EMT VOCAB FOR BLOCK 1

Abandonment

Discontinuing medical care without the patient's consent and without transferring care to a qualified professional.

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA)

A localized ballooning or weakening of the wall of the abdominal aorta.

Abrasion

A superficial scrape or wearing away of the skin caused by friction.

Agonal Respirations

Irregular, gasping, or labored breathing patterns often seen during cardiac arrest or severe cerebral ischemia.

Apnea

The temporary or permanent absence of breathing.

Asthma

A chronic inflammatory airway disease characterized by bronchospasm, mucosal edema, and mucus hypersecretion.

Avulsion

An injury in which a full-thickness portion of skin or soft tissue is forcibly torn away from the body.

Bradycardia

An abnormally slow heart rate, typically below 60 beats per minute in an adult.

Cardiac Tamponade

Compression of the heart due to fluid or blood accumulation within the pericardial sac, impairing cardiac filling.

Cholecystitis

Inflammation of the gallbladder, usually caused by a gallstone obstructing the cystic duct.

Cheyne-Stokes (Chyne Stokes)

An abnormal breathing pattern characterized by alternating periods of deep, rapid breathing and temporary apnea.

Cilia

Microscopic, hair-like projections on respiratory epithelial cells that transport mucus and trapped particles out of the airway.

Circulation

The movement of blood through the cardiovascular system to deliver oxygen and nutrients to body tissues.

Circumferential

Extending around the entire perimeter or circumference of a body part (e.g., a circumferential burn).

Commotio Cordis

Sudden cardiac arrest caused by a blunt, non-penetrating impact to the chest wall during a specific phase of cardiac repolarization.

Compartment Syndrome

Elevated tissue pressure within an enclosed fascial space, leading to compromised perfusion and neuromuscular damage.

Contraindication

A specific condition or circumstance under which a drug, procedure, or treatment should not be administered because it may cause harm.

COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)

A progressive pulmonary disorder characterized by chronic airflow limitation, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

Crohn's Disease

A chronic inflammatory bowel disease that can affect any segment of the gastrointestinal tract, causing transmural inflammation.

CVA (Cerebrovascular Accident)

An interruption of blood supply to a portion of the brain due to hemorrhage or ischemia (stroke).

Cystic Fibrosis

An inherited genetic disorder that affects exocrine glands, causing abnormally thick, sticky mucus in the lungs and digestive tract.

Donning

The act of putting on personal protective equipment (PPE) or medical gear.

Duty to Act

A legal obligation of a healthcare provider or responder to provide care to a patient when on duty.

Ecchymosis

Extravasation of blood into subcutaneous tissues resulting in skin discoloration (a bruise).

Epiglottis

A leaf-shaped cartilage flap located above the larynx that prevents food and liquids from entering the trachea during swallowing.

Epiglottitis

A severe, life-threatening inflammation and swelling of the epiglottis that can rapidly obstruct the airway.

Epistaxis

Hemorrhage from the nose (nosebleed).

Evisceration

The protrusion of internal abdominal organs (viscera) through an open abdominal wound.

Expressed Consent

Explicit, verbal, or written permission given by a competent patient to receive medical treatment.

Fracture

Any break, crack, or disruption in the continuity of a bone.

Full Thickness Burn

A third-degree burn that destroys all layers of the skin, including the epidermis, dermis, and underlying subcutaneous tissue.

Good Samaritan Law

Legal protection provided to individuals who render emergency care in good faith without expectation of compensation.

Hematemesis

The vomiting of blood, indicating upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Hematochezia

The passage of bright red blood in the stool, typically indicating lower gastrointestinal bleeding.

Hematoma

A localized collection of extravasated blood outside the blood vessels, usually contained within a tissue space.

Hematuria

The presence of red blood cells or blood in the urine.

Hemoptysis

Coughing up blood or blood-tinged sputum originating from the respiratory tract.

Hemorrhagic

Relating to, accompanied by, or characterized by heavy or excessive bleeding.

Hepatitis B

A viral infection of the liver transmitted through contact with infected blood or body fluids.

HIV/AIDS

Human Immunodeficiency Virus, which targets helper T-cells and can progress to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome.

Homeostasis

The process by which physiological systems maintain internal stability despite external environmental changes.

Hypoperfusion

Inadequate blood supply and oxygen delivery to the tissues and organs (shock).

Implied Consent

Legal assumption that an unconscious, incapacitated, or unresponsive patient would consent to life-saving treatment.

Indication

A specific reason, symptom, or condition that warrants a particular medical treatment, diagnostic test, or medication.

Ischemic

Pertaining to a localized deficiency of blood flow to tissues caused by arterial obstruction or constriction.

Isotonic Solutions

Intravenous fluids with an osmotic pressure equal to that of intracellular fluid (e.g., Normal Saline 0.9%).

Kussmaul

Deep, rapid, and labored breathing typically observed in severe metabolic acidosis, such as diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).

Levine's Sign

A universal gesture of cardiac distress where a patient holds a clenched fist over the sternum.

Melena

Dark, tarry stools containing altered blood, characteristic of upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Meninges

The three protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord (dura mater, arachnoid mater, pia mater).

Meningitis

Inflammation of the protective membranes (meninges) covering the brain and spinal cord, often due to infection.

MMR

A combination vaccine that provides protection against Measles, Mumps, and Rubella.

Myocardial Infarction

Necrosis of heart muscle tissue resulting from acute myocardial ischemia caused by coronary artery occlusion (heart attack).

Negligence

Failure to act with the standard of care that a reasonably prudent provider would exercise under similar circumstances.

Nuchal Rigidity

Severe stiffness of the neck muscles preventing forward flexion of the head, a common sign of meningitis.

Orthostatic Hypotension

A significant drop in blood pressure that occurs upon assuming an upright position from lying or sitting.

Partial Thickness Burn

A second-degree burn involving the epidermis and part of the underlying dermis, characterized by painful blisters.

Perfusion

The passage of blood or fluid through the circulatory system to capillary beds in biological tissue.

Pericarditis

Inflammation of the pericardium, the double-walled sac enveloping the heart.

Pericardium

The fibroserous membrane sac that encloses the heart and the roots of the great vessels.

Peritonitis

Inflammation of the peritoneum, the membrane lining the abdominal cavity and covering abdominal organs.

Pertussis

A highly contagious bacterial infection of the respiratory tract, commonly referred to as whooping cough.

Photophobia

An abnormal visual intolerance or heightened sensitivity to light.

Pleura

The double-layered serous membrane structure surrounding the lungs and lining the thoracic cavity.

Pneumonia

An acute infection of the pulmonary parenchyma causing inflammation in the alveoli, which fill with exudate or pus.

Pulmonary Embolism

An obstruction of a pulmonary artery or one of its branches by a blood clot, fat droplet, or air bubble originating elsewhere.

Pulsus Paradoxus

An abnormally large decrease in systolic blood pressure (>10 mmHg) during inhalation.

Puncture

A deep wound produced by a sharp, pointed object penetrating into body tissue.

Respiration

The cellular exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide across cell membranes.

Rhonchi

Low-pitched, continuous, rattling breath sounds produced by airway secretions or obstruction in larger bronchi.

Salivation

The secretion and release of saliva by the salivary glands into the oral cavity.

Shock

A state of systemic cellular hypoxia and hypoperfusion resulting from circulatory failure.

Stridor

A high-pitched, musical sound heard primarily during inspiration, indicating upper airway obstruction.

Superficial Burn

A first-degree burn involving only the outer layer of skin (epidermis), causing redness and mild pain without blisters.

Syncope

Transient loss of consciousness caused by a temporary decrease in cerebral perfusion, followed by spontaneous recovery.

Tachycardia

An elevated resting heart rate exceeding 100 beats per minute in an adult.

Tachypnea

Abnormally rapid respiratory rate.

Tidal Volume

The volume of air inhaled or exhaled with each quiet, resting breath cycle.

Traction

The application of a pulling force to a limb or body part to realign bone fragments or relieve muscle spasms.

Tuberculosis

A contagious bacterial disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, primarily affecting the lungs.

Ulcerative Colitis

A chronic inflammatory bowel disease localized strictly to the innermost mucosa of the colon and rectum.

Ventilation

The physical movement of air into and out of the lungs (inhalation and exhalation).

Ventricular Fibrillation (V-Fib)

A chaotic, rapid, non-perfusing ventricular cardiac rhythm resulting in cardiac arrest.

Ventricular Tachycardia (V-Tach)

A rapid cardiac rhythm originating in the ventricles that can impair cardiac output and degenerate into ventricular fibrillation.

Wheezing

A high-pitched, musical whistling sound produced during expiration by narrowed lower airways.