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pulse - Answers the rhythmic beats felt as the heart pumps blood through the arteries
pulse rate - Answers the number of pulse beats per minute
vital signs - Answers outward signs of what is going on inside the body, including respiration;
pulse; skin color, temperature, and condition (plus capillary refill in infants and children); pupils;
and blood pressure.
tachycardia - Answers a rapid pulse (any pulse rate above 100bpm)
bradycardia - Answers a slow pulse (any pulse rate below 60bpm)
pulse quality - Answers the rhythm (regular or irregular) and force (strong or weak) of the pulse
radial pulse - Answers the pulse felt at the wrist
brachial pulse - Answers the pulse felt in the upper arm
carotid pulse - Answers the pulse felt along the large carotid artery on either side of the neck
respiratory rate - Answers the number of breaths taken in one minute
respiratory quality - Answers the normal or abnormal (shallow, labored, or noisy) character of
breathing
respiratory rhythm - Answers the regular or irregular spacing of breaths
pupil - Answers the black center of the eye
pupil reactivity - Answers reacting to light by changing in size
blood pressure - Answers the force of blood against the walls of the blood vessels
systolic blood pressure - Answers the pressure created in the arteries when the left ventricle
contracts and forces blood out into circulation
diastolic blood pressure - Answers the pressure in the arteries when the left ventricle is refilling
sphygmomanometer - Answers the cuff and gauge used to measure blood pressure
brachial artery - Answers the major artery of the upper arm
auscultation - Answers Listening with a stethoscope
palpation - Answers touching or feeling. A pulse or blood pressure may be palpated with the
fingertips.