Pocket Prep Terms

Photopsia

Seeing flashes of light in the visual field when no external light stimulus is present; a symptom of retinal/optic pathway/brain issues.

APGAR score

Newborn assessment at 1 and 5 minutes after birth, scoring Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, and Respiration 0–2 each for a total of 0–10.

Bronchiolitis

Viral lower respiratory infection in infants/young children (usually ≤2 years, peak 2–6 months) causing inflammation and obstruction of bronchioles; RSV is most common cause.

Respiratory Distress — Pediatric Signs

Pediatric distress signs: increased RR (count 60 sec), retractions, nasal flaring, grunting, head bobbing, see‑saw breathing, stridor/wheezing, color change, behavior change.

NFPA 704 – The 0–4 Number Scale

NFPA 704 fire diamond numbers 0–4 show hazard severity: 0 = minimal/none, 4 = severe/extreme, in blue, red, yellow quadrants; white uses symbols, not numbers.

NFPA 704 – Diamond Colors & Special Symbols

NFPA 704 diamond: RED top = flammability, BLUE left = health, YELLOW right = instability/reactivity, WHITE bottom = special hazards/symbols.

JumpSTART (Pediatric MCI Triage)

Pediatric MCI triage for ~1–8 years using same RED/YELLOW/GREEN/BLACK colors as START; key change is giving apneic child with pulse 5 rescue breaths before tagging black.

START Triage — RPM Criteria (30-2-Can Do)

Adult MCI triage using Respirations, Perfusion, Mental status: >30 breaths/min or no breathing after airway = RED/BLACK; cap refill >2 sec or no radial pulse = RED; can’t follow commands = RED.

START Triage — Overview & Color Codes

Adult MCI triage system sorting patients rapidly into GREEN (minor), YELLOW (delayed), RED (immediate), BLACK (deceased/expectant) using walking ability and RPM checks.

Cardiac Tamponade

Fluid/blood in pericardial sac compressing heart so it can’t fill, dropping stroke volume and cardiac output; an obstructive shock often seen in chest trauma.

Myocardial Infarction (AMI)

Death of heart muscle from sudden coronary artery occlusion: plaque ruptures, thrombus forms, artery blocks, ischemia progresses to infarction; dead myocardium does not regenerate.

Atherosclerosis vs. Arteriosclerosis

Arteriosclerosis = general thickening/hardening of arteries; atherosclerosis = specific arteriosclerosis due to fatty/cholesterol plaque buildup in arterial walls.

Embolism (Embolus)

Embolus = object (often clot) that travels through bloodstream until lodging in smaller vessel; embolism = event of that object blocking flow.

Thrombosis (Thrombus)

Thrombus = clot that forms and stays attached to vessel wall; thrombosis = process of that stationary clot forming/growing and narrowing or blocking the vessel.

H’s and T’s (Reversible Causes of Cardiac Arrest)

Mnemonic for reversible cardiac arrest causes: H’s = hypovolemia, hypoxia, hydrogen ion (acidosis), hypo/hyperkalemia, hypothermia, (hypoglycemia); T’s = tension pneumo, tamponade, toxins, PE, MI.

Bradycardia

Adult heart rate less than 60 beats per minute.

Tachycardia

Adult heart rate greater than 100 beats per minute.

Carina

Cartilage ridge at bottom of trachea where it splits into right and left mainstem bronchi, around T4–T5; extremely sensitive and triggers strong cough reflex when irritated.

CPAP — Indications & Contraindications

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure for awake, spontaneously breathing patients in moderate–severe respiratory distress (classically CHF/pulmonary edema, also COPD/asthma/pneumonia/near‑drowning) who can follow commands.

Pulmonary Edema

Fluid leaking from lung capillaries into alveoli causing “drowning from inside”; most often from left‑sided heart failure/CHF; primarily a ventilation/diffusion problem.

Pulmonary Embolism (PE)

Traveling clot lodged in pulmonary artery blocking blood flow through lungs; usually from DVT; alveoli have air but blood can’t reach them, causing a perfusion problem.

Respiratory Distress — Adult Signs

Adult distress signs: tachypnea, accessory muscle use, retractions, nasal flaring, tripod position, one‑to‑two‑word dyspnea, abnormal sounds, tachycardia, anxiety, pale/cool/diaphoretic or cyanotic skin.

Retractions

Visible sinking of soft tissues between ribs, at neck, or below sternum during inspiration due to increased effort and negative pressure; hallmark of increased work of breathing.

Pleuritic

Sharp, stabbing chest pain that worsens with inspiration, coughing, or movement due to pleural inflammation/irritation (e.g., pleurisy, pneumonia, PE).

Wheezing

High‑pitched whistling sound, usually on exhalation, caused by narrowing of lower airways (bronchoconstriction) as in asthma or COPD.

Stridor

High‑pitched sound on inspiration indicating partial upper airway obstruction or swelling (e.g., croup, epiglottitis, anaphylaxis).

Agonal Respirations

Slow, gasping, irregular breaths occurring occasionally, sign of brain anoxia; often seen just before death or in cardiac arrest.

Minute Volume

Total air moved through lungs in one minute = tidal volume × respiratory rate.

Tidal Volume

Air moved in or out of lungs with one normal breath; average adult ≈ 500 mL or 5–7 mL/kg.

Cyanosis

Bluish‑gray discoloration of skin, nail beds, or mucous membranes from inadequate blood oxygenation; a late sign of hypoxia/respiratory or circulatory compromise.

Hypoxia

Inadequate oxygen reaching tissues/cells; early signs restlessness, anxiety, tachycardia; late signs cyanosis, altered mental status, bradycardia.

Melena

Black, tarry, sticky, foul‑smelling stool from digested blood, indicating upper GI bleeding (esophagus, stomach, duodenum).

Status Epilepticus

Single seizure ≥5 minutes or ≥2 seizures back‑to‑back without regaining consciousness between; requires urgent medication as prolonged seizures cause brain damage.

Pancreatitis

Inflammation of pancreas, often from gallstones or alcohol; severe upper abdominal pain with N/V and tenderness, worsens after eating and may radiate to back.

Cholecystitis

Gallbladder inflammation, usually from cystic duct blockage by gallstone; sudden, severe, constant RUQ/epigastric pain after fatty meal, lasting hours, radiating to right shoulder/scapula with N/V, fever, anorexia.

Ulcerative colitis

Chronic IBD causing inflammation and ulcers in colon/rectum; hallmark symptoms bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping, urgency.

Esophageal varices

Dilated, fragile veins in lower esophagus that can rupture causing massive upper GI bleeding; usually from portal hypertension due to liver disease (often cirrhosis from chronic alcohol use).

Epistaxis

Medical term for nosebleed; usually minor anterior bleeds but posterior bleeds can be severe and threaten airway/swallowing.

Malaise

General, vague feeling of discomfort or being “run down” that’s nonspecific and commonly associated with infections, fever, systemic illness.

Ureters

Two ~25‑cm muscular tubes using peristalsis to carry urine from each kidney to the bladder; retroperitoneal hollow organs.

Ulcerative colitis

Chronic inflammatory bowel disease affecting colon/rectum, causing bloody diarrhea, cramping, and urgency.

Dependent Lividity

Purple‑red discoloration from blood settling into lowest body areas after cardiac arrest; livor mortis/postmortem lividity, an obvious sign of irreversible death.

Sphygmomanometer — Proper Cuff Sizing

Blood pressure cuff should wrap arm 1–1.5 times and cover two‑thirds of distance from axilla to antecubital fossa, matching AHA bladder width ≈40% arm circumference and length ≈80%.

Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)

LOC scoring system 3–15 using Eye opening (4), Verbal response (5), Motor response (6).

AVPU Scale

Rapid LOC assessment: Alert, responds to Verbal, responds to Pain, Unresponsive.

Capillary Refill

Time for color to return after compression of capillaries (e.g., nail bed); normal <2 seconds.

Neurogenic Shock

Distributive shock from high spinal cord injury (≈T6 or above) knocking out sympathetic tone; vessels can’t constrict, HR doesn’t rise, causing hypotension with bradycardia/normal HR and warm, dry, flushed skin below injury.

Anaphylactic Shock

Distributive shock from severe rapid allergic reaction causing histamine‑mediated vasodilation, capillary leak, bronchospasm, airway swelling with hives, facial swelling, stridor/wheezing, hypotension, tachycardia.

Septic Shock

Distributive shock from severe systemic infection causing vasodilation and leaky capillaries, leading to hypotension, hot/red skin, tachycardia, fever or hypothermia, chills, diaphoresis, AMS plus infection source.

Distributive Shock (Overview)

Shock from widespread vasodilation (pipes too big) with low SVR; main EMS types are septic, anaphylactic, and neurogenic.

Obstructive Shock

Shock where heart is okay but blood flow is mechanically blocked: tension pneumothorax, cardiac tamponade, massive pulmonary embolism.

Cardiogenic Shock

Shock from pump failure (heart can’t pump effectively), usually large MI; signs include hypotension, cold/clammy skin, chest pain, dyspnea, pulmonary edema/JVD/leg edema.

Hypovolemic Shock

Shock from loss of blood/fluid volume (fluid failure) due to hemorrhage, GI bleed, vomiting/diarrhea, burns, dehydration; tachycardia, pale/cool/clammy skin, weak pulse, then falling BP.

Compensated vs Decompensated Shock

Compensated: tachycardia, vasoconstriction maintain BP (pale/cool/clammy, delayed cap refill, anxiety, normal BP); decompensated: compensation fails, BP falls, AMS, weak/absent pulses; irreversible: organ damage, imminent death.

Shock — Overview & The 4 Categories

Shock = inadequate tissue perfusion; categories: hypovolemic (fluid loss), cardiogenic (pump failure), obstructive (mechanical blockage), distributive (pipes too big).

Systemic vascular resistance

Resistance the heart pumps against in systemic circulation, mainly determined by arteriolar diameter; key determinant of blood pressure.

Hypovolemia

Decreased circulating blood/fluid volume that, when severe, leads to hypovolemic shock and poor tissue perfusion.

Hollow vs. Solid Abdominal Organs

Hollow organs (stomach, intestines, ureters, bladder, gallbladder) spill contents when injured; solid organs (liver, spleen, pancreas, kidneys) are highly vascular and bleed heavily when injured.

Inhalation Burn Signs (Airway Burns)

Airway burn red flags: soot around mouth/nose or in sputum, singed nasal/facial hair or facial burns, hoarseness/stridor/brassy cough, difficulty swallowing/drooling, burns to face/neck, history of entrapment in smoke‑filled space.

Thrombolytic therapy

Use of clot‑dissolving (fibrinolytic) drugs like tPA to break down clots in ischemic stroke, STEMI, or pulmonary embolism.

Autonomic Nervous System (Sympathetic vs Parasympathetic Pathways)

ANS controls involuntary functions via sympathetic “fight or flight” (epi/norepi, ↑HR, ↑BP, bronchodilation, ↓digestion) and parasympathetic “rest and digest” (vagus, acetylcholine, ↓HR/BP, ↑digestion)

Perfusion

Adequate circulation of blood through tissues/organs to meet cellular needs for oxygen/nutrients and waste removal.

Which tidal volume should be delivered to an adult using a BVM with supplemental oxygen?

Approximately 600 mL tidal volume for an adult BVM ventilation.

Neurovascular status

CMS/PMS: Circulation, Motor, Sensation / Pulse, Motor, Sensation.

Afterload

Resistance or pressure the ventricles must overcome to pump blood out of the heart; positive‑pressure ventilation can increase intrathoracic pressure and afterload, reducing effective circulation.

RICES mnemonic

Initial care for closed soft‑tissue injuries: Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation, Splinting/Support.

Hemophilia

Inherited bleeding disorder with deficient clotting factors, causing poor clot formation and prolonged bleeding.

Vesicants

Blistering chemical agents that damage skin, eyes, and respiratory tract (e.g., mustard agents).

Compartment syndrome

Limb‑threatening condition where pressure builds inside a closed muscle compartment, reducing blood flow and nerve function, risking ischemia and necrosis.

Pallor

Unusual paleness of the skin compared with the person’s normal color, often from poor perfusion or anemia.

Paresthesia

Abnormal sensation such as numbness, tingling, or “pins and needles.”

Primigravida

Woman who is pregnant for the first time.

Parenteral route

Medication given by a route other than the digestive tract, usually by injection or infusion (IM, IV, IO, SC).*

Vasovagal response

Reflex vagus nerve stimulation causing ↓HR and ↓BP, leading to dizziness, weakness, or syncope; common triggers include pain, fear, straining, or prolonged standing.

Hematuria

Presence of blood in the urine.

Hyperkalemia

Abnormally high potassium level in the blood; common in end‑stage renal disease because kidneys cannot excrete potassium adequately.

Pulse–BP rule (radial vs carotid)

Absence of radial pulse suggests SBP <90 mmHg; presence of carotid pulse suggests SBP at least ≈70 mmHg.

Preeclampsia

Pregnancy complication after ~20 weeks with new‑onset hypertension and proteinuria, risk for eclampsia and seizures.

Orthopnea

Shortness of breath when lying flat that improves when the patient sits or props up.

Ascites

Abnormal fluid accumulation in the peritoneal cavity causing abdominal distention.

Urticaria

Hives: raised, itchy, red welts on the skin, often allergic.

Capillary sphincters

Circular muscular walls that constrict/dilate to regulate blood flow through capillary beds.

Average adult blood volume

Approximately 5.5 L in adult males and 4.5 L in adult females (about 5–6 L total on average).collegedunia+1

Right mainstem bronchus

Wider, shorter, and more vertical than left bronchus, making it the most common site for aspirated foreign bodies.

Sinoatrial (SA) node

Heart’s natural pacemaker located in the right atrium; initiates electrical impulses that set heart rate.

Melena

Black, tarry stool caused by digested blood from upper GI bleeding as blood passes through the GI tract.

Emergency‑mode ambulance following distance

Recommended 4–5 second following distance to allow adequate reaction time and stopping distance.

JumpSTART pediatric triage

Pediatric MCI triage for children <~8 years or <~45 kg; apneic child with a pulse gets 5 rescue breaths before being tagged immediate (RED) or expectant (BLACK)

Alpha particle emitter

Radioactive material that releases large, heavy alpha particles with very low penetrating ability; mainly an internal hazard if ingested/inhaled.

Crush syndrome

Life‑threatening condition after prolonged (>≈4 hours) compression of large muscle mass, causing reperfusion release of toxins, myoglobin, and potassium leading to renal failure and shock.

Cheyne–Stokes respirations

Cyclic pattern where respirations gradually increase in depth, then decrease, followed by a period of apnea.

Vaso‑occlusive crisis (sickle cell)

In sickle cell disease, sickled RBCs clump and obstruct small capillaries, causing microvascular ischemia and severe pain in affected tissues.

Palpitations

Abnormal awareness of heartbeat, described as pounding, racing, fluttering, or skipping.

Atherosclerosis (exam definition)

Cholesterol and calcium plaque buildup inside arterial walls, narrowing the lumen and reducing vessel ability to dilate/contract; a common cause of CAD and MI.

Tracheostomy suction depth

When tube length is unknown, insert suction catheter no more than 1–2 inches into tracheostomy tube.

Pruritis

Itching of the skin.

Sympathomimetic misuse

Use or overdose of stimulant drugs (e.g., cocaine, methamphetamine) that overstimulate the sympathetic nervous system, causing tachycardia, hypertension, agitation, hyperthermia.

Barotrauma (ventilation)

Lung injury from excessive airway pressure during ventilation, causing alveolar rupture or pneumothorax.

Trauma triad of death

Hypothermia, coagulopathy, and acidosis commonly seen together in severe trauma, worsening bleeding and mortality risk.

Purkinje fibers

Fine terminal conduction fibers that carry electrical impulses throughout ventricular myocardium for coordinated contraction.