EMS 150L VOCAB/ INFO (WEEK 2)

What is AAA?

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Meaning of AAA

 An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a bulge in the lower part of the aorta, the main artery supplying blood to the abdomen, pelvis, and legs, which can lead to life-threatening complications if it ruptures.

What is Abd?

Abdomen An abdomen

Meaning of Abd

 (also belly or stomach) is the front part of the torso between the thorax (chest) and pelvis

What is AED?

Automatic External Defibrillator

Meaning of AED

 A device that can diagnose and treat life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias with electricity

What is ALS?

Advanced Life Support

Meaning of ALS

 A set of emergency medical interventions used to treat cardiac arrest, severe breathing failure, and other immediately life-threatening conditions.

What is AMA?

Against Medical Advice

Meaning of AMA

 A documentation term where a patient leaves the hospital, refuses treatment, refuses ambulance, etc. against medical advice.

What is AMS?

Altered Mental Status

Meaning of AMS

 A condition causes changes in consciousness and symptoms that can affect many organ systems, often caused by certain illnesses, chronic disorders and injuries that affect brain function.

What is the age for Adolescents/Adults?

12+ years

What is the expected range for Heart Rate for adolescents/adults?

60-100 bpm

What is the expected range for Respiratory Rate for adolescents/adults?

12-20 rpm

What is the expected range for Systolic pressure for adolescents/adults?

90-120 mmHg

What is the expected range for Diastolic pressure for adolescents/adults?

60-80 mmHg

What is Blood Pressure?

The force of blood against the walls of the arteries

Blood Pressure measured as?

It is recorded as two numbers: systolic pressure (the pressure when the heart beats, aka contracts) over diastolic pressure (the pressure when the heart is at rest/relax).

What is systolic pressure?

The pressure when the heart beats, aka contracts

What are Vital Signs?

Clinical measurements that indicate the state of a patient's essential bodily functions. They are critical in assessing a patient's overall health and detecting any acute medical problems.

Primary Vital Signs

The primary vital signs include blood pressure, pulse/HR, and respiratory rate.

What are Korotkoff sounds?

The sounds that medical personnel listen for when they are taking blood pressure using a non-invasive procedure.

What is diastolic pressure?

The pressure when the heart is at rest/relaxed

What is a pulse/heart rate?

The number of heartbeats per minute.

Where are some palpable pulse locations?

Radial Pulse, Brachial Pulse, Carotid Pulse, Femoral Pulse, Popliteal Pulse Dorsalis, Pedis Pulse Posterior, Tibial Pulse

How do you assess a Pulse?

QR2 Quality: strong, weak, bounding, thready, etc. Rate: fast, normal, slow Rhythm: irregular, regular