emt school medical terminology

tachycardia

rapid heartrate, above 100 bpm

polyphagia

severe hunger + increased food intake (excessive eating); in diabetes, comes from inability to use glucose properly

hypoxia

bodily tissues + cells don’t have enough oxygen

dysuria

pain, burning, and discomfort during urination

polydipsia

excessive thirst that persists for long periods despite reasonable fluid intake; result of excess urination

hypertension

blood pressure higher than normal range

polyuria

pass unusually large volume of urine, can result from wasting of excess urine

aspiration

foreign material (fluid or food) enter lungs + prevent breathing

apnea

absence of spontaneous (reg) breathing

hyperemesis

relentless nausea and vomiting during preg

asystole

complete absence of all heart electrical activity

hypoperfusion

circulatory system doesn’t provide sufficient circulation for normal cell funciton

antiplatelet

med that prevents blood platelets from clumping/sticking together

nitroglycerin

med that increases cardiac perfusion by causing blood vessel dilation

hematoma

mass of blood collected within damaged tissue beneath skin or in body cavity

respiration

inhale and exhale air; exchange carbon dioxide from fresh air

hemothorax

collection of blood in pleural cavity

acute myocardial infarction

heart attack; death of heart muscle following obstruction of blood flow to it

jaundice

yellow skin + sclera caused by liver disease of disfunction

embolism

blood clot of embolus in circulatory system travels to blood vessel = blood flow blockage

bronchitis

acute or chronic inflammation of lung; cough and sputum and sometimes fever

stridor

harsh, high-pitched respiratory sound caused by partial block or narrowing of upper airway respiratory

hypoxic drive

condition where chronic low levels of oxygen in blood stimulate drive; in patients with chronic lung disease

patent

open, clear of obstruction

pneumothorax

accumulation of air or gas in pleural cavity

pedal edema

build up of fluid in feet/ankles

aphasia

inability to understand and/or produce speech

minute volume

volume of air in and out of lungs per minute; calculated with tidal volume x respiratory rate

syncope

fainting spell or transient loss of consciousness

hypothermia

internal body temp falls below 95 degrees F

hyperthermia

body core temp rises to 101 degrees F

hyperglycemia

abnormally high glucose level

hypotension

blood pressure that is lower than normal range

hypoglycemia

abnormally low blood glucose level

hypertension

blood pressure that is higher than normal range

BLS

basic life support

agonal gasps

reflexive, slow, inadequate breathing

pallor

unusual paleness of the skin and mucous membranes (like the inside of the mouth or eyelids) caused by reduced blood flow or a low red blood cell count

DNAR

do not attempt resuscitation

cyanosis

blue skin discoloration caused by reduced level of oxygen in blood

AED

automatic external defibrillator

ALS

advanced life support

ROSC

return of spontaneous circulation

ventilation

exchange of air btwn lungs and environment

bradycardia

slow heart rate, less than 60 beats/min

tachypnea

rapid respiratory rate

gastric distention

air fills stomach, result of high volume and pressure during artificial ventilation

infarction

death of body tissue, usually caused by interruption of its body supply

ischemia

a lack of of oxygen that deprives tissues of necessary nutrients, resulting from partial or complete blockage of blood flow

rigor mortis

stiffening of body muscles; definitive sign of death

bradypnea

abnormally slow breathing; 12 breaths per minute

cardiac arrest

heart fails to generate effective and detectable blood flow; pulse is not palpable