EMT 34-37

Abruptio Placentae

Premature separation of the placenta from the wall of the uterus

Amniotic Sac

The fluid-fLiked, baglike membrane in which the fetus develops

Anemic

Describes a condition in which the patient has too few red blood cells, resulting in a decreased ability to transport oxygen throughout the body via the bloodstream

Apgar score

A scoring system for assessing the status of a newborn that assigns a number value to each of five areas

Birth canal

The vagina and cervix

Bloody show

A small amount of blood in the vagina that appears at the beginning of labor and may include a plug of pink-tinged mucus that is discharged when the cervix begins to dilate.

Breech Presentation

A delivery in which the buttocks come out first

Cervix

The lower third, or neck, of the uterus

Crowning

The appearance of the fetus’s head at the vaginal opening during labor.

Eclampsia

A pregnancy complication that is characterized by new-onset hypertension with seizure activity and preceding systemic effects, such as blurred vision, headache, or protein in the urine. It is differentiated from preeclampsia by the presence of seizure activity.

Ectopic Pregnancy

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

Embryo

The early stage of development after the fertilization of the egg (first 10 weeks)

Endometrium

The lining of the inside of the uterus

Fetal alcohol syndrome

A condition caused by the consumption of alcohol by a pregnant woman; characterized by growth and physical problems, mental and physical problems, mental retardation, and a variety of congenital abnormalities in her child.

Fetus

The developing, unborn infant inside the uterus, from 10 weeks after fertilization until birth.

Fundus

The dome-shaped top of uterus

Gestational diabetes

Diabetes that develops during pregnancy in women who did not have diabetes before pregnancy.

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.

Induced abortion

The elective termination of a pregnancy prior to the time of viability

Lightening

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

Limb presentation

A delivery in which the presenting part is a single arm or leg.

Meconium

Fetal stool. When appearing as a dark green material in the amniotic fluid, it can indicate distress or disease in newborn; it can be aspirated into the fetus’s lungs during delivery.

Menarche

The menstrual cycle or onset of the first menstrual bleeding in females

Menopause

The cessation of menstruation, typically in the fourth or fifth decade of life.

Miscarriage

The spontaneous passage of the fetus and placenta before 20 weeks; also called spontaneous abortion.

Multigravida

A women who has had previous pregnancies

Nuchal cord

An umbilical cord that is wrapped around the fetus’s neck.

Perineum

The area of the skin between the vagina and the neck

Placenta

The tissue attached to the fetus through the umbilical cord

Placenta Previa

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

Preeclampsia

A pregnancy complication that is characterized by new-onset hypertension (systolic blood pressure

140 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure

90 mm Hg) along with systemic effects, such as blurred vision, headache, or protein in the urine. Differentiated from eclampsia by the lack of seizure activity.

Presentation

The position in which an infant is born; defined by the part of the body that appears first.

Primigravida

A woman who is experiencing her first pregnancy.

Prolapse of the umbilical cord

A situation in which the umbilical cord comes out of the vagina before the fetus.

Spina bifida

A developmental defect in which a portion of the spinal cord or meninges may protrude outside of the vertebrae and possibly even outside of the body, usually at the lower third of the spine in the lumbar area.

Spontaneous Abortion

The loss of a pregnancy prior to 20 weeks of gestation without any preceding surgical or medical intervention. Often called a miscarriage.

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 tetus.

Vertex Presentation

A delivery in which the head of the newborn comes out first.

Adolescent

Children between ages 12 and 18 years.

Apparent life-threatening event (ALTE)

An event that causes unresponsiveness, cyanosis, and apnea in an infant, who then resumes breathing with stimulation.

Blanch

To turn white

Bradypnea

Slow respiratory rate; ominous sign in a child that indicates impending respiratory arrest.

Bronchiolitis

Inflammation of the bronchioles that usually occurs in children younger than 2 years and is often caused by respiratory syncytial virus.

Central Pulse

Pulses that are closest to the core (central) part of the body where the vital organs are located; include the carotid, femoral, and apical pulses.

Child abuse

A general term applying to all forms of abuse and neglect of children.

Croup

A viral inflammatory disease of the upper respiratory system that may cause a partial airway obstruction and is characterized by a barking cough; usually seen in childern.

Epiglottis

A bacterial infection in which the epiglottis becomes inflamed and enlarged and may cause an upper airway obstruction.

Fontanelles

Areas where the neonate’s or infant’s skull has not fused together; usually disappear at approximately 18 months of age.

Generalized (tonic-clonic) Seizures

A seizure that features rhythmic back-and-forth motion of an extremity and body stiffness.

Grunting

An “uh” sound heard during exhalation; reflects the child’s attempt to keep the alveoli open; a sign of increased work of breathing.

Infancy

The first year of life

Length-based resuscitation tape

A tape used to estimate an infant’s or child’s weight on the basis of body length; appropriate drug doses and equipment sizes are listed on the tape.

Meningitis

An inflammation of the meningeal coverings of the brain and spinal cord; it is usually caused by a virus or a bacterium.

Nares

The external openings of the nostrils. A single nostril opening is called a naris.

Neglect

Refusal or failure on the part of the parent or caregiver to provide life necessities

Neisseria Meningitides

A form of bacterial meningitis characterized by rapid onset of symptoms, often leading to shock and death.

Pediatric assessment triangle (PAT)

A structured assessment tool used to rapidly form a general impression of the infant or child without touching him, her; consists of assessing appearance, work of breathing, and circulation to the skin.

Pediatrics

A specialized medical practice devoted to the care of the young.

Pertussis (whooping cough)

An airborne bacterial infection that affects mostly children younger than 6 years, in which patient is feverish and exhibits a “whoop” sound on inspiration after a coughing attack; highly contagious through droplet infection.

Preschool-age

Children between ages 3 and 6 years

School-age

Children between ages 6 and 12

Shaken baby syndrome

A syndrome seen in abused infants and children; the patient has been subjected to violent, whiplash-type shaking injuries inflicted by the abusing individual that may cause coma, seizures, and increased intracranial pressure due to tearing of the cerebral veins with consequent bleeding into the brain.

Sniffing position

An upright position in which the patient’s head and chin are thrust slightly forward to keep the airway open.

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

Death of an infant or young child that remains unexplained after a complete autopsy

Tachypnea

Rapid respirations

Toddler

A child age 1 to 3 yearsT

Tracheitis

Inflammation of the trachea

Tripod position

An upright position in which the patient leans forward onto outstretched arms with the head and chin thrust slightly forwards.

Working of breathing

An indicator of oxygenation and ventilation; reflects the child’s attempt to compensate for hypoxia.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)

A rapidly fatal condition in which the walls of the aorta in the abdomen weaken and blood leaks into the layers of the vessel, causing it to bulge.

Advance directives

Written documentation that specifics medical treatment for a competent patient should the patient become unable to make decisions; also called a living will or health care directive.

Aneurysm

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

Arteriosclerosis

A disease that causes the arteries to thicken, harden, and calcify.

Atherosclerosis

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.

Ascites

An abnormal accumulation of excess fluid in the peritoneal cavity

Cataracts

Clouding of the lens of the eye or its surrounding transparent membranes.

Decubitus ulcer

Sores caused by the pressure of skin against a surface for long periods; can range from a discoloration of the skin to a deep wound that may invade into bone or organs; also known as bedsores.

Deep venous thrombosis

The formation of a blood clot within the larger veins of an extremity, typically following a period of prolonged immobilization.

Delirium

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.

Dementia

The slow inset of progressive disorientation, shortened attention span, and loss of cognitive function; this condition is generally chronic and irreversible

Dyspnea 

Shortness of breath or diffculty breathing

Elder abuse

Any action on the part of an older person’s family member, caregiver, or other associated person that takes advantage of the older person’s person, property. or emotional state.

Geriatrics

The assessment and treatment of disease in someone who is age 65 years or older.

Hemoptysis

The coughing up of blood

Jugular vein distention

A visual bulging of the jugular veins in the neck that can be caused by fluid overload, pressure in chest, cardiac tamponade, or tension pneumothorax.

Kyphosis

A forward curling of the back caused by an abnormal increase in the curvature of the spine.

Melena 

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

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

A bacterium that causes infection in different parts of the body and is often resistant to commonly used antibiotics; can be found on the skin and in surgical wounds, the bloodstream, lungs and urinary tract.

Neuropathy

A group of conditions in which the nerves leaving the spinal cord are damaged, resulting in distortion of signals to or from the brain.

Osteoporosis

A generalized bone disease, commonly associated with postmenopausal women, in which there is a reduction in the amount of bone mass leading to fractures after minimal trauma in either sex.

Peptic ulcer disease

An n abrasion of the stomach or small intestine

Pneuomonia

An infectious disease of that damage s lung tissue.

Polypharmacy 

The use of multiple medications on a regular basis.P

Prebycusis

An age-related condition of the ear that produces progressive bilateral hearing loss that is most noted at higher frequencies.

Pulmonary embolism

A blood clot that breaks off of a large vein that travels to the blood vessels of the lung, causing obstruction of blood flow.

Repiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

A virus that causes an infection of the lungs and breathing passages; can lead to other serious illnesses that affect the lungs or heart, such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia; it is highly contagious and spread through droplets.S

Syncope

A fainting spell of transient loss of consciousness

Urinary tract infection (UTI)

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