Emergency Medical Services Review

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to emergency medical services, including roles, procedures, and medical conditions.

Emergency Medical Responder

The first trained person to arrive on scene, providing basic life-saving care until EMS arrives.

Emergency Medical Technician

A licensed prehospital provider trained to assess and treat patients with basic life support (BLS) skills.

Standing Orders

Pre-approved medical protocols that allow EMTs to perform certain treatments without contacting medical control first.

Expressed Consent

Patient verbally or in writing agrees to treatment.

Implied Consent

Assumed consent for unconscious/unresponsive patients who cannot speak for themselves.

Sucking Reflex

An involuntary reflex in newborns where they suck when something touches the roof of their mouth.

Superior and Inferior Vena Cava

Vessels that carry oxygen-poor blood to the right atrium.

Voluntary Muscles

Muscles that are consciously controlled, such as arms and legs.

Involuntary Muscles

Muscles that are not consciously controlled, such as intestines and heart.

Sympathetic Nervous System

Part of the nervous system that releases epinephrine during a fight or flight response.

Medulla Oblongata

The part of the brain responsible for respiratory control.

Activated Charcoal

A powder made from charred wood, given to conscious poisoning patients to bind to toxins.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

A chronic lung disease characterized by airflow obstruction and difficulty breathing.

Recovery Position

The left lateral recumbent position used to keep the airway clear.

Nonrebreather Mask

Oxygen delivery device used for patients needing high-concentration oxygen.

Bag-Valve Mask (BVM)

Device used to provide positive pressure ventilation to a patient who is not breathing adequately.

Chief Complaint

The patient's primary reason for calling EMS, expressed in their own words.

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)

A temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain, often a warning sign of a stroke.

Epinephrine

A sympathomimetic drug that helps in anaphylaxis, causing bronchodilation and increased heart rate.

Nitroglycerin Contraindications

Conditions that prevent the use of nitroglycerin including low blood pressure and recent use of PDE5 inhibitors.

Aortic Aneurysm

A bulge in the wall of the aorta, often described as tearing or ripping pain.

Toxin

A poisonous substance produced by living organisms that causes harm when introduced to the body.

Pneumonia

An infection that causes inflammation and fluid in the alveoli of the lungs.

Cholecystitis

Inflammation of the gallbladder, usually due to gallstones.

Traction Splint

A device that stabilizes a mid-shaft femur fracture by applying longitudinal pull.

START Triage Guidelines

A method for triaging patients based on urgency: Immediate (Red), Delayed (Yellow), Minor (Green), Expectant (Black).