emt module 4 vocab

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers key terminology and clinical parameters for cardiovascular emergencies, gastrointestinal disorders, gynecologic conditions, and obstetric care based on EMT educational standards.

acute coronary syndrome (ACS)

A group of symptoms caused by myocardial ischemia; includes angina and myocardial infarction.

acute myocardial infarction (AMI)

A heart attack; death of heart muscle following obstruction of blood flow to it, where "acute" means "new" or "happening right now."

angina pectoris

Transient (short-lived) chest discomfort caused by partial or temporary blockage of blood flow to the heart muscle; also called angina.

aortic aneurysm

A weakness in the wall of the aorta that makes it susceptible to rupture.

artifact

A tracing on an ECG that is the result of interference, such as patient movement, rather than the heart's electrical activity.

asystole

The complete absence of all heart electrical activity.

atherosclerosis

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

bradycardia

A slow heart rate, less than $60\,beats/min$.

cardiac output

A measure of the volume of blood circulated by the heart in $1\,minute$, calculated by multiplying the stroke volume by the heart rate.

cardiogenic shock

A state in which not enough oxygen is delivered to the tissues of the body, caused by low output of blood from the heart; often associated with a systolic blood pressure less than $90\,mm\,Hg$.

congestive heart failure (CHF)

A disorder in which the heart loses part of its ability to effectively pump blood, usually as a result of damage to the heart muscle and usually resulting in a backup of fluid into the lungs.

dependent edema

Swelling in the part of the body closest to the ground, caused by collection of fluid in the tissues; a possible sign of congestive heart failure.

dissecting aneurysm

A condition in which the inner layers of an artery, such as the aorta, become separated, allowing blood at high pressures to flow between the layers.

hypertensive emergency

An emergency situation created by excessively high blood pressure, which can lead to serious complications such as stroke or aneurysm.

ischemia

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.

return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC)

The return of a pulse and effective blood flow to the body in a patient who previously was in cardiac arrest.

tachycardia

A rapid heart rate, more than $100\,beats/min$.

thromboembolism

A blood clot that has formed within a blood vessel and is floating within the bloodstream.

ventricular fibrillation

Disorganized, ineffective quivering of the ventricles, resulting in no blood flow and a state of cardiac arrest.

acute abdomen

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

cholecystitis

Inflammation of the gallbladder.

diverticulitis

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

emesis

Vomiting.

gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

A condition in which the sphincter between the esophagus and the stomach opens, allowing stomach acid to move up into the esophagus; also called acid reflux.

guarding

Involuntary muscle contractions (spasm) of the abdominal wall; an effort to protect the inflamed abdomen.

hematemesis

Vomiting blood.

ileus

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

melena

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

referred pain

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

uremia

Severe kidney failure resulting in the buildup of waste products within the blood.

bacterial vaginosis

An overgrowth of bacteria in the vagina; characterized by itching, burning, or pain, and possibly a "fishy"-smelling discharge.

chlamydia

A sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis.

pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

An infection of the fallopian tubes and the surrounding tissues of the pelvis.

abruptio placentae

Premature separation of the placenta from the wall of the uterus.

Apgar score

A scoring system for assessing the status of a newborn that assigns a number value to each of five areas: Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, and Respiration.

bloody show

A small amount of blood in the vagina appearing at the beginning of labor, often including a plug of pink-tinged mucus discharged when the cervix begins to dilate.

eclampsia

A pregnancy complication characterized by new-onset hypertension (systolic blood pressure $> 140\,mm\,Hg$ or diastolic blood pressure $> 140\,mm\,Hg$) with seizure activity.

ectopic pregnancy

A pregnancy that develops outside the uterus, typically in a fallopian tube.

gestational hypertension

A blood pressure greater than or equal to $140\,mm\,Hg$ systolic or $90\,mm\,Hg$ diastolic in a pregnant female in whom hypertension has not previously been diagnosed.

lightening

The movement of the fetus down into the pelvis late in pregnancy.

meconium

Fetal stool; when appearing as a dark green material in the amniotic fluid, it can indicate distress or disease in the newborn.

placenta previa

A condition in which the placenta develops over and covers the cervix.

preeclampsia

A pregnancy complication characterized by new-onset hypertension (systolic BP $> 140\,mm\,Hg$ or diastolic BP $> 90\,mm\,Hg$) and systemic effects like blurred vision, differentiated from eclampsia by the lack of seizure activity.

supine hypotensive syndrome

Low blood pressure resulting from compression of the inferior vena cava by the weight of the pregnant uterus when the woman is supine.

term gestation

A pregnancy that has reached full term, between $39\,weeks$ and $40\,weeks, 6\,days$.

vernix caseosa

A white, cheesy substance that covers the body of the fetus.

OPQRST

A mnemonic for assessing pain: Onset, Provocation/palliation, Quality, Region/radiation, Severity, and Timing.

Braxton-Hicks Contractions

False labor contractions that are not regular and do not increase in intensity or frequency.