Ch. 11 Baseline Vital Signs Flash Cards

The delicate membrane that lines the eyelids and covers the exposed surface of the eye.

Bluish color of the skin resulting from poor oxygenation of the circulating blood.

Characterized by profuse sweating.

The pressure that remains in the arteries during the relaxing phase of the heart's cycle (diastole) when the left ventricle is at rest.

Blood pressure that is higher than the normal range.

Blood pressure that is lower than the normal range.

A yellow skin or sclera color that is caused by liver disease or dysfunction.

Breathing that requires visibly increased effort; characterized by grunting, stridor, and use of accessory muscles.

An abbreviation for key terms used in evaluating a patient's signs and symptoms: onset, provocation or palliation, quality, region/radiation, severity, and timing of pain.

The flow of blood through body tissues and vessels.

The wave of pressure created as the heart contracts and forces blood out the left ventricle and into the major arteries.

An assessment tool that measures oxygen saturation of hemoglobin in the capillary beds.

A brief history of a patient's condition to determine signs and symptoms, allergies, medications, pertinent past history, last oral intake, and events leading to the injury or illness.

The white portion of the eye.

objective findings that can be seen, heard, felt, smelled, or measured

Breathing in a patient that occurs with no assistance.

A harsh, high-pitched, barking inspiratory sound often heard in acute laryngeal (upper airway) obstruction.

Subjective findings that the patient feels but that can be identified only by the patient.

The increased pressure along an artery with each contraction (systole) of the ventricles.

Rapid heart rhythm, more than 100 beats/min.

The key signs that are used to evaluate the patient's overall condition, including respirations, pulse, blood pressure, level of consciousness, and skin characteristics.