First Aid Terms

Abrasion

scraping of the outer skin layers (commonly called a scrape)

Amputation

when a body part is completely torn away

Anaphylaxis

life-threatening allergic reaction

Avulsion

injury in which a portion of the skin and sometimes other soft tissue is partially or completely torn away

Bandages

any material that is used to wrap or cover any part of the body

Burn

soft tissue injury that can damage the top layer of skin or the skin and the layers of fat, muscle, and bone; sources can be heat, chemicals, electricity or radiation; classified by depth

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation

the mouth-to-mouth method of artificial respiration, and heart massage by the exertion of pressure on the chest

Cerebrovascular accident

"stroke or brain attack" blood flow in the brain is disrupted by blockage or bleeding in the brain

Seizure

disruption of electrical activity in the brain causing loss of body control

Diabetic coma

is a medical emergency in which a person with diabetes mellitus is comatose (unconscious) because of one of the acute complications of diabetes

Diaphoresis

profuse perspiration artificially induced

Dislocation

movement of a bone at a joint away from its normal position

Dressing

pads placed directly on the wound to absorb blood and other fluids and to prevent infection (should be sterile)

Syncope

loss of consciousness resulting from insufficient blood flow to the brain; fainting

First aid

emergency care or treatment given to an ill or injured person before regular medical aid can be obtained

Fracture

complete break, chip, or crack in a bone

Frostbite

freezing of body parts exposed to the cold

Myocardial infarction

Medical name for heart attack

Heat cramps

painful muscle spasms and often the first signal that the body is having trouble with heat

Heat exhaustion

heat-related emergency associated with loss of fluids through sweating

Heat stroke

most severe heat emergency and develops when the body systems are overwhelmed by heat; life-threatening emergency

Hemorrhage

a copious discharge of blood from the blood vessels

Hypothermia

entire body cools due to body's inability to maintain temperature; body temperature <95 F (35 C)

Incision

a cut or wound of body tissue made especially in surgery

Infection

The invasion and multiplication of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites that are not normally present within the body.

Insulin shock

severe hypoglycemia that is associated with the presence of excessive insulin in the system and that if left untreated may result in convulsions and progressive development of coma

Laceration

cut in the skin caused by sharp object or blunt force injury

Poisoning

any substance that causes injury, illness or death if it enters the body

Puncture

injury to the skin caused by a pointed object piercing the skin

Shock

a condition in which the circulatory system fails to deliver oxygen-rich blood to the body's tissues and vital organs

Sprain

tearing of ligaments at a joint

Tetanus

a severe bacterial infection that affects the nervous system and causes muscle paralysis (can be fatal); can be caused by cut or puncture with an object that can carry an infection; immunization every 10 years or sooner if dirty injury

Wound

injury to soft tissue

CPR

Abbreviation for Cardiopulmonary resuscitation

CVA

Abbreviation for Cerebrovascular accident

Convulsion

Common term for seizures

Syncope

Medical term for fainting

Fx

Abbreviation for fracture

MI

Abbreviaiton for myocardial Infarction

AED

automated external defibrillator

Strain

over-stretching of a muscle