EMS Chapter 6

\_______ is the process of gas exchange.

Respiration
Residual volume
Diffusion
Ventilation

Respiration

Erythrocytes are responsible for carrying oxygen.
TrueFalse

T
Correct. Erythrocytes (or red blood cells) are responsible for carrying oxygen.

Blood replacement is the basic duty of the spleen.
TrueFalse

F
Correct. Filtering is the basic duty of the spleen.

Blood from the abdomen, pelvis, and lower extremities passes through the superior vena cava.
TrueFalse

F
Correct. Blood from the abdomen, pelvis, and lower extremities passes through the inferior vena cava. The superior vena cava carries blood returning from the head, neck, shoulders, and upper extremities.

The pulmonary artery begins at the right side of the heart and carries oxygen-depleted blood to the lungs.
TrueFalse

T
Correct. The pulmonary artery begins at the right side of the heart and carries oxygen-depleted blood to the lungs.

Stroke volume is the amount of blood moved in 1 minute.
TrueFalse

F
Correct. Cardiac output (CO) is the amount of blood moved in 1 minute. Stroke volume (SV) is the amount of blood moved in one beat.

The left side of the heart is a high-pressure pump that pumps blood to the body.
TrueFalse

T
Correct. The left side of the heart is a high-pressure pump that pumps blood to the body.

Pressure within the arteries when the heart is at rest is called what?

Systolic blood pressure
Diastolic blood pressure
Pulse pressure
Systemic vascular resistance

Diastolic blood pressure

Which of the following are the functional parts of the nervous system?

Autonomic
Central
Peripheral
Somatic

The autonomic (involuntary) and somatic (voluntary) nervous systems are functional components.

You arrive at the scene of an accident and observe the patient lying face-up on the ground. As you look at the front side of his body, which plane of the body are you observing?
Coronal
Midsagittal
Sagittal
Transverse

Coronal

After opening a patient's airway and confirming spontaneous respirations, you check for a pulse on his neck just lateral to the trachea. What artery are you palpating?
Radial
Carotid
Femoral
Brachial

The carotid artery is the major artery that supplies blood to the head and brain.

Which of the following substances is the main element that the bone cells use to create a hard and resilient structure?
Sodium
Potassium
Magnesium
Calcium

Calcium is a mineral that helps to build hard and resilient bone.

What is the proper name for the cheekbone?
Zygoma
Maxilla
Sphenoid
Mandible

Zygomas are the quadrangular bones of the cheek, articulating with the frontal bone, the maxillae, the zygomatic processes of the temporal bone, and the great wings of the sphenoid bone.

The elbow is an example of what type of joint?
Hinge
Ball-and-socket
Saddle
Immovable

The elbow is a hinge joint with motion restricted to flexion (bending) and extension (straightening).

What structure of the brain is responsible for the level of consciousness and maintenance of vital signs?
Frontal lobe
Limbic system
Brain stem
Occipital lobe

The brain stem is responsible for the level of consciousness and maintenance of vital signs.

Your patient's initial pulse rate was 89 beats/min and now it is 116 beats/min. What part of the nervous system is responsible for this increase?
Sympathetic
Parasympathetic
Somatic
Cerebellum

The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for the fight-or-flight response, which increases the activity within your body so that your muscles are able to perform more effectively. This includes an increased heart and respiratory rate.

What type of muscle is involved when you hear your stomach growling?
Skeletal muscle
Smooth muscle
Cardiac muscle
Voluntary muscle

Smooth muscle is found within blood vessels and intestines.

What do you call the amount of air that is moved into or out of the lungs during a single breath?
Inspiratory reserve volume
Residual volume
Minute volume
Tidal volume

Tidal volume is the amount of air moved into or out of lungs during a single breath.

You are treating a patient who has lost a significant amount of blood. Which type of shock is this patient most likely to experience?

Hypovolemic shock results from lack of blood volume.

Abdomen

The body cavity that contains the major organs of digestion and excretion. It is located below the diaphragm and above the pelvis.

Acetabulum

The depression on the lateral pelvis where its three component bones join, in which the femoral head fits snugly.

Adam's apple

A firm prominence of cartilage that forms the upper part of the larynx. It is more prominent in men than in women. Also called the thyroid cartilage.

Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)

The nucleotide involved in energy metabolism; used to store energy.

Adrenal Glands

Endocrine glands located on top of the kidneys that release adrenaline when stimulated by the sympathetic nervous system.

Adrenergic

Pertaining to nerves that release the neurotransmitter norepinephrine, or noradrenaline (such as adrenergic nerves, adreneergic response); also pertains to the receptors acted on by norepinephrine.

Aerobic Metabolism

Metabolism that can proceed only in the presence of oxygen.

Agonal Gasps

Abnormal breathing pattern characterized by slow, gasping breaths, sometimes seen in patients in cardiac arrest.

Alpha-Adrenergic Receptors

Portions of the nervous system that, when stimulated, can cause constriction of blood vessels.

Alveoli

The air sacs of the lungs in which the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place.

Anaerobic Metabolism

The metabolism that takes place in the absence of oxygen; the main by-product is lactic acid.

Anatomic Position

The position of reference in which the patient stands facing forward, arms at the side, with the palms of the hands forward.

Aorta

The main artery leaving the left side of the heart and carrying freshly oxygenated blood to the body.

Appendicular Skeleton

The portion of the skeletal system that comprises the arms, legs, pelvis, and shoulder girdle.

Appendix

A small tubular structure that is attached to the lower border of the cecum in the lower right quadrant of the abdomen.

Arterioles

The smallest branches of arteries leading the the vast network of capillaries.

Articular Cartilage

A pearly layer of specialized cartilage covering the articular surfaces (contact surfaces on the ends) of bones in synovial joints.

Atrium

One of the two upper chambers of the heart.

Autonomic Nervous System

The part of the nervous system that regulates functions, such as digestion and sweating, that are not controlled voluntarily.

Axial Skeleton

The part of the skeleton comprising the skull, spinal column, and rib cage.

Ball-and-Socket Joint

A joint that allows internal and external rotation, as well as bending.

Beta-Adrenergic Receptors

Portions of he nervous system that, when stimulated, can cause an increase in the force of contraction of the heart, an increased heart rate, and bronchial dilation.

Biceps

The large muscle that covers the front of the humerus.

Bile Ducts

The ducts that convey bile between the liver and the intestine.

Blood Pressure (BP)

The pressure that the blood exerts against the walls of the arteries as it passes through them.

Brachial Artery

The major vessel in the upper extremities that supplies blood to the arm.

Brain

The controlling organ of the body and center of consciousness; functions include perception, control of reactions the the environment, emotional responses, and judgement.

Brain Stem

The area of the brain between the spinal cord and the cerebrum, surrounded by the cerebellum; controls functions that are necessary for life, such as respiration.

Capillary Vessels

The tiny blood vessels between the arterioles and venules that permit transfer of oxygen, carbon dioxide nutrients, and waste between body tissues and the blood.

Cardiac Muscle

The heart muscle.

Cardiac Output (CO)

A measure of the volume of blood circulated by the heart in 1 minute, calculated by multiplying the stroke volume by the heart rate.

Carotid Artery

The major artery that supplies blood to the head and brain.

Cartilage

The smooth connective tissue that forms the support structure of the skeletal system and provides cushioning between bones; also forms the nasal septum and portions of the outer ear.

Cecum

The first part of the large intestine, into which the ileum opens.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

The brain and spinal cord.

Cerebellum

One of the three major subdivisions of the brain, sometimes called the "little brain"; coordinates the various activities of the brain, particularly fine body movements.

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

Fluid produced in the ventricles of the brain that flows in the subarachnoid space and bathes the meninges.

Cerebrum

The largest part of the three subdivisions of the brain, sometimes called the "gray matter"; made up of several lobes that control movement, hearing, balance, speech, visual perception, emotions, and personality.

Cervical Spine

The portion of the spinal column consisting of the first seven vertebrae that lie in the neck.

Chordae Tendineae

Thin bands of fibrous tissue that attach to the valves in the heart and prevent them from inverting.

Chyme

The substance that leaves the stomach. It is a combination of all of the eaten foods with added stomach acids.

Circulatory System

The complex arrangement of connected tubes, including the arteries, arterioles, capillaries, venules, and veins, that moves blood, oxygen, nutrients, carbon dioxide, and cellular waste throughout the body.

Clavicle

The collar bone; it is lateral to the sternum and anterior to the scapula.

Coccyx

The last three or four vertebrae of the spine; the tail bone.

Coronal Plane

An imaginary plane where the body is divided into front and back parts.

Cranium

The area of the head above the ears and eyes; the skull. The cranium contains the brain.

Cricoid Cartilage

A firm ridge of cartilage that forms the lower part of the larynx.

Cricothyroid Membrane

A thin sheet of fascia that connects the thyroid and cricoid cartilages that make up the larynx.

Dead Space

Any portion of the airway that does not contain air and cannot participate in gas exchange, such as the trachea and bronchi.

Dermis

The inner layer of the skin, containing hair follicles, sweat glands, nerve endings, and blood vessels.

Diaphragm

A muscular dome that forms the undersurface of the thorax, separating the chest from the abdominal cavity. Contraction of the diaphragm (and the chest wall muscles) brings air into the lungs. Relaxation allows air to be expelled from the lungs.

Diastole

The relaxation, or period of relaxation, of the heart, especially of the ventricles.

Diffusion

Movement of a gas from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.

Digestion

The processing of food that nourishes the individual cells of the body.

Dorsalis Pedis Artery

The artery on the anterior surface of the foot between the first and second metatarsals.

Endocrine System

The complex message and control system that integrates many body functions, including the release of hormones.

Enzymes

Substances designed to speed up the rate of specific biochemical reactions.

Epidermis

The outer layer of skin, which is made up of cells that are sealed together to form a watertight protective covering for the body.

Epiglottis

A thin, leaf-shaped valve that allows air to pass into the trachea but prevents food and liquid from entering.

Epinephrine

A hormone produced by the adrenal medulla that has a vital role in the function of the sympathetic nervous system.

Esophagus

A collapsible tube that extends from the pharynx to the stomach; muscle contraction propel food and liquids through it to the stomach.

Expiratory Reserve Volume

The amount of air that can be exhaled following a normal exhalation; average volume is about 1,200 mL in the average adult man.

Extension

The straightening of a joint.

Fallopian Tubes

Long, slender tubes that extend from the uterus to the region of the ovary on the same side and through which the ovum passes from the ovary to the uterus.

Femoral Artery

The major artery of the thigh, a continuation of the external iliac artery. It supplies blood to the lower abdominal wall, external genitalia, and legs. It can be palpated in the groin area.

Femoral Head

The proximal end of the femur, articulating with the acetabulum to form the hip joint.

Femur

The thighbone; the longest and one of the strongest bones in the body.

Flexion

The bending of a joint.

Foramen Magnum

A large opening at the base of the skull through which the brain connects to the spinal cord.

Frontal Bone

The portion of the cranium that forms the forehead.

Gallbladder

A sac on the undersurface of the liver that collects bile from the liver and discharges it into the duodenum through the common bile duct.

Genital System

The reproductive system in men and women.

Germinal Layer

The deepest layer of the epidermis where new skin cells are formed.

Greater trochanter

A bony prominence on the proximal lateral side of the thigh, just below the hip joint.

Hair Follicles

The small organs that produce hair.

Heart

A hollow, muscular organ that pumps blood throughout the body.

Heart Rate (HR)

The number of heartbeats during a specific time (usually 1 minute).

Hinge Joints

Joints that can bend and straighten but cannot rotate; they restrict motion to one plane.

Hormones

Substances formed in specialized organs or glands and carried to another organ or group of cells in the same organism. Hormones regulate many body functions, including metabolism, growth, and body temperature.

Humerus

The supporting bone of the upper arm.

Hydrostatic Pressure

The pressure of water against the walls of its container.