Tachycardia
Formal Definition
A heart rate exceeding 100 beats per minute at rest.
How It's Used on the Ward
"Patient is tachy to the 130s" - shortened to "tachy" in everyday ward language.
Example
"On rounds: "Vitals notable for tachycardia to 128. Differential includes dehydration, pain, PE, infection, or anxiety.""
Clinical Context
One of the most common vital sign abnormalities. Always think about WHY the patient is tachycardic - it's a sign, not a diagnosis.
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