EMT (part 4)

p, q

pacemaker

a device implanted under the skin with wires implanted into the heart to modify the heart rate as needed to maintain an adequate heart rate

palmar

referring to the palm of the hand

palmar reflex

a grasping reflex in which an infant grabs onto a finger placed in the infants palm

palpation

touching or feeling. A pulse or blood pressure may be palpated with the fingertips

pancreas

a gland located behind the stomach that produces insulin and juices that assist in digestion of food in the duodenum of the small intestine. the pancreas also functions as part of the endocrine system

paradoxical motion

movement of a part of the chest in the opposite direction to the rest of chest during respiration

parenteral

referring o a route of medication administration that does not use the gastrointestinal tract, scubas with an intravenous medication

parietal pain

a localized, intense pain that arises from the parietal peritoneum, the lining of the abdominal cavity

partial rebreather mask

a face mask and reservoir oxygen bag with no one-way valve to the reservoir bag, so some exhaled air mixes with the oxygen; used in some patients to help preserve carbon dioxide levels in the blood to stimulate breathing

partial seizure

a seizure that affects only one part or one side of the brain

partial thickness burn (second-degree burn)

a burn in which the epidermis (first layer of skin) is burned through and the dermis (second layer) is damaged. Burns of this type cause reddening, blistering, and a mottled appearance.

passive rewarming

covering a hypothermic patient and taking other steps to prevent further heat loss and help the body rewarm itself

past medical history (PMH)

information gathered regarding the patient’s health problems in the past

patella

the kneecap

patent

open and clear; free from obstruction

patent airway

an airway (passage form the nose or mouth to lungs) that is open and clear and will remain open and clear without interference to the passage of air into and out of the body

pathogens

the organisms that cause infection, such s viruses and bacteria

pathophysiology

the study of how diseases processes affect that function of the body

patient outcomes

the long-term survival of patients

pedal edema

accumulation of fluid in the feet or ankles

peer reviewed

submitted to a professional journal and reviewed by several of the researchers peers

pelvis

the basin-shaped bony structure that supports the spine and is the point of proximal attachment for the lower extremities

penetrating trauma

injury caused by an object that passes through the skin or other body tissues

penis

the organ of male reproduction responsible for sexual intercourse and the transfer of sperm

perfusion

the supply of oxygen to and removal of wastes from the cells and tissues of the body as a result of the flow of blood through the capillaries

perineum

the surface area between the vagina and anus

peripheral nervous system (PNS)

the nerves that enter and exit the spinal cord between the vertebrae, the 12 pairs f cranial nerves that travel between the brain and organs without passing through the spinal cord, and all of the body’s other motor and sensory nerves.

peripheral pulses

the radial, brachial, posterior tibial, and dorsal pedis pulses, which can be felt at peripheral (outlying) points of the body

peritoneum

the membrane that lines the abdominal cavity (the parietal peritoneum) and covers the organs within it (the visceral peritoneum)

peritonitis

bacterial infection within the peritoneal cavity

permeation

the movement of a sublease through a surface or on a molecular level, through intact materials; penetration, or spreading

personal protective equipment (PPE)

equipment that protects the EMS worker from infection and/or exposure to the dangers of rescue operations

phalanges

the toe bones and finger bones

pharmacodynamics

the study of the effects of medications on the body

pharmacology

the study of drugs, their sources, their characteristics, and their effects

pharynx

the area directly posterior to the mouth and nose. It is made up of the oropharynx ad the nasopharynx

physician’s order for life-sustaining treatment (POLST)

physician order that states not only the patients wishes regarding resuscitation attempts but also the patients wishes regarding artificial feeding, antibiotics, and other life-sustaining care if the patient is unable to state this desires later

physiology

the study of body function

placenta

the organ of pregnancy where exchange of oxygen, nutrients, and waste occurs between a mother and fetus

placenta previa

a condition in which the placenta is formed in an abnormal location (low n the uterus and close to or over the cervical opening) that will not allow for a normal delivery of the fetus; a cause of excessive prebirth bleeding

plane

a flat surface formed when slicing through a solid object

plantar

referring to the sole of the foot

plasma

the fluid portion of the blood

plasma oncotic pressure

the pull exerted by large proteins in the plasma portion of blood that tends to pull water from the body into the bloodstream

platelets

components of the blood; membrane-enclosed fragments of specialized cells

pneumothorax

air in the chest cavity

pocket face mask

a device, usually with a one-way valve, to aid in artificial ventilation. A rescuer breathes through the valve when the mask is placed over the patient’s face. It also acts as a barrier to prevent contact with a patient’s breath or body fluids. It can be used with supplemental oxygen when fitted with an oxygen inlet

poison

any substance that can harm the body by altering cell structure or functions

positional asphyxia

inadequate breathing or respiratory arrest caused by a body position that restricts breathing

posterior tibial artery

artery suppling the foot, behind the medial ankle

posterior

the back of the body or body part

postictal phase

the period of the time immediately following a tonic-clonic seizure in which the patient goes from full loss of consciousness to full mental status

power grip

gripping with as much hand surface as possible in contact with the object being lifted, all fingers bent as the same angle, and hands at least 10 in apart

power lift

a lift from a squatting position with weight to be lifted close to the body, feet apart and flat on the ground, body weight on or just behind the balls of the feet, and the back locked in. The upper body is raised before the hips. Squat-lift position

preeclampsia

a complication of pregnancy in which the women retains large amounts of fluid and has hypertension, and which may progress to eclampsia

premature infant

any newborn weighing less than 5 ½ pounds at birth or born before the thirty-seventh week of pregnancy

preschool age

3 to 5 years old

pressure dressing

a bulky dressing held in position with a tightly wrapped bandage, which applied pressure to help control bleeding

pressure regulator

a device connected to an oxygen cylinder to reduce cylinder pressure so it is safe for delivery of oxygen to a patient

priapism

persistent erection of the penis that may result from spinal injury and some medical problems

primary assessment

the first element in the patient assessment; steps taken for the purpose of discovering and dealing with any life-threatening problems. The sox parts of primary assessment

1. forming a general impression

2. assessing mental status

3. assessing airway

4. assessing breathing

5. assessing circulation

6. determining the probity of the patient for treatment and transport to the hospital

priority

the decision regarding the need for immediate transport of the patient versus further assessment and care at the scene

prolapsed umbilical cord

when the umbilical cord presents first and is squeezed between the vaginal wall and the baby’s head

prone

lying facedown

protocols

lists of steps, such as assessments and interventions, to be taken in different situations. Protocols are developed by the Medical Director of an EMS system

proximal

closer to the torso

pubis

the medical anterior portion of the pelvis

pulmonary air embolism

a blockage in the blood circulation of the lung caused by a blood clot or air bubble

pulmonary artery

the vessel that carries deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle of the heart to the lungs

pulmonary edema

accumulation of fluid in the lungs

pulmonary respiration

the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the alveoli and circulating blood int he pulmonary capillaries

pulmonary vein

vessel that carry oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium of the heart

pulse

the rhythmic beats that are felt through the skin an that are cause as waves of blood move through and expand the arteries

pulse oximeter

an electronic device for determining the amount of oxygen carried in the blood, oxygen saturation, SpO2

pulse quality

the rhythm (regular/irregular) and force (strong/weak) of the pulse

pulse rate

the number of pulse beats per minute

pulseless electrical activity (PEA)

a condition in which the heart’s electrical rhythm remains relatively normal, yet the mechanical pumping activity fails to follow the electrical activity, causing cardiac arrest

puncture wound

an open wound that tears through the skin and destroys underlying tissues. A penetrating wound can be shallow or deep. A perforating puncture wound has both an entrance and an exit wound

pupil

the black enter of the eye

pyelonephritis

an infection that begins in the urinary tract and ascends up the ureter into the kidney

quality improvement

a process of continuous self-review with the purpose of identifying and correcting aspects of the system that require improvement