First Aid Unit Vocabulary

First Aid

Immediate care that is given to the victim of an injury or illness to minimize the effect of the injury or illness until experts can take over.

Triage

A method of prioritizing treatment - most severe injury/illness should be treated first

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation

You breathe for the person and circulate the blood.

Purpose is to keep oxygenated blood flowing to the brain and other vital body organs until the heart and lungs start working again, or until medical help is available.

Abrasion

Skin is scraped off. Bleeding is usually limited.

Infection must be prevented because dirt and contaminants often enter the wound.

Incision

Cut or injury caused a sharp object (knife, scissors, razor blade).

Edges of wound are smooth and regular.

Amputation

Body part is cut off and separated from the body.

Laceration

Tearing of the tissues by way of excessive force.

The wound often has jagged, irregular edges.

Bleeding may be heavy

Puncture

Caused by a sharp object (pin, nail, or pointed instrument).

avulsion

Tissue is torn or separated from the victims body.

May result in a piece of torn tissue hanging from the ear, nose, hand, or other body parts.

Arterial bleeding

spurts from a wound, results in heavy blood lossm and is bright red.

Venous bleeding

bleeding is constant and can lead to a large blood loss, but easier to control.

Shock

Also called hypoerfusion

a clinical set of signs and symptoms associated with an inadequate supply of blood to body organs, especially the brain and heart.

Hemorrhage

excessive loss of blood

Diaphoresis

excessive perspiration, may result in a wet, clammy feeling when the skin is touched

Anaphylactic shock

Body releases histamine causing vasodilation.

Blood pressure drops and less blood goes to body cells.

Urticaria and respiratory distress may occur.

Hemorrhagic Shock

Decrease in blood volume causes blood pressure to drop.

Decreased blood flow to body.

Hypovolemic Shock

Loss of body fluids affects homeostatic balance and organs to not get enough blood or oxygen.

Causes weakness, fainting, and dizziness.

Can lead to organ failure.

Septic Shock

Poisons or toxins in blood cause vasodilation.

Blood pressure drops.

Less oxygen supply to body cells.

Ingestion Poisoning

Poison has been swallowed, immediate care must be provided before the poison can be absorbed into the body.

Inhalation Poisoning

poison is caused by inhalation of dangerous gases, the victim must be removed immediately from the area before being treated.

Injection Poisoning

Poisoning is caused by inhalation of dangerous gases.

victim must be removed immediately from area before being treated.

Contact Poisoning

Poisoning is caused by chemicals or poisons coming in contact with the victims skin.

Superficial (1st degree) burn

Least severe type of burn. Only top layer of skin. Heals in 5-6 days without permanent scarring.

Skin usually reddened or discolored. Milks welling, and victim feels pain.

Partial thickness (2nd degree) burn

injury to the top layers of skin (epidermis and dermis). Blister or vesicle forms.

Skin has red or a mottled (blotchy with many shades of color) appearance. Swilling occurs. Surface of the skin frequently appears to be wet.

3-4 weeks to heal.

Full thickness (3rd degree) burn

Most severe type of burn. Injury to all layers of the skin plus the underlying tissue.

White or charred appearance. Extremely painful or nerve endings are destroyed-relatively painless.

Heat cramps

Muscle pains and spasms that results from the loss of fluids and electrolytes through perspiration. Caused by exposure to heat.

Heat exhaustion

Victim is exposed to heat and experiences a loss of fluids through sweating.

S/S: pale and clammy skin, profuse perspiration, fatigue or tiredness, weakness, etc. Body temp is about normal or just slightly elevated

Heat stroke

Caused by prolonged exposure to high temperatures. Is a medical emergency. The body is unable to eliminate the excess heat, and internal body temperature rises to 105

Frostbite

actual freezing of tissue fluids accompanies by damage to the skin and underlying tissues. Caused by exposure to freezing or below-freezing temperatures.

S/S: redness and tingling. As it progresses; pale, glossy skin that's white or grayish yellow in color.

Dislocation

End of bone is either displaced from a joint or moved out of its normal position within a joint.

tearing or stretching of ligaments, muscles, and other soft tissue.

S/S: deformity, limited or abnormal movement, swelling, discoloratio, etc

Fracture

A break in a bone.

S/S: deformity, limited motions, pain and tenderness at fracture site, swelling and discoloration, etc

Sprain

injury to the tissues surrounding a jointly usually occurs when the part is forced beyond its normal range of movement. Ligaments, tendons, and other tissues are stretched or torn. Common sites: ankles and wrists.

S/S: swelling, pain, discoloration, impaired motion.

Strain

an overstretching of a muscle. Caused by overexertion or lifting. Frequent side is the back.

S/S: sudden pain, swelling, and/or bruising

Heart-attack

coronary thrombosis, coronary

Cardiac arrest

occurs when the heart malfunctions and stop beating on its own

(caused by an electrical problem in the heart that causes an arrhythmia).