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accessory muscle use
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sign of respiratory distress, using muscles other than the diaphragm and intercostal muscles to aid in the process of breathing
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anthropometric measurement
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noninvasive quantitative measurement of the human body; examples are height, weight, body mass index, body circumferences, and body fat measurements
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anthropometry tape
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flexible measuring tape used to determine body circumferences
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antipyretic
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medication that alleviates a fever
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apnea
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the cessation of breathing
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arrhythmia
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abnormal heart rate and rhythm
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asystole
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the heart fails to contract and produce a pulse
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atelectasis
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collapsing of the alveoli
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auscultatory gap
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a brief absence of sound between the origin and disappearance of the Korotkoff sounds during obtainment of blood pressure
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bariatric scale
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instrument to measure weight in obese and severely obese individuals
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bed scale
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instrument to measure weight in immobile patients or patients on bed rest, a component of most hospital beds
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body mass index (BMI)
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a value that is calculated from an individual’s height and weight to provide as measurement relative to the standards for ideal body weight
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bradycardia
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pulse rate slower than 60 beats per minute
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bradypnea
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a slower-than-normal respiratory rate (fewer than twelve breaths per minute in adults) at rest
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cardiac output
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total amount of blood ejected by the heart into circulation in one minute, measured in liters
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Cheyne-Stokes respiration
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a cyclical breathing pattern involving periods of apnea and hyperventilation that often occurs at end of life
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conduction
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mechanism of heat transfer through direct contact with an object
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convection
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mechanism of heat transfer that occurs through air or water currents
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cyanosis
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a bluish or dusky discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes caused by hypoxia
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demi-span
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the preferred method of obtaining height for patients unable to stand; the technique involves measuring the distance in centimeters from the middle of the sternal notch to the tip of the middle finger while the arm is at a 90-degree angle to the body and using a conversion factor to compute height
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diaphoresis
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sweating
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dyspnea
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difficult, labored breathing pattern
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evaporation
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the transfer of heat through the change of water from a liquid to vapor
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hypertension
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an elevated blood pressure
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hyperthermia
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core body temperature hotter than 105.8°F (41°C)
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hypotension
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a lowered blood pressure
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jaundice
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yellowing of the skin and sclera
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Korotkoff sound
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the pulsating, tapping sound heard with a stethoscope as blood flows through the brachial artery
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Kussmaul respiration
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a deep, rapid breathing pattern associated with metabolic acidosis
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medulla
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the respiratory control center of the brain
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Modified Early Warning Score (MEWS)
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measurement tool that analyzes vital sign data and level of consciousness, which are used to provide an early warning for deterioration in the patient’s status
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narrowed pulse pressure
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pulse pressure less than 25 percent of the systolic blood pressure (i.e., 110/85)
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normothermia
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normal range of body temperature
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pallor
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paleness of the skin and mucous membranes
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piloerection
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goosebumps
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pulse oximeter
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instrument that measures the oxygen saturation of the blood
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pulse pressure
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difference between the systolic and diastolic blood pressure; normally about 40 mm Hg
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pyrexia
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fever
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pyrogen
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fever-inducing substance
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radiation
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mechanism of heat transfer through infrared waves
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respiratory depression
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slower than normal respiratory rate, generally experienced as a side effect of anesthetics and opioids
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skinfold calipers
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instrument used to assess the thickness of skinfolds
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sling scale
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a scale used for completely immobile patients using a sling or piece of large fabric
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sphygmomanometer
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instrument used to obtain a blood pressure reading, also known as a blood pressure cuff
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stadiometer
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a height ruler for patients able to stand
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stethoscope
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medical equipment used to amplify internal body sounds for its user
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stroke volume (SV)
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the volume of blood pumped out of the left ventricle of the heart during each systolic cardiac contraction
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tachycardia
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heart rate faster than 100 beats per minute
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tachypnea
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a respiratory rate that exceeds 20 breaths per minute
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thermometer
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instrument used to measure body temperature
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thermoregulation
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the body’s ability to maintain its temperature within a normal range
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vasoconstriction
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decrease in the blood vessel diameter
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vasodilation
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increase in the diameter of the blood vessel
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vital sign
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a marker of physiological homeostasis and essential in the analysis of monitoring patient progress; obtained by measuring body temperature, pulse, respiratory rate, and blood pressure
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widened pulse pressure
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pulse pressure more than 100 mm Hg (i.e., 174/69)