Download Este - Delmar

Chapter 26: Glossary
The Complete Health History and Physical Examination
Alveoli Alveoli are the smallest functional units of the respiratory system, where gas exchange
occurs.
Angle of Louis (sternal angle) The angle of Louis articulates with the second rib.
Apnea Apnea is the absence of spontaneous breathing for 10 or more seconds.
Asystole Asystole is the absence of a pulse.
Atrioventricular (A-V) node The atrioventricular node is the back-up pacemaker of the heart. If
the S-A node fails to initiate an impulse, the A-V node will take over. The A-V node has an
intrinsic rate of 40 to 60 impulses per minute.
Atrioventricular valves The atrioventricular valves are the mitral and tricuspid valves, which are
located between the atria and the ventricles. The tricuspid valve is located between the right atrium
and the right ventricle. The mitral valve is located between the left atria and the left ventricle.
Bradycardia Bradycardia is a pulse rate slower than 60 beats per minute in an adult.
Bradypnea Bradypnea is a respiratory rate less than 12 breaths per minute in an adult.
Bruit Bruits are blowing sounds heard when blood flow becomes turbulent in a blood vessel or
when blood rushes past an obstruction.
Click A click is an abnormal, high-pitched sound heard on systole.
Costal angle The costal angle is located where the 10th pair of ribs meets the sternum at the
midsternal line.
Copyright © 2010 by Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
Costal margins The costal margins are the medial borders created by the connection of the false
ribs.
Crescendo Crescendo is a term used to describe sounds that go from soft to loud.
Decrescendo Decrescendo is a term used to describe sounds that go from loud to soft.
Eupnea Eupnea is a normal respiratory rate, between 12 and 20 breaths per minute.
Gallop A gallop is an additional sound that is best heard in early diastole at the apex of the heart.
A gallop may or may not be an abnormal finding, depending on the patient's age and whether the
patient is pregnant.
Heaves A heave is a lifting of the cardiac area secondary to an increased workload. This is an
abnormal finding.
Hematemesis The vomiting of blood is known as hematemesis.
Hyperactive bowel sounds The presence of increased or hyperactive bowel sounds is an
abnormal finding that indicates increased bowel motility, possibly due to gastroenteritis, diarrhea,
or laxative use.
Hypertension Hypertension is blood pressure greater than 140 mm Hg systolic and 90 mm Hg
diastolic.
Hypoactive bowel sounds The presence of diminished or hypoactive bowel sounds is an
abnormal finding that indicates decreased bowel motility, possibly secondary to peritonitis or
nonmechanical obstruction.
Hypotension Hypotension is blood pressure below the normal range.
Copyright © 2010 by Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
McBurney's point McBurney's point is located in the RLQ of the abdomen. The elicitation of
pain upon palpation at McBurney's point is a positive finding that may indicate appendicitis.
Mediastinum The mediastinum is the area between the right and left lungs.
Midaxillary line The midaxillary line is the imaginary vertical line drawn from the apex of the
axillae and lying midway between the anterior and posterior lines.
Midclavicular line The midclavicular line is an imaginary vertical line drawn from the midpoint
of the clavicle.
Murphy's sign Murphy's sign is used to assess for cholecystitis. To assess Murphy's sign, palpate
below the liver margin at the lateral border of the rectus muscle. Ask the patient to take a deep
breath. Murphy’s sign is present if the patient complains of pain with palpation.
Orthostatic hypotension Orthostatic hypotension results when a patient's blood pressure
significantly decreases and the heart rate increases as the patient moves from a lying down to a
sitting or standing position.
Pansystolic (holosystolic) A murmur that is audible throughout all of systole is referred to as a
pansystolic or holosystolic murmur.
Precordium The precordium is the area on the anterior surface of the body overlying the heart,
great vessels, pericardium, and pulmonary tissue.
Pulse deficit A pulse deficit occurs when the apical pulse rate is greater than the radial pulse rate.
Rebound tenderness Rebound tenderness is seen when, upon palpation, the patient complains of
tenderness or pain as the abdominal wall returns to its normal position. Rebound tenderness may
indicate peritoneal irritation.
Copyright © 2010 by Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
Rovsing's sign Rovsing's sign is used to elicit the presence of referred pain, indicative of
peritoneal inflammation secondary to appendicitis. To perform this technique, perform deep
palpation in the LLQ for 5 seconds. A positive Rovsing's sign is present if the patient feels pain in
the RLQ.
Sinoatrial (S-A) node The sinoatrial node is the normal pacemaker of the heart. The intrinsic rate
of the S-A node is between 60 and 100 impulses per minute.
Snap A snap is an abnormal, high-pitched sound heard on diastole.
Striae Striae develop when there has been rapid or prolonged stretching of the skin, as in
pregnancy or obesity.
Suprasternal notch The suprasternal notch is located in the midsternal line above the
manubrium.
Tachycardia Tachycardia is a pulse rate faster than 100 beats per minute in an adult.
Tachypnea Tachypnea is a respiratory rate greater than 20 breaths per minute in an adult.
Thrills A thrill is a palpable vibration similar to what one feels when placing a hand on a purring
cat. The presence of a thrill is an abnormal finding.
Valve regurgitation Valve regurgitation is a backward flow of blood through the heart valve.
Valve stenosis Valve stenosis is a narrowing or constricting of a diseased heart valve.
Copyright © 2010 by Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.