Ems

Front 1

acid

Back 1

Any molecule that gives up a hydrogen ion; often referred to as H1

Front 2

agonal respirations

Back 2

Occasional, gasping breaths that occur after the heart has stopped.

Front 3

alcoholic ketoacidosis

Back 3

The metabolic acidotic state that manifests from the poor nutritional habits of chronic alcohol abuse. Both the liver and the body experience inadequate fuel reserves of glycogen and, thus, have to switch to fatty acid metabolism.

Front 4

alveolar air

Back 4

The amount of gas that reaches the alveoli with each breath

Front 5

American Standard System

Back 5

A safety system for oxygen cylinders larger than size E, designed to prevent the accidental attachment of a regulator to a cylinder containing the wrong type of gas.

Front 6

apnea

Back 6

Absence of breathing; periods of not breathing

Front 7

aspiration

Back 7

The introduction of vomit or other foreign material into the lungs

Front 8

atelectasis

Back 8

A condition of airless or collapsed alveoli that causes pulmonary shunting, ventilation-perfusion mismatching, and possibly hypoxemia

Front 9

atlanto-occipital joint

Back 9

The joint formed at the articulation of the atlas of the vertebral column and the occipital bone of the skull.

Front 10

automatic transport ventilator (ATV)

Back 10

A mechanical ventilator that is used to ventilate the intubated patient during transport; has settings for the tidal volume and ventilatory rate.

Front 11

bag-valve-mask (BVM) device

Back 11

A device with a face mask attached to a ventilation bag containing a reservoir and connected to oxygen; delivers more than 90% supplemental oxygen

Front 12

barrier device

Back 12

A protective item, such as a pocket mask with a valve, that limits exposure to a patient’s body fluids.

Front 13

base

Back 13

Any molecule that can accept a hydrogen ion; often referred to as OH–.

Front 14

bilateral

Back 14

A body part or condition that appears on both sides of the midline

Front 15

bradypnea

Back 15

Slow respirations.

Front 16

bronchioles

Back 16

Small airways made of smooth muscle that lead to the alveoli

Front 17

BURP maneuver

Back 17

Acronym for Backward, Upward, and Rightward Pressure

Front 18

capnographer

Back 18

A device used to confirm ET tube placement that contains colorimetric paper, which should turn yellow during exhalation, indicating proper tube placement

Front 19

capnometer

Back 19

A device used to confirm ET tube placement that provides an LED readout of the patient’s exhaled carbon dioxide, indicating proper tube placement

Front 20

cardiac dysrhythmia

Back 20

An abnormal cardiac rhythm

Front 21

central nervous system (CNS) depression

Back 21

The slowing of the nervous system function of the brain secondary to delays in nerve cell transmission. Several factors can influence CNS depression, including nerve cell permeability, hypoxia, drugs, and injury

Front 22

cerebral perfusion

Back 22

The ability of fluid to move from cerebral circulation to cerebral tissue, carrying oxygen and nutrients to the cells

Front 23

cerebral vasodilation

Back 23

Enlargement of cerebral blood vessels

Front 24

chemoreceptors

Back 24

Peripheral and central receptors that monitor the levels of chemicals in the blood

Front 25

Combitube

Back 25

A dual-lumen airway device that is inserted blindly. You can ventilate the patient whether the tube is placed in the esophagus or the trachea

Front 26

complete airway obstruction

Back 26

Occurs when a foreign body completely obstructs the patient’s airway. Patients cannot breathe, talk, or cough

Front 27

cricoid pressure

Back 27

Application of pressure on the cricoid cartilage to inhibit gastric distention and aspiration of vomitus in an unresponsive patient

Front 28

dead space

Back 28

The amount of inhaled air that does not participate in respiration

Front 29

diffusion

Back 29

The movement of solutes (molecules) from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration

Front 30

direct laryngoscopy

Back 30

A technique to accomplish endotracheal intubation by visualizing the glottic opening with the aid of a laryngoscope

Front 31

dissociate

Back 31

To lose a hydrogen atom in the presence of water. Acids are classified as strong or weak, depending on how completely they dissociate in water

Front 32

dyspnea

Back 32

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.

Front 33

endotracheal intubation

Back 33

Placement of a tube into the trachea

Front 34

endotracheal tube

Back 34

A tube designed to be placed into the trachea for the purpose of airway management, ventilatory control, and/or medication delivery

Front 35

esophageal gastric tube airway (EGTA)

Back 35

An esophageal airway device that is designed to occlude the esophagus, thus preventing regurgitation; allows for gastric decompression

Front 36

esophageal intubation

Back 36

The placement of a tube into the esophagus. When discussed in the context of airway management, this usually refers to the misplacement of a tube intended for the trachea into the esophagus.

Front 37

esophageal obturator airway (EOA)

Back 37

The original esophageal airway that is no longer manufactured or used because it does not allow for decompression of the stomach before the EOA is removed; replaced by the esophageal gastric tube airway (EGTA).

Front 38

exhalation

Back 38

The part of the breathing process in which the diaphragm and the intercostal muscles relax, forcing air out of the lungs.

Front 39

expiration

Back 39

The process of moving air out of the lungs

Front 40

expiratory reserve volume

Back 40

The amount of air that can be exhaled following normal exhalation

Front 41

extubation

Back 41

The process of removing the tube from an intubated patient

Front 42

flow-restricted, oxygen-powered ventilation device (FROPVD)

Back 42

A manually triggered ventilation device that can be used for apneic patients and breathing patients; delivers a high volume and concentration of oxygen at 40 L/min.

Front 43

functional reserve capacity

Back 43

The amount of air that can be forced from the lungs in a single forced exhalation

Front 44

gag reflex

Back 44

A normal reflex mechanism that causes retching; activated by touching the soft palate or the back of the throat

Front 45

gastric decompression

Back 45

The removal of air and other contents from the stomach

Front 46

gastric distention

Back 46

Inflation of the stomach with air; a complication of positive pressure ventilation or when an infant or child breathes too fast and too deep

Front 47

gastric tube

Back 47

A tube placed into the stomach

Front 48

glottic opening

Back 48

The narrowest portion of the adult’s airway; space between the vocal cords

Front 49

good air exchange

Back 49

A term used to distinguish the degree of distress in a patient with a partial airway obstruction. With good air exchange, the patient is still conscious and able to cough forcefully, although wheezing may be heard

Front 50

gum bougie

Back 50

A device that is placed between the vocal cords under direct laryngoscopy. The endotracheal tube is then advanced over the gum bougie and into the trachea. This device is useful when you are unable to obtain a full view of the glottic opening.