Emt module 5

The inability to understand and/or produce speech.

aphasia

A type of stroke that occurs when blood flow to a particular part of the brain is cut off by a blockage (eg, a blood clot) inside a blood vessel.

ischemic stroke

An abnormally high blood glucose level.

hyperglycemia

A neurologic episode caused by a surge of electrical activity in the brain; can be a convulsion characterized by generalized, uncoordinated muscular activity, and can be associated with loss of consciousness.

seizure

The period following a seizure that lasts 5 to 30 minutes; characterized by labored respirations and some degree of altered mental status.

postictal state

A swelling or enlargement of the wall of a blood vessel that results from weakening of the vessel wall.

aneurysm

A blood clot or other substance in the circulatory system that travels to a blood vessel where it causes a blockage of blood flow.

embolus

A lack of oxygen that deprives tissues of necessary nutrients, resulting from partial or complete blockage of blood flow; potentially reversible because permanent injury has not yet occurred.

ischemia

A change in the way a person thinks and behaves that may signal disease in the central nervous system or elsewhere in the body.

altered mental status

A state of profound unconsciousness from which the patient cannot be roused.

coma

An abnormally low blood glucose level.

hypoglycemia

Weakness on one side of the body.

hemiparesis

A fainting spell or transient loss of consciousness.

syncope

A disorder in which cholesterol and calcium build up inside the walls of the blood vessels, forming plaque, which eventually leads to a partial or complete blockage of blood flow.

atherosclerosis

A sensation experienced before a seizure; serves as a warning sign that a seizure is about to occur.

aura

A temporary change in mental status characterized by disorganized thoughts, inattention, memory loss, disorientation, striking changes in personality and affect, hallucinations, delusions, or a decreased level of consciousness.

delirium

An interruption of blood flow to the brain that results in the loss of brain function; also called a stroke.

cerebrovascular accident

A seizure characterized by severe twitching of all of the body's muscles that may last several minutes or more; formerly known as a grand mal seizure.

generalized seizure

Seizures that result from sudden high fevers; most often seen in children.

febrile seizure

A seizure affecting a limited portion of the brain.

focal seizure

A disorder in which abnormal electrical discharges occur in the brain, causing seizures and possible loss of consciousness; a medication that increases heart rate and blood pressure but also eases breathing problems by decreasing muscle tone of the bronchiole tree.

epilepsy

Slurred speech.

dysarthria

A type of stroke that occurs as a result of bleeding inside the brain.

hemorrhagic stroke

A condition in which seizures recur every few minutes or last longer than 30 minutes.

status epilepticus

Loss of bowel and/or bladder control; may be the result of a generalized seizure.

incontinence

A disorder of the brain in which brain cells temporarily stop functioning because of insufficient oxygen, causing strokelike symptoms that resolve completely within 24 hours of onset.

transient ischemic attack

An interruption of blood flow to the brain that results in the loss of brain function; also called a cerebrovascular accident (CVA).

stroke

Paralysis of the bowel, arising from any one of several causes; stops contractions that move material through the intestine.

ileus

inflammation of the gallbladder

cholecystitis

The protrusion of an organ or tissue through an abnormal body opening.

hernia

Inflammation of the bladder.

cystitis

Inflammation in small pockets at weak areas in the muscle walls of the intestines.

diverticulitis

The membrane lining the abdominal cavity (parietal) and covering the abdominal organs (visceral).

peritoneum

Involuntary muscle contractions (spasm) of the abdominal wall to minimize the pain of abdominal movement; a sign of peritonitis.

guarding

Black, foul-smelling, tarry stool containing digested blood.

melena

Solid crystalline masses formed in the kidney, resulting from an excess of insoluble salts or uric acid crystallizing in the urine; may become trapped anywhere along the urinary tract.

kidney stones

A condition in which the sphincter between the esophagus and the stomach opens, allowing stomach acid to move up into the esophagus, usually resulting in a burning sensation within the chest; also called acid reflux.

gastrophageal reflux disease

Complete obstruction of blood circulation in a given organ as a result of compression or entrapment; an emergency situation causing death of tissue.

obstructive shock

inflammation of the peritoneum

peritonitis

inflammation of the pancreas

pancreatitis

An infection, usually of the lower urinary tract (urethra and bladder), that occurs when normal flora bacteria enter the urethra and grow.

urinary tract infection

vomiting blood

hematemesis

Pain felt in an area of the body other than the area where the cause of pain is located.

referred pain

vomiting

emesis

A condition of sudden onset of pain within the abdomen, usually indicating peritonitis; immediate medical or surgical treatment is necessary.

acute abdomen

Severe kidney failure resulting in the buildup of waste products within the blood. Eventually brain functions will be impaired.

uremia

Inflammation or infection of the appendix.

appendicitis

The complex message and control system that integrates many body functions, including the release of hormones.

endocrine system

A state of unconsciousness resulting from several problems, including ketoacidosis, dehydration because of excessive urination, and hyperglycemia.

symptomatic hyperglycemia

The passage of an unusually large volume of urine in a given period; in diabetes, this can result from the wasting of glucose in the urine.

polyuria

A condition in which insulin resistance develops in response to increased blood glucose levels; can be managed by exercise and diet modification, but is often managed by medications.

type 2 diabetes

An autoimmune disorder in which the individual's immune system produces antibodies to the pancreatic beta cells, and therefore the pancreas cannot produce insulin; onset in early childhood is common.

type 1 diabetes

A hereditary condition in which the patient lacks one or more of the blood's normal clotting factors.

hemophilia

A metabolic disorder in which the ability to metabolize carbohydrates (sugars) is impaired, usually because of a lack of insulin.

diabetes mellitus

Deep, rapid breathing; usually the result of an accumulation of certain acids when insulin is not available in the body.

kussmaul respirations

Excessive eating; in diabetes, the inability to use glucose properly can cause a sense of hunger.

polyphagia

A hereditary disease that causes normal, round red blood cells to become oblong, or sickle shaped.

sickle cell disease

A life-threatening condition resulting from high blood glucose that typically occurs in older adults and which causes altered mental status, dehydration, and organ damage.

hyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketotic syndrome

A blood clot, either in the arterial or venous system. When the clot occurs in a cerebral artery, it may result in the interruption of cerebral blood flow and subsequent stroke.

thrombosis

One of the basic sugars; it is the primary fuel, in conjunction with oxygen, for cellular metabolism.

glucose

Substances formed in specialized organs or glands and carried to another organ or group of cells in the same organism; they regulate many body functions, including metabolism, growth, and body temperature.

hormones

A tendency toward the development of blood clots as a result of an abnormality of the system of coagulation.

thrombophilia

The study and prevention of blood-related disorders.

hematology

Severe hypoglycemia resulting in changes in mental status.

symptomatic hypoglycemia

Ischemia and pain caused by sickle-shaped red blood cells that obstruct blood flow to a portion of the body.

vasoocclusive crisis

Glands that secrete or release chemicals that are used inside the body.

endocrine glands

Excessive thirst that persists for long periods despite reasonable fluid intake; often the result of excessive urination.

polydipsia

The buildup of excess acid in the blood or body tissues that can result from a primary illness.

acidosis

A form of hyperglycemia in uncontrolled diabetes in which certain acids accumulate when insulin is not available.

diabetic ketoacidosis

The act of injecting venom.

Envenomation

The body's exaggerated immune response to an internal or surface agent.

allergic reaction

A substance that cause an allergic reaction.

allergen

A harsh, high-pitched respiratory sound, generally heard during inspiration, that is caused by partial blockage or narrowing of the upper airway; may be audible without a stethoscope.

stridor

A medication that increases heart rate and blood pressure but also eases breathing problems by decreasing muscle tone of the bronchiole tree; a substance produced by the body (commonly called adrenaline), and a drug produced by pharmaceutical companies that increases pulse rate and blood pressure; the drug of choice for an anaphylactic reaction.

epinephrine

Chemical substances released by the immune system in allergic reactions that are responsible for many of the symptoms of anaphylaxis, such as vasodilation.

histamines

The study of the body's immune system.

immunology

A raised, swollen, well-defined area on the skin resulting from an insect bite or allergic reaction.

wheal

An extreme, life-threatening, systemic allergic reaction that may include shock and respiratory failure.

anaphylaxis

Chemical substances that contribute to anaphylaxis; released by the immune system in allergic reactions.

leukotrienes

Localized areas of swelling beneath the skin, often around the eyes and lips, but can also involve other body areas as well.

angioedema

Small areas of generalized itching and/or burning that appear as multiple raised areas on the skin; hives.

urticaria

The body's response to a substance perceived by the body as foreign.

immune response

A poison or harmful substance.

toxin

The body system that includes all of the structures and processes designed to mount a defense against foreign substances and disease-causing agents.

immune system

A high-pitched, whistling breath sound that is most prominent on expiration, and which suggests an obstruction or narrowing of the lower airways; occurs in asthma and bronchiolitis.

wheezing

An agent that produces false perceptions in any one of the five senses.

hallucinogen

An agent that produces an excited state.

stimulant

Vomiting.

emesis

A synthetically produced narcotic medication, drug, or agent similar to the opiate morphine, but not derived from opium; used to relieve pain.

opioid

A subset of the opioid family, referring to natural, nonsynthetic opioids.

poison

A substance whose chemical action could damage structures or impair function when introduced into the body.

addiction

A state of overwhelming obsession or physical need to continue the use of a substance.

material safety data sheet

A form, provided by manufacturers and compounders (blenders) of chemicals, containing information about chemical composition, physical and chemical properties, health and safety hazards, emergency response, and waste disposal of a specific material; also known as a safety data sheet (SDS).

hematemesis

Vomiting blood.

hematemesis

The study of toxic or poisonous substances.

toxicology

An excessive quantity of a drug that, when taken or administered, can have toxic or lethal consequences.

overdose

The need for increasing amounts of a drug to obtain the same effect.

tolerance

The misuse of any substance to produce a desired effect.

substance abuse

A sleep-inducing effect or agent.

hypnotic

Swallowing; taking a substance by mouth.

ingestion