Lesson 5 - Medical termonolgy

What is an AED used for?

Cardiac emergencies; it can analyze rhythm and deliver a shock when indicated.

What is a jump bag?

A portable kit containing general-use EMS supplies; sometimes called a first-in bag.

What is an airway bag?

A portable kit containing supplies specifically for airway management.

What is the difference between electrodes and defibrillation pads?

Electrodes are smaller adhesive pads used for ECG monitoring; defibrillation pads are used with an AED or cardiac monitor to deliver electrical therapy.

What is a nasal atomizer?

A device used to administer certain medications through the nose.

What medication is commonly administered with a nasal atomizer by EMTs?

Narcan.

In EMS, what does 'monitor' usually refer to?

The cardiac monitor.

What can a cardiac monitor be used for besides ECGs according to the lesson?

Automated blood pressures and ETCO2 readings.

What does IV mean?

Intravenous; directly into a vein.

What does IM mean?

Intramuscular; into a muscle.

What does SQ mean?

Subcutaneous; under the skin.

What does PO mean?

By mouth.

What does IN mean?

Intranasal; through the nose.

What is a contraindication?

A reason not to use a medication.

What is a side effect?

An unintended consequence of a medication.

What does MOI stand for?

Mechanism of Injury.

Why is mechanism of injury important in trauma care?

It helps anticipate potential injuries.

What is blunt trauma?

Trauma caused by force without an object penetrating the body.

What is penetrating trauma?

Trauma in which an object penetrates the body.

What is a pneumothorax?

Air in the chest cavity.

What is a tension pneumothorax?

A life-threatening buildup of air in the chest that compromises breathing and circulation.

What is a hemothorax?

Blood in the chest cavity.

What is compartment syndrome?

Increased pressure within a muscle compartment.

What does the 'Golden Hour' refer to?

The critical first hour after a traumatic injury.

What does HPI stand for?

History of Present Illness.

What is the HPI?

Details about the history of the patient's current problem.

What does AMA mean in EMS documentation?

Against Medical Advice; used when a patient refuses recommended care.

What does DNR stand for?

Do Not Resuscitate.

What does a DNR indicate?

The patient does not want resuscitation if their heart stops.

What is a POLST form?

A form providing more detailed medical orders for end-of-life care.

What does LOC stand for?

Level of consciousness.

What does SOB stand for?

Shortness of breath.

What does N/V/D stand for?

Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

What does BGL stand for?

Blood glucose level.

What does MAP stand for?

Mean arterial pressure.

What does TBI stand for?

Traumatic brain injury.

A medication is given directly into a vein. What route is this?

IV.

A medication is injected into a muscle. What route is this?

IM.

A medication is given under the skin. What route is this?

SQ.

A medication is taken by mouth. What route is this?

PO.

A medication is delivered through the nose. What route is this?

IN.

A patient has a reason that makes a medication unsafe or inappropriate. What is this called?

A contraindication.

What term describes the strength of a medication?

Concentration.

What term describes how much medication is given?

Dose.

A trauma patient has air in the chest cavity. What is this called?

Pneumothorax.

A trauma patient has blood in the chest cavity. What is this called?

Hemothorax.

A pneumothorax progresses and begins compromising breathing and circulation. What is this called?

Tension pneumothorax.

What documentation term identifies why the patient called EMS?

Chief complaint.

What documentation section explains the history of the current problem?

HPI.

A patient refuses recommended treatment or transport. What abbreviation may be used?

AMA.

A patient has an order indicating they do not want resuscitation if their heart stops. What is this?

DNR.

Which form can provide more detailed end-of-life treatment instructions than a DNR alone?

POLST.

During a radio report, what does LOC refer to?

Level of consciousness.

During a radio report, what does SOB mean?

Shortness of breath.

During a radio report, what does N/V/D mean?

Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

During a radio report, what does MAP refer to?

Mean arterial pressure.

During a radio report, what does TBI refer to?

Traumatic brain injury.

Which adhesive pads are used for ECG monitoring?

Electrodes.

Which adhesive pads are used to deliver electrical therapy with an AED or cardiac monitor?

Defibrillation pads.

What is the general-use portable EMS supply bag sometimes called?

A jump bag or first-in bag.

Which portable EMS bag is specifically intended for airway management?

The airway bag.