| A | B |
|---|
| auscultation | A method of listening to sounds within an organ with a stethoscope. |
| AVPU scale | A method of assessing level of consciousness by determining whether the patient is awake and alert, responsive to verbal stimuli or pain, or unresponsive; used principally early in the assessment. |
| blood pressure (BP) | The pressure that the blood exerts against the walls of the arteries as it passes through them. |
| bradycardia | Slow heart rate, less than 60 beats/min. |
| capillary refill | The ability of the circulatory system to restore blood to the capillary system; evaluated by using a simple test. |
| chief complaint | The reason a patient called for help. Also, the patient''s response to questions such as "What''s wrong?" or "What happened?" |
| conjunctiva | The delicate membrane that lines the eyelids and covers the exposed surface of the eye. |
| cyanosis | A bluish-gray skin color that is caused by reduced levels of oxygen in the blood. |
| diaphoretic | Characterized by profuse sweating. |
| diastolic pressure | The pressure that remains in the arteries during the relaxing phase of the heart''s cycle (diastole) when the left ventricle is at rest. |
| hypertension | Blood pressure that is higher than the normal range. |
| hypotension | Blood pressure that is lower than the normal range. |
| jaundice | A yellow skin or sclera color that is caused by liver disease or dysfunction. |
| labored breathing | Breathing that requires visibly increased effort; characterized by grunting, stridor, and use of accessory muscles. |
| OPQRST | 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. |
| perfusion | The circulation of oxygenated blood within an organ or tissue in adequate amounts to meet the cells'' current needs. |
| pulse | The wave of pressure created as the heart contracts and forces blood out the left ventricle and into the major arteries. |
| pulse oximetry | An assessment tool that measures oxygen saturation of hemoglobin in the capillary beds. |
| SAMPLE history | 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. |
| sclera | The tough, fibrous, white portion of the eye that protects the more delicate inner structures. |
| signs | Objective findings that can be seen, heard, felt, smelled, or measured. |
| sniffing position | An unusually upright position in which the patient''s head and chin are thrust slightly forward |
| spontaneous respirations | Breathing in a patient that occurs with no assistance. |
| stridor | A harsh, high-pitched, barking inspiratory sound often heard in acute laryngeal (upper airway) obstruction. |
| symptoms | Subjective findings that the patient feels but that can be identified only by the patient. |
| systolic pressure | The increased pressure along an artery with each contraction (systole) of the ventricles. |
| tachycardia | Rapid heart rhythm, more than 100 beats/min. |
| tidal volume | The amount of air that is exchanged with each breath. |
| tripod position | An upright position in which the patient leans forward onto two arms stretched forward and thrusts the head and chin forward. |
| vasoconstriction | Narrowing of a blood vessel. |
| vital signs | The key signs that are used to evaluate the patient''s overall condition, including respirations, pulse, blood pressure, level of consciousness, and skin characteristics. |
