Basic EMT Sets

Combined set of EMT procedures, vocabulary, and incidents.

Endocrine system

Endocrine/Hematologic Emergencies

Thrombosis

A blood clot, either in the arterial or venous system. When the clot occurs in a cerebral artery, it may result in the interruption of cerebral blood flow and subsequent stroke.

Polyuria

The passage of an unusually large volume of urine in a given period; in diabetes, this can result from the wasting of glucose in the urine.

Acidosis

The buildup of excess acid in the blood or body tissues that can result from a primary illness.

Symptomatic Hyperglycemia

A state of unconsciousness resulting from several problems, including ketoacidosis, dehydration because of excessive urination, and hyperglycemia.

Vaso-occlusive Crisis

Ischemia and pain caused by sickle-shaped red blood cells that obstruct blood flow to a portion of the body.

Endocrine glands

Glands that secrete or release chemicals that are used inside the body.

Diabetic Ketoacidosis

A form of hyperglycemia in uncontrolled diabetes in which certain acids accumulate when insulin is not available.

Insulin

A hormone produced by the islets of Langerhans (endocrine gland located throughout the pancreas) that enables glucose in the blood to enter cells; used in synthetic form to treat and control diabetes mellitus.

Hyperglycemia

An abnormally high blood glucose level.

Hormones

Substances formed in specialized organs or glands and carried to another organ or group of cells in the same organism; they regulate many body functions, including metabolism, growth, and body temperature.

Polyphagia

Excessive eating; in diabetes, the inability to use glucose properly can cause a sense of hunger.

Glucose

One of the basic sugars; it is the primary fuel, in conjunction with oxygen, for cellular metabolism.

Diabetes mellitus

A metabolic disorder in which the ability to metabolize carbohydrates (sugars) is impaired, usually because of a lack of insulin.

Type 1 diabetes

An autoimmune disorder in which the individual’s immune system produces antibodies to the pancreatic beta cells, and therefore the pancreas cannot produce insulin; onset in early childhood is common.

Thrombophilia

A tendency toward the development of blood clots as a result of an abnormality of the system of coagulation.

Type 2 diabetes

A condition in which insulin resistance develops in response to increased blood glucose levels; can be managed by exercise and diet modification, but is often managed by medications.

Hypoglycemia

An abnormally low blood glucose level.

Hematology

The study and prevention of blood-related disorders.

Polydipsia

Excessive thirst that persists for long periods despite reasonable fluid intake; often the result of excessive urination.

Kussmaul respirations

Deep, rapid breathing; usually the result of an accumulation of certain acids when insulin is not available in the body.

Sickle cell disease

A hereditary disease that causes normal, round red blood cells to become oblong, or sickle shaped.

Hemophilia

A hereditary condition in which the patient lacks one or more of the blood’s normal clotting factors.

Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketotic syndrome

A life-threatening condition resulting from high blood glucose that typically occurs in older adults and which causes altered mental status, dehydration, and organ damage.

Symptomatic hypoglycemia

A life-threatening condition resulting from high blood glucose that typically occurs in older adults and which causes altered mental status, dehydration, and organ damage.

Opiod

A synthetically produced narcotic medication, drug, or agent similar to the opiate morphine, but not derived from opium; used to relieve pain.

Opiate

A subset of the opioid family, referring to natural, nonsynthetic opioids.

Substance abuse

The misuse of any substance to produce a desired effect.

Toxin

A poison or harmful substance.

Material safety data sheet (MSDS)

A form, provided by manufacturers and compounders (blenders) of chemicals, containing information about chemical composition, physical and chemical properties, health and safety hazards, emergency response, and waste disposal of a specific material; also known as a safety data sheet (SDS).

Addiction

A state of overwhelming obsession or physical need to continue the use of a substance.

Narcotic

A drug that produces sleep or altered mental consciousness.

Emesis

Vomiting.

Hypnotic

A sleep-inducing effect or agent.

Overdose

An excessive quantity of a drug that, when taken or administered, can have toxic or lethal consequences.

Delirium tremens

A severe withdrawal syndrome seen in alcoholics who are deprived of ethyl alcohol; characterized by restlessness, fever, sweating, disorientation, agitation, and seizures; can be fatal if untreated.

Poison

A substance whose chemical action could damage structures or impair function when introduced into the body.

Ingestion

Swallowing; taking a substance by mouth.

Stimulant

An agent that produces an excited state.

Sedative

A substance that decreases activity and excitement.

Toxicology

The study of toxic or poisonous substances.

Hematemesis

Vomiting blood.

Antidote

A substance that is used to neutralize or counteract a poison.

Hallucinogen

An agent that produces false perceptions in any one of the five senses.

Tolerance

The need for increasing amounts of a drug to obtain the same effect.

Midbrain

The part of the brain that is responsible for helping to regulate the level of consciousness.

Brainstem

The area of the brain between the spinal cord and cerebrum, surrounded by the cerebellum; controls functions that are necessary for life, such as respiration.

Cerebrospinal fluid

Fluid produced in the ventricles of the brain that flows in the subarachnoid space and bathes the meninges.

Neurons

The functional units of the nervous system; also called nerve cells.

Parasympathetic nervous system

The part of the autonomic nervous system that controls vegetative functions such as digestion of food and relaxation.

Pons

An organ that lies below the midbrain and above the medulla and contains numerous important nerve fibers, including those for sleep, respiration, and the medullary respiratory center.

Axons

Extensions of a neuron that carry impulses away from the nerve cell body to the dendrites (receivers) of another neuron.

Adrenergic

Pertaining to nerves that release the neurotransmitter norepinephrine, or noradrenaline; also pertains to the receptors acted on by norepinephrine.

Spinal cord

An extension of the brain, composed of virtually all the nerves carrying messages between the brain and the rest of the body. It lies inside of and is protected by the spinal canal.

Sympathetic nervous system

The part of the autonomic nervous system that controls active functions such as responding to fear (also known as the fight-or-flight system).

Norepinephrine

A neurotransmitter and drug sometimes used in the treatment of shock; produces vasoconstriction through its alpha-stimulator properties.

Sensory nerves

The nerves that carry sensations such as touch, taste, smell, heat, cold, and pain from the body to the central nervous system.

Peripheral nervous system

The part of the nervous system that consists of 31 pairs of spinal nerves and 12 pairs of cranial nerves; these may be sensory nerves, motor nerves, or connecting nerves.

Cerebrum

The largest part of the three subdivisions of the brain, sometimes called the gray matter; made up of several lobes that control movement, hearing, balance, speech, visual perception, emotions, and personality.

Nervous system

The system that controls virtually all activities of the body, both voluntary and involuntary.

Cerebellum

One of the three major subdivisions of the brain, sometimes called the little brain; coordinates the various activities of the brain, particularly fine body movements.

Alpha-adrenergic receptors

Portions of the nervous system that, when stimulated, can cause constriction of blood vessels.

Central nervous system

The brain and spinal cord.

Somatic nervous system

The part of the nervous system that regulates activities over which there is voluntary control.

Medulla oblongata

Nerve tissue that is continuous inferiorly with the spinal cord; serves as a conduction pathway for ascending and descending nerve tracts; coordinates heart rate, blood vessel diameter, breathing, swallowing, vomiting, coughing, and sneezing.

Beta-adrenergic receptors

Portions of the nervous system that, when stimulated, can cause an increase in the force of contraction of the heart, an increased heart rate, and bronchial dilation.

Reticular activating system

Located in the upper brainstem; responsible for maintenance of consciousness, specifically one's level of arousal.

Autonomic nervous system

The part of the nervous system that controls the involuntary activities of the body such as the heart rate, blood pressure, and digestion of food.

Brain

The controlling organ of the body and center of consciousness; functions include perception, control of reactions to the environment, emotional responses, and judgment.

Motor nerves

Nerves that carry information from the central nervous system to the muscles of the body.

Smooth muscle

Involuntary muscle; it constitutes the bulk of the gastrointestinal tract and is present in nearly every organ to regulate automatic activity.

Sphincters

Muscles that encircle and, by contracting, constrict a duct, tube, or opening. Examples are found within the rectum, bladder, and blood vessels.

Skeletal muscle

Muscle that is attached to bones and usually crosses at least one joint; striated, or voluntary, muscle.

Peristalsis

The wavelike contraction of smooth muscle by which the ureters or other tubular organs propel their contents.

Tendons

The fibrous connective tissue that attaches muscle to bone.

Voluntary muscle

Muscle that is under direct voluntary control of the brain and can be contracted or relaxed at will; skeletal, or striated, muscle.

Anaerobic metabolism

Metabolism that takes place in the absence of oxygen; the main by-product is lactic acid.

Aerobic metabolism

Metabolism that can proceed only in the presence of oxygen.

Triceps

The muscle in the back of the upper arm.

Biceps

The large muscle that covers the front of the humerus.

Involuntary muscle

The muscle over which a person has no conscious control. It is found in many automatic regulating systems of the body.

Cardiac Tamponade

Compression of the heart as the result of buildup of blood or other fluid in the pericardial sac, leading to decreased cardiac output.

Preload

The precontraction pressure in the heart as the volume of blood builds up.

Compensated Shock

The early stage of shock, in which the body can still compensate for blood loss.

Homeostasis

A balance of all systems of the body.

Neurogenic Shock

Circulatory failure caused by paralysis of the nerves that control the size of the blood vessels, leading to widespread dilation; seen in patients with spinal cord injuries.

Syncope

A fainting spell or transient loss of consciousness.

Anaphylactic Shock

Severe shock caused by an allergic reaction.

Sphincters

Muscles that encircle and, by contracting, constrict a duct, tube, or opening. Examples are found within the rectum, bladder, and blood vessels.

Hypothermia

A condition in which the internal body temperature falls below 95 degrees F (35 degrees C).

Aneurysm

A swelling or enlargement of the wall of a blood vessel that results from weakening of the vessel wall.

Psychogenic Shock

Shock caused by a sudden, temporary reduction in blood supply to the brain that causes fainting (syncope).

Sensitization

Developing a sensitivity to a substance that initially caused no allergic reaction.

Distributive Shock

A condition that occurs when there is widespread dilation of the small arterioles, small venules, or both.

Afterload

The force or resistance against which the heart pumps.

Cyanosis

A blue skin discoloration that is caused by a reduced level of oxygen in the blood. Although paleness, or a decrease in blood flow, can be difficult to detect in dark-skinned people, it may be observed by examining mucous membranes inside the inner lower eyelid and capillary refill. On general observation, the patient may appear ashen or gray.

Pulmonary embolism

A blood clot that breaks off from a large vein and travels to the blood vessels of the lung, causing obstruction of blood flow.

Hypovolemic Shock

A condition in which low blood volume, due to massive internal or external bleeding or extensive loss of body water, results in inadequate perfusion.

Cardiogenic Shock

A state in which not enough oxygen is delivered to the tissues of the body, caused by low output of blood from the heart. It can be a severe complication of a large acute myocardial infarction, as well as other conditions.

Pericardial effusion

A collection of fluid between the pericardial sac and the myocardium.