Fundamentals of Nursing, Vital Signs *Q&A* [verified]

Fundamentals of Nursing, Vital Signs *Q&A* [verified] Afebrile *Ans* Without fever Febrile *Ans* With fever Apical pulse (aka "point of maximal impulse" or PMI) *Ans* Central pulse; located at the apex of the heart (aka "point of maximal impulse" or PMI). Routinely used on infants - 3yrs. Helps determine discrepancies with radial pulse. Peripheral pulse *Ans* Pulse located away from the heart; wrist or foot. Apical-radial pulse *Ans* Normally apical & radial pulses are identical but an apical rate greater than the radial rate can indicate that the thrust of blood from the heart is too weak to be felt peripherally. Possible indication of vascular disease. Apnea *Ans* Absence of breathing Arrhythmia (aka dysrhythmia) *Ans* A pulse with an irregular rhythm (aka dysrhythmia). Arterial blood pressure *Ans* Measure of the pressure exerted by the blood as it flows through the arteries. Arteriosclerosis *Ans* Elastic & muscular tissues of the arteries are replaced with fibrous tissue, the arteries lose much of their ability to constrict & dilate. Common in middle aged & older adults. Auscultatory gap *Ans* Occurs particularly in hypertensive people; is the temporary disappearance of sounds normally heard over the brachial artery when the cuff pressure is high followed by the reappearance of the sounds at a lower level. Basal metabolic rate (BMR) *Ans* Rate of energy utilization in the body required to maintain essential activities such as breathing. Rates decrease with age. Generally younger people have higher BMR. Body temperature *Ans* Reflects the balance between the heat