EMT Lecture Review Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary terms and medical acronyms derived from EMT lecture notes covering assessment, anatomy, physiology, and emergency conditions.

Body Substance Isolation (BSI)

A practice of isolating all body substances (blood, urine, feces, etc.) from the rescuer to prevent disease transmission.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Equipment such as gloves, masks, and eyewear used to protect the rescuer from exposure to infectious agents.

PENMANN

A scene size-up mnemonic standing for Personal/Partner/Peeper Safety, Environmental Hazards, Number of victims, Mechanism of injury/Nature of illness, Additional resources, Need for extrication, and Need for c-spine.

AVPU

A mnemonic to assess level of consciousness: Alert, Verbal, Painful, and Unresponsive.

ABC

The primary assessment sequence of Airway, Breathing, and Circulation.

COPS

A mnemonic for checking circulation: Capillary refill, Obvious bleeding, Pulse, and Skin signs.

OPQRST

A mnemonic for assessing pain: Onset, Provocation/Palliation, Quality, Region/Radiation, Severity, and Time.

SAMPLE

A mnemonic for patient history: Signs and symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Past pertinent medical history, Last oral intake, and Events leading up.

IPA

The sequence of physical examination: Inspect, Palpate, and Auscultate.

DCAPBTLS

A mnemonic for trauma assessment: Deformities, Contusions, Abrasions, Punctures, Burns, Tenderness, Lacerations, and Swelling.

Crepitus

A crackling or grating sound caused by bones rubbing against each other.

DRGERM

A mnemonic for abdominal assessment: Distension, Rigidity, Guarding, Evisceration, Rebounding tenderness, and Pulsating masses.

PMSC

A mnemonic for distal extremities: Pulse, Motor, Sensory, and Capillary refill.

Superior

A directional term meaning nearer to the head.

Inferior

A directional term meaning nearer to the feet.

Lateral

A directional term meaning farther from the midline.

Medial

A directional term meaning closer to the midline.

Proximal

A directional term meaning closer to the trunk.

Distal

A directional term meaning farther away from the trunk.

Prone

An anatomic position where a person is lying face down.

Supine

An anatomic position where a person is lying face up.

Coronal (frontal) plane

An imaginary plane that divides the body into front and back.

Sagittal (lateral) plane

An imaginary plane that divides the body into left and right.

Transverse (axial) plane

An imaginary plane that divides the body into top and bottom.

Axial skeleton

The foundation of the skeleton including the skull, facial bones, thoracic cage, and vertebral column.

Appendicular skeleton

The part of the skeleton including the pelvis, upper extremities, and lower extremities.

Tidal volume

The amount of air moved into or out of the lungs during a single breath.

Residual volume

The gas that remains in the lungs to keep the lungs open.

Minute volume

The total volume of air moved through the lungs in 1 minute, calculated as $\text{Respiratory rate} \times \text{Tidal volume}$.

Stroke volume

The amount of blood moved by the heart in one beat.

Cardiac output (CO)

The amount of blood moved in 1 minute, calculated as $\text{HR} \times \text{SV} = \text{CO}$.

Perfusion

The circulation of blood in an organ or tissue in adequate amounts to meet the needs of cells.

Systole

The phase of the cardiac cycle when the left ventricle contracts and pumps blood into the aorta.

Diastole

The phase of the cardiac cycle when the ventricle relaxes and fills with blood.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

The portion of the nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal cord.

Somatic nervous system

The part of the peripheral nervous system that transmits signals from the brain to voluntary muscles.

Autonomic nervous system

The part of the peripheral nervous system responsible for involuntary actions, split into sympathetic and parasympathetic branches.

Neonate

A child from the age of birth to 1 month.

Infant

A child from the age of 1 month to 1 year.

Golden Hour

The time from injury to definitive care, during which treatment of shock and traumatic injuries is most critical.

Mechanism of Injury (MOI)

The type or amount of force, how long it was applied, and where it was applied to the body.

Patent

A term meaning an airway is open and clear.

Pharmacodynamics

The process by which a medication works on the body.

Agonist

A medication that causes stimulation of receptors.

Antagonist

A medication that binds to a receptor and blocks other medications or chemicals.

Shock (hypoperfusion)

A state of collapse and failure of the cardiovascular system that leads to inadequate circulation.

Cardiogenic shock

Shock caused by inadequate function of the heart, often leading to pulmonary edema.

Septic shock

A type of distributive shock resulting from severe infections where bacterial toxins damage vessel walls.

Neurogenic shock

Shock typically resulting from a high spinal cord injury, causing widespread vasodilation below the injury site.

Anaphylactic shock

A severe, life-threatening allergic reaction to a substance to which a person has been sensitized.

Psychogenic shock

A sudden reaction of the nervous system that produces temporary vascular dilation, resulting in fainting (syncope).

Hypovolemic shock

Shock resulting from an inadequate amount of fluid or volume in the circulatory system.

Index of suspicion

An EMT's awareness of potentially serious underlying injuries or illness.

Pandemic

A disease outbreak that occurs on a global scale.

Croup

Inflammation and swelling of the pharynx, larynx, and trachea, characterized by a seal-bark cough and stridor.

Epiglottitis

A bacterial infection causing inflammation of the epiglottis, often causing children to drool and sit in a tripod position.

Emphysema

A type of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) involving the loss of elastic material in the lungs.

Atherosclerosis

The buildup of calcium and cholesterol in the arteries, forming plaque.

Angina pectoris

Crushing or squeezing chest pain that occurs when the heart's need for oxygen exceeds its supply.

Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI)

The actual death of cells in the heart muscle due to lack of blood flow; a heart attack.

Asystole

The complete absence of all heart electrical activity.