NREMT TERMS

By: Sai Narasimhadevara

Section 1. Respiratory diseases and emergencies

Asthma

Chronic airway inflammation and narrowing that can cause episodes of breathing difficulty

COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; a group of diseases that limit airflow

Emphysema

Damage to alveoli that reduces effective gas exchange

Chronic bronchitis

Long-term inflammation of the bronchi associated with excess mucus production

Pneumonia

Infection that inflames lung tissue and may impair gas exchange

Pulmonary edema

Fluid accumulation in the lungs

Pulmonary embolism (PE)

Blockage of a pulmonary artery, commonly by a blood clot

Pneumothorax

Air in the pleural space that can cause a lung to collapse

Tension pneumothorax

Increasing pressure in the pleural space that compromises breathing and circulation

Hemothorax

Blood accumulating in the pleural space

Hemopneumothorax

Air and blood in the pleural space

Flail chest

Unstable segment of the chest wall caused by multiple rib fractures

Respiratory distress

Difficulty breathing, often with increased effort

Respiratory failure

Inability to maintain adequate oxygenation or ventilation

Respiratory arrest

Breathing has stopped or is ineffective

Apnea

Absence of breathing

Dyspnea

Subjective difficulty or discomfort with breathing

Tachypnea

Abnormally rapid breathing

Bradypnea

Abnormally slow breathing

Orthopnea

Difficulty breathing when lying flat

Hypoventilation

Inadequate ventilation, often causing carbon dioxide retention

Hyperventilation

Ventilation in excess of the body's metabolic needs

Hypoxia

Inadequate oxygen available to body tissues

Hypoxemia

Low oxygen level in arterial blood

Hypercapnia

Excess carbon dioxide in the blood

Hypocapnia

Carbon dioxide level below normal

Stridor

High-pitched sound associated with upper-airway narrowing

Wheezing

Whistling breath sound often caused by narrowed lower airways

Crackles

Discontinuous popping breath sounds that may occur with fluid or other lung conditions

Rhonchi

Coarse, low-pitched breath sounds often associated with airway secretions

Pleural effusion

Excess fluid in the pleural space

Atelectasis

Partial or complete collapse of lung tissue

Croup

Usually viral illness causing a barking cough and sometimes stridor in children

Epiglottitis

Inflammation of the epiglottis that may obstruct the airway

Bronchiolitis

Inflammation of the small airways, especially in infants and young children

Pertussis

Highly contagious respiratory infection also called whooping cough

Tuberculosis (TB)

Infectious disease that most commonly affects the lungs

Sputum

Material coughed up from the respiratory tract

Hemoptysis

Coughing up blood

Cyanosis

Bluish discoloration that may indicate inadequate oxygenation

Ventilation

Movement of air into and out of the lungs

Oxygenation

Process of transferring oxygen into the blood

Gas exchange

Exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the alveoli and blood

Bronchospasm

Contraction of airway smooth muscle, narrowing the airways

Accessory muscle use

Use of additional muscles to assist breathing; can indicate respiratory distress

Retractions

Inward movement of soft tissue around the ribs or neck during breathing

Nasal flaring

Widening of the nostrils during breathing, especially significant in children

Tripod position

Leaning forward with arms supported to help breathing

Section 2. Cardiovascular diseases and emergencies

Term

Definition

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS)

Group of conditions involving sudden reduced blood flow to the heart

Angina pectoris

Chest discomfort caused by insufficient blood flow to heart muscle

Myocardial infarction (MI)

Heart attack; death of heart muscle from prolonged inadequate blood supply

Coronary artery disease (CAD)

Narrowing of arteries supplying the heart

Congestive heart failure (CHF)

Heart dysfunction that can cause fluid buildup in the lungs or body

Cardiac arrest

Loss of effective cardiac pumping and circulation

Arrhythmia

Abnormal heart rhythm

Tachycardia

Abnormally fast heart rate

Bradycardia

Abnormally slow heart rate

Hypertension

High blood pressure

Hypotension

Low blood pressure

Atherosclerosis

Plaque buildup in artery walls

Aneurysm

Abnormal dilation of a blood vessel

Aortic dissection

Tear in the inner layer of the aorta

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)

Abnormal enlargement of the abdominal aorta

Cardiac tamponade

Pressure around the heart that prevents normal filling

Cardiogenic shock

Shock caused by failure of the heart to pump adequately

Hypovolemic shock

Shock caused by inadequate circulating blood or fluid volume

Distributive shock

Shock caused by abnormal blood-vessel dilation and blood distribution

Obstructive shock

Shock caused by a physical obstruction to circulation

Perfusion

Delivery of blood to body tissues

Ischemia

Inadequate blood supply to a tissue

Infarction

Death of tissue due to inadequate blood supply

Hemorrhage

Loss of blood from the circulatory system

Thrombus

Blood clot formed within a blood vessel or the heart

Embolus

Material traveling through the bloodstream that can block a vessel

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

Blood clot in a deep vein, commonly in the leg

Peripheral vascular disease (PVD)

Disease affecting blood vessels outside the heart and brain

Syncope

Temporary loss of consciousness, often due to reduced blood flow to the brain

Presyncope

Feeling faint without complete loss of consciousness

Palpitations

Awareness of a forceful, rapid, or irregular heartbeat

Diaphoresis

Excessive sweating

Pulselessness

Absence of a detectable pulse

Peripheral cyanosis

Bluish discoloration of extremities, potentially associated with poor circulation

Capillary refill

Time required for color to return after pressure is released from tissue; interpret with other findings

Pulse deficit

Difference between the heart rate and a peripheral pulse rate

Section 3. Endocrine and metabolic conditions

Term

Definition

Diabetes mellitus

Disorder involving insulin production or function that causes abnormal blood glucose

Hypoglycemia

Abnormally low blood glucose

Hyperglycemia

Abnormally high blood glucose

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)

Diabetes-related emergency involving ketone accumulation, dehydration, and metabolic acidosis

Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS)

Severe hyperglycemia and dehydration, usually without significant ketoacidosis

Insulin

Hormone that lowers blood glucose

Glucagon

Hormone that raises blood glucose

Diabetes-related neuropathy

Nerve damage associated with diabetes

Dehydration

Deficit of body water

Hypovolemia

Reduced circulating blood volume

Electrolyte imbalance

Abnormal concentration of substances such as sodium or potassium