2024 EMT Exam 5 Version A Study Guide

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering infectious diseases, neurological emergencies, stroke assessment (BE FAST/CPSS), and abdominal/renal disorders based on the Exam 5 Study Guide.

Infectious disease

A medical condition caused by the growth and spread of small, harmful organisms within the body.

Meningitis

An inflammation of the meningeal coverings of the brain and spinal cord, usually caused by a virus or a bacterium.

Meningoccocal meningitis

A highly contagious form of meningitis caused by bacteria spread through respiratory secretions which can be lethal or cause long-term brain damage.

Tuberculosis (TB)

A chronic bacterial disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis that usually affects the lungs but can also affect the brain and kidneys.

Primary tuberculosis

Disease that occurs shortly after infection; except in infants, this infection is not usually serious and is rendered dormant by the immune system.

Droplet nuclei

Remnants of droplets after excess water has evaporated; these tiny particles can remain suspended in air for a long time and stay alive for decades if shielded from ultraviolet light.

Nuchal rigidity

A sensation of soreness or discomfort in the neck when trying to move it or turn the head from side to side.

Photophobia

Sensitivity to light.

B1 (Ventilatory rate)

The number of breaths per minute, with a normal range of $12-20$ breaths per minute.

Labeling

Having personal bias or a preconceived notion about the client, which should always be avoided by professionals.

Migraine

Common headache thought to be caused by blood vessel size changes in the brain base, described as pounding, throbbing, or pulsating.

Epilepsy

A disorder involving abnormal electrical discharges in the brain causing seizures and possible loss of consciousness.

Generalized seizure

Formerly known as grand mal; characterized by severe twitching of all body muscles (motor) and unconsciousness resulting from abnormal discharges in both hemispheres.

Absence seizure

A brief lapse of consciousness where the patient seems to stare and not respond, involving no changes in motor activity.

Status epilepticus

A condition in which seizures continue every few minutes without regaining consciousness or last longer than $30$ minutes.

Aneurysm

A swelling or enlargement of a part of an artery resulting from weakening of the arterial wall.

Thrombus

A blood clot that forms at the site of blockage within the arterial or venous system.

Embolus

A blood clot or other substance that forms in a remote area (like a diseased heart) and travels to a vessel to cause a blockage.

Atherosclerosis

A disorder where cholesterol and calcium build up, forming plaque inside blood vessel walls that can eventually cause complete occlusion.

Expressive aphasia

Difficulty expressing thoughts or the inability to use the right words.

Receptive aphasia

Difficulty understanding spoken words, where speech may be clear but does not make sense.

Neglect

A condition where a patient with a right-hemisphere stroke is oblivious to problems on the left side of the body, sometimes forgetting the left arm exists.

Dysarthria

Slurred speech.

Dysphagia

Difficulty swallowing.

Ischemic stroke

The most common type of stroke ($87\%$), occurring when blood flow through cerebral arteries is blocked by a blood clot.

Hemorrhagic stroke

A stroke ($13\%$) caused by a blood vessel rupture and bleeding inside the brain, often in people with extremely high blood pressure.

Thrombolytic/Fibrinolytic

Medication used to dissolve blood clots.

Acute abdomen

A medical term for the sudden onset of abdominal pain, typically indicating peritonitis and requiring urgent treatment.

Peritonitis

Irritation of the peritoneum, often causing ileus and potentially leading to shock or fluid shifts from the bloodstream.

Ileus

Paralysis of the muscular contractions that normally propel material through the intestine.

Hernia

The protrusion of an organ or tissue through a hole or opening into a body cavity where it does not belong.

Reducible hernia

A hernia mass that can gently be pushed back through the abdominal wall.

Cholecystitis

Inflammation of the gallbladder.

Rebound tenderness

A classic symptom of appendicitis where pain is felt upon the removal of pressure during abdominal palpation.

Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD)

Erosion of the protective mucus layer in the stomach or duodenum, often caused by Helicobacter pylori or chronic NSAID use.

Hematemesis

Vomiting blood.

Melena

Black, tarry stools containing blood.

Diverticulitis

Inflammation in small pockets (diverticula) at weak areas of the intestinal muscle walls, often caused by low fiber diets and high pressure.

Chronic Renal Failure (CKD)

Irreversible and progressive kidney dysfunction developing over months/years, often linked to diabetes or hypertension.

Acute Renal Failure

A sudden decrease in kidney function (days) that can be reversed with prompt diagnosis and treatment.

Virulent

The strength or ability of a pathogen to produce a disease.

Carrier

A person in whom an infectious organism has taken up permanent residence; they may be asymptomatic but can still infect others.

Amylase

A pancreatic enzyme that breaks down starches into sugar.

Retroperitoneal

The space behind the peritoneum where organs like the kidneys, ovaries, and pancreas are located.

Priapism

A painful erection in men often associated with significant injury or trauma.