Vocabulary

Abandonment

EMT leaves patient without their consent
Care has been transferred to another care provider of lower standards

Acidosis

Buildup of excess acid

Addominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)

The wall of the aorta in the abdomen weaken and blood leaks into the layers of the vessel causing it to bulge

Active compression-decompression CPR

Compressing and pulling the chest back up
Could increase the amount of blood that returns to the heart

Abduction

Motion of a limb away from the midline

Activities of daily living (ADL)

Activities a person does during a normal day

Abrasion

Damage caused by body parts rubbing/scraping across a surface

Abruptio placentae

Premature separation of the placenta from the wall of the uterus

Absorption

Process of medication traveling through the body tissue to the bloodstream

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS)

Group of symptoms caused by myocardial ischemia; includes angina and myocardial infarction

Accessory muscles

Secondary muscles of respiration

• Neck muscles (Sternocleidomastoids)

• Chest pectoralis major muscles

• abdominal muscles

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI)

“New” or “happening currently” Death of heart muscles caused by obstruction of blood flow

Addiction

The state of overwhelming desire or need of a substance

Adduction

Motion of a limb towards the midline

Agonist

A medication that causes stimulation of receptors

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)

Nucleotide involved in enegry metabolism; used to store energy

Adolescent

A person age 12 to 18 years

Airborne transmission

The spread of an organism via droplets or dust

Air embolism

Air in the veins, which can lead to cardiac arrest if it enters the heart.

Airway

Upper airway tract; passage above the larynx

• Nose

• Mouth

• Throat

Algor mortis

Cooling of the body after death until it matches the ambient temperature

Advanced directive

Written documentation that specifies medical treament for a patient when they are unable to make a decision

A.k.a: Living will or health care directive

Allergen

A substance that causes an allergic reaction

Alpha-adrenergic receptors

Portions of the nervous system when situmulated causes constriction of blood vessels

Adventitous breath sounds

Abnormal breathing sounds

• Wheezing

• Stridor

• Rhonchi

• Crackles

Alpha radiation

A type of energy that is emitted from radiologic sources. Least harmful type of radiation. Cannot travel more than a few inches or penetrate most objects

Allergic reaction

Body’s exaggerated immune response to an allergen

Adverse effects

Any unwanted clinical results of a medication

Altered mental status

A change in the way a person thinks and behaves

Aerosol-generating procedure

Any airway manipulation that induces the production of aerosols that presents a risk for airborne transmission of pathogens, such as CPR

Alveolar mintue volume

Volume of air moved through the lungs in 1 minute minus the dead space

Calculated by multiplying tidal volume (minus dead space) and respiratory rate

Afterload

Pressure or resistance the heaert has to overcome to eject blood

Alveolar ventilation

Volume of air that reaches the alveoli

Determined by subtracting the amount of dead space air from te tidal volume

agonal gasps

Abnormal breathing pattern characterized by slow, gasping breaths

Ambient temperature

The temperature of the surrounding environment

Anterograde (posttraumatic) amnesia

Inability to remember events after an injury

Anthrax

Disease caused by deadly bacterium

Amniotic sac

Fluid-filled, baglike membrane where the fetus develops

Antibiotic

Medication used to treat infection caused by bacterium

Amputation

An injury where a part of the body is completely severed

Anticoagulant

Medication that impairs the ability of blood to clot

Anaerobic metabolism

Metabolism that takes place in the absence of oxygen

Main by-product is lactic acid

Antidote

A substance that is used to neutralize or counteract a poison

Anaphylactic shock

Severe shock caused by an allergic reaction

Antidote Treatment Nerve Agent (ATNAA)

Nerve agent antidote kit containing

• atropine

• pralidoxime chloride

Delivered as a signle dose through one needle

Anaphylaxis

A extreme, life-threatening, systemic allergic reaction

May include shock and respiratory failure

Antifungal

Medication used to treat infections caused by a fungus

Anatomic position

Position of reference in which the patient

• stands facing foward

• arms at the side

• with palms of the hands forward

Antiplatelet

Medication that prevents blood platelets from clumping or sticking together

Anatomy

The study of the physical structure of the body

Antipyretics

Medication that treat or reduces fever

Anemic

Condition where a patient has to little red blood cells

Results in a decreased ability to carry oxygen throughout the body

Antivenin

A serum that counteracts the effects of venom from an animal or insect

Aneurysm

A swelling of the wall of a blood vessel

Results from weakening of the vessel wall

Aortic aneurysm

Weakness in the wall of the aorta

Susceptible to rupture

Angina pectoris

Transient chest discomfort

caused by partial or temporary blockage of blood flow to the heart muscle

AKA angina

Angioedema

Localized areas of swelling beneath the skin

Often around the eyes and lips

Apex (Plural apices

Pointed extermity of a conical structure

Anisocoria

Naturally occurring uneven pupil size

Apgar score

Scoring system for assessing the staus of a newborn

Antagonist

Medication that binds to a receptor and blocks other medication

aphasia

Inability to understand and/or produce speach

Anterior:

Front surface of the body

Apnea

Absence of spontaneous breathing

Apneic oxygenation

Technique in which oxygen administered via a high-flow nasal cannula is left in place during an intubation attempt, allows continuous oxygen delivery into the airway during all phases of the procedure

Apparent life-threatening event (ALTE)

An event that causes unresponsiveness, cyanosis, and apnea in an infant, who then resumes breathing with stimulation

Appendicitis

Inflammation or infection of the appendix

Appendicular skeleton

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

Arterial air embolism

Air bubbles in the arterial blood vessels

Arterioles

Smallest branches of arteris leading to the vast network of capillaries

Arteriosclerosis

Disease that causes the arteries to thicken, harden, and calcify

Artery

A blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart

Articular cartilage

Specialized cartilage covering contact surfaces on the ends of bones in synovial joints

Artifact

Tracing on an electrocardiogram that is the result of interference

Ascites

Abnormal accumulation of excess fluid in the peritoneal cavity

Aspiration

The introduction of vomitus or forgien material into the lungs

Aspirin (Acetyisalicylic acid or ASA)

• Atipyretic (reduces fever)

• Analgesic (reduces pain)

• Anti-inflammatory

• Potent inhibitor of platelet aggregation

Assault

Unlawfully placing a patient in fear of bodily harm

Asthma

An acute spasm of bronchioles (smaller air passages), associated with:

• excessive mucus production and with

• swelling of the mucous lining

Asystole

Complete absence of all heart electrical activity

Ataxic respirations

Irrgular, ineffective respirations that may or may not have an identifiable pattern

Atelectasis

Collapse of the alveolar air spaces of the lungs

Atherosclerosis

Cholesterol and calcium build up inside the blood vessels forming plaque. Eventually leads to partial or complete blockage of blood flow.

Atrium

One of the two upper chambers of the heart

Aura

Sensation experienced before a seizure

Auscultate

Listen to sounds within an organ with a stethoscope

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

Group of complex disorders of the brain development, characterized by difficulties in:

• Social interaction

• Repetitive behaviors

• Verbal and nonverbal communiation

Automated external defibrillator (AED)

A device that:

• Detects treatable life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias (Ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia)

• Delivers the appropriate electrical shock to the patient

Automaticity

Ability of cardiac muscle cells to contract without simulation from the nervous system

Automatic transport ventilator (ATV)

A ventilation device allows a set amount of ventilation to be performed. It frees the EMT to perform other tasks while the patient is being ventilated

Autonomic nervous system

Part of the nervous system that controls involunatry activities of the body

• Heart rate

• Blood pressure

• Digestion of food

AVPU scale

Method of assessing the level of consciousness by determining whether the patient is awake and alert, respovsive to verbal stimuli or pain, or unresponsive

Avuslsion

An injury in which soft tissue is torn completely loose or is hanging as a flap

Axial loading injuries

Injuries in which load is applied along the vertical axis of the spine

Ex: falling from a height and landing on the feet in an upright position

Axial skeleton

Part of the skeleton comprising the

• Skull

• Vertebral column

• Rib cage

Axons

Extensions of a neuron that carry impulses away from the nerve cell body to the dendrites (Receivers) of another neurons

Backboard (AKA spine board, trauma board, longboard)

A flat board used to provide support to a patient who is suspected of having

• Hip

• Pelvic

• Spinal

• Lower extermity injury

Bacterial vaginosis

An overgrowth of bacteria in the vagina; characterized by itching, burning, or pain, and a possible “fishy” smell

Bag-mask device

Device with a one-way valve and a face mask attached to a ventilation bag; when attaached to a reservoir and contracted to oxygen, delivers more than 90% supplemental oxygen

Ball-and-socket joint

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