EMT-Basic Assessment Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering EMT-Basic assessment definitions, vital signs, breath sounds, and clinical mnemonics.

General Impression

The plan of action an EMT develops from the time the call is received until the first few minutes of arrival.

Scene Size Up

The immediate evaluation upon arrival where the EMT looks for MOI/IOS, Safety, Number of Patients, and if Help Needed.

Initial (Primary) Assessment

Evaluation consisting of AVPU, CC, and ABCDE used to find and treat life-threatening situations immediately.

General (Secondary) Assessment

Assessment consisting of SAMPLE history, Vitals, and Physical Assessment.

Ongoing Assessment

Re-evaluation starting at AVPU performed every $5$ minutes for unstable patients and every $15$ minutes for stable patients.

Chief Complaint (CC)

The reason the person called 911, recorded in the patient's own words; also known as Nature of Illness.

LOC

Stands for Level of Consciousness.

BSI

Stands for Body Substance Isolation; based on the principle that all bodily fluids are contaminated.

Paradoxical motion

When $3$ or more consecutive ribs are broken in $2$ or more places, causing the broken area to move in the opposite direction as the rest of the chest.

Crepitus

Bone ends grinding against each other or air trapped under the skin that makes a popping sound.

Edema

The medical term for swelling.

Baseline Vitals

The first set of vital signs (Pulse, BP, Respirations, Temperature) taken.

Trending

The comparison of subsequent sets of vitals against the baseline set.

Ventilation

The physical act of the chest moving.

Respirations

The act of getting air into the body and to tissue, and back out.

Normal Adult Respiration Rate

$12$ to $20$ breaths per minute.

Normal Child Respiration Rate

$15$ to $30$ breaths per minute.

Normal Infant Respiration Rate

$25$ to $50$ breaths per minute.

Snoring

A breath sound indicating the tongue has fallen back and is blocking the airway.

Gurgling

A breath sound indicating fluid in the upper airway.

Wheezing

A breath sound indicating reversible narrowing of the lower airway.

Stridor

A high-pitched sound heard on inhalation indicating partial upper airway obstruction.

Rales

Fine crackling bubbles in the alveoli.

Rhonchi

Breath sound indicating fluid in the bronchioles.

Wet Lung

Another term for pulmonary edema.

Pulse

The contraction of the left ventricular.

Pulse Point

Where an artery comes close to the surface and can be pressed against a bone.

Carotid Pulse

Pulse point checked in unresponsive adults and children.

Radial Pulse

Pulse point checked in responsive adults and children.

Brachial Pulse

Pulse point used to check infants.

Central Pulses

Includes carotid, femoral, and apical pulses.

Apical Pulse

Pulse found by listening to the heart pump.

Normal Adult Pulse Range

$60$ to $100$ beats per minute.

Capillary Refill

Blood return that should occur in less than $2$ seconds; most reliable in patients under $6$ years of age.

Systolic Pressure

The heart at work or pressure in vessels; normal range is $90$ to $140\,mmHg$.

Diastolic Pressure

The heart at rest or neutral pressure in vessels; normal range is $60$ to $90\,mmHg$.

Palpation (Blood Pressure)

A method to find systolic pressure only, useful in noisy environments; recorded as #/Palp.

Auscultation (Blood Pressure)

A method using a stethoscope to find both systolic and diastolic numbers.

Normal Temperature Range

$96.4$ to $99.6$ degrees Fahrenheit.

AVPU

Scale used to measure Level of Consciousness: Alert, Verbal, Pain, Unresponsive.

SAMPLE

Mnemonic for patient history: Sign and symptoms, Allergies, Medication, Pertinent past, Last intake, Events.

OPQRST

Mnemonic used to further define symptoms: Onset, Provocation, Quality, Radiation, Severity, Time.

DCAPBTLS

Mnemonic for physical assessment: Deformities, Contusions, Abrasions, Punctures, Burns, Tenderness, Lacerations, Swelling.

Detail Assessment

A head-to-toe assessment performed in less than $90$ seconds for major injuries, unresponsive or intoxicated patients.

Sign

Something an EMT sees, feels, or touches and can validate.

Symptom

Something described by the patient.

PEARL

Standard for normal pupils: Pupils Equal and Reactive to Light.