Emt-B

Front 1

12-Lead ECG

Back 1

An ECG that uses 12 leads attached to the patient's skin; these include the limb leads and chest leads.

Front 2

4-Lead ECG

Back 2

An ECG that uses 4 leads attached to the patient's skin; these include the limb leads

Front 3

Abandonment

Back 3

Unilateral termination of the care by the EMT without the patient's consent and without making provisions for transferring care to another medical professional with the skills and training necessary to meet the needs of the patient.

Front 4

Abdomen

Back 4

The body cavity that contains the major organs of digestion an excretion. It is located below the diaphragm and above the pelvis.

Front 5

Abdominal Aortic Aneeurysm (AAA)

Back 5

A condition in which the walls of the aorta in thhe abdomen weaken and blood leaks into the layers of the vessel, causing it to bulge.

Front 6

Abdominal-thrust maneuver

Back 6

The preferred method to dislodge a sever airway obstruction in adults and children; also called the Heimlich maneuver.

Front 7

Abduction

Back 7

Motion of limb away from the midline.

Front 8

Abrasion

Back 8

Loss or damage of the superficial layer of skin as a result of a body part rubbing or scraping across a rough or hard surface.

Front 9

Abruptio Placenta

Back 9

A premature separation of the placenta from the wall of the uterus.

Front 10

Absorption

Back 10

The process by which medications travel through body tissues until they reach the blood stream.

Front 11

Access

Back 11

Gaining entry to an enclosed area and reaching a patient.

Front 12

Access Port

Back 12

a sealed hub on an administration set designed for sterile access to the intravenous fluid.

Front 13

Accessory Muscles

Back 13

The secondary muscles of respiration. They include the neck muscles (sternocleidomastoids), the chest pectoralis major muscles, and the abdominal muscles.

Front 14

Acetabulum

Back 14

The depression on the lateral pelvis where its three ponent bones join, in which the femoral head fits snugly.

Front 15

Acidosis

Back 15

A pathologic condition that results from the accumulation of the acids in the body.

Front 16

Acromioclavicular (AC) Joint

Back 16

A simple joint where the bony projections of the scapula and the clavicle meet at the top of the shoulder.

Front 17

Action

Back 17

The therapeutic effect of a medication on the body.

Front 18

Activated Charcoal

Back 18

An oral medication that binds and adsorbs ingested toxins in the gastrointestinal tract for treatment of some poisoningsand medication overdoses. Charcoal is ground into a very fine powder that provides the greatest possible surface area for binding medications that have been taken by mouth; it is carried on the EMS unit.

Front 19

Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)

Back 19

The basic activities a person usually accomplishes during a normal day, such as eating, dressing, and bathing.

Front 20

Acute Abdomen

Back 20

A condition of sudden onset of pain within the abdomen, usually indicating peritonitis; immediate medical or surgical treatment is neccessary.

Front 21

Acute Coronary Syndrome

Back 21

A term used to describe a group of symptoms caused by myocardial ischemia; includes angina and myocardial infarction.

Front 22

Acute Myocardial infarction (AMI)

Back 22

A heart attack; death of heart muscle following obstruction of blood flow to it. Acute in this context means "new" or "happening right now."

Front 23

Acute Stress Reactions

Back 23

Reaction to stress that occurs during a stressful situation.

Front 24

Adam's Apple

Back 24

The firm prominence in the upper part of the larynx formed by the thyroid cartilage. It is more prominent in men than in women.

Front 25

Addiction

Back 25

A state of overwhelming obsession or physical need to continue the use of a drug or agent.

Front 26

Adduction

Back 26

Motion of a limb toward the midline.

Front 27

Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)

Back 27

The nucleotide involved in energy metabolism; use to store energy.

Front 28

Adolescents

Back 28

Persons who are 12 to 18 years of age.

Front 29

Adrenal Glands

Back 29

Endocrine glands located on top of the kidneys that release adrenaline when stimulated by the sympathetic nervous system.

Front 30

Adrenergic

Back 30

Pertaining to nerves that release the neurotransmitter norepinephrine, or noradrenaline (such as adrenergic nerves, adrenergic response). The term also pertains to the receptors acted on by norepinephrine, that is, the adrenergic receptors.

Front 31

Adsorption

Back 31

The process of binding or sticking to a surface.

Front 32

Advance Directive

Back 32

Written documentation that specifies medical treatment for a competent patient should the patient become unable to make decisions; also called living will or health care directive.

Front 33

Advanced EMT (AEMT)

Back 33

An individual who has training in specific aspects of advanced life support, such as intravenous therapy, and the administration of certain emergency medications.

Front 34

Advanced Life Support (ALS)

Back 34

Advanced lifesaving procedures, some of which are now being provided by EMT.

Front 35

Adventitious Breath Sounds

Back 35

Abnormal breath sounds such as wheezes, rhonchi, and rales.

Front 36

Aerobic Metabolism

Back 36

Metabolism that can proceed only in the presence of oxygen.

Front 37

Afterload

Back 37

The force or resistance against which the heart pumps.

Front 38

Aging

Back 38

The process by which the temporary bond between the organophosphate and acetylcholinesterase undergoes hydrolysis, resulting in a permanent covalent bond.

Front 39

Agitated Delirium

Back 39

A condition of disorientation, confusion, and possible hallucinations coupled with purposeless, restless physical activity.

Front 40

Agonal Gasps

Back 40

Slow, shallow, irregular breaths or occasional gasping breaths; sometimes seen in dying patients.

Front 41

Agonist

Back 41

A medication that causes stimulation of receptors.

Front 42

Air Ambulance

Back 42

Fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters that have been modified for medical care; used to evacuate and transport patients with life-threatening injuries to treatmen facilities.

Front 43

Air Embolism

Back 43

The presence of air in the veins, which can lead to cardiac arrest of it enters the heart.

Front 44

Airborne Transmission

Back 44

The spread of an organism in aerosol form.

Front 45

Airway

Back 45

The upper airway tract or the passage above the larynx, which includes the nose, mouth, an throat.

Front 46

Alkalosis

Back 46

The buildup of excess base (lack of acids) in the body fluids.

Front 47

Allergen

Back 47

A substance that causes an allergic reaction.

Front 48

Allergic Reaction

Back 48

The body's exaggerated immune response to an internal or surface agent.

Front 49

Alpha

Back 49

A type of energy that is emitted from a strong radiologic source; it is the least harmful penetrating type of radiation an cannot travel fast or through most objects.

Front 50

Alph-Adrenergic Receptors

Back 50

Portions of the nervous system that, when stimulated, can cause constriction of blood vessels.

Front 51

Altered Mental Status

Back 51

A change in the way a person thinks and behaves that may signal disease in the central nervous system or elsewhere in the body.

Front 52

Alveolar Ventilation

Back 52

The volume of air that reaches the alveoli. It is determined by subtracting the amount of dead space air from the tidal volume.

Front 53

Alveoli

Back 53

The air sacks of the lungs in which the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place.

Front 54

Ambient Temperature

Back 54

The temperature of the surrounding environment.

Front 55

Ambulance

Back 55

A specialized vehicle for treating and transporting sick and injured patients.

Front 56

American Standard System

Back 56

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

Front 57

Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)

Back 57

Comprehensive legislation that is designed to protect individuals with disabilities against discrimination.

Front 58

Amniotic Sac

Back 58

The fluid-filled, baglike membrane in which the fetus develops.

Front 59

Amputation

Back 59

An injury in which part of the body is completely severed.

Front 60

Anaerobic Metabolism

Back 60

The metabolism that takes place in the absence of oxygen; the principle product is lactic acid.

Front 61

Anaphylaxis (anaphylactic shock)

Back 61

An extreme, life-threatening systematic allergic reaction that may include shock and respiratory failure.

Front 62

Anatomic Position

Back 62

The position of reference in hich the patient stands facing you, arms at side, with the palms, of the hands forward.

Front 63

Aneurysm

Back 63

A swelling or enlargement of part of a blood vessel, resulting from weakening of the vessel wall.

Front 64

Agina Pectoris

Back 64

Transient (short-lived) chest discomfort caused by partial or temporary blockage of blood flow to the heart muscle.

Front 65

Anissocoria

Back 65

Naturally occuring uneven pupil size.

Front 66

Antagonist

Back 66

A medication that binds to a receptor and blocks other medications.

Front 67

Anterior

Back 67

The front surface of the body; the side facing you in the standard anatomic position.

Front 68

Anterograde (posttraumatic) amnesia

Back 68

Inability to remember events after an injury.

Front 69

Anthrax

Back 69

A disease caused by deadly bacteria (Bacillus Anthracis) that lay dormant in a spore (protective shell); the germ is released from the spore when exposed to the optimal temperature and moisture. The routes of entry are inhalation, cutaneous, and gastrointestional (from consuming food that contains spores).

Front 70

Antidote

Back 70

A substance that is used to neutralize or counteract a poison.

Front 71

Antivenin

Back 71

A serum that counteracts the effect of venom from an animal or insect.

Front 72

Anxious-Avoidant Attachment

Back 72

A bond between an infant and his or her parent or caregiver in which the infant is repeatedly rejected and develops an isolated lifestyle that does not depend on the support and care of others.

Front 73

Aorta

Back 73

The main artery that recieves blood from the left ventricle an delivers it to all the other arteries that carry blood to the tissues of the body.

Front 74

Aortic Aneurysm

Back 74

A weakness in the wall of the aorta that makes it susceptible to rupture.

Front 75

Aortiv Valve

Back 75

The one-way valve that lies between the left ventricle and the aorta and keeps blood from flowing back into the left ventricle after the left ventricle ejects its blood into the aorta; one of four heart valves.

Front 76

Apex (Plural Apices)

Back 76

The pointed extremity of a conical structure.

Front 77

Apgar Score

Back 77

A scoring system fro assessing the stauts of a newborn that assigns a number value to each of five areas of assessment.

Front 78

Aphasia

Back 78

The inability to understand and/or produce speech.

Front 79

Aplastic Crisis

Back 79

A condition in which the body stops producing red blood cells; typically caused by infection.

Front 80

Apnea

Back 80

Absence of spontaneous breathing.

Front 81

Apneustic Center

Back 81

Portion of the pons that increases the length of inspiration and decreases the respiratory rate.

Front 82

Apparent Life-Threatening Event (ALTE)

Back 82

An event that causes unresponsiveness, cyanosis, and apnea in an infant, who then resumes breathing with stimulation.

Front 83

Appendicitis

Back 83

Inflammation of the appendix.

Front 84

Appendicular Skeleton

Back 84

The portion of the skeletal system that comprises the arms, legs, pelvis, an shoulder girdle.

Front 85

Appendix

Back 85

A small tubular structure that is attached to the lower border of the cecum in the lower right quadrant of the abdomen.

Front 86

Applied Ethics

Back 86

The manner in which principles of ethics are incorporated into professional conduct.

Front 87

Arrhythmia

Back 87

An irregular or abnormal heart rhythm.

Front 88

Arterial Air Embolism

Back 88

Air bubbles in the arterial blood vessels.

Front 89

Arterioles

Back 89

The smallest branches of arteries leading to the vast network of capillaries.

Front 90

Artery

Back 90

A blood vessel, consisting of three layers of tissue and smooth muscle that carries blood away from the heart.

Front 91

Articular Cartilage

Back 91

A pearly layer of specialized cartilage covering the articular surfaces (contact surfaces on the ends) of bones in synovial joints.

Front 92

Ascites

Back 92

Fluid in the abdomen.

Front 93

Aspiration

Back 93

In the context of airway, the introdution of vomitus or other foreign material into the lungs.

Front 94

Aspirin (Acetylsalicylic acid or ASA)

Back 94

A medication that is an antipyretic (reduces fever), analgesic (reduces pain), anti-inflammatory (reduces inflammation), and potent inhibitor of platelet aggregation (clumping).

Front 95

Assault

Back 95

Unlawfully placing a patient in fear of bodily harm.

Front 96

Asthma

Back 96

An acute spasm of the smaller air passages, called bronchioles, associated with excessive mucus production and with swelling of the mucous lining of the respiratory passages.

Front 97

Asystole

Back 97

The complete absence of any electrical cardiac activity, appearing as a straight or almost straight line on an ECG strip.

Front 98

Ataxic Respirations

Back 98

Irregular, ineffective respirations that may or may not have an identifiable pattern.

Front 99

Atelectasis

Back 99

Collapse of the alveolar air spaces of the lungs.

Front 100

Atherosclerosis

Back 100

A disorder in which cholesterol and calcium build up inside the walls of the blood vessels, forming plaque, which eventually leads to partial or complete blockage of blood flow.

Front 101

Atrium

Back 101

One of two (right and left) upper chambers of the heart. The right atrium receives blood from the vena cava and delivers it to the right ventricle. The left atrium receives blood from pulmonary veins abd delivers it to the left ventricle.

Front 102

Aura

Back 102

A sensation experienced prior to a seizure; serves as a warning sign that a seizure is about to occur.

Front 103

Auscultate

Back 103

To listen to sounds within an organ with a stethoscope.

Front 104

Automated External Defibrillator (AED)

Back 104

A device that detects treatable life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias (ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia) and delivers the appropriate electrical shock to the patient.

Front 105

Automatic Transport Ventilator (ATV)

Back 105

A ventilation device attached to a control box that allows the variables of ventilation to be set. It frees the EMT to perform other tasks while the patient is being ventilated.

Front 106

Automaticity

Back 106

The ability of cardiac muscle cells to contract without stimulation from the nervous system.

Front 107

Autonomic Nervous System

Back 107

The part of the nervous system that regulates involuntary functions, such as heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and sweating.

Front 108

AVPU Scale

Back 108

A method of assessing the level of consciousness by determining whether the patient is awake and alert, responsive to verbal stimuli or pain, or unresponsive; used principally early in the assessment process.

Front 109

Avulsion

Back 109

An injury in which soft tissue is torn completely loose or hanging as a flap.

Front 110

Axial Skeleton

Back 110

The part of the skeleton comprising the skull, spinal, column, and rib cage.

Front 111

Backboard

Back 111

A device that is used to provide support to a patient who is suspected of having a hip, pelvic, spinal, or lower extremity injury. Also called a spine board, trauma board, and longboard.

Front 112

Bacteria

Back 112

Microorgansims that reproduce by binary fission. These single-cell creatures reproduce rapidly. Some can form spores (encysted variants) when environmental conditions are harsh.

Front 113

Bacterial Vaginosis

Back 113

An overgrowth of bacteria in the vagina; characterized by itching, burning, or pain, and possibly a "fishy" smelling discharge.

Front 114

Bag-mask Device

Back 114

A device with a one-way valve and a face mask attached to a ventilation bag; when attached to a reservoir and connected to oxygen, it delivers more than 90% supplemental oxygen.

Front 115

Ball-and-socket Joint

Back 115

A joint that allows internal and external rotation, as well as bending.

Front 116

Bariatrics

Back 116

A branch of medicine concerned with the management (prevention or control) of obesity and allied diseases.

Front 117

Barotrauma

Back 117

Injury resulting from pressure disequilibrium across body surfaces; for example, from too much pressure in the lungs.

Front 118

Barrier Device

Back 118

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