Unit 3 ATRN 7000 Exam Vocabulary

Angina

Pain in the chest caused by a lack of sufficient blood and oxygen to the heart

Cardiac Compromise

A general term used to describe specific signs and symptoms that indicate some type of emergency relating to the heart

Conduction pathway

The route of electrical impulse within the heart

Heart failure

a condition that develops when the heart is unable to pump blood efficiently, causing a backup of blood and other fluids within the circulatory system. Also, may be referred to as cognitive heart failure

Asthma

A condition affecting the lungs, characterized by narrowing of the air passages and wheezing

Bronchitis

A condition of the lungs characterized by inflammation of the bronchial airways and mucus formation; a form of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD)

Chronic Obstruction Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

A general term used to describe a group of lung diseases that commonly cause respiratory distress and shortness of breath

Cyanosis

The bluish discoloration of the tissues caused by a lack of sufficient oxygen in the blood

Emphysema

A progressive condition of the lungs characterized by destruction of the alveoli; a form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Hypercarbia

An abnormally high level of carbon dioxide in the blood

Hyperventilation

A temporary condition characterized by uncontrolled, rapid, deep breathing that is usually self-correcting; often caused by an anxiety but may have more serious causes as well

Stridor

A high-pitched sound, typically on inspiration, caused by swelling or spasms of the larynx. Also refreeed to as crowing

Tripod position

A body position characterized by the person sitting foward with hands on knees

Wheezing

A course whistling sound often heard in the lungs when a patient with respiratory compromise exhales. May also be heard on inspiration.

Altered mental status

A state characterized by a decreased in the patient’s alertness and responsiveness to their surroundings

Anaphylaxis

Severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction

Behavioral emergency

A situation in which an individual exhibits abnormal behavior that in unacceptable to intolerable to the patient, family, or community

Clonic muscle activity

Violent jerking of the muscles during a generalized seizure

Convulsions

Uncontrolled muscular contractions

Diabetes

Usually refers to diabetes mellitus, a disease that prevents individuals from producing enough insulin or from using insulin appropriately

Epilepsy

A disorder of the brain that causes seizures

Febrile seizure

Seizure in a young child triggered by a fever

Generalized seizure

A type of seizure characterized by a loss of consciousness and full body muscle contractions

Hemodialysis

The process of mechanically filtering the blood to remove waste and excess fluid

Hyperglycemia

An abnormally high blood-sugar level

Hypoglycemia

An abnormally low blood-sugar level

Overdose

An incident that occurs when a person takes in more of a medication that is perscribed

Partical seizure

A seizure characterized by a temporary loss of awareness

Postictal

The phase of a seizure following convulations

Sepsis

A generalized infection of the body

Status epilepticus

A life-threatening condition that occurs when a person has very long seizures or seizures that occur in quick succession

Stroke

A condition that occurs when an area of the brain does not receive an adequate supply of blood

Tonic muscle activity

Stiffening of the muscles during a generalized seizure, most evident in the arms and legs

Conduction

The loss of body heat through direct contact with another object or the ground

Convection

The loss of body heat when air that is close to the skin moves away, taking body heat with it

Core temperature

The temperature in the core of the body. Typically, 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit or 37 degrees Celsius

Drowning

A process resulting in respiratory impairment from submersion in water or other liquids

Evaporation

The loss of body heat through the evaporation of moisture in the form of sweat on the skin

Heat cramps

A common term for muscle cramps in the lower limbs and abdomen associated with the loss of fluids and electrolytes while active in a hot environment

Heat exhaustion

Prolonged exposure to heat, which creates moist, pale skin that may feel normal or cool to the touch

Heat stroke

Prolonged exposure to heat, which creates dry or moist skin that may feel warm or hot to the touch

Hyperthermia

An increase in body core temperature above it’s normal temperature

Hypothermia

Abnormally low core body temperature

Radiation

Loss of body heat to the atmosphere or nearby objects without physical contact

Amputation

The cutting or tearing off of a body part

Artery

A vessel that carries blood away from the heart, typically carring oxygenated blood

Avulsion

The tearing loose of skin or other soft tissues

Bandage

A device used to secure a dressing in place on the body, typically made of cloth or similar material

Blunt trauma

Injury to the body caused by impact with large objects or surfaces; non-penetrating trauma

Capillary

The smallest of the body’s blood vessels

Dressing

Material used to cover an open wound, typically made of absorbent gauze that my be sterile or non-sterile

Hemostatic dressing

A dressing that has been treated with a specialized chemical that when placed onto a wound promoted clotting

Multisystem trauma

Trauma to the body that affects multiple organ systems

Penetrating trauma

Injury to the body caused by an object that punctures the skin

Tourniquet

A device used to cut off all blood supply past the point of appliation

Vein

A vessel that returns blood to the heart, typically carrying deoxygenated blood

Anaphylactic shock

A severe allergic reaction characterized by altered mental status, low blood pressure, and difficulty breathing; a form of distributive shock. Also called anaphylaxis

Cardiogenic shock

A form of shock caused when the heart is unable to pump blood efficiently

Compensated shock

The condition in which the body is using specific mechanisms, such as increased pulse rate and increased breathing rate, to compensate for a lack of adequate perfusion

Decompensated shock

The condition in which the body is no longer able to compensate for a lack of adequate perfusion

Hemorrhagic shock

A form of hypovolemic shock that occurs when the body loses a significant amount of blood

Hypotension

Abnormally low blood-sugar level

Hypovolemic shock

A category of shock caused by an abnormally low fluid volume (blood or plasma) in the body

Neurogenic shock

A form of distributive shock, resulting from spinal cord injury

Psychogenic shock

A form of distributive shock that results in a sudden, temporaty dilation of blood vessels

Pericardial temponade

Accumulation of fluid in the ac surrounding the heart, restricting the heart’s ability to expand and contract

Pulmonary embolism

Blockage of an artery in the lungs

Septic shock

A form of distributive shock caused by a widespread infection

Tension pneumothorax

The restriction of breathing and circulation due to a buildup of air pressure in the pleural space

Angulated

Refers to an injured limb that is deformed and out of normal alignment

Closed fracture

A broken bone that does not have an associated break in the outer layers of the skin

Cravat

A triangular bandage that is folded to a width of three or four inches; used to tie dressings and splints in place

Dislocation

The pulling or pushing of a bone end partially or completely free of a joint

Fracture

A bone that is broken, chipped, cracked, or splintered

Manual stabilization

The process of restricting the movement of an injured person or limb with one’s hand

Open fracture

A broken bone with an associated break in the outer layers of the skin

Position of function

Refers to a hand or foot; the neutral position of the body at rest

Sling

A large, triangular bandage or cloth device that is used to immobilize an elbow and support the forearm

Splint

Any device that is used to immobilize an injured extremity

Sprain

A partial or complete tearing of the ligaments and tendons that support a joint

Strain

The overstretching or tearing of a muscle

Swathe

A large cravat used to secure a sling or splint to the body

Central nervous system

Composed of the brain and spinal cord; responsible for voluntary and involuntary control of all bodily functions

Concussion

Type of traumatic brain injury that causes temporary loss of normal brain function

Cranium

The skull

Distracting injury

Any injury to the body that may be preventing the patient from realizing pain in the neck or spine

Paralysis

Loss of ability to move and sometimes loss of sensation (ability to feel)

Peripheral nervous system

Nerves that extend from the spinal cord throughout the body; transmits signals between the brain and the rest of the body

Spinal motion restriction (SMR)

Practice of using alternative methods for spinal immobilization based on MOI and patient presentation

Traumatic brain injury (TBI)

Brain injury that occurs when a sudden, external force damages one or more areas of the brain

Aortic dissection

A tear in the aorta’s inner wall

Closed chest injury

An injury to the chest that is not associated with an open wound

Diaphragm

The primary muscle used in breathing; the structure that divided the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity

Distention

Swelling of the abdomen

Evisceration

An open wound of the abdomen characterized by protrusion of the intestines through the abdominal wall

Flail chest

A chest injury characterized by two or more adjacent ribs that are broken in two or more places

Hemothorax

Blood in the pleural space

Kidney stone

Small, pebble-like formations created from high level of minerals in urine

Mediastinum

A structure that divides the two halves of the chest cavity and contains the heart, trachea, esophagus, vena cava, and aorta

Occlusive dressing

A dressing that will not allow air to pass through. Also called non-permeable dressing