Vital+Signs+Vocab.

1.Apical – pertaining to the apex or pointed end of the heart 2.Apical pulse- pulse taken with a stethoscope and near the apex of the heart 3.Apnea- absence of respirations temporary cessation of the respiration 4.Arrhythmia- irregular or abdominal rhythm usually referring to the heart rhythm 5.Axilla- armpit the area of the body under the arm 6.Auscultation – the act of listening for sound within the body 7.Blood pressure- pressure of circulating blood against the walls of the arteries 8.Bradycardia - Slow heart rate, usually below 60 beats a minute 9.Bradypnea - Slow respiratory rate, usually below 10 respirations a minute 10.Capillary Refill - is the rate at which blood refills empty capillaries. It can be measured a by holding a hand higher than heart-level (prevents venous reflux), pressing a fingernail until it turns white, and taking note of the time needed for color to return once the nail is released 11.Cardiac Arrest - Sudden stopping of heart action 12.Carotid Pulse - felt along the long carotid artery on either side of the neck 13.Clinical Thermometers - may be used to record temperatures 14.Constrict - To get smaller 15.Cyanosis - A dusky, bluish discoloration of the skin, lips, and/or nail beds as a result of decreased oxygen and increased carbon dioxide in the bloodstream. 16.Diastolic Blood Pressure - The pressure remaining in the arteries during ventricular relaxation 17.Dilate - To get larger 18.Dyspnea - Difficult or labored breathing 19.Electronic Thermometers - This type of thermometer registers the temperature on a viewer in a few seconds. 20.Fever - Elevated body temperature, usually above 101 degrees F, rectally 21.Height - Is the measurement of the length of the human body, from the bottom of the feet to the top of the head, when standing erect. 22.Homeostasis - Is the ideal health state in the human body. 23.Hypertension - High blood pressure 24.Hyperthermia - Occurs when the body temperature exceeds 104 degrees, measured rectally. 25.Hypotension - Low blood pressure