Medical Exam

Influenza

• Definition: A respiratory infection spread through direct contact and respiratory droplets.

• Important info: Support ABCs, give oxygen if the patient is in respiratory distress or hypoxic, and use appropriate PPE/infection-control precautions. Higher-risk groups in your notes include the very young, very old, immunocompromised patients, and people with chronic conditions.

• Recognizable features: Fever + cough + runny nose + chills + lethargy.

HIV

• Definition: A virus that attacks the immune system.

• Important info: Early infection may cause flu-like symptoms 2–4 weeks after exposure. Chronic infection may last for years. EMTs should follow standard precautions, especially around blood exposure.

• Recognizable features: Early flu-like illness + progressive weakening of the immune system.

AIDS

• Definition: The advanced illness caused by HIV after severe damage to the immune system.

• Important info: Normal infections can become much more dangerous because immune defenses are severely weakened.

• Recognizable features: Known HIV + severe immune suppression + increased susceptibility to infection.

Hepatitis

• Definition: Inflammation of the liver.

• Important info: Hepatitis A spreads fecal-orally. B, C, and D can spread through blood/body fluids. Support ABCs, treat symptoms, and transport.

• Recognizable features: Early: vomiting, fever, fatigue, muscle aches. Late: jaundice + dark urine + RUQ pain.

Meningitis

• Definition: Inflammation of the coverings around the brain and spinal cord.

• Important info: Your notes say onset can be quick, about 12–24 hours. Risk is higher in people living in close quarters such as jails or dorms.

• Recognizable features: Fever + headache + stiff neck + altered mental status.

TB

• Definition: A chronic mycobacterial respiratory disease.

• Important info: Use oxygen as indicated and an N95/HEPA mask for respiratory TB exposure.

• Recognizable features: Cough + bloody sputum + night sweats + weight loss + fever.

Measles

• Definition: A contagious viral illness spread through respiratory droplets.

• Important info: It may be infectious before symptoms appear. Your notes say it can remain on surfaces for about 2 hours.

• Recognizable features: High fever + Koplik spots + rash beginning around forehead/behind ears and spreading.

Ebola

• Definition: A viral hemorrhagic fever.

• Important info: Spread through direct contact/body fluids. Strict PPE and infection-control precautions are important.

• Recognizable features: Fever + chills + severe headache + fatigue + rash/spots + loss of appetite + hiccups + bloodshot eyes.

MRSA

• Definition: Bacteria that are resistant to many antibiotics.

• Important info: Spread through contact. Prevention includes hygiene, gloves, cleaning equipment, infection control, and covering wounds when appropriate.

• Recognizable features: Painful pus-filled skin infection that can spread to the blood or lungs.

Anemia

• Definition: A condition in which the body lacks enough red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to tissues.

• Important info: Your notes mention iron deficiency as one cause.

• Recognizable features: Fatigue + pallor + cold skin + dizziness + headache + SOB ± chest pain.

Sickle Cell Disease

• Definition: A chronic blood disorder that reduces oxygen-carrying ability and can restrict blood flow.

• Important info: Restricted blood flow can affect organs; enlarged spleen is listed as a complication.

• Recognizable features: Severe joint pain or abdominal pain + signs of reduced oxygen delivery.

Thrombosis

• Definition: Formation of a blood clot inside a blood vessel.

• Important info: The danger depends on where the clot blocks blood flow.

• Recognizable features: Think: “clot inside a vessel.”

Thrombophilia

• Definition: A tendency to develop blood clots that do not break down properly.

• Important info: These patients have increased clotting risk.

• Recognizable features: Think: “patient clots too easily.”

Hemophilia

• Definition: An impaired ability to form blood clots.

• Important info: These patients have a higher bleeding risk.

• Recognizable features: Bleeding that is harder to stop or more concerning than expected

Hemorrhagic Stroke

• Definition: A stroke caused by rupture of a blood vessel in the brain, producing intracranial bleeding.

• Important info: Perform stroke assessment, check BGL, determine last known well, monitor for deterioration/seizures, and rapidly transport to a stroke center.

• Recognizable features: Facial droop + aphasia + one-sided weakness + severe headache ± decreased LOC.

Ischemic Stroke

• Definition: A stroke caused by blockage of blood flow to the brain from a clot or plaque.

• Important info: This is the majority of strokes in your notes. Determine last known well and ask about anticoagulants.

• Recognizable features: Facial droop + arm weakness + abnormal speech = FAST findings.

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)

• Definition: A temporary interruption of cerebral blood flow causing stroke-like symptoms that resolve.

• Important info: It is a warning stroke and the patient still needs hospital evaluation.

• Recognizable features: Stroke symptoms that go away.

FAST

• Definition: A rapid stroke-recognition assessment.

• Important info: Used to identify common stroke deficits quickly.

• Recognizable features: Face droop + Arm weakness + Speech difficulty + Time matters.

Last Known Well

• Definition: The last time a stroke patient was known to be neurologically normal.

• Important info: Critical in determining eligibility/timing of definitive stroke treatment.

  • 3 hours- good outcomes with medication

  • 4.5 hours- favorable outcomes

  • >4.5 hours- risks may outweigh benefits

• Recognizable features: Any stroke question should make you ask, “When were they last normal?”

Syncope

• Definition: Brief loss of consciousness caused by temporary reduction of blood flow/oxygen to the brain.

• Important info: Your notes say it lasts about 2–30 seconds with rapid return to alert/oriented status.

• Recognizable features: Brief fainting + quickly returns to normal.

Seizure

• Definition: Abnormal, uncoordinated electrical activity in the brain.

• Important info: A seizure is a symptom, so look for the underlying cause. Protect the patient from injury and never put anything in the mouth.

• Recognizable features: Abnormal movements/neurologic activity followed by possible postictal confusion.

Generalized Seizure

• Definition: A seizure involving the whole body, usually with tonic-clonic movements and loss of consciousness.

• Important info: Protect the patient from injury and allow the seizure to run its course.

• Recognizable features: Whole-body shaking + unconsciousness.

Focal Seizure

• Definition: Seizure activity involving one area of the body; the patient may remain conscious.

• Important info: Do not try to forcefully stop the movements.

• Recognizable features: Isolated twitching while patient may still be conscious.

Absence Seizure

• Definition: A brief alteration in awareness without major whole-body convulsions.

• Important info: Can be much less dramatic than a generalized seizure.

• Recognizable features: Brief staring or altered awareness.

Status Epilepticus

• Definition: Prolonged or repeated seizure activity without adequate recovery between seizures.

• Important info: Airway management and oxygen if hypoxic are priorities.

• Recognizable features: Seizure keeps going or another starts before the patient fully recovers.

Febrile Seizure

• Definition: A seizure caused by a sudden rise in temperature/high fever, typically in children.

• Important info: Often resolves on its own; protect airway and prevent injury.

• Recognizable features: Child + fever + seizure.

Postictal State

• Definition: The period immediately after a seizure.

• Important info: Reassess airway and neurologic status; recovery position is noted in your guide.

• Recognizable features: Confusion + altered mental status after seizure stops.

Hematemesis

• Definition: Vomiting blood.

• Important info: Usually points toward an upper GI source.

• Recognizable features: Visible blood in vomit.

Coffee-Ground Emesis

• Definition: Vomit containing partially digested blood.

• Important info: The blood has been exposed to stomach acid.

• Recognizable features: Dark/grainy vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

Hematochezia

• Definition: Bright red blood in the stool.

• Important info: Often associated with lower GI bleeding.

• Recognizable features: Bright red rectal blood.

Melena

• Definition: Dark, tarry stool caused by digested blood.

• Important info: Blood has been digested as it moved through the GI tract.

• Recognizable features: Black, tarry stool.

Hematuria

• Definition: Blood in the urine.

• Important info: Indicates bleeding somewhere in the urinary system.

• Recognizable features: Bloody/red urine.

Diabetes Mellitus

• Definition: A disorder involving inability to properly use/metabolize glucose because of insulin problems.

• Important info: Insulin is needed for glucose metabolism.

• Recognizable features: History of diabetes + abnormal BGL + characteristic hypo/hyperglycemia signs.

Type I Diabetes

• Definition: Diabetes in which pancreatic beta cells are destroyed and the pancreas cannot adequately produce insulin.

• Important info: Your notes associate it with younger patients and lifelong insulin use.

• Recognizable features: Insulin-dependent, often younger, more prone to DKA.

Type II Diabetes

• Definition: Diabetes involving insufficient insulin production and/or insulin resistance.

• Important info: Your notes associate it with obesity, older age, and pancreatic disease. It does not always require insulin.

• Recognizable features: Often older + insulin resistance + may not use insulin.

Hyperglycemia

• Definition: Abnormally high blood glucose.

• Important info: Your guide uses >140 mg/dL.

• Recognizable features: Polyuria + polydipsia + polyphagia + dehydration + warm/dry skin.

Polyuria

• Definition: Excessive/frequent urination.

• Important info: One of the classic “3 Ps” of hyperglycemia.

• Recognizable features: Patient urinates frequently.

Polydipsia

• Definition: Excessive thirst.

• Important info: One of the classic “3 Ps” of hyperglycemia.

• Recognizable features: Patient is extremely thirsty/drinking frequently.

Polyphagia

• Definition: Excessive/severe hunger.

• Important info: One of the classic “3 Ps” of hyperglycemia.

• Recognizable features: Patient reports excessive hunger.

Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)

• Definition: A severe hyperglycemic condition in which inadequate insulin forces the body to break down fat, producing acidic ketones.

• Important info: Your guide uses BGL >250 mg/dL and notes Type I diabetics are more prone.

• Recognizable features: Very high BGL + sweet/fruity breath + dehydration + abnormal deep breathing.

Ketones

• Definition: Acidic products made when the body breaks down fat for energy.

• Important info: In DKA, they contribute to acidosis.

• Recognizable features: DKA + fruity breath + acidic state.

Hypoglycemia

• Definition: Abnormally low blood glucose.

• Important info: Your course uses <60 mg/dL. A common cause is taking insulin and then not eating.

• Recognizable features: Dizziness + headache + confusion/agitation + rapid ALOC + COOL/CLAMMY skin.

Esophageal Varices

• Definition: Enlarged/dilated blood vessels in the esophagus that can bleed.

• Important info: They can cause serious upper GI hemorrhage.

• Recognizable features: Vomiting blood / upper GI bleeding.

Upper GI Bleed

• Definition: Bleeding from the upper gastrointestinal tract.

• Important info: Treat shock and shortness of breath if present.

• Recognizable features: Hematemesis ± melena + abdominal pain + weakness/lightheadedness.

Lower GI Bleed

• Definition: Bleeding from the lower gastrointestinal tract.

• Important info: Causes in your notes include bowel inflammation, diverticulosis/diverticulitis, cancer, and hemorrhoids.

• Recognizable features: Bright red blood in stool + abdominal pain ± hypovolemic shock.

Appendicitis

• Definition: Inflammation/infection of the appendix.

• Important info: ABCs and position of comfort.

• Recognizable features: RLQ pain + rebound tenderness + nausea/vomiting + fever/chills.

Rebound Tenderness

• Definition: Abdominal pain that becomes worse when pressure is released.

• Important info: Associated with appendiceal/peritoneal irritation in your notes.

• Recognizable features: Pain is worse on RELEASE of abdominal pressure.

Pancreatitis

• Definition: Inflammation of the pancreas.

• Important info: Your notes list gallstones, alcohol, smoking, obesity, and family history; sepsis can occur.

• Recognizable features: Abdominal pain radiating to the BACK + nausea/vomiting + abdominal distention.

Cholecystitis

• Definition: Inflammation of the gallbladder.

• Important info: Fatty-food consumption is listed as a risk/trigger.

• Recognizable features: RUQ pain radiating to RIGHT SHOULDER + N/V + fever/chills ± jaundice.

Diverticulitis

• Definition: Inflammation involving pouches in the intestine.

• Important info: Your guide associates it with a low-fiber diet.

• Recognizable features: LLQ pain + fever/chills + nausea/vomiting.

Splenomegaly

• Definition: Enlargement of the spleen.

• Important info: Your notes associate it with mononucleosis.

• Recognizable features: Abdominal discomfort + decreased appetite + enlarged spleen.

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA)

• Definition: Abnormal dilation/weakening of the abdominal aorta.

• Important info: Hypertension is listed as a risk factor. Do not put pressure on a pulsatile mass because rupture can be rapidly fatal.

• Recognizable features: Abdominal/back pain + hypotension + pulsating abdominal mass.

Kidney Stone

• Definition: Crystallized material in urine that forms a stone in the urinary tract.

• Important info: Severe pain occurs as the stone travels through the urinary tract.

• Recognizable features: Severe flank/groin pain.

Ovarian Cyst

• Definition: A fluid-filled sac involving the ovary.

• Important info: Ask about pregnancy and last menstrual period; ultrasound may be needed for diagnosis.

• Recognizable features: Pelvic/lower abdominal pain.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

• Definition: Infection involving the female reproductive tract/fallopian tubes.

• Important info: Your guide lists STI as a common cause.

• Recognizable features: Lower abdominal/pelvic pain + burning with urination.

Toxic Shock Syndrome

• Definition: A serious bacterial illness.

• Important info: Your notes associate it with prolonged tampon use and prolonged contraceptive use.

• Recognizable features: Systemic illness + hypotension + rash + diarrhea.

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

• Definition: Infection of the urinary tract.

• Important info: Kidney-stone history and Foley catheter are listed as important risk factors.

• Recognizable features: Urinary symptoms, especially with Foley catheter history.

Testicular Torsion

• Definition: Twisting of the structures supporting the testicle, requiring urgent surgical correction.

• Important info: Your notes emphasize adolescents/puberty and a short treatment window.

• Recognizable features: Sudden severe testicular pain in an adolescent.

Psychosis

• Definition: A state in which a person is out of touch with reality.

• Important info: Do not argue with the patient's beliefs; keep the patient calm and take a thorough history.

• Recognizable features: DELUSIONS + HALLUCINATIONS.

Delusion

• Definition: A false belief.

• Important info: The patient believes something that is not consistent with reality.

• Recognizable features: Strong false belief despite reality.

Hallucination

• Definition: A sensory perception that occurs without a real external stimulus.

• Important info: May involve seeing, hearing, or otherwise sensing something that is not present.

• Recognizable features: Patient sees/hears something that isn't there.

Schizophrenia

• Definition: A psychiatric disorder that may involve psychosis, disorganized thinking/behavior, and negative symptoms.

• Important info: Be calm, direct, and straightforward; maintain safety.

• Recognizable features: Delusions + hallucinations + disorganized thinking + diminished emotional expression.

Excited/Agitated Delirium

• Definition: Hyperactive irrational behavior with altered perception and severe physiologic stimulation.

• Important info: Never restrain in a way that restricts breathing. Your notes mention ALS for chemical sedation when necessary.

• Recognizable features: Extreme agitation + hallucinations + sweating + dilated pupils + hypertension + tachycardia.

Bipolar Disorder

• Definition: A disorder characterized by extreme mood swings involving mania and depression.

• Important info: Symptoms can fluctuate and be difficult to recognize.

• Recognizable features: Episodes of very elevated/energized mood alternating with depression.

Suicidal Ideation

• Definition: Thoughts or statements indicating a desire to die or harm oneself.

• Important info: Ask direct questions and maintain scene/patient safety. Depression is listed as an important associated factor.

• Recognizable features: Statements about self-harm/death + unsafe environment/access to means.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

• Definition: A condition occurring after exposure to traumatic events.

• Important info: Stay calm and listen to the patient.

• Recognizable features: Trauma history + flashbacks + fear/anxiety/anger/helplessness.

Inhaled Poison

• Definition: A toxic substance breathed into the respiratory tract.

• Important info: Move the patient to fresh air when safe and decontaminate as indicated.

• Recognizable features: Gas/fume exposure + respiratory symptoms.

Absorbed Poison

• Definition: A toxin that enters through the skin.

• Important info: Examples in your notes include acids, alkalis, and hydrocarbons.

• Recognizable features: Burning, itching, or skin irritation after chemical contact.

Ingested Poison

• Definition: A toxic substance that is swallowed.

• Important info: Your notes mention drugs, liquids, contaminated food, and activated charcoal, but ABCs come first.

• Recognizable features: Known ingestion + GI or neurologic symptoms.

Injected Poison

• Definition: A toxin that enters directly through injection or another puncture exposure.

• Important info: It can be absorbed rapidly into the body.

• Recognizable features: Weakness/dizziness with rapid systemic symptoms after exposure.

Alcohol Intoxication

• Definition: CNS depression caused by alcohol.

• Important info: Alcohol acts as a sedative and hypnotic. Support ABCs and airway because respiratory depression can occur.

• Recognizable features: Depressed mental status + slurred speech + slowed CNS activity.

Delirium Tremens (DTs)

• Definition: Severe alcohol withdrawal.

• Important info: Your notes say it can occur 1–7 days after decreased alcohol intake.

• Recognizable features: Stopping alcohol + tremors + agitation/restlessness + hallucinations + seizures.

Opioid Toxicity

• Definition: Poisoning from an opioid causing CNS and respiratory depression.

• Important info: Ventilation/respiratory support is critical. Naloxone can be given according to protocol.

• Recognizable features: PINPOINT PUPILS + ALOC + RESPIRATORY DEPRESSION.

Naloxone (Narcan)

• Definition: A medication used to reverse opioid effects.

• Important info: It does not replace airway/ventilatory support when breathing is inadequate.

• Recognizable features: Consider when suspected opioid toxicity includes respiratory depression.

Sympathomimetic

• Definition: A substance that mimics/stimulates the sympathetic “fight-or-flight” nervous system.

• Important info: Maintain safety; law enforcement may be needed and the patient should not be left unattended.

• Recognizable features: Tachycardia + hypertension + dilated pupils + stimulation/agitation.

Cannabis

• Definition: A psychoactive substance that produces relaxation and altered decision-making/perception.

• Important info: Your notes emphasize concern that it may be laced with other substances.

• Recognizable features: Euphoria + relaxation + drowsiness + altered decision-making.

Hallucinogen

• Definition: A drug that alters a person's perception of reality.

• Important info: Can intensify visual and auditory perception.

• Recognizable features: Altered perception + intensified vision/hearing + anxiety.

Cholinergic Agent

• Definition: A toxin causing excessive parasympathetic nervous-system activity.

• Important info: Avoid exposure, decontaminate, and manage airway secretions. Do not contaminate yourself.

• Recognizable features: Very “wet” patient with excessive secretions, especially saliva/airway secretions.

• DUMBBELLS

  • Defecation

  • Urination

  • Miosis

  • Bronchorrhea

  • Emesis

  • Lacrimation

  • Salivation

• and SLUDGEM

  • Salivation, Lacrimation, Urination, Defecation, GI irritation, Emesis, Miosis.

Food Poisoning

• Definition: GI illness occurring after ingestion of contaminated food or toxin.

• Important info: Support ABCs and watch for dehydration.

• Recognizable features: Nausea/vomiting after eating + dehydration.