CPR

CPR

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation; a life-saving procedure involving chest compressions and rescue breaths to maintain circulation and breathing in a person experiencing cardiac arrest.

AED

Automated External Defibrillator; a portable device that analyzes heart rhythm and delivers an electric shock to restore a normal rhythm in cases of sudden cardiac arrest.

Rescue Breaths

Breaths given to a person who is not breathing normally, typically delivered during CPR to provide oxygen to the lungs.

Chest Compressions

Repeated, firm downward presses on the chest to manually pump blood through the heart and body during cardiac arrest.

Heimlich Maneuver

A technique used to relieve choking by applying upward abdominal thrusts to expel an airway obstruction.

Shock

A life-threatening condition caused by inadequate blood flow to the organs, requiring immediate medical intervention.

Stroke

A medical emergency caused by an interruption of blood supply to the brain, leading to symptoms such as facial drooping, arm weakness, and speech difficulty.

Chain of Survival

A series of critical actions that improve survival rates in cardiac emergencies, including early recognition, CPR, defibrillation, and advanced care.

First Aid

Immediate care given to an injured or ill person before professional medical help arrives.

Universal Precautions

Safety measures taken to prevent disease transmission, including wearing gloves and avoiding contact with bodily fluids.

Good Samaritan Law

Legal protection for individuals who assist others in an emergency, provided they act within their level of training and do not act recklessly.

Anatomical Position

The standard position in which the body is facing forward, arms at the sides, and palms facing forward, used as a reference in medical terminology.

Infection Control

Procedures and practices designed to prevent the spread of infections in healthcare settings.

Vital Signs

Measurements indicating the body’s essential functions, including heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and temperature.

CPR Ratio for Adults

30 compressions to 2 breaths when performing CPR on an adult.

Signs of a Heart Attack

Chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, lightheadedness, and pain radiating to the arm, neck, or jaw.

Burn Classifications

First-degree (superficial), second-degree (partial thickness), and third-degree (full thickness) burns, classified by depth of tissue damage.

Roles of a First Responder

Recognize emergencies, ensure scene safety, call for help, provide initial care, and assist EMS personnel.

Scope of Practice

The procedures and actions that a healthcare provider is legally allowed to perform based on their training and certification.

Standard Precautions

A set of infection prevention practices applied to all patient care, regardless of infection status, including hand hygiene and personal protective equipment use.