EMT Study Guide Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering critical definitions, anatomy, pathophysiology, environmental emergencies, and physics laws from the EMT lecture notes.

Allergic reaction

A reaction that may affect only one body system.

Anaphylaxis

A severe, potentially life-threatening reaction affecting multiple body systems.

Epinephrine

A medication that stimulates the sympathetic nervous system; beta-1 effects increase heart rate, while alpha-1 effects cause vasoconstriction.

Delirium

A condition of sudden onset that is often reversible when the underlying cause is treated.

Dementia

A condition characterized by a usually gradual onset and progressive decline.

Delirium tremens (DTs)

A severe, potentially life-threatening complication of alcohol withdrawal that can occur alongside seizures.

Physical dependence

A state in which the body develops physical symptoms when a substance is stopped.

Psychological dependence

An emotional or mental reliance on a substance.

Hemodialysis

A treatment that filters wastes and removes excess fluid from the blood, typically performed about three times weekly.

Retroperitoneal

Located behind the peritoneal lining, such as the position of the kidneys.

Solid organs

Abdominal organs including the liver, spleen, kidneys, and pancreas; injury to these can cause severe internal bleeding leading to hypovolemic shock.

Hollow organs

Abdominal organs including the stomach, intestines, urinary bladder, and gallbladder; injury can leak contents into the abdominal cavity, causing infection, peritonitis, and potentially sepsis.

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

An infection or inflammation of the reproductive organs that may cause lower abdominal pain and abnormal vaginal discharge.

Hematuria

The presence of blood in urine.

Hematochezia

The presence of bright red blood in stool.

Hernia

A condition in which an organ or tissue protrudes through a weakened area of its surrounding wall.

Hypovolemic shock

Shock resulting from inadequate circulating blood volume, often caused by bleeding or fluid loss.

Compensated shock

A stage of shock where the body maintains blood pressure through compensatory mechanisms.

Decompensated shock

A stage of shock where compensatory mechanisms fail and blood pressure may fall.

Irreversible shock

Severe, prolonged shock with critical organ damage where survival becomes unlikely.

Hypoperfusion

Inadequate blood flow to body tissues.

Heat cramps

Muscle cramps resulting from heat exposure and physical exertion.

Heat exhaustion

A heat emergency characterized by heavy sweating, weakness, pale or cool skin, and dizziness, with generally normal mental status.

Heat stroke

A life-threatening heat emergency presenting with altered mental status, confusion, severe overheating, and hot skin that may be dry or sweaty.

Hypothermia

An abnormally low core body temperature.

Conduction

Heat loss through direct physical contact.

Convection

Heat loss to moving air or water.

Radiation

Heat transfer occurring without direct contact.

Evaporation

Heat loss that occurs when moisture evaporates from the skin.

Respiration

Heat loss that occurs through breathing.

Boyle's law

A physics law stating that pressure and volume are inversely related.

Charles's law

A physics law stating that gas volume increases as temperature increases, at constant pressure.

Henry's law

A physics law stating that the amount of gas dissolved in a liquid depends on its partial pressure and solubility.

Dalton's law

A physics law stating that total gas pressure equals the sum of the individual partial pressures.