EMS Ops

What is the importance of medical terminology for healthcare professionals?

It is vital for understanding, sharing patient information, establishing credibility, documenting encounters, and passing tests.

From which languages is medical terminology derived?

Greek and Latin.

What is the origin of medical terms that describe diseases?

They originate from Greek.

What is the origin of anatomical descriptors in medical terminology?

They come from Latin.

What are eponyms in medical terminology?

Terms derived from the names of individuals, such as 'Alzheimer's Disease' from Dr. Alois Alzheimer.

What are the four main components of medical terms?

Prefixes, root words, suffixes, and combining vowels.

What is a prefix in medical terminology?

One or more syllables found at the beginning of a word, before the root word.

What does the prefix 'ab-' mean?

'Away from.'

What is a root word in medical terminology?

The foundation or building block of the medical term.

What does the root word 'cardio-' refer to?

Heart.

What is a suffix in medical terminology?

A part that appears at the end of a word, often describing a patient's condition or diagnosis.

What does the suffix '-itis' indicate?

Inflammation.

What does the term 'bronchitis' consist of?

Root word 'bronchi' and suffix '-itis' (inflammation).

What does the suffix '-logy' mean?

'Study of.'

What does the root word 'hepato-' refer to?

Liver.

What are combining vowels in medical terminology?

Vowels that make medical terms easier to pronounce, most often 'o', 'a', and 'i.'

What is the role of combining vowels?

To facilitate pronunciation of medical terms.

What is the significance of understanding medical terminology for paramedics?

It enables effective communication and documentation in patient care.

What is the role of prefixes in medical terminology?

They modify the meaning of the root word.

What does the term 'pulmonology' refer to?

The study of the pulmonary system.

What is the purpose of the EMS Operations Study Guide?

To provide standardized procedures and knowledge for EMS professionals.

What should be checked regarding medication dosages in the study guide?

Local protocols and program's preferred dosages.

What is the disclaimer regarding the procedures in the study guide?

They should only be performed by appropriately licensed, certified, and trained personnel.

What is the significance of the copyright notice in the study guide?

It protects the material from unauthorized reproduction and use.

What is the role of the authors Adam Peddicord and Brandon Schoborg?

Co-founders of Pass with PASS, LLC, with extensive experience in EMS education and operations.

What is the plural form of 'vertebra'?

Vertebrae

How is the plural of 'appendix' formed?

Change 'ex' to 'ices' to form 'appendices'.

What is the plural of 'diagnosis'?

Diagnoses

How do you pluralize 'meningitis'?

Drop the 's' and add 'des' to form 'meningitides'.

What is the plural of 'larynx'?

Larynges

How is 'ganglion' pluralized?

Drop 'on' and add 'a' to form 'ganglia'.

What is the plural form of 'diverticulum'?

Diverticula

How do you pluralize 'alveolus'?

Change 'us' to 'i' to form 'alveoli'.

What does 'anterior' mean in anatomical terms?

Towards the front

What is the meaning of 'posterior'?

Towards the back

What does 'superior' refer to in anatomy?

Above

What is the definition of 'inferior'?

Below

What does 'superficial' mean?

Near the surface

What is the meaning of 'medial'?

Inside (towards the body)

What does 'lateral' refer to?

Outside (away from the body)

What does 'proximal' mean?

Near the center of the body or point of attachment

What is the definition of 'distal'?

Away from the center of the body or point of attachment

What does 'supine' mean?

Lying on back

What is the meaning of 'prone'?

Lying on stomach

What is 'adduction' in terms of limb movement?

Movement of a limb toward the midline of the body

What does 'abduction' refer to?

Movement of a limb away from the midline of the body

What is 'flexion'?

The act of bending a joint

What does 'extension' mean?

Straightening of a joint

What is the suffix for an alpha blocker?

-zosin

What suffix indicates a beta blocker?

-lol

What does the suffix '-pril' signify?

ACE inhibitor

What does '-statin' refer to?

Lipid lowering drug

What suffix indicates a thrombolytic?

-ase, -plase

What does '-parin' signify?

Anticoagulant

What does the suffix '-sone' indicate?

Corticosteroid

What does '-cillin' refer to?

Penicillin antibiotic

What does '-micin, -mycin' indicate?

Aminoglycoside antibiotic

What is the definition of 'legal'?

Established by the law-making bodies of government

What are 'ethics'?

Principles of conduct identified by members of a group or profession

What are 'morals'?

Individual's assessment of right and wrong

What is 'legislation'?

Law made by legislative branches of government

What is 'administrative law'?

Regulations developed by a government authority that have the force and effect of law

What is 'common law'?

Case law or judge law derived from society's acceptance of customs or norms

What is 'criminal law'?

Designed to protect society; government prosecutes people for violating law

What is 'civil law'?

Tort law dealing with private complaints brought by the plaintiff against the defendant

What is 'scope of practice'?

Range of duties and skills an EMT or Paramedic is allowed and expected to perform

What is the role of a medical director?

Oversees the medical practice of the paramedic and has authority to withdraw credentials

What does the Ryan White Act require?

Emergency responders must be advised if they have been exposed to certain infectious diseases

What are 'Good Samaritan laws'?

Help protect those who are helping others in emergencies

What is 'negligence'?

Failure to act as a reasonable, prudent paramedic would act in similar circumstances

What are the four elements required to prove negligence?

1. Duty to act existed 2. Deviation from standard of care 3. Damage occurred 4. Breach was proximate cause

What must happen for the Duty to Act to end?

1. Patient care is transferred to another qualified healthcare worker. 2. It is clear the patient no longer needs assistance. 3. The patient terminates the caregiver relationship.

Define malfeasance.

Performing a wrongful or unlawful act.

What is misfeasance?

Performing a legal act in a harmful or injurious manner.

What does nonfeasance refer to?

Failure to perform a required act or duty.

What constitutes defamation?

A statement made about a person's character or behavior that is untrue or made without legal privilege.

What is libel?

False statements about a person made in writing or through mass media with malicious intent.

Define slander.

False verbal statements about a person made with malicious intent.

What is vicarious liability?

Liability that arises from an employer-employee relationship where the employer is liable for the negligent actions of an employee.

What are borrowed servants?

A legal doctrine referring to a servant who serves two masters, creating potential liability for both.

What does breach of duty mean?

Deviation from the standard of care.

What is abandonment in a medical context?

Improper termination of care or transferring care to unqualified personnel.

Define false imprisonment.

Intentional and unjustifiable detention of a person.

What is assault in a medical context?

Creation of apprehension or fear; threatening to restrain a patient.

What constitutes battery?

Physical contact without consent or legal cause.

How many vehicle crashes involving ambulances occur each year?

Estimated 4,500.

Where do 43-53% of ambulance crashes occur?

In intersections where an ambulance proceeds against a red light.

What governs Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) orders?

State law.

What must be present for a DNR to be valid?

It must be completely filled out and signed, and present at the time of resuscitation.

When can resuscitation be withheld?

When CPR would risk harm to the rescuer, obvious signs of clinical death are present, or in trauma patients with injuries incompatible with life.

What does the Federal Communications Commission do?

Develops rules and regulations for the use of radio equipment and frequencies.

What are the two main radio frequency bands used in EMS?

Ultrahigh Frequency (UHF) and Very High Frequency (VHF).

What is the role of base stations in EMS communications?

They are fixed positions with powerful antennas for communication.

What is the range of mobile transceivers?

About 10 to 15 miles.

What is the purpose of a repeater in radio communications?

To increase the range of radio signals by boosting or retransmitting them.

What are simplex transmissions?

Transmit and receive on the same frequency but cannot do both simultaneously.

What are duplex transmissions?

Simultaneous two-way communications using two frequencies for each channel.

Who usually oversees EMS standards?

State governments.

What does NFPA 1917 refer to?

The Standard for Automotive Ambulances.

What is the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services (CAAS)?

An organization providing voluntary 'gold standard' for EMS operations.