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140 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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abandonment
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to leave a sick or injured patient before equal or more highly trained personnel can assume responsibility for care.
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ABCs
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the patient's airway, breathing, and circulation as they relate to the primary assessment.
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abdominal cavity
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the anterior body cavity that extends from the diaphragm to the pelvic cavity
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abdominal quadrants
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four divisions of the abdomen used to pinpoint the location of pain or injury: right upper quadrant (RUQ), left upper quadrant (LUQ), right lower quadrant (RLQ), and left lower quadrant (LLQ).
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abdominal thrusts
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manual thrusts delivered to create pressure that can help expel an airway obstruction in an adult or child. Also knowns as the Heimlich maneuver.
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abuse
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the physical, emotional or sexual mistreatment of another person.
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accessory muscle use
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the use of the muscles of the neck, chest, and abdomen that can assist with breathing effort.
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actions
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the intended effect of a drug on a body.
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adolescent
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a child between the ages of 12 and 18 years old.
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advanced directive
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a document that allows a patient to define in advance what his wishes are should he become incapacitated due to a medical illness or severe injury.
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advanced life support
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(ALS) prehospital emergency care that involves the use of intravenous fluids, drug infusions, cardiac monitoring, defibrillation, intubation, and other advanced procedures.
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agonal respirations
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an abnormal breathing pattern characterized by slow, shallow breaths that typically occur following cardiac arrest.
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allergy shock
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See anaphylactic shock.
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altered mental status
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a state characterized by a decrease in the patient's alertness and responsiveness to his surroundings.
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Alzheimer's disease
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a progressive, degenerative disease that attacks the brain and results in impaired memory, thinking, and behavior.
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amniotic fluid
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the fluid surrounding the baby contained within the amniotic sac.
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amniotic sac
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the fluid-filled sac that surrounds the developing fetus.
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amputation
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the cutting or tearing off of a body part.
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anaphylactic shock
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a severe allergic reaction in which a person goes into shock. Also called analphylaxis or allergy shock.
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anatomical position
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the standard reference position for the body in the study of anatomy; the body is standing erect, facing the observer with arms down at the sides, palms forward.
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anatomy
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the study of body structure.
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angina
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pain in the chest caused by a lack of sufficient blood and oxygen to the heart muscle.
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angulated
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refers to an injured limb that is deformed and out of normal alignment.
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anterior
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the front of the body or body part.
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apnea
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absence of breaths.
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artery
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a vessel that carries blood away from the heart, typically carrying oxygenated blood.
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asthma
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a condition affecting the lungs, characterized by narrowing of the air passages and wheezing.
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asystole
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no electrical activity in the heart; cardiac arrest. Also called failure.
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auscultation
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the act of listening to internal sounds of the body, typically with a stethoscope.
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autoinjector
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a type of device used to self-adminster some medications by way of needle injection.
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automated external defibrillator (AED)
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an electrical device that can detect certain abnormal heart rhythms and deliver a shock through the patient's chest. This shock may allow the heart to resume a normal pattern of beating.
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AVPU scale
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a memory aid for the classifications of mental status, or levels of responsiveness; the letters stand for alert, verbal, painful, and unresponsive.
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avulsion
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the tearing loose of skin or other soft tissues.
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bag-valve device
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an aid for pulmonary resuscitation; made up of a face mask, self-refilling bag, and valve that control the on-way flow of air. Also referred to as a bag-valve mask (BVM).
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bag-valve mask (BVM)
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See bag-mask device
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bandage
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a device to secure a dressing in place on the body, typically made of cloth or similar material.
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base station radio
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a high-powered two-way radio located at a dispatch center or hospital.
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baseline health status
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a pre-employment medical examination to determine overall health status prior to beginning a job.
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baseline vital signs
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the first determination of vital signs; used to compare with all further readings of vital signs to identify trends.
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basic life support (BLS)
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externally supporting the circulation and respiration of a patient in respiratory or cardiac arrest through CPR.
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battery
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unlawful physical contact
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behavioral emergency
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a situation in which an individual exhibits abnormal behavior that is unacceptable or intolerable to the patient, family, or community.
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biological agent
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any bacterium, virus, or toxin that could e used in biological warfare to cause death.
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biological death
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occurs approximately four to six minutes after onset of clinical death and results when there is an excessive amount of brain cell death.
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birth canal
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the interior aspect of the vagina.
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blanket drag
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a method used to move a patient by placing him on a blanket or sheet and pulling it across the floor or ground.
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blood glucose
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the level of glucose in the bloodstream at any given time.
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blood pressure
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the measurement of the pressure inside the arteries, both during contractions of the heart and between contractions.
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bloody show
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normal discharge of blood prior to delivery.
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blunt trauma
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an injury that is caused by the impact with a blunt surface such as the ground or large object. Also called nonpenetrating trauma.
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body language
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communication using the movements and attitudes of the body.
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body mechanics
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the proper use of the body to facilitate lifting and moving to minimize injury.
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body substance isolation (BSI) precautions
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practice of using specific barriers to minimize contact with a patient's blood and body fluids.
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BP-DOC
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a memory aid used to recall what to look for in a physical exam; the letters stand for bleeding, pain, deformities, open wounds, and crepitus.
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brachial pulse
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the pulse that can be felt in the medial side of the upper arm between the elbow and shoulder.
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breach of duty
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a violation of the basic duty to act; failure to provide care to an acceptable standard.
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breech birth
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a birth in which the buttocks or feet deliver first.
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bronchitis
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a condition of the lungs characterized by inflammation of the bronchial airways and mucus formation; a form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
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burnout
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an extreme emotional state characterized by emotional exhaustion, diminished sense of personal accomplishment, and cynicism.
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capillary
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the smallest of the body's blood vessels.
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battery
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unlawful physical contact
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behavioral emergency
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a situation in which an individual exhibits abnormal behavior that is unacceptable or intolerable to the patient, family, or community.
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biological agent
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any bacterium, virus, or toxin that could e used in biological warfare to cause death.
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biological death
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occurs approximately four to six minutes after onset of clinical death and results when there is an excessive amount of brain cell death.
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birth canal
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the interior aspect of the vagina.
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blanket drag
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a method used to move a patient by placing him on a blanket or sheet and pulling it across the floor or ground.
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blood glucose
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the level of glucose in the bloodstream at any given time.
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blood pressure
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the measurement of the pressure inside the arteries, both during contractions of the heart and between contractions.
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bloody show
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normal discharge of blood prior to delivery.
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blunt trauma
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an injury that is caused by the impact with a blunt surface such as the ground or large object. Also called nonpenetrating trauma.
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battery
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unlawful physical contact
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behavioral emergency
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a situation in which an individual exhibits abnormal behavior that is unacceptable or intolerable to the patient, family, or community.
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biological agent
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any bacterium, virus, or toxin that could e used in biological warfare to cause death.
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biological death
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occurs approximately four to six minutes after onset of clinical death and results when there is an excessive amount of brain cell death.
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birth canal
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the interior aspect of the vagina.
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body language
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communication using the movements and attitudes of the body.
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blanket drag
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a method used to move a patient by placing him on a blanket or sheet and pulling it across the floor or ground.
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body mechanics
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the proper use of the body to facilitate lifting and moving to minimize injury.
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blood glucose
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the level of glucose in the bloodstream at any given time.
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body substance isolation (BSI) precautions
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practice of using specific barriers to minimize contact with a patient's blood and body fluids.
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blood pressure
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the measurement of the pressure inside the arteries, both during contractions of the heart and between contractions.
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BP-DOC
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a memory aid used to recall what to look for in a physical exam; the letters stand for bleeding, pain, deformities, open wounds, and crepitus.
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bloody show
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normal discharge of blood prior to delivery.
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brachial pulse
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the pulse that can be felt in the medial side of the upper arm between the elbow and shoulder.
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blunt trauma
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an injury that is caused by the impact with a blunt surface such as the ground or large object. Also called nonpenetrating trauma.
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breach of duty
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a violation of the basic duty to act; failure to provide care to an acceptable standard.
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breech birth
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a birth in which the buttocks or feet deliver first.
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bronchitis
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a condition of the lungs characterized by inflammation of the bronchial airways and mucus formation; a form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
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burnout
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an extreme emotional state characterized by emotional exhaustion, diminished sense of personal accomplishment, and cynicism.
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capillary
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the smallest of the body's blood vessels.
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body language
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communication using the movements and attitudes of the body.
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body mechanics
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the proper use of the body to facilitate lifting and moving to minimize injury.
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body substance isolation (BSI) precautions
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practice of using specific barriers to minimize contact with a patient's blood and body fluids.
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BP-DOC
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a memory aid used to recall what to look for in a physical exam; the letters stand for bleeding, pain, deformities, open wounds, and crepitus.
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brachial pulse
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the pulse that can be felt in the medial side of the upper arm between the elbow and shoulder.
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breach of duty
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a violation of the basic duty to act; failure to provide care to an acceptable standard.
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breech birth
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a birth in which the buttocks or feet deliver first.
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bronchitis
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a condition of the lungs characterized by inflammation of the bronchial airways and mucus formation; a form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
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burnout
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an extreme emotional state characterized by emotional exhaustion, diminished sense of personal accomplishment, and cynicism.
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capillary
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the smallest of the body's blood vessels.
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capillary refill
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the return (refill) of blood into the capillaries after is has been forced out by fingertip pressure; normal refill time is two seconds or less.
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cardiac arrest
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the absence of a heartbeat. Also, the ineffective circulation caused by erratic muscle activity in the lower chambers of the heart (ventricular fibrillation).
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cardiac compromise
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a general term used to describe specific signs and symptoms that indicate some type of emergency relating to the heart.
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cardiac monitor
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a device used to display the electrical activity of the heart.
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cardiogenic shock
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a form of shock caused when the heart is unable to pump blood efficiently.
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cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
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combined compression and breathing techniques that maintain circulation and breathing.
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carotid pulse
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a pulse that can be felt on either side of the neck.
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CDC
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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central nervous system
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a bodily system that is responsible for many of the body's involuntary functions such as heartbeat, respirations, and temperature regulation; composed of the brain and the spinal cord.
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cervix
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the opening of the uterus.
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chain of survival
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the idea that the survival of the patient in cardiac arrest depends on the linkage of early access, early CPR, early defibrillation, and early advanced life support.
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chemical agent
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any noxious substance used in chemical warfare to cause widespread death.
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chemical antidote autoinjector
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a method for the self-adminstration of a chemical antidote, primarily nerve agents.
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chest compressions
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putting pressure on the chest to artificially circulate blood to the brain, lungs, and the rest of the patient's body.
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chest thrusts
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manual thrusts delivered to create pressure that can help expel an airway obstruction in an infant or in pregnant or obese patients.
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chief complaint
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the reason EMS was called, in the patient's own words.
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chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
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a general term used to describe a group of lung diseases that commonly cause respiratory distress and shortness of breath.
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civil law (tort)
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a body of law that addresses and provides remedies for civil wrongs not arising out of contractual obligations.
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clinical death
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the moment when breathing and heart actions stop.
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closed chest injury
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an injury to the chest that is not associated with an open wound.
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closed fracture
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a broken bone that does not have an associated break in the outer layers of the skin.
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clothing drag
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an emergency move in which a rescuer grabs the patient's clothing near the shoulders and pulls him to safety.
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cold zone
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a designated area associated with a hazardous materials incident that is well beyond the incident and where patients are cared for and placed into ambulances for transport.
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communication
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an activity of conveying information.
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compensated shock
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the condition in which the body is using specific mechanisms, such as increased pulse rate and increased breathing rate, to compensate for a lack of adequate perfusion.
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competent
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properly and sufficiently qualified or capable of making appropriate decisions about one's own health or condition.
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complex access
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a form of access to patients that requires tools and specialized equipment.
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conduction
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the loss of body heat through direct contact with another object or the ground.
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conduction pathway
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the electrical pathway within the heart.
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confidentiality
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refers to the treatment of information that an individual has disclosed in a relationship of trust and with the expectation that it will not be divulged to others.
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congestive heart failure
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See heart failure
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consent
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a legal term that means to give formal permission for something to happen.
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continuity of care
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refers to how each new provider, who is assuming are for a patient, is properly informed of the patient's progression, so he can watch for trends and continue effective treatments.
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continuous quality improvement (CQI)
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a continuous improvement in the quality of the product or service being delivered.
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contraindication
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a reason medication should not be administered to a patient because of the potential for harmful effect.
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convection
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a loss of body heat when air that is close to the skin moves away, taking body heat with it.
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convulsions
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uncontrolled muscular contractions.
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core temperature
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the temperature in the core of the body. Typically 98.6° Fahrenheit or 37° Celsius.
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cranium
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the skull.
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cravat
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a triangular bandage that is folded to a width of three to four inches; used to tie dressings and splints in place.
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