EMT Q4

Apneic – Not breathing.
Paresthesia – Abnormal skin sensation, like tingling or numbness.
Pericardial tamponade – Fluid buildup in the pericardium compressing the heart.
Pericardial sac – The membrane surrounding the heart.
Oxygenation – The process of delivering oxygen to the blood.
Chronic – Long-lasting or persistent condition.
Dysphagia – Difficulty swallowing.
Autonomic nervous system – Controls involuntary body functions like heart rate and digestion.
Somatic nervous system – Controls voluntary muscle movements.
Sympathetic nervous system – Triggers the "fight or flight" response.
Parasympathetic nervous system – Controls "rest and digest" functions.
Inhalation – Breathing air into the lungs.
Exhalation – Breathing air out of the lungs.
Inspiration – Another term for inhalation.
Ventilation – Movement of air into and out of the lungs.
Respiration – The exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the body.
Congestive heart failure – The heart is unable to pump blood efficiently.
Inferior vena cava – The large vein that returns blood to the heart from the lower body.
Renal arteries – Blood vessels supplying the kidneys.
Splenic arteries – Blood vessels supplying the spleen.
Coronary sinus – Large vein that collects blood from the heart muscle.
Coronary artery – Supplies oxygenated blood to the heart muscle.
Pneumonia – Infection causing inflammation in the lungs.
Bronchiolitis – Inflammation of the small airways in the lungs.
Pertussis – Also called whooping cough; a bacterial infection of the respiratory tract.
Atherosclerosis – Hardening and narrowing of arteries due to plaque buildup.
Acute coronary syndrome – A range of conditions caused by reduced blood flow to the heart.
Myocardial infarction – A heart attack; caused by blockage of a coronary artery.
Angina – Chest pain due to reduced oxygen to the heart.
Informed consent – When a patient agrees to treatment after being fully informed.
Thrombotic stroke – Stroke caused by a blood clot forming in an artery supplying the brain.
Actual consent – When a patient directly agrees to treatment.
Ischemic stroke – A stroke caused by a blockage in an artery.
Embolic stroke – A stroke caused by a clot that traveled to the brain.
Hemorrhagic stroke – A stroke caused by bleeding in the brain.
Evisceration – Organs protruding from an open wound.
Arteriosclerosis – Thickening and stiffening of the artery walls.
Dyspnea – Difficulty breathing.
Compartment syndrome – Increased pressure within a muscle compartment, causing tissue damage.
Edema – Swelling due to fluid accumulation.
Left heart failure – The left side of the heart cannot pump blood effectively.
Right heart failure – The right side of the heart cannot pump blood effectively.
Embolism – A clot or foreign material blocking blood flow.
Placenta previa – The placenta covers the cervix, causing bleeding during pregnancy.
Abruptio placentae – The placenta separates from the uterus before delivery.
Ectopic pregnancy – A pregnancy occurring outside the uterus.
Ovarian cyst – A fluid-filled sac in the ovary.
Hepatitis – Inflammation of the liver, usually caused by a virus.
Meningitis – Inflammation of the meninges, the protective layers around the brain and spinal cord.
Tuberculosis – A bacterial infection that mainly affects the lungs.
Ataxic respirations – Irregular breathing due to brain injury.
Kussmaul respirations – Deep, rapid breathing often due to severe acidosis.
Cheyne-Stokes respirations – Alternating deep and shallow breathing with periods of apnea.
Eupneic respirations – Normal breathing.
Vesicant agent – A chemical causing severe blisters.
Hypoxia – Low oxygen levels in the body.
Hypoxic drive – When low oxygen levels (instead of high CO2) trigger breathing.
Patent – Open or unobstructed (e.g., a patent airway).
Hemothorax – Blood collecting in the pleural space of the chest.
Pneumothorax – Air in the pleural space causing lung collapse.
Shock/hypoperfusion – Inadequate blood flow to the body's tissues.
Standing orders – Pre-approved treatment protocols for EMTs.
Hot zone – The most dangerous area at a hazardous materials incident.
Warm zone – The area where decontamination occurs at a hazardous materials scene.
Cold zone – The safe area at a hazardous materials incident.
Postictal – The recovery phase after a seizure.
Compensated shock – Early stage of shock where the body maintains blood pressure.
Decompensated shock – Late stage of shock where blood pressure drops.
Hypovolemic shock – Shock caused by severe blood or fluid loss.
Cardiogenic shock – Shock caused by heart failure.
Septic shock – Shock caused by a severe infection.
Insulin shock – Severe hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
Obstructive shock – Shock caused by a physical blockage in circulation.
Anaphylactic shock – A severe allergic reaction causing shock.
Neurogenic shock – Shock caused by spinal cord injury leading to blood vessel dilation.
Hematoma – A localized collection of blood outside a blood vessel.
Ecchymosis – Bruising caused by bleeding under the skin.
Mottling – Patchy skin discoloration due to poor circulation.
Hepatitis A – Liver infection caused by contaminated food or water.
Hepatitis B – Liver infection transmitted through blood or bodily fluids.
Hepatitis C – Liver infection primarily spread through blood contact.
Braxton Hicks contractions – False labor contractions during pregnancy.
Preeclampsia – High blood pressure and organ damage during pregnancy.
Eclampsia – Severe preeclampsia with seizures.
Intercostal retractions – Skin pulling between ribs during difficulty breathing.
Pallor – Pale skin due to reduced blood flow.
Hyperpnea – Deep breathing, often due to metabolic demands.
Epistaxis – Nosebleed.
Hemiparesis – Weakness on one side of the body.
Hypertension – High blood pressure.
Hypotension – Low blood pressure.
Bradycardia – Slow heart rate (below 60 bpm).
Tension pneumothorax – A severe pneumothorax where trapped air compresses the lungs and heart.
Tachycardia – Fast heart rate (above 100 bpm).
Bradypnea – Slow breathing rate.
Hyperglycemia – High blood sugar levels.
Hypoglycemia – Low blood sugar levels.
Hyperglycemic ketoacidosis – A life-threatening condition from uncontrolled diabetes.
Battery – Unlawful physical contact with a patient.
Assault – Threatening or attempting to harm someone.
Hyphema – Blood pooling in the front of the eye.
Hypovolemia – Low blood volume, often due to bleeding or dehydration.
Pulmonary embolism – A clot blocking blood flow in the lungs.
Angina pectoris – Chest pain due to reduced oxygen to the heart.
Aortic dissection – A tear in the inner layer of the aorta.
Hemophilia – A disorder where blood doesn’t clot properly.
Thrombophilia – A condition increasing the risk of blood clots.
Pulmonary edema – Fluid buildup in the lungs, often due to heart failure.
Septum – A wall dividing two chambers, such as in the heart or nose.
Carina – The point where the trachea splits into the left and right bronchi.
Pericardium – The membrane surrounding the heart.
Mediastinum – The central space in the chest between the lungs.
Automaticity – The ability of cardiac cells to generate electrical impulses on their own.
Croup – A viral infection causing airway swelling in children.
Guarding – Tensing of abdominal muscles to protect an injured area.
Rigidity – Stiffness of muscles, often due to injury or medical conditions.
Tenderness – Pain when an area is touched.
Distension – Swelling or bloating, often in the abdomen.
Cushing’s triad – A sign of increased intracranial pressure (high BP, low HR, irregular breathing).
Primary blast injury – Injury caused directly by a blast wave.
Secondary blast injury – Injury from flying debris.
Tertiary blast injury – Injury from being thrown by an explosion.
Esophageal varices – Swollen veins in the esophagus that can rupture and bleed.
Pancreatitis – Inflammation of the pancreas.
Gastric ulcer disease – Open sores in the stomach lining.
Hemoptysis – Coughing up blood.
Intrapulmonary shunting – Blood bypassing oxygen exchange in the lungs.
Flail chest – A chest injury causing a segment of ribs to move independently.
Status epilepticus – Seizures lasting too long or occurring too frequently.
Emphysema – A lung disease causing damage to alveoli, leading to breathing difficulty.