EMT 16-24

acute coronary syndrome (ACS)

A group of symptoms caused by myocardial ischemia; includes angina and myocardial infarction.

acute myocardial infarction (AMI)

A heart attack; death of heart muscle following obstruction of blood flow to it. “Acute” means new or happening right now.

angina pectoris

Transient (short-lived) chest discomfort caused by partial or temporary blockage of blood flow to the heart muscle; also called angina.

anterior

The front surface of the body; the side facing you in the standard anatomic position.

aorta

The main artery that receives blood from the left ventricle and delivers it to all the other arteries that carry blood to the tissues of the body.

aortic aneurysm

A weakness in the wall of the aorta that makes it susceptible to rupture.

aortic valve

The one-way valve between the left ventricle and the aorta that prevents blood from flowing back into the left ventricle after ejection.

artifact

A tracing on an ECG caused by interference, such as patient movement, rather than the heart’s electrical activity.

asystole

The complete absence of all heart electrical activity.

atherosclerosis

A disorder in which cholesterol and calcium build up inside blood vessel walls, eventually causing partial or complete blockage of blood flow.

atrium

One of the two upper chambers of the heart.

automaticity

The ability of cardiac muscle cells to contract without stimulation from the nervous system.

autonomic nervous system

The part of the nervous system that controls involuntary activities such as heart rate, blood pressure, and digestion.

bradycardia

A slow heart rate, less than 60 beats/min.

cardiac arrest

When the heart fails to generate effective and detectable blood flow; pulses are not palpable.

cardiac output

The volume of blood circulated by the heart in 1 minute; calculated by multiplying stroke volume by heart rate.

cardiogenic shock

A state in which insufficient oxygen is delivered to tissues because of low blood output from the heart.

congestive heart failure (CHF)

A disorder in which the heart loses part of its ability to effectively pump blood, usually causing fluid to back up into the lungs.

coronary arteries

Blood vessels that carry blood and nutrients to the heart muscle.

defibrillate

To shock a fibrillating heart with specialized electrical current in an attempt to restore a normal, rhythmic beat.

dependent edema

Swelling in the part of the body closest to the ground caused by fluid collecting in the tissues; a possible sign of congestive heart failure.

dilation

Widening of a tubular structure such as a coronary artery.

dissecting aneurysm

A condition in which the inner layers of an artery, such as the aorta, separate, allowing blood to flow between the layers.

dysrhythmia

An irregular or abnormal heart rhythm.

hypertensive emergency

An emergency situation caused by excessively high blood pressure that can lead to serious complications such as stroke or aneurysm.

infarction

Death of body tissue, usually caused by interruption of its blood supply.

inferior

Below a body part or nearer to the feet.

ischemia

A lack of oxygen that deprives tissues of necessary nutrients due to partial or complete blockage of blood flow; potentially reversible.

lumen

The inside diameter of an artery or other hollow structure.

myocardium

The heart muscle.

occlusion

A blockage, usually of a tubular structure such as a blood vessel.

parasympathetic nervous system

The part of the autonomic nervous system that controls vegetative functions such as digestion and relaxation.

perfusion

The circulation of oxygenated blood within an organ or tissue in adequate amounts to meet the cells’ needs.

posterior

The back surface of the body; the side away from you in the standard anatomic position.

return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC)

The return of a pulse and effective blood flow to the body in a patient who was previously in cardiac arrest.

stroke volume

The volume of blood ejected with each ventricular contraction.

superior

Above a body part or nearer to the head.

sympathetic nervous system

The part of the autonomic nervous system that controls active functions such as responding to fear; also known as the fight-or-flight system.

syncope

A fainting spell or transient loss of consciousness.

tachycardia

A rapid heart rate, more than 100 beats/min.

thromboembolism

A blood clot that has formed within a blood vessel and is floating within the bloodstream.

ventricle

One of the two lower chambers of the heart.

ventricular fibrillation

Disorganized, ineffective quivering of the ventricles, resulting in no blood flow and cardiac arrest.

ventricular tachycardia

A rapid heart rhythm in which the electrical impulse begins in the ventricle instead of the atria, which may cause inadequate blood flow and eventually deteriorate into cardiac arrest.

acute abdomen

A condition of sudden onset of pain within the abdomen, usually indicating peritonitis; immediate medical or surgical treatment is necessary.

appendicitis

Inflammation or infection of the appendix.

cholecystitis

Inflammation of the gallbladder.

cystitis

Inflammation of the bladder.

diverticulitis

Inflammation in small pockets at weak areas in the muscle walls of the intestines.

emesis

Vomiting.

gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

A condition in which the sphincter between the esophagus and stomach opens, allowing stomach acid to move into the esophagus, usually causing a burning sensation in the chest; also called acid reflux.

guarding

Involuntary muscle contractions (spasm) of the abdominal wall; an effort to protect the inflamed abdomen.

hematemesis

Vomiting blood.

hernia

The protrusion of an organ or tissue through an abnormal body opening.

ileus

Paralysis of the bowel that stops contractions moving material through the intestine.

kidney stones

Solid crystalline masses formed in the kidney from an excess of insoluble salts or uric acid crystallizing in the urine; may become trapped anywhere along the urinary tract.

melena

Black, foul-smelling, tarry stool containing digested blood.

pancreatitis

Inflammation of the pancreas.

peritoneum

The membrane lining the abdominal cavity and covering the abdominal organs.

peritonitis

Inflammation of the peritoneum.

referred pain

Pain felt in an area of the body other than where the cause of the pain is located.

strangulation

Complete obstruction of blood circulation in an organ caused by compression or entrapment; an emergency that can cause tissue death.

uremia

Severe kidney failure resulting in buildup of waste products in the blood; eventually impairing brain function.

urinary tract infection (UTI)

An infection, usually of the lower urinary tract (urethra and bladder), that occurs when normal flora bacteria enter the urethra and grow.

acidosis

The buildup of excess acid in the blood or body tissues that can result from a primary illness.

diabetes mellitus

A metabolic disorder in which the ability to metabolize carbohydrates (sugars) is impaired, usually because of a lack of insulin.

diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)

A form of hyperglycemia in uncontrolled diabetes in which certain acids accumulate when insulin is not available.

endocrine glands

Glands that secrete or release chemicals that are used inside the body.

endocrine system

The complex message and control system that integrates many body functions, including the release of hormones.

glucose

One of the basic sugars; it is the primary fuel, in conjunction with oxygen, for cellular metabolism.

hematology

The study and prevention of blood-related disorders.

hemophilia

A hereditary condition in which the patient lacks one or more of the blood’s normal clotting factors.

hormones

Substances formed in specialized organs or glands and carried to another organ or group of cells in the same organism; they regulate many body functions, including metabolism, growth, and body temperature.

hyperglycemia

An abnormally high blood glucose level.

hyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketotic syndrome (HHNS)

A life-threatening condition resulting from high blood glucose that typically occurs in older adults and causes altered mental status, dehydration, and organ damage.

hypoglycemia

An abnormally low blood glucose level.

insulin

A hormone produced by the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas that enables glucose in the blood to enter cells; used in synthetic form to treat and control diabetes mellitus.

Kussmaul respirations

Deep, rapid breathing; usually the result of an accumulation of certain acids when insulin is not available in the body.

polydipsia

Excessive thirst that persists for long periods despite reasonable fluid intake; often the result of excessive urination.

polyphagia

Excessive eating; in diabetes, the inability to use glucose properly can cause a sense of hunger.

polyuria

The passage of an unusually large volume of urine in a given period; in diabetes, this can result from the wasting of glucose in the urine.

sickle cell disease

A hereditary disease that causes normal, round red blood cells to become oblong, or sickle shaped.

symptomatic hyperglycemia

A state of unconsciousness resulting from several problems, including ketoacidosis, dehydration because of excessive urination, and hyperglycemia.

symptomatic hypoglycemia

Severe hypoglycemia resulting in changes in mental status.

thrombophilia

A tendency toward the development of blood clots as a result of an abnormality of the system of coagulation.

thrombosis

A blood clot, either in the arterial or venous system.

type 1 diabetes

An autoimmune disorder in which the individual’s immune system produces antibodies to the pancreatic beta cells, so the pancreas cannot produce insulin; onset in early childhood is common.

type 2 diabetes

A condition in which insulin resistance develops in response to increased blood glucose levels; can be managed by exercise and diet modification, but is often managed by medications.

vasoocclusive crisis

Ischemia and pain caused by sickle-shaped red blood cells that obstruct blood flow to a portion of the body.

allergen

A substance that causes an allergic reaction.

allergic reaction

The body’s exaggerated immune response to an internal or surface agent.

anaphylaxis

An extreme, life-threatening, systemic allergic reaction that may include shock and respiratory failure.

angioedema

Localized areas of swelling beneath the skin, often around the eyes and lips, but can also involve other body areas.

envenomation

The act of injecting venom.

epinephrine

A substance produced by the body (commonly called adrenaline), and a drug produced by pharmaceutical companies that increases pulse rate and blood pressure; the drug of choice for an anaphylactic reaction.

histamines

Chemical substances released by the immune system in allergic reactions that are responsible for many symptoms of anaphylaxis, such as vasodilation.

immune response

The body’s response to a substance perceived by the body as foreign.

immune system

The body system that includes all of the structures and processes designed to mount a defense against foreign substances and disease-causing agents.

immunology

The study of the body’s immune system.

leukotrienes

Chemical substances that contribute to anaphylaxis; released by the immune system in allergic reactions.