CNA Chapter 13:Vital Signs Vocabulary

the pulse of the left side of the chest, just below the nipple

the absence of breathing

the medical abbreviation for "beaps per minute"

the pulse inside the elbow, about 1 to 1 1/2 inches above the elbow

a slow heart rate - under 60 beats per minute

the centigrade temperature scale in which the boiling point of water is 100 degrees and the freezing point is 0 degrees

type of respiration with the periods of apnea lasting at least 10 seconds, along with alternating periods of slow, irregular respirations and rapid shallow respirations

second measurement on blood pressure; phase when the heart relaxes

to widen

difficulty breathing

normal respiration

the process of exhaling air out of the lungs

a temperature scale in which the boiling point of water is 212 degrees and the freezing point is 32 degrees

high blood pressure, measuring 140/90 or higher

low blood pressure, measuring 100/60 or lower

a condition in which body temperature drops below the level required for normal functioning; severe sub-normal body temperature

the process of inhaling air into the lungs

shortness of breath when lying down that is relieved by sitting up

a sudden drop in blood pressure that occurs when a person stands or sits up; also called postural hypotension

a condition in which a person has a systolic measurement of120-139mm HG and a diastolic measurement of 80-89mm HG;

indicator that the person is likely to have high blood pressure in the future even thoughhe/she doesn't have it now

the pulse on the inside of the wrist, where the radial artery runs just beneath the skin

the process of inhaling air into the lungs (inspiration) and exhaling air out of the lungs (expiration)

a device that measures blood pressure

an instrument used to hear sounds in the human body, such as the heartbeat or pulse, breathing sounds, or bowel sounds

first measurement of blood pressure; phase when the heart is at work, contracting and pushing blood out of the left ventricle

a fast heartbeat - over 100 beats per minute

rapid respirations - over 20 breaths per minute

a device used for measuring the degree of heat or cold

measurements (body temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, and pain level) that monitor the function of the vital organs of the body