

beat of the heart felt at an artery as a wave of blood passes through the artery

hypertension

blood pressure measurements that remain above a systolic pressure of 140 mm Hg or a diastolic pressure of 90 mm Hg.

fever

elevated body temp

stethoscope

instrument used to listen to sounds produced by the heart, lungs, and other body organs

pulse rate

number of heartbeats felt in 1 minute

body temperature

the amount of heat in the body that is a balance between the amount of heat produced and the amount lost by the body

diastole

the period of heart muscle relaxation; when the heart is at rest

hypotension

when systolic blood pressure is below 90 and diastolic is below 60

blood pressure

amount of force exerted against the walls of an artery by the blood

sphygmomanometer

cuff and measuring device used to measure blood pressure

pulse deficit

difference between the apical and radial pulse rates

respiration

inhalation and exhalation

systole

period of heart muscle contraction; the heart is pumping blood

tachycardia

rapid heart rate more than 100 beats per minute

bradycardia

slow heart rate; less than 60 beats per minute

apical-radial pulse

taking the apical and radial pulses at the same time

vital signs

temperature, pulse, respirations, and blood pressure