EMT Week 5 Vocab

Acute renal failure (ARF)

A sudden loss of kidney function that causes waste products and excess fluid to build up in the body.

Apnea monitor

A device that monitors breathing and alerts when a person stops breathing for a set period.

Autism

A developmental condition that affects communication, behavior, and social interaction.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

A range of developmental conditions characterized by differences in communication, social interaction, and behavior.

AV fistula

A surgically created connection between an artery and vein, usually in the arm, used for hemodialysis.

AV graft

A synthetic tube surgically connecting an artery to a vein to provide vascular access for dialysis.

AV shunt

A surgically created connection between an artery and vein that provides access for hemodialysis.

Bariatrics

The medical field concerned with the prevention and treatment of obesity.

Bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP)

A noninvasive ventilation method that provides two levels of positive airway pressure to assist breathing.

Birth defect

A physical or functional abnormality present at birth.

Central intravenous catheter

A catheter inserted into a large vein to deliver medications, fluids, or other treatments.

Central venous line

A catheter whose tip is positioned in a large central vein, often near the heart, for long-term IV access.

Cerebral palsy

A group of disorders caused by abnormal brain development or injury that affects movement, muscle tone, and coordination.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD)

A gradual, long-term loss of kidney function.

Chronic renal failure (CRF)

A permanent, progressive loss of kidney function, usually referring to advanced chronic kidney disease.

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)

A noninvasive ventilation method that provides continuous positive pressure to keep the airway open.

Diabetic retinopathy

Damage to the blood vessels of the retina caused by diabetes, potentially resulting in vision loss.

Dialysis

A treatment that removes waste products and excess fluid from the blood when the kidneys cannot do so adequately.

Dialysis shunt

A surgically created connection that provides repeated access to the bloodstream for hemodialysis.

Dysarthria

Difficulty speaking clearly due to weakness or poor control of the muscles used for speech.

Enteral feeding

Providing nutrition directly into the gastrointestinal tract through a feeding tube.

Gastrostomy

A surgically created opening through the abdomen into the stomach for feeding.

Hemodialysis

A type of dialysis that filters the blood through a machine to remove waste and excess fluid.

Hospice

Care focused on comfort and quality of life for a patient with a terminal illness rather than curing the disease.

Hydrocephalus

An abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain that can increase pressure inside the skull.

Intraventricular shunt

A surgically implanted tube that drains excess cerebrospinal fluid from the brain into another part of the body.

Medical oxygen

Oxygen administered for medical purposes to treat or prevent inadequate oxygenation.

Orthotic

A device used to support, align, or improve the function of a body part.

Ostomy bag

A pouch attached to a stoma that collects bodily waste after an ostomy.

Palliative care

Medical care focused on relieving symptoms and improving comfort and quality of life in serious illness.

Paraplegia

Paralysis of both lower limbs, usually involving the lower part of the body.

Peritoneal dialysis

A type of dialysis that uses the lining of the abdominal cavity to filter waste and excess fluid from the blood.

Prosthetic

An artificial device that replaces a missing body part.

Pulse oximeter

A device that measures blood oxygen saturation and pulse rate.

Quadriplegia

Paralysis affecting all four limbs and usually the trunk.

Stoma

A surgically created opening that allows bodily waste or fluids to exit the body.

Surgically implanted medication delivery devices

Implanted devices that deliver medications directly into specific areas of the body at controlled rates.

Terminally ill

Having a disease or condition that is expected to result in death.

Totally implantable venous access system (TIVAS)

A device implanted under the skin that provides long-term access to a central vein for medications or fluids.

Tracheostomy

A surgically created opening in the trachea through the neck to provide an airway.

Urinary catheter

A tube inserted into the bladder to drain urine.

Vascular access device

A device that provides access to a blood vessel for administering medications, fluids, or dialysis.

Vagus nerve stimulator (VNS)

An implanted device that sends electrical impulses to the vagus nerve, commonly used to help control certain seizures.

Ventricular assist device (VAD)

A mechanical pump that helps the heart circulate blood when the heart cannot pump adequately.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

A mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, causing symptoms such as flashbacks, anxiety, and nightmares.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI)

An injury to the brain caused by an external force, such as a blow, jolt, or penetrating injury.

Complex access

A situation where gaining access to a patient requires special equipment, additional personnel, or significant effort due to the patient's location or surroundings.

Simple access

A situation where the patient can be reached and treated without special equipment or significant difficulty.

Cold zone

The area of a hazardous materials incident that is outside the contaminated area and where support and command personnel operate.

Hazardous material

A substance that can pose a threat to people, property, or the environment because of its chemical, physical, or biological properties.

Hot zone

The area immediately surrounding a hazardous material release where contamination and the greatest danger are present.

Safety zone

An area established away from hazards where responders and patients can remain protected from danger.

Warm zone

The area between the hot and cold zones where decontamination and other support activities take place.

Disaster

A large-scale event that overwhelms available emergency resources and requires outside assistance.

Incident commander

The person responsible for overall management and coordination of an emergency incident.

Incident command system (ICS)

A standardized system used to organize and manage personnel and resources during an emergency.

Multiple-casualty incident (MCI)

An incident involving enough patients that normal emergency resources and procedures may be overwhelmed.

National Incident Management System (NIMS)

A standardized system that provides a common framework for managing emergencies and disasters across agencies.

Primary triage

The initial sorting of patients to determine the severity of their injuries and treatment priority.

Secondary triage

The reassessment and further prioritization of patients after primary triage, usually in the treatment area.

Staging unit

The area or unit where EMS personnel and resources wait until they are assigned to the incident.

Transport unit

The unit responsible for coordinating and managing the transportation of patients to appropriate medical facilities.

Treatment unit

The unit responsible for providing treatment to patients after they have been triaged.

Triage

The process of sorting patients based on the severity of their injuries and the urgency of treatment.

Triage unit

The unit responsible for rapidly assessing and categorizing patients according to treatment priority.

Acetylcholine (ACh)

A neurotransmitter that carries signals between nerve cells and muscles and helps control many body functions.

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE)

An enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine and stops its effects at nerve endings.

Biological agents

Disease-causing organisms or toxins that can be used to harm people, animals, or plants.

Cyanide

A highly poisonous chemical that prevents cells from using oxygen, causing rapid tissue and organ failure.

Cyberterrorism

The use of computers or digital systems to cause disruption, damage, or fear as an act of terrorism.

Fallout

Radioactive particles that settle on the ground and other surfaces after a nuclear explosion or release.

Incendiary devices

Devices designed to start fires or produce intense heat to cause damage.

Nerve agents

Highly toxic chemicals that disrupt the nervous system by interfering with acetylcholinesterase.

Nuclear radiation

Energy released from unstable atoms that can damage living tissue and cause radiation sickness.

Persistence

The length of time a hazardous substance remains dangerous in an environment.

Primary effect

The immediate or direct effect of a hazardous substance or weapon on the body.

Primary exposure

Exposure that occurs directly from the initial hazardous substance or event.

Pulmonary agents

Chemicals that damage the respiratory system and can cause severe breathing problems or lung injury.

Quaternary effects

Long-term or delayed effects that may occur after exposure to a hazardous substance or weapon.

Secondary effects

Effects caused by the immediate consequences of an incident, such as fires, explosions, or structural collapse.

Tertiary effects

Effects that occur after secondary effects, often involving additional injuries or complications.

Vesicants

Chemical agents that cause severe irritation and blistering of the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract.

Volatility

The tendency of a substance to change from a liquid into a vapor.

Weapons of mass destruction (WMD)

Weapons capable of causing widespread death, injury, or destruction, including chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or explosive weapons.