EMT Exam 1 – Comprehensive Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering legal concepts, EMS systems, medical terminology, anatomy, pharmacology, communication, wellness, and shock for EMT Exam 1 review.

Duty to Act

The legal obligation for an on-duty EMT to provide care when responding to an emergency.

Refusal of Medical Assistance (RMA)

A patient’s legally documented refusal of care after demonstrating decision-making capacity and signing a refusal form.

Patient Care Report (PCR)

A legal document recording patient demographics, assessment, treatments, and disposition; excludes opinions and unprofessional comments.

Scope of Practice

The procedures and medical actions EMTs are legally permitted to perform based on training and certification.

Expressed Consent

Permission for care given verbally or by clear affirmative action from a competent patient.

Implied Consent

Assumed permission to treat an unconscious or incapacitated patient in an emergency.

Involuntary Consent

Consent authorized by law for mentally incompetent patients, certain minors, or those in custody.

HIPAA

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act; mandates protection of patient health information and confidentiality.

Do Not Resuscitate (DNR)

A signed medical order directing providers not to perform CPR or advanced resuscitation.

Negligence

Failure to provide the standard of care, resulting in patient harm; proven by duty, breach, damages, and causation.

Breach of Duty

An EMT’s failure to meet the accepted standard of care after a duty to act has been established.

Licensure

State authorization confirming an EMS provider meets minimum competency standards to practice.

Certification

Recognition (often national) that an individual has met predetermined knowledge and skill requirements.

Medical Director

A physician who oversees EMS protocols, quality of care, and provides online/offline medical direction.

Dispatcher

A trained 911 communications professional who gathers information and deploys EMS resources.

Quality Assurance (QA)

Systematic monitoring of EMS performance to ensure compliance with established standards.

Quality Improvement (QI)

Ongoing process that reviews data and implements changes to enhance patient care and system efficiency.

Continuing Medical Education (CME)

Ongoing training required to maintain EMT knowledge, skills, and licensure.

Online Medical Direction

Real-time physician guidance to field providers via phone or radio when protocols are insufficient.

Anatomical Position

Standing erect, facing forward, arms at sides, palms forward; reference for anatomical terms.

Anterior (Ventral)

Toward the front of the body.

Posterior (Dorsal)

Toward the back of the body.

Superior

Above or toward the head.

Inferior

Below or toward the feet.

Medial

Toward the midline of the body.

Lateral

Away from the midline of the body.

Proximal

Closer to the point of attachment or origin.

Distal

Farther from the point of attachment or origin.

Superficial

Toward or on the surface of the body.

Deep

Farther inside the body, away from the surface.

Prefix "Brady-"

Slow (e.g., bradycardia: slow heart rate).

Prefix "Tachy-"

Fast (e.g., tachypnea: rapid breathing).

Prefix "Hyper-"

Excessive or above normal (e.g., hypertension).

Prefix "Hypo-"

Below normal or deficient (e.g., hypoglycemia).

Prefix "Poly-"

Many or much (e.g., polyuria).

Prefix "Inter-"

Between (e.g., intercostal).

Prefix "Sub-"

Below or under (e.g., subcutaneous).

Suffix "-itis"

Inflammation (e.g., appendicitis).

Suffix "-algia"

Pain (e.g., neuralgia).

Suffix "-emia"

Blood condition (e.g., anemia).

Suffix "-ectomy"

Surgical removal (e.g., appendectomy).

Suffix "-pathy"

Disease or disorder (e.g., neuropathy).

Suffix "-logy"

Study of (e.g., cardiology).

Edema

Swelling caused by excess fluid in tissues.

Dyspnea

Difficulty or labored breathing.

Syncope

Transient loss of consciousness; fainting.

Cyanosis

Bluish discoloration of skin or mucosa due to low oxygen levels.

Hematemesis

Vomiting blood.

Hematuria

Blood in the urine.

Tachycardia

Rapid heart rate above normal limits.

Hypotension

Low blood pressure.

Hypertension

High blood pressure.

Fracture

A broken bone.

Laceration

A cut or tear in the skin or tissue.

BP

Blood pressure abbreviation.

HR

Heart rate abbreviation.

RR

Respiratory rate abbreviation.

LOC

Level of consciousness abbreviation.

CPR

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation abbreviation.

AED

Automated external defibrillator abbreviation.

BVM

Bag-valve mask abbreviation for manual ventilation device.

O2

Oxygen abbreviation.

IV

Intravenous abbreviation.

NPO

Nothing by mouth abbreviation.

Rx

Prescription abbreviation.

SOB

Shortness of breath abbreviation.

N/V

Nausea and vomiting abbreviation.

PPE

Personal Protective Equipment used to prevent exposure to hazards.

BSI

Body Substance Isolation; infection-control practice using PPE and hygiene.

Kübler-Ross Stages of Grief

Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance sequence experienced after loss.

Stress (EMT context)

Physical or emotional response to demands; can lead to burnout if unmanaged.

Burnout

Exhaustion and reduced motivation from chronic workplace stress.

Verbal Communication

Spoken words, tone, and pace used to convey information.

Nonverbal Communication

Body language, facial expressions, and gestures that convey meaning.

Active Listening

Fully focusing, understanding, and responding to a speaker with feedback.

Passive Listening

Hearing without fully engaging or responding.

Open-ended Question

Invites detailed responses; cannot be answered with yes/no.

Closed-ended Question

Seeks specific information; usually answered yes/no.

FCC

Federal Communications Commission; regulates EMS radio communications.

Skeletal System

Body system providing support, protection, movement, and blood cell production.

Muscular System

Body system responsible for movement, posture, and heat generation.

Respiratory System

Body system facilitating oxygen intake and carbon dioxide elimination.

Cardiovascular System

Body system delivering blood, nutrients, and oxygen throughout the body.

Digestive System

Body system that breaks down food and absorbs nutrients.

Urinary System

Body system that removes waste and regulates fluid balance.

Nervous System

Body system controlling functions and enabling communication via nerves.

Endocrine System

Hormone-producing glands regulating body processes.

Integumentary System

Skin, hair, nails; protects body and helps regulate temperature.

Immune/Lymphatic System

Defends against infection and maintains fluid balance.

Reproductive System

Organs involved in producing offspring.

Long Bone

Elongated bone (e.g., femur) providing support and movement.

Short Bone

Cube-shaped bone (e.g., carpals) providing stability and movement.

Flat Bone

Thin, flat bone (e.g., sternum) protecting organs and anchoring muscles.

Irregular Bone

Bone with complex shape (e.g., vertebra) for specialized functions.

Ligament

Fibrous tissue connecting bone to bone.

Tendon

Fibrous tissue connecting muscle to bone.

Cartilage

Flexible connective tissue cushioning joints and structures.

Fascia

Fibrous tissue enveloping muscles and organs.

Solid Organ

Dense, blood-rich organ such as liver or spleen.

Hollow Organ

Organ with a cavity, such as stomach or bladder.