Emergency Medical Care Review: Cardiovascular, Endocrine, Hematologic, Gastrointestinal, Urologic, and Neurologic Emergencies

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, pathophysiology, and clinical definitions across emergency medical topics including cardiovascular, endocrine, hematologic, gastrointestinal, urologic, and neurologic emergencies.

Sinoatrial (SA) Node

The primary intrinsic pacemaker of the heart, located in the high right atrium, where electrical impulses originate spontaneously.

Automaticity

The unique intrinsic property of myocardial cells allowing them to generate spontaneous electrical impulses and contract independently without external neural stimulation.

Cardiac Output Formula

The mathematical equation defining cardiac output as $\text{Cardiac Output} = \text{Heart Rate} \times \text{Stroke Volume}$.

Left Anterior Descending (LAD) Artery

A major branch of the left coronary artery that supplies oxygenated blood to the anterior wall of the left ventricle and the interventricular septum.

Atherosclerosis

A progressive inflammatory disease characterized by lipid, cholesterol, and calcium deposition within the arterial intima, forming atheromatous plaques that narrow the vascular lumen.

Angina Pectoris

Transient myocardial ischemia occurring when myocardial oxygen demand temporarily exceeds coronary oxygen supply, typically lasting between $3\text{ to }8\,\text{minutes}$.

Ventricular Fibrillation (V-Fib)

A disorganized, chaotic quivering of the ventricles resulting in zero functional cardiac output and immediate loss of consciousness.

Cardiogenic Shock

Severe impairment of cardiac pumping capability resulting in systemic hypoperfusion, most commonly occurring in extensive myocardial infarctions involving over $40\%$ of the left ventricle.

Aortic Dissection

A condition where high-pressure blood tears through the internal aortic intima, creating a false lumen between structural layers of the aorta and presenting with sudden tearing chest pain.

Aspirin (Acetylsalicylic Acid)

An antiplatelet agent administered in total doses of $162\,\text{mg}\text{ to }324\,\text{mg}$ that prevents blood platelets from aggregating to reduce coronary clot growth.

Diabetes Mellitus Type 1

An autoimmune disorder in which antibodies destroy pancreatic beta cells, preventing insulin production and requiring daily exogenous insulin administration.

Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)

A life-threatening metabolic state in Type 1 diabetes characterized by blood glucose levels greater than $400\,\text{mg/dL}$, ketone accumulation, Kussmaul respirations, and severe abdominal pain.

Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic Nonketotic Syndrome (HHNS)

A life-threatening metabolic state occurring in uncontrolled Type 2 diabetes characterized by extreme hyperglycemia, severe systemic dehydration from osmotic diuresis, and altered mental status without significant ketoacidosis.

Symptomatic Hypoglycemia

An acute medical emergency caused by a precipitous drop in blood glucose levels, presenting with rapid onset, altered mental status, cool, pale, diaphoretic skin, and tachycardia.

AEIOU-TIPS

A diagnostic mnemonic used to recall underlying causes of altered mental status: Alcohol, Epilepsy/Endocrine/Electrolytes, Insulin, Opiates/Overdose, Uremia, Trauma/Temperature, Infection, Psychogenic/Poisons, Shock/Stroke/Space-occupying lesion.

Sickle Cell Disease

An inherited autosomal recessive blood disorder characterized by abnormal hemoglobin S, causing red blood cells to assume a rigid, sickle shape that obstructs microvascular beds during a vasoocclusive crisis.

Hemophilia A

An inherited bleeding disorder caused by a deficiency in Factor VIII, which impairs the clotting cascade and dramatically reduces the body's ability to form blood clots after injury.

Thrombophilia

An inherited or acquired hypercoagulable state characterized by an abnormal disruption of smooth blood flow and high concentrations of clotting factors leading to spontaneous thrombus formation.

Parietal Peritoneum

The membrane lining the outer walls of the abdominal cavity, innervated by somatic nerves that allow precise localization of painful stimuli.

Visceral Peritoneum

The direct lining covering the surface of abdominal organs, innervated by the autonomic nervous system, resulting in dull, deep, and poorly localized pain perception.

Referred Pain

Pain perceived in cutaneous or distant anatomical regions away from the affected organ due to shared spinal cord pathways between somatic and autonomic nerve networks.

Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD)

Erosion of the protective mucosal layer in the stomach or duodenum, primarily caused by Helicobacter pylori infection or chronic NSAID use.

Cholecystitis

Inflammation of the gallbladder resulting from gallstone obstruction, presenting with severe right upper quadrant pain that frequently refers to the right upper back or shoulder.

Appendicitis

Inflammation or infection of the appendix presenting initially as dull, diffuse periumbilical pain that later localizes to the right lower quadrant with rebound tenderness.

Esophageal Varices

Increased blood pressure in the veins surrounding the esophagus secondary to portal hypertension, which can rupture to cause severe epigastric pain, bright red hematemesis, and rapid hypovolemic shock.

Diverticulitis

Inflammation or bacterial infection of mucosal bulges (diverticula) in the colonic wall caused by trapped fecal matter, presenting with localized left lower quadrant abdominal pain.

Strangulated Hernia

A surgical emergency occurring when protruded organ tissue is trapped and compressed, cutting off arterial and venous blood supply to the tissue.

Cerebrum

The largest portion of the brain, divided into left and right hemispheres that control sensory and motor functions on the contralateral side of the body.

Cerebellum

The brain structure located inferior and posterior to the cerebrum that coordinates complex motor activities, posture, balance, and fine muscle movement.

Ischemic Stroke

A cerebrovascular accident accounting for $87\%$ of all stroke cases, caused by acute vascular occlusion due to a thrombosis or embolus.

Hemorrhagic Stroke

A cerebrovascular accident accounting for $13\%$ of all stroke cases, occurring when a weakened cerebral blood vessel ruptures and bleeds into brain tissue or surrounding spaces.

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)

Temporary focal brain ischemia causing stroke-like symptoms that resolve completely within $24\,\text{hours}$ without permanent structural damage.

Left Hemisphere Stroke

A stroke located in the left cerebral hemisphere that typically causes right-sided motor deficits (hemiplegia/hemiparesis) and aphasia.

Cushing's Triad

A triad of physiological indicators signalling significantly increased intracranial pressure, consisting of bradycardia, irregular respirations, and marked hypertension.

Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizure

A seizure involving widespread abnormal electrical discharges across both cerebral hemispheres, characterized by immediate loss of consciousness, alternating muscle rigidity and clonic contractions, and a subsequent postictal state.

Status Epilepticus

Continuous seizure activity lasting longer than $30\,\text{minutes}$, or recurrent seizures occurring in rapid succession without full recovery of consciousness between episodes.

Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale (CPSS)

A standardized prehospital stroke screening tool evaluating three key physical signs: Facial Droop, Arm Drift, and Abnormal Speech.