Paramedic Pocket Prep and Lecture Review

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering nerve agents, cardiac physiology, respiratory emergencies, gastrointestinal disorders, and prehospital emergency medicine based on missed quiz questions and lecture notes.

Nerve Agents

Highly toxic chemicals that disrupt the nervous system by inhibiting the enzyme acetylcholine; examples include Tabun, Sarin, VX, and Soman.

Vesicant

Also known as "Blister agents," these are chemicals that cause severe skin, eye, and mucous membrane irritation and damage, such as Lewisite.

Rapid Filling Phase

The first stage of diastole where the AV valves are open and blood flows into the ventricles.

Diastasis

The second stage of diastole where the pressure between the atria and the ventricles begins to equalize.

Atrial Kick

The third stage of diastole where the atria contract to expel the remaining blood in the chambers into the ventricles.

Serotonin Syndrome

A condition caused by an overdose of SSRIs (e.g., Sertraline/Zoloft) characterized by myoclonus, hyperreflexia, dilated pupils, and flushed, hot skin with diaphoresis.

Myoclonus

Sudden, brief, involuntary muscle jerking.

Hyperreflexia

Overactive or exaggerated deep tendon reflexes.

SALT

A triage acronym that stands for Sort, Assess, Lifesaving Intervention, and Treatment/Transport.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

A functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by chronic abdominal pain and altered bowel habits in the absence of organic disease.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

An organic gastrointestinal disease presenting with severe symptoms including weight loss and bloody diarrhea.

Celiac Disease

An autoimmune disorder triggered by gluten frequently associated with systemic symptoms.

Acute Epiglottitis

A rapidly progressive inflammation and swelling of the epiglottis and nearby upper-airway structures, characterized by high fever, drooling, dysphagia, stridor, and the tripod position.

Croup

A viral upper-airway illness in children characterized by a gradual onset, barking cough, inspiratory stridor, and swelling below the vocal cords.

Anticholinergic

A medication, such as inhaled Ipratropium, that blocks muscarinic receptors to reduce bronchoconstriction and mucus production.

BURP Maneuver

A technique to enhance laryngeal view during direct laryngoscopy: Backward, Upward, Rightward Pressure.

Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)

A serious complication of diabetes caused by insulin deficiency leading to metabolic acidosis, Kussmaul respirations, dehydration, and high blood sugar.

Bronchiolitis

A condition in infants characterized by mild fever, nasal congestion, intercostal retractions, nasal flaring, and crackles with expiratory wheezing.

Phrenic Nerve

A critical nerve originating in the neck that provides motor and sensory innervation to the diaphragm, pleura, and parts of the mediastinum.

FiO2

Fraction of Inspired Oxygen; the ratio of oxygen in the air mixture inhaled by a patient.

Clubbing

A physical change where the tips of fingers and toes become enlarged and nails curve around the tips, caused by long-term hypoxemia.

Pulmonary Embolus (PE)

An obstruction in the lungs often associated with recent pelvic or lower extremity fractures, symptoms include dyspnea, hemoptysis, JVD, and tachycardia.

Spontaneous Pneumothorax

A condition where air enters the pleural space without an apparent cause, often due to a ruptured bleb (weak spot of lung tissue) or trauma.

Succinylcholine

A depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agent used as the first paralytic during rapid sequence intubation due to its rapid onset and short duration.

Dystonia

A neurological movement disorder characterized by involuntary muscle contractions that cause repetitive movements, twisting, or abnormal posturing.

Muscular Dystrophy

A group of inherited disorders leading to progressive muscle weakness and degeneration due to abnormalities in muscle proteins.

Parkinson’s Disease

A progressive neurodegenerative disorder marked by tremors, stiffness, and bradykinesia (slowness of movement).

Dementia

A broad term for a decline in cognitive function severe enough to interfere with daily life, characterized by memory loss, impaired reasoning, and behavioral changes.

Ketamine

A nonbarbiturate anesthetic that produces dissociative sedation, temporary amnesia, and blocks pain perception; safe for patients with borderline low blood pressure.

Vallecula

The space between the base of the tongue and the pharyngeal surface of the epiglottis where the tip of a curved laryngoscope blade is placed.

Ataxic/Biot’s Respiration

An irregular respiratory pattern with unpredictable rhythm and periods of apnea, indicating damage to the medulla oblongata.

Ovarian Torsion

A surgical emergency where an ovary twists around its supporting ligament, cutting off blood supply and causing sudden, severe unilateral pelvic pain.

Personal Flotation Device (PFD)

Safety equipment (PDF in notes) that EMS providers are required to wear whenever they work on or near water.

Baseline Sway (ECG)

Also known as baseline wander, an ECG artifact characterized by wavelike movement of the isoelectric line caused by patient movement or respiratory effort.

Irritable Foci

Areas in the heart muscle that become excitable and initiate electrical impulses, potentially disrupting normal heart rhythm.

Sinoatrial (SA) node

The heart's natural pacemaker located in the right atrium responsible for initiating electrical impulses.

Atrioventricular (AV) node

A gatekeeper cluster of cells between the atria and ventricles that slows electrical impulses to ensure proper contraction timing.

Appendicitis

Inflammation of the appendix characterized by sudden onset localized right lower quadrant pain, nausea, and low-grade fever.

Myocardial Contusion

A bruise to the heart muscle caused by blunt chest trauma that can lead to hypotension, dysrhythmias, and heart failure.

Cardiogenic Shock

Shock caused by the heart's inability to pump enough blood to maintain perfusion, characterized by hypotension, tachycardia, and pulmonary edema.

Preload

The amount of blood returning to the heart and stretching the ventricles before contraction.

Afterload

The resistance the ventricles must overcome to pump blood forward.

Cardiac Tamponade

Compression of the heart caused by fluid accumulation in the pericardial sac; identified by Beck’s Triad.

Beck’s Triad

A clinical triad for cardiac tamponade consisting of hypotension, JVD, and muffled heart tones.

Hemothorax

A collection of blood in the pleural space that impairs breathing and reduces lung expansion.

Benzodiazepine

A class of central nervous system depressants used as first-line agents to control agitation and prevent complications from excessive muscle activity.

Intracranial Pressure (ICP)

The pressure within the skull exerted by brain tissue, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid; elevated ICP is marked by unequal pupils, hypertension, and bradycardia.

Tympanic Membrane Rupture

A tear or hole in the eardrum that can cause sudden relief of ear pain followed by discharge, often a complication of severe otitis media.

Antipyretic

A medication used to reduce fever, such as Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen.

Defibrillation

A high-energy, unsynchronized electrical shock used to treat life-threatening arrhythmias like Ventricular Fibrillation (VF) and pulseless Ventricular Tachycardia (VT).

Cardioversion

A synchronized electrical shock timed to the R wave used to treat unstable arrhythmias like Atrial Fibrillation or Atrial Flutter.

Atrial Flutter

An arrhythmia characterized by rapid, regular atrial contractions ($250 - 360\,bpm$) resulting in a sawtooth pattern on an ECG.

PR Interval

The representation of time between the onset of atrial depolarization and the onset of ventricular depolarization.

T Wave

The phase representing ventricular repolarization.

Mallory-Weiss Syndrome

A partial tear in the mucosal lining at the junction of the stomach and esophagus caused by severe vomiting, leading to upper GI bleeding.

Boerhaave Syndrome

A full-thickness rupture of the esophagus, often following vomiting.

Ulcerative Colitis

A chronic inflammatory bowel disease affecting the colon and rectum, primarily associated with lower GI bleeding.

Ruptured Ectopic Pregnancy

A medical emergency where a fertilized egg implanted outside the uterus bursts its structure, causing vaginal bleeding and hemodynamic instability.

Uterine Atony

The failure of the uterus to contract effectively after childbirth, recognized as the most common cause of postpartum hemorrhage.

Neuroglycopenic symptoms

Neurological signs such as confusion, seizures, and irritability that occur when the brain lacks enough glucose.

Needle Decompression

An emergency procedure where a large-bore needle is inserted into the chest to relieve pressure from a tension pneumothorax.

STEMI

ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction, indicated by the upward deflection of the ST segment on an ECG, representing myocardial injury.

Minute Volume (MV)

The total volume of air inhaled or exhaled per minute, calculated as $MV = RR \times TV$.

Hypercapnia

Condition of elevated carbon dioxide levels in the blood, typically resulting from hypoventilation.

Atelectasis

The partial or complete collapse of the alveoli, impairing gas exchange.

Respiratory Acidosis

A condition where blood pH decreases ($< 7.35$) due to the retention of $CO_2$, commonly resulting from hypoventilation.

Vagally Mediated Bradycardia

A drop in heart rate triggered in children by hypoxia, suctioning, or laryngoscopy due to parasympathetic stimulation.

Myasthenia Gravis

An autoimmune disorder causing weakness and rapid fatigue of voluntary muscles, including those involved in respiration.

Rocuronium (Zemuron)

A non-depolarizing muscle relaxant used for intubation, typically dosed at $1.2\,mg/kg$.

Vecuronium (Norcuron)

A non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocker used for intubation, typically dosed at $0.1\,mg/kg$.

Pancuronium

A long-acting non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocker dosed at $0.06 - 0.1\,mg/kg$ to maintain muscle paralysis.