NREMT VOCAB

abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), a weakening in the wall of the aorta in the abdominal region.

abduction, movement away from the midline, or spreading apart, e.g., fingers.

abrasion, scraping injury to the surface of the skin.

abruptio placenta, the premature separation of the placenta from the uterine wall.

absence seizure, staring seizure.

absorption, passage of material through the intestine into the bloodstream.

acidosis, an abnormally high level of acidity in the body’s fluids and tissues.

acute abdomen, abdominal emergency that typically requires surgery.

acute abdominal pain, rapid onset of abdominal pain.

acute coronary syndrome, symptoms caused by myocardial ischemia, such as angina or myocardial infarction.

acute myocardial infarction (AMI), death to myocardial muscle; also called heart attack.

acute, rapid onset.

adduction, to move toward the midline, or bring together, e.g., fingers.

advance directive, written instructions, signed by the patient, specifying the patient’s wishes regarding treatment and resuscitative efforts.

aerobic metabolism, energy production with oxygen.

afterload, the pressure the heart must overcome during ventricular contraction.

agonal respirations, dying gasps.

agonist, a medication that stimulates a response.

allergen, antigen that causes an allergic reaction.

allergic reaction, hypersensitive immune response to an allergen.

alveoli, air sacs in the lungs that exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide with the pulmonary capillaries.

amniotic sac, a fluid-filled membrane in the uterus which contains the fetus.

amputation, injury resulting in a completely severed body part.

anaerobic metabolism, energy production without oxygen.

anaphylactic shock, severe, life-threatening allergic reaction. Also called anaphylaxis.

anatomic position, standing, facing forward, arms at the sides, palms out.

anatomy, study of the structure of the body.

aneurysm, weakening in the wall of an artery.

angina pectoris, temporary chest pain that occurs when myocardial oxygen demand exceeds supply.

angioedema, swelling under the tissue, often in the face or tongue.

anisocoria, unequal pupils.

antagonist, a medication that inhibits a response.

anterior, toward the front. Also known as ventral in humans.

anterograde amnesia, unable to remember events prior to the injury.

antibodies, produced by body’s immune system to defend against an antigen.

antigen, foreign substance that stimulates an immune response.

aorta, artery that carries blood out of the left heart.

apnea, absence of spontaneous breaths.

appendicitis, inflammation of the appendix.

appendix, pouch connected to the large intestine in the lower right abdominal quadrant.

arterioles, small arteries that lead to capillaries.

aspiration, material, such as vomit, entering the lungs.

associated symptoms, anything the patient complains of in addition to the chief complaint.

asthma, acute bronchoconstriction combined with increased mucus production.

atherosclerosis, build-up of plaques in the arteries.

atrium, either of the two upper chambers of the heart.

aura, a sensation of an impending seizure.

auscultate, to listen.

autonomic nervous system (ANS), involuntary component of the peripheral nervous system.

avulsion, injury resulting in an area of skin torn loose or hanging by a flap.

bag-valve-mask compliance, amount of resistance felt during artificial ventilations with the BVM.

bariatrics, branch of medicine that deals with the study and treatment of obesity.

barotrauma, injury caused by a change in air pressure.

baseline vitals, the first set of vitals.

Battle’s Sign, bruising behind the ears indicating possible basal skull fracture.

Beck’s triad, three clinical signs indicating a possible pericardial tamponade.

bilateral, both sides.

biological agents, bacteria, virus, or fungus that can be used as a weapon and has the potential to pose a severe threat to public health and safety.

birth canal, the vagina and cervix.

blistering agents, see vesicants.

blood agent, see cyanide.

bloody show, passage of the mucus plug from the cervix as it begins to dilate.

blunt trauma, trauma that does not penetrate the body.

brachial pulse, palpable pulse in the upper arm.

bradycardia, slow heart rate.

bradypnea, slow respiratory rate.

brain stem, found at the base of the brain where it connects to the spinal cord. Includes the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata.

breech birth, the presentation of the baby’s feet or buttocks as the presenting part in the birth canal.

breech of duty, failure to perform an ethical or legally required act established by the standard of care.

bronchitis, inflammation of the lungs, either chronic or acute.

bronchoconstriction, tightening (constriction) of the airways.

bruise, discoloration of the skin caused by damage to underlying blood vessels.

capillaries, small, branching vessels that connect arteries and veins. Allows for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.

capillary permeability, leakage of fluid out of a capillary into surrounding tissue. During anaphylaxis, causes swelling, airway restriction, pulmonary edema.

cardiac tamponade, accumulation of fluid in the pericardial sac that compresses the heart.

cardiogenic shock, decreased cardiac output due to poor cardiac function or mechanical obstruction.

carotid pulse, palpable pulse in the neck.

causation, the relationship between cause and effect.

cavitation, pressure wave caused by high velocity projectile.

cellular respiration, aerobic metabolism.

central nervous system (CNS), the brain and spinal cord.

cerebral contusion, bruising of the brain.

cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), fluid that circulates through the central nervous system.

cervix, the portion of the uterus that opens into the vagina.

choking agents, see pulmonary agents.

cholecystitis, inflammation of the gall bladder.

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic disease processes caused by obstruction of the lower airways.

chronic, always present.

clavicle, the collarbone.

cleaning, removal of visible contaminants from a surface.

closed fracture, a fracture where the skin remains intact.

coccyx, the tailbone.

cold zone, the safe area at a hazardous materials incident.

colostomy, a surgical opening through the abdominal wall.

compartment syndrome, injury caused by compression of nerves, blood vessels, and muscle in a closed space within the body.

compensated shock, early shock, during which the body is able to compensate.

complex access, patient access that requires tools and/or specialized training.

concussion, head injury resulting in temporary alteration of brain function.

conduction, direct transfer of heat through contact with a colder structure.

congestive heart failure, caused by ineffective ventricular function leading to fluid backup.

conjunctiva, membrane that covers the front of the eye and inside of the eyelids.

constrict, narrowing, to make smaller.

continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), technique of assisting ventilations in a patient with respiratory distress.

contraindication, situations when a certain intervention should not be performed.

contusion, a bruise.

convection, loss of heat to passing air.

cornea, transparent, dome-shaped surface that covers the front of the eye.

coronary arteries, arteries that perfuse the heart muscle.

coronavirus disease (COVID-19), an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

crepitus, the sound or sensation of bone ends rubbing together.

croup, inflammation of the upper airways and trachea.

crowning, the appearance of the baby’s head in the birth canal.

crush injury, open or closed injury caused by tremendous force applied to the body.

cultural competence, ability to provide care to patients with diverse values, beliefs, and behaviors.

Cushing’s response, triad of signs indicating increased intracranial pressure; hypertension, bradycardia, altered respiratory pattern.

cyanide, a chemical compound that can be weaponized and interferes with the body’s ability to deliver oxygen to the cells. Also known as a blood agent.

cyanosis, bluish color to the skin, lips, mouth, or nail beds indicating a lack of oxygen.

deceleration, slowing down of an object in motion.

decompensated shock, late shock during which the body is no longer able to compensate and blood pressure begins to fall.

decomposition, physical decay of the body’s components.

decontamination, removal or neutralization of hazardous material.

dehydration, the loss of enough body fluid to threaten homeostasis.

dependent edema, fluid build-up in the area of the body closest to the ground.

dependent lividity, the settling of blood within the body.

dermis, the lower layer of the skin beneath the epidermis.

diabetes mellitus, a disease process in which the body is unable to metabolize glucose normally.

diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a diabetic emergency caused by severe hyperglycemia and acidosis.

dialysis, a procedure that assists the kidneys in removal of toxins from the blood.

diaphragm, primary muscle of respiration that separates the chest and abdominal cavities.

diastole, pressure exerted against the walls of the arteries in between contractions of the left ventricle. Also the phase of cardiac contraction when the heart fills with blood.

diffusion, movement from area of high to low concentration.

dilate, widening; to make bigger.

disinfection, use of chemicals to destroy pathogens.

dislocation, movement of a bone out of the joint.

distal, away from the point of attachment.

distributive shock, shock due to poor distribution of blood due to vasodilation.

diverticulitis, inflammation of small pouches (diverticula) along the wall of the intestine.

do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order, see advance directive.

dorsalis pedis pulse, pulse on the anterior portion of the foot.

dose, amount of drug that should be administered.

duty to act, obligation to respond and provide care.

dyspnea, difficulty breathing.

ecchymosis, medical term for bruising.

eclampsia, pregnancy-induced seizures.

ectopic pregnancy, a pregnancy that develops outside the uterus.

edema, swelling.

embolus, an obstruction in a blood vessel.

emergency medical dispatcher (EMD), a dispatcher specially trained to give medical instructions to 9-1-1 callers.

emergency move, patient movement techniques used when patient must be moved out of danger immediately.

empathy, ability to see things from the patient’s perspective.

emphysema, a respiratory disease that leads to destruction of the alveoli.

Enhanced 9-1-1, automatically ties a location to the call, either with a street address or geographic coordinates.

entrapment, when a person is trapped in a confined space.

epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin.

epidural hematoma, bleeding beneath the skull and above the dura mater.

epiglottis, flap that covers the trachea during swallowing.

epilepsy, a seizure disorder.

epistaxis, a nosebleed.

esophageal varices, weakening of the blood vessels lining the esophagus.

esophagus, tube that connects the mouth to the stomach.

evaporation, loss of heat through evaporation of water from the skin.

evisceration, open abdominal injury with internal organs protruding.

exhalation, the passive part of breathing.

expressed consent, verbal, non-verbal, or written consent accepting medical care.

extension, movement that increases the angle of a joint.

external respiration, exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the alveoli and pulmonary capillaries.

extrication, removal of a patient who is trapped.

femur, bone of the upper leg.

fetus, the unborn infant.

flail chest, two or more contiguous rib fractures with two or more breaks per rib.

flexion, movement that decreases the angle of a joint.

flushed, reddish skin color.

focal seizure, see partial seizure.

focused assessment, physical exam which focuses on select areas based on the patient’s injury or chief complaint.

foley, a urinary catheter that allows the bladder to drain.

fontanelles, soft spots in the newborn/infant’s skull.

foramen magnum, the opening in the skull where the brain meets the spinal cord.

fracture, a broken bone.

french suction catheter, flexible catheter; also called a whistle tip.

frostbite, injury due to exposure to the cold resulting in frozen tissue.

frostnip, a mild injury due to exposure to the cold.

full thickness burn, third-degree burn injury through all skin layers.

gag reflex, gagging caused by touching the back of the throat.

gallbladder, organ that stores bile from the liver.

gastric distention, accumulation of excessive air in the stomach.

gastroenteritis, inflammation of the stomach and intestines.

generalized seizure, full body convulsions.

glucagon, a pancreatic hormone that stimulates an increase in blood glucose levels.

glucometer, used to measure blood glucose levels.

glucose, a simple sugar and the primary fuel source for the body.

grand mal seizure, see generalized seizure.

gravida, the number of pregnancies a woman has had.

hazardous material, solids, liquids, or gases that pose a threat to people, property, or the environment.

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), federal law that requires the creation of national standards to protect sensitive patient health information from being disclosed.

heat exhaustion, a heat-related injury due to heat exposure and dehydration.

heat stroke, a life-threatening heat emergency caused by the body’s loss of ability to regulate body heat.

hematemesis, vomiting of blood.

hematochezia, bloody stool.

hematoma, collection of blood under the skin in tissue or body cavity.

hematuria, blood in urine.

hemoptysis, coughing up blood.

hemorrhage, bleeding.

hemothorax, the presence of blood in the pleural cavity.

herniation, compression of the brain due to increased intracranial pressure.

homeostasis, a state of balance or equilibrium within the body.

hot zone, the contaminated area at a hazardous materials incident.

humerus, bone of the upper arm.

hyperglycemia, high blood glucose level.

hyperglycemic hyperosmolar nonketotic syndrome (HHNS), a diabetic problem similar to DKA, without the acidosis.

hypertension, high blood pressure.

hyperthermia, systemic heat-related emergency.

hyperventilation, excessive rate or volume of ventilation.

hypoglycemia, low blood glucose level.

hypoperfusion, shock or inadequate tissue perfusion.

hypotension, low blood pressure.

hypothermia, a systemic cold emergency due to a drop in core body temperature.

hypoventilation, ventilations that are too slow or shallow.

hypovolemia, low blood volume.

hypovolemic shock, shock due to loss of blood or body fluid.

hypoxia, inadequate oxygen supply to the body’s cells and tissues.

hypoxic drive, the backup respiratory drive; measures oxygen levels in the blood.

immunoglobulin E (IgE), antibodies that trigger an anaphylactic response (“IgE mediated anaphylaxis”).

implied consent, assumption of consent from a patient unable to expressly provide it.

incident command system (ICS), a system designed to effectively manage MCIs.

incident commander (IC), a function of incident command; this person is the leader of the MCI that all others report to either directly or indirectly.

incision, a sharp, clean cut.

index of suspicion, ability to predict potential injuries based on mechanism of injury.

indications, recommended uses for a medication.

infant, the period of childhood between 28 days up to one year of age.

infarction, death to an area of the body’s tissues.

inferior, below, or closer to the feet.

inflammation, swelling.

informed consent, consent to treatment given after all the relevant facts are disclosed.

inhalation, the active part of breathing.

insulin shock, a diabetic emergency caused by severe hypoglycemia.

insulin, a pancreatic hormone that facilitates movement of glucose out of the bloodstream and into the cells.

intercostal, between the ribs.

internal respiration, gas exchange between the body’s cells and the systemic capillaries.

intracerebral hemorrhage, bleeding within the brain itself.

intracranial pressure (ICP), the pressure within the skull.

intramuscular, within the muscle.

intraventricular shunt, a device that allows excess CSF to drain from the ventricles of the brain to reduce intracranial pressure.

involuntary muscle, muscle not under conscious (voluntary) control.

irreversible shock, terminal stage of shock.

ischemia, poor blood supply.

jaundice, yellowish skin color.

jaw thrust maneuver, manual airway technique used when cervical spine injury is suspected.

joint, the point where two bones are joined.

Kehr’s sign, referred pain in the shoulder due to possible abdominal organ injury.

kidney failure, inability of the kidneys to regulate fluid level and eliminate waste.

kidney stones, solid crystals that form in the kidney.

kidneys, organs of the urinary system.

kinematics, the study of energy derived from an object in motion.

Kussmaul respirations, deep, rapid respirations due to metabolic acidosis.

laceration, a jagged cut.

lactic acid, a by-product of anaerobic metabolism.

large intestine, digestive organ that terminates with the rectum.

lateral recumbent, placing the patient on his or her side.

lateral, away from the midline.

ligament, connects bone to bone.

limb presentation, the presence of an arm or leg as the first presenting part in the birth canal.

liver, large organ that helps filter toxins from the body.

mandible, the lower portion of the jaw.

mass casualty incident (MCI), an incident that taxes local resources, involves a multi-jurisdictional response, or has the potential to produce multiple casualties.

maxillae, the upper portion of the jaw.

mechanism of injury (MOI), how the injury occurred.

meconium, the presence of fetal stool in the amniotic fluid.

medial, toward the midline.

medical director, physician who is responsible for providing medical oversight.

melena, dark, tarry stool.

metered dose inhaler (MDI), device used to deliver aerosolized medication through inhalation.

midline, divides the body into left and right sides.

minor consent, implied consent for a minor patient.

miosis, pupillary constriction.

miscarriage, delivery of the fetus prior to the age of viability.

mottling (mottled), abnormal skin color due to vasoconstriction and poor circulation.

multiple births, a pregnancy with more than one fetus.

multi-system trauma, injuries to more than one body system.

myocardial contractility, the heart’s ability to contract.

myocardial infarction (MI), see acute myocardial infarction.

myocardium, the middle muscle layer of the heart.

nasogastric (NG) tube, a tube that leads from the nose to the stomach.

nasopharynx, upper part of the pharynx behind the nose.

National Incident Management System (NIMS), A national ICS developed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for use with any domestic incident.

nature of illness (NOI), the type of medical emergency.

negligence, failure to meet the standard of care.

neonate, the period of childhood from birth up to 28 days of age.

nerve agents, chemical weapons that interfere with the body’s transmission of nerve impulses.

nervous system, body system made up of central and peripheral nervous system.

neurogenic shock, shock due to spinal cord injury.

non-urgent move, patient movement techniques used when there is no immediate threat to patient and rapid movement is not needed or might be harmful.

nuchal cord, an umbilical cord wrapped around the baby’s neck.

nuclear radiation, radioactive energy with the ability to cause injury and damage DNA molecules.

obstructive shock, shock due to mechanical obstruction of the heart.

occiput, posterior portion of the skull.

occlusive dressing, an airtight dressing.

open fracture, a fracture where the skin is broken.

orbit, portion of the skull surrounding the eyes.

orogastric (OG) tube, a tube that leads from the mouth to the stomach.

oropharynx, portion of the pharynx behind the mouth.

orthopnea, difficulty breathing while lying down.

pale, whitish skin color.

palm method, used to estimate extent of burn injury. Palm of patient’s hand approximates 1% TBSA.

palpation, to touch.

pancreas, endocrine gland that produces insulin.

para, the number of live births. Multiple births count as one.

paradoxical motion, movement in the opposite direction.

paraplegia, paralysis of the lower extremities.

parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS), portion of the autonomic nervous system.

parietal pain, severe, localized pain.

parietal region, upper posterior portion of the skull.

partial seizure, seizure due to abnormal electrical activity in a limited area of the brain.

partial thickness burn, burn injury into but not through the dermis.

patella, the kneecap.

pathophysiology, the study of disease.

patient advocacy, person who acts in the best interest of the patient.

patient-controlled analgesia pump (PCA), a patient-controlled device that allows self-administration of pain medication.

pelvic binder, a splint used to stabilize a pelvic fracture.

pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), inflammation of the female genital tract.

penetrating trauma, trauma caused when the body is penetrated by an object.

perfusion, circulation of blood.

pericardia tamponade, see cardiac tamponade.

peripheral nervous system (PNS), nervous system outside of the brain and spinal cord.

peritoneum, membrane lining the abdominal organs and abdominal cavity.

peritonitis, inflammation of the peritoneum.

personal protective equipment (PPE), equipment needed to meet the Standard Precautions for a given situation.

pertinent negatives, symptoms important to consider, but denied by the patient.

petechiae, small, purple spots on the skin.

petit mal seizure, see absence seizure.

pharynx, the upper portion of the airway behind the mouth and nose.

physiology, study of the function of the body.

placard, diamond-shaped sign that identifies hazardous cargo.

placenta previa, when the placenta partially or completely covers the cervix.

placenta, the organ attached to the uterus that provides oxygen and nourishment to the fetus.

plasma, the fluid part of blood.

platelets, component of blood essential for clotting.

pleura, paired membranes in the thorax.

pleural space, the closed space between the two pleural membranes.

pneumonia, a lung infection.

pneumothorax, compression of the lung due to accumulation of air in the space surrounding the lung.

polydipsia, excessive thirst.

polyphagia, excessive hunger.

polyuria, excessive urination.

posterior, toward the back.

postictal, an altered state of consciousness following a seizure.

postpartum, after delivery of the baby and placenta.

postural hypotension, condition in which a person’s blood pressure drops abnormally when they stand up after sitting or lying down.

power grip, grip with palms up and all fingers wrapped around object during lifting.

power lift, lifting with object close to body, back locked, legs bent, and power grip.

preeclampsia, see pregnancy-induced hypertension.

pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH), a condition in the later stages of pregnancy with numerous signs and symptoms.

preload, the precontraction pressure based on the amount of blood coming back to the heart.

preschooler, the period of childhood from 3 years up to 6 years of age.

priapism, involuntary penile erection.

primary assessment, component of assessment used to identify and treat immediately life-threatening conditions.

primary blast injuries, injuries caused by the shock wave of the blast.

primary respiratory drive, based on carbon dioxide levels.

primary triage, initial triage used to quickly categorize patients into one of four categories.

proximal, close to or near the point of attachment.

proximate cause, see causation.

psychogenic shock, syncope due to sudden, temporary vasodilation.

pulmonary agents, a chemical weapon that causes respiratory distress and pulmonary edema. Also known as choking agents.

pulmonary artery, arteries that carry blood from the right side of the heart to the lungs.

pulmonary contusion, bruising of the lungs.

pulmonary edema, an abnormal accumulation of fluid within the lungs.

pulmonary veins, veins that carry blood from the lungs to the left heart.

pulse oximetry, measures the oxygen saturation of hemoglobin.

pulse pressure, the difference between systolic and diastolic pressures.

pupil, round opening at the center of the iris.

quadraplegia, paralysis of all four extremities.

quality improvement (QI), Continuous review and auditing of all aspects of EMS system to identify areas of improvement.

raccoon’s eyes, bruising around the eyes indicating possible basal skull fracture.

radial pulse, palpable pulse at the wrist.

radiation, the transfer of heat to or from the body based on the external environment.

radius, lateral bone of the forearm.

rales, abnormal lung sound typically caused by fluid in the lungs.

reassessment, the assessment phase where assessments, interventions, and vitals are reassessed.

recovery position, placing patient on his side to protect the airway from aspiration.

red blood cells, oxygen-carrying component of whole blood.

referred pain, pain that occurs somewhere other than its point of origin.

resiliency, the ability to cope with stress without suffering lasting physical or psychological harm.

respiration, the movement of oxygen and carbon dioxide in and out of the lungs.

respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a respiratory infection common in children.

retrograde amnesia, unable to remember events following the injury.

rigor mortis, stiffening of the body after death.

rule of nines, used to estimate extent of burn injury. Each body part is assigned a percentage.

safety officer, a function of incident command that monitors the safety of operations. The safety officer can independently halt an operation if it is deemed unsafe.

scapula, shoulder blade.

scene size-up, component of assessment that begins upon dispatch and does not end until the call is over and patient care is transferred.

sclera, visible white portion of the eye.

scope of practice, outlines the actions a provider is legally allowed to perform based on certification/licensure.

secondary assessment, assessment component that includes a systematic head-to-toe assessment or focused assessment.

secondary blast injuries, injuries caused by shrapnel or other projectiles.

secondary triage, the re-triaging of patients in the treatment area to confirm the patient’s priority of treatment and assess for changes.

seesaw breathing, opposing movement of the chest and abdomen.

seizure, abnormal electrical activity in the brain.

sensitization, sensitivity to a substance that did not previously cause an allergic response.

septic shock, shock due to infection.

shipping papers, identifies the type and quantity of hazardous cargo.

shock, inadequate tissue perfusion; also called hypoperfusion.

side effects, any effects a medication has other than what was desired.

simple access, patient access that does not require tools, specialized training, or breaking of glass.

single command system, a command system where one person is in charge.

singular command, when a single individual has command of the incident. Usually used for single-jurisdiction incidents.

skeletal muscle, muscles typically under voluntary control.

small intestine, part of the gastrointestinal tract between the stomach and large intestine.

small volume nebulizer (SVN), a device used to aerosolize respiratory medications for inhalation.

smooth muscle, involuntary muscle.

somatic nervous system, voluntary portion of the peripheral nervous system.

span of control, the number of workers a single supervisor oversees. Should not exceed 7:1 on a MCI.

spinal cord, component of the central nervous system.

sprain, injury to a ligament, typically in a joint.

standard of care, degree of care a reasonable person with similar training and experience would provide in a similar situation.

standard precautions, infection control guidelines designed to prevent disease transmission.

status epilepticus, a prolonged seizure, or rapidly recurring seizures.

sterilization, removal of microbial contaminants.

sternum, breastbone.

stoma, opening in the neck into the trachea.

strain, injury to a muscle or tendon.

stridor, a high-pitched sound in the upper airway indicating partial airway obstruction.

stroke scale, an assessment tool used to help identify the presence of a possible stroke.

stroke, a lack of blood flow to the brain causing permanent damage to the brain cells.

subarachnoid hemorrhage, bleeding within the subarachnoid space.

subcutaneous tissue, body fat.

subdural hematoma, bleeding beneath the dura mater and above the brain.

sucking chest wound, an open chest wound that draws air during inhalation.

suction catheter, hollow device connected to suction unit to help remove secretions from the airway.

Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988), national network of local crisis centers that provides 24/7 emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.

superficial burn, burn injury involving epidermal layer only.

superior, higher than, or toward, the head.

supine hypotensive syndrome, hypotension caused by compression of the inferior vena cava when a pregnant patient is supine.

syncope, fainting.

systemic vascular resistance, resistance to blood flow in the systemic vessels.

systole, pressure exerted against the walls of the arteries during contraction of the left ventricle.

tachycardia, fast heart rate.

tachypnea, rapid breathing.

telemedicine, delivery of healthcare services via telecommunication technologies.

tendons, connects bone to muscle.

tension pneumothorax, progressive accumulation of air in the pleural cavity.

tertiary blast injuries, injuries caused when victims are propelled against solid objects.

therapeutic communication, techniques that prioritize the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of patients.

thermal burn, burn due to heat.

thoracic cage, the rib cage.

thorax, area between the head and the abdomen.

tibia, the medial bone of the lower leg.

tidal volume, amount of air inhaled or exhaled during normal breathing.

tinnitus, ringing in the ears.

toddler, the period of childhood from one year of age up to 3 years of age.

tonsil tip, rigid suction catheter, or Yankauer.

total body surface area (TBSA), refers to the patient’s skin surface area.

tourniquet, a constricting device used to control severe external bleeding from an extremity.

trachea, the windpipe.

tracheostomy, a surgical opening in the neck into the trachea.

traction, gentle pulling along the long axis of a bone.

transient ischemic attack, a brief episode of neurological dysfunction resulting from an interruption in the blood supply to the brain.

transverse plane or line, divides the body into top and bottom portions.

trench foot, a local cold injury caused by prolonged exposure to cold and water.

trending, routine monitoring and reassessment to identify changes.

triage, the sorting of patients to determine their priority for treatment.

type I diabetes, insulin-dependent diabetes.

type II diabetes, non-insulin-dependent diabetes.

ulcers, open wounds along the digestive tract.

ulna, medial bone of the forearm.

unified command, multiple personnel from different jurisdictions share command.

ureters, tubes leading from each kidney to the bladder.

urinary tract infection (UTI), an infection along the urinary tract.

urticaria, hives.

vasodilation, widening or enlargement of blood vessels.

vena cava, large veins that return blood to the right heart.

ventilation (pulmonary), the mechanical process of breathing.

ventricle, lower chambers of the heart.

vertebrae, bones of the spinal column.

vesicants, a chemical agent that can cause pain and blisters to the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract; also known as blistering agents.

visceral pain, dull, diffuse pain that is difficult to localize.

voluntary muscle, muscle under conscious control.

warm zone, the area between the cold zone and the hot zone.

weapons of mass destruction (WMD), chemical, biological, radiological/nuclear, explosive or unconventional weapons that have the potential to injure or kill a large number of people.

wheezes, high-pitched sound from the lower airway, typically heard on exhalation.

white blood cells, component of blood that fights infection.