| A | B |
|---|
| apical pulse | heartbeat as measured with the bell or disk of the stethoscope placed over the apex of the heart; represents the actual beating of the heart. Most authentic of all pulses |
| auscultate | To listen for sounds within the body to evaluate the condition of the heart, lungs, pleura, intestines, or other organs or to detect fetal heart sounds. |
| blood pressure | Pressure exerted by the circulating volume of blood on the arterial walls, veins, and chambers of the heart. |
| bradycardia | Slow rhythm characterized by a pulse rate of fewer than 60 beats per minute |
| bradypnea | A slow respiratory rate of fewer than 12 breaths per minute. |
| Cheyne-Stokes respirations | An abnormal pattern of respiration characterized by alternating periods of apnea and deep, rapid breathing |
| diastolic | The second number recorded in the blood pressure reading; represents the minimum level of blood pressure measured between the contractions of the heart. |
| dyspnea | Shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing; may be caused by disturbances in the lungs, certain heart conditions, and hemoglobin deficiency. |
| dysrhythmia | Any disturbance or abnormality in a normal rhythmic pattern, specially irregularity in the normal rhythm of the heart; also called arrythmia. |
| hypotension | occurs when the blood pressure is below normal. |
| hypothermia | Condition of abnormally low body pressure |
| Korotkoff sounds | Sounds heard while measuring blood pressure when using a sphygmomanometer and stethoscope. |
| orthostatic hypotension | A drop of 25 mm Hg in systolic pressure and a drop of 10 mm Hg in diastolic pressure when moving from a lying to sitting position. |
| pulse | A rhythmic beating or vibrating movement; regular recurrent expansion and contraction of an artery produced by waves of pressure caused by the ejection of blood from the left ventricle of the heart as it contracts. |
| pulse deficit | A condition that exists when the radial pulse rate is less than the ventricle rate as auscultated at the apex of the heart. |
| pulse pressure | Difference between the systolic and diastolic blood pressure, usually 30 to 40 mm Hg |
| respiration | The taking in of oxygen, its use in the tissues, and the giving off of carbon dioxide; the act of breathing (i.e. inhaling and exhaling) |
| sphygmomanometer | Device for measuring arterial blood pressure |
| stethoscope | Instrument placed against patient's body to hear heart, lung, or bowel sounds |
| systolic | The number or reading that represents ventricles contracting, forcing blood into the aorta and pulmonary arteries. In blood pressure readings, it is the higher of the two readings |
| tachycardia | An abnormal condition in which the myocardium contracts regularly but at a rate greater than 100 beats per minute. |
| tachypnea | An abnormally rapid rate of breathing |
| temperature | Relative measure of sensible heat or cold |
| tympanic | Membranous eardrum |
| vital signs | Measurement of temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure |
