368 Chapter 16 SECTION 16.1 Review and Assessment Key Terms Mini Glossary apical pulse a measurement of heartbeat taken by listening to the apex of the heart (to the left of the sternum slightly under the left breast) with a stethoscope. apnea a lack of breathing. aural relating to the ear or the sense of hearing. axillary temperature a measurement of body temperature taken by placing a thermometer under the axilla. bradycardia an abnormally slow pulse (fewer than 60 beats per minute). bradypnea abnormally slow breathing. carotid pulse a measurement of heartbeat taken by feeling the carotid artery, which is located on the neck by the trachea below the angle of the jaw. Celsius (C) a temperature measurement scale in which the freezing point of water is 0° and the boiling point is 100° under normal atmospheric pressure also called centigrade. diastolic blood pressure the pressure of blood against the arteries when the heart muscle relaxes. dyspnea difficult breathing or shortness of breath. Fahrenheit (F) a temperature measurement scale in which the freezing point of water is 32° and the boiling point is 212° under normal atmospheric pressure. hyperventilation deep, rapid breathing. hypotension low blood pressure. hypoventilation slow, shallow breathing. hypoxia a lack of adequate oxygen supply in the body. probe a long, thin, medical instrument used to measure temperature. radial pulse a measurement of heartbeat taken by feeling the radial artery, which is located on the inside of the thumb side of the wrist. stertorous breathing a type of breathing that sounds like snoring. stethoscope a medical device used to listen to body sounds such as breathing, heartbeat, and lung and bowel sounds has two earpieces connected by flexible tubing and a diaphragm at the end. systolic blood pressure the pressure of blood against the arteries when the heart muscle contracts and pushes blood out to the body. tachycardia an abnormally fast pulse (more than 100 beats per minute). tachypnea rapid, shallow breathing. temporal arteries arteries located on each side of the head. tympanic temperature a measurement of body temperature taken by placing a thermometer into the ear. Applying the Key Terms Write a sentence using each key term properly. 1. stethoscope 2. axillary temperature 3. bradycardia 4. diastolic blood pressure 5. hypoxia Know and Understand the Facts 6. Describe two reasons why vital signs are measured. 7. Identify the locations where a pulse can be measured. 8. List the equipment needed to measure a blood pressure. 9. A resident has a blood pressure of 140/95 mmHg. Is this within the normal range? Analyze and Apply Concepts 10. What should a nursing assistant do if a vital sign does not seem to be accurate? 11. What should a nursing assistant do if a vital sign is significantly higher or lower than it was when taken at an earlier time? 12. What equipment is needed to take a rectal temperature? 13. Which steps must always be performed to make sure blood pressure is measured accurately? 14. List two important descriptions that should be documented when measuring a pulse. Think Critically Read the following care situation. Then answer the questions that follow. Seiji, a nursing assistant at the city rehabilitation facility, was taking Mr. L’s vital signs. When Seiji finished, he realized that Mr. L’s vital signs were very different from those taken the day before. Yesterday, Mr. L’s blood pressure and pulse were much lower. Seiji used a different sphygmomanometer and stethoscope, so he thought that may be the problem. 15. What is the first action Seiji should take? 16. Should Seiji let the licensed nursing staff know about the change? If so, what should he say? 17. What should Seiji document in Mr. L’s chart or electronic record? Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.