Emt Definitions

Front 1

Abandonment

Back 1

The act of discontinuing emergency care without ensuring that another health care professional with equivalent or better training will take over.

Front 2

Abdominal aorta

Back 2

The portion of the descending aorta that extends from the thoracic portion of the aorta superiorly to the distal point where the aorta divides into the iliac arteries. Arteries branching from the abdominal aorta supply the abdominal organs.

Front 3

Abdominal cavity

Back 3

The space located below the diaphragm that extends to the top of the pelvis.

Front 4

Abdominal quadrants

Back 4

The four parts of the abdomen as divided by imaginary horizontal and vertical lines through the umbilicus.

Front 5

Abrasion

Back 5

An open injury to the outermost layer of the skin (epidermis) caused by a scraping away, rubbing, or shearing away of the tissue.

Front 6

Absorption

Back 6

passage of a substance through skin or mucous membranes upon contact.

Front 7

Abuse

Back 7

See physical abuse: Improper or excessive action taken so as to injure or cause harm.

Front 8

Acceleration/deceleration injury

Back 8

A head injury typical of a car crash in which the head comes to a sudden stop, but the brain continues to move back and forth inside the skull, resulting in bruising to the brain.

Front 9

Acetabulum (AS-i-TAB-u-lum)

Back 9

The rounded cavity or socket on the external surface of the pelvis that receives the head of the femur.

Front 10

Acetylcholine (ACh)

Back 10

A neurotransmitter that is distributed throughout the body and is necessary for normal function of the parasympathetic nervous system.

Front 11

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE)

Back 11

An enzyme that stops the action of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Nerve agents inhibit the action of this enzyme, allowing acetylcholine to accumulate.

Front 12

Acromion (ah-KRO-me-on)

Back 12

The lateral triangular projection of the scapula that forms the point of the shoulder.

Front 13

Actions

Back 13

The therapeutic (helpful) effects of a medication; for example, an action of nitroglycerin is relaxation of the blood vessels.

Front 14

Activated charcoal

Back 14

A distilled charcoal in powder form that can adsorb many times its weight in contaminants; often administered to patients who have ingested poison to adsorb the poison and help prevent its absorption by the body.

Front 15

Active rewarming

Back 15

Technique of aggressively applying heat to a patient to rewarm his body.

Front 16

Acute

Back 16

Severe, with rapid onset.

Front 17

Acute abdomen

Back 17

A sharp, severe abdominal pain with rapid onset. Acute abdomen can have a number of causes. Also called acute abdominal distress.

Front 18

Adam’s apple

Back 18

See thyroid cartilage.

Front 19

Administration

Back 19

The route and form by which a drug is given.

Front 20

Adolescent

Back 20

A person 12 to 18 years of age.

Front 21

Advance directive

Back 21

Instructions, written in advance, such as a living will or Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order.

Front 22

Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT)

Back 22

Under the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 2005 National EMS Scope of Practice Model, designation of the level of EMS practitioner that will replace the existing EMT-Intermediate level with the addition of the use of advanced airway devices, monitoring of blood glucose levels, initiation of intravenous and intraosseous infusions, and administration of a select number of medications.

Front 23

Aerobic (eh-ROB-ik) metabolism

Back 23

Chemical and physical changes that take place within the cells in the presence of oxygen.

Front 24

Afterbirth

Back 24

The placenta and other tissues that are expelled immediately after the birth of a child.

Front 25

Ageism

Back 25

Stereotyping or discrimination against old people.

Front 26

Agonal respirations

Back 26

Gasping-type respirations that have no pattern and occur very infrequently; a sign of impending cardiac or respiratory arrest. Also called agonal breathing.

Front 27

Air embolism

Back 27

An air bubble that enters the bloodstream and obstructs a blood vessel.

Front 28

Allergen

Back 28

A substance that enters the body by ingestion, injection, inhalation, or contact and triggers an allergic reaction.

Front 29

Allergic reaction

Back 29

A misdirected and excessive response by the immune system to a foreign substance or an allergen.

Front 30

Alpha radiation

Back 30

A very heavy and slow—moving particle that travels only inches in air and is stopped by clothing or the outer layer of the skin. It is a very serious internal contaminant, because it causes a great amount of damage along its short course of travel. Alpha radiation can be ingested or inhaled.

Front 31

Altered mental status

Back 31

A condition in which the patient displays a change in his normal mental state ranging from disorientation to complete unresponsiveness.

Front 32

Alveolar ventilation

Back 32

The amount of inspired air that reaches the alveoli of the lungs.

Front 33

Alveoli (al-VE-oh-le)

Back 33

Small air sacs in the lungs that fill with air on inspiration and are the point of gas exchange with the pulmonary capillaries. Pl. of alveolus.

Front 34

Alzheimer’s disease

Back 34

Disease characterized by cerebral function loss as seen with diseases that affect the brain.

Front 35

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Back 35

A federal law passed in 1990 that protects individuals with a documented disability from being denied initial or continued employment based on their disability.

Front 36

Amniotic sac

Back 36

A thin transparent membrane that forms the sac which holds the fetus suspended in amniotic fluid. Also called bag of waters.

Front 37

Amputation

Back 37

An open injury caused by the tipping or tearing away of a limb, body part, or organ.

Front 38

Anaerobic (AN-eh-KOB-ik) metabolism

Back 38

Chemical and physical changes that take place within the cells without the presence of oxygen.

Front 39

Anaphylactic shock

Back 39

A shock (hypoperfusion) state that results from dilated and leaking blood vessels related to severe allergic reaction. It is also called anaphylaxis or anaphylactic reaction. See also anaphylaxis.

Front 40

Anaphylactoid reaction

Back 40

A reaction to a foreign substance that resembles an anaphylactic reaction but that may occur on first exposure to the substance, without immune-system sensitization, when the substance itself causes release of the same chemical mediators from the MAST cells that would be involved in an anaphylactic response.

Front 41

Anaphylaxis

Back 41

A severe allergic reaction that produces respiratory distress and shock (hypoperfusion). See also anaphylactic shock.

Front 42

Anatomical planes

Back 42

Imaginary divisions of the body.

Front 43

Anatomical position

Back 43

A position in which the patient is standing erect, facing forward, with arms down at the sides and palms forward.

Front 44

Anatomy

Back 44

The study of the structure of the body and the relationship of its parts to each other.

Front 45

Anterior

Back 45

Toward the front. Opposite of posterior.

Front 46

Anterior chamber

Back 46

The front chamber of the eye containing the aqueous humor.

Front 47

Anterior plane

Back 47

The front, or abdominal side of the body. Opposite to posterior plane.

Front 48

Anterograde amnesia

Back 48

Inability to remember circumstances after an incident.

Front 49

Antibodies

Back 49

Special proteins produced by the immune system that search out antigens, combine with, and help to destroy them.

Front 50

Antidote

Back 50

A substance that neutralizes the effects of a poison or a toxic substance.

Front 51

Antigen

Back 51

A foreign substance that enters the body and triggers an immune response.

Front 52

Anxiety

Back 52

A state of painful uneasiness about impending problems characterized by agitation and restlessness.

Front 53

Aorta (ay-OR-tah)

Back 53

The major artery from the heart.

Front 54

Apnea

Back 54

Absence of breathing; respiratory arrest.

Front 55

Aqueous humor

Back 55

The watery fluid that fills the anterior chamber of the eye.

Front 56

Arachnoid

Back 56

Middle layer of protective brain tissue (meninges).

Front 57

Arteriole (ar-TE-re-ol)

Back 57

The smallest artery, which at its distal end leads into a capillary.

Front 58

Arteriosclerosis disease

Back 58

Process that causes the loss of elasticity in the vascular walls due to thickening and hardening of the vessels.

Front 59

Artery

Back 59

Blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart.

Front 60

Arytenoids

Back 60

Irregular pyramid—shaped structures located on the top of the posterior aspect of the cricoid ring.

Front 61

Aspiration pneumonia

Back 61

Inflammation of the lungs caused by the aspiration of vomitus or other foreign matter.

Front 62

Aspirin

Back 62

A common household medication that will keep platelets from clumping together to form clots; also used as a pain reliever, anti-inflammatory agent, and to reduce fever; often administered to the patient suspected of having a heart attack.

Front 63

Aspiration

Back 63

Breathing a foreign substance into the lungs.

Front 64

Assault

Back 64

A willful threat to inflict harm on a person.

Front 65

Asystole

Back 65

A heart rhythm indicating absence of any electrical activity in the heart, also known as flatline.

Front 66

Atria (AY-tre-uh)

Back 66

The two upper chambers of the heart. Pl. of atrium.

Front 67

Aura

Back 67

An unusual sensory sensation that may precede a seizure episode by hours or only a few seconds.

Front 68

Auscultation

Back 68

Listening for sounds within the body with a stethoscope.

Front 69

Auto-injector

Back 69

A device with a concealed, spring-loaded needle, used for injecting a single dose of medication. An epinephrine auto-injector is often prescribed to patients with a history of anaphylactic reaction.

Front 70

Automated external defibrillator (AED)

Back 70

A device that can analyze the electrical activity or rhythm of a patient’s heart and deliver an electrical shock (defibrillation) if appropriate.

Front 71

Automatic transport ventilator (ATV)

Back 71

A positive pressure ventilation device that delivers ventilations automatically.

Front 72

Automaticity

Back 72

The ability of cells within the cardiac conduction system to generate a cardiac impulse on their own.

Front 73

Autonomic nervous system

Back 73

Part of the nervous system that influences involuntary muscles and glands.

Front 74

AVPU

Back 74

A mnemonic for alert, responds to verbal stimulus, responds to painful stimulus, unresponsive, to characterize levels of responsiveness.

Front 75

Avulsion

Back 75

An open injury characterized by a loose flap of skin and soft tissue that has been torn loose or pulled completely off.

Front 76

Bag-valve-mask device (BVM)

Back 76

A positive pressure ventilation device that consists of a bag with a nonrebreather valve and a mask. The bag-valve device is connected to the mask or other airway. The bag is squeezed to deliver a ventilation to the patient.

Front 77

Bandage

Back 77

Any material used to secure a dressing in place.

Front 78

Base station

Back 78

The central dispatch and coordination area of an EMS communications system that ideally is in contact with all other elements of the system.

Front 79

Baseline vital signs

Back 79

The first set of vital signs measurements to which subsequent measurements can be compared.

Front 80

Basilar skull

Back 80

Floor of the skull.

Front 81

Battery

Back 81

The act of touching a person unlawfully without his consent.

Front 82

Battle’s sign

Back 82

Discoloration of the mastoid suggesting basilar skull fracture.

Front 83

Behavior

Back 83

The way a person acts or performs.

Front 84

Behavioral emergency

Back 84

A situation in which a person exhibits abnormal behavior.

Front 85

Beta radiation

Back 85

A low-speed, low-energy particle that is easily stopped by six to ten feet of air, clothing, or the first few millimeters of skin. It is a common product of fallout decay and is a serious threat from ingestion of contaminated foods and inhalation of airborne particles, thus posing a great internal hazard.

Front 86

Bilateral

Back 86

On both sides.

Front 87

Biological agents

Back 87

Agents that are made up of living organisms or the toxins produced by the living organisms that are used as weapons of mass destruction to cause disease in a target population.

Front 88

Bipolar disorder

Back 88

A psychiatric condition, also known as manic-depressive disorder, characterized by wide swings between periods of depression and periods of elation and manic behavior.

Front 89

Blood pressure

Back 89

The force exerted by the blood on the interior walls of the blood vessels.

Front 90

Bloody show

Back 90

The mucus and blood that are expelled from the vagina as labor begins.

Front 91

Blunt trauma

Back 91

A force that impacts or is applied to the body but is not sharp enough to penetrate it, such as a blow or a crushing injury.

Front 92

Body mechanics

Back 92

Application of the study of muscles and body movement (kinesiology) to the use of the body and to the prevention and correction of problems related to posture and lifting.

Front 93

Body substance isolation (BSI)

Back 93

See standard precautions: A method of preventing infection by disease organisms based on the premise that all blood and body fluids are infectious. Formerly called body substance isolation (BSI).

Front 94

Brachial (BRAY-ke-al) artery

Back 94

The major artery of the upper arm.

Front 95

Bradycardia

Back 95

A heart rate less than 60 beats per minute.

Front 96

Bradypnea

Back 96

A breathing rate that is slower than the normal rate.

Front 97

Brain herniation

Back 97

A protrusion, or pushing, of a portion of the brain through the cranial wall.

Front 98

Brainstem

Back 98

The funnel-shaped inferior part of the brain that controls most automatic functions of the body. It is made up of the pons, the midbrain, and the medulla, which is the brain’s connection to the spinal cord.

Front 99

Breech birth

Back 99

A common abnormality of delivery in which the fetal buttocks or lower extremities are low in the uterus and are the first to be delivered.

Front 100

Bronchi (BRONG-ke)

Back 100

The two main branches leading from the trachea to the lungs, providing the passageway for air movement. Pl. of bronchus.

Front 101

Bronchiole (BRONG-ke-olz)

Back 101

Smaller branches of the bronchi. They continue to branch and get smaller, eventually leading into alveolar sacs.

Front 102

Bronchoconstriction

Back 102

Constriction of the smooth muscle of the bronchi and bronchioles causing a narrowing of the air passageway.

Front 103

Bronchodilator

Back 103

A drug that relaxes the smooth muscle of the bronchi and bronchioles and reverses bronchoconstriction.

Front 104

Bronchospasm

Back 104

Spasm or constriction of the smooth muscle of the bronchi and bronchioles.

Front 105

Bundle of His

Back 105

A band of cardiac muscle fibers that originates in the atrioventricular node and passes through the atrioventricular junction and carries the electrical impulse from the atria and, by connecting to the Purkinje fibers, to the ventricles.

Front 106

Burn sheet

Back 106

Commercially prepared sterile, particle-free, disposable sheet used to cover the entire body in severe burn injuries.

Front 107

Burnout

Back 107

A condition resulting from chronic job stress, characterized by a state of irritability and fatigue that can markedly decrease effectiveness.

Front 108

Calcaneus (kal-KAY-ne-us)

Back 108

The heel bone.

Front 109

Capillary (KAP-i-lair-e)

Back 109

A tiny blood vessel that connects an arteriole to a venule; site of gas and nutrient exchange.

Front 110

Capillary refill

Back 110

The amount of time it takes for capillaries that have been compressed to refill with blood.

Front 111

Cardiac arrest

Back 111

The cessation of cardiac function with the patient displaying no pulse, no breathing, and unresponsiveness.

Front 112

Cardiac compromise

Back 112

Reduced heart function caused by any of a variety of conditions, diseases, or injuries affecting the heart.

Front 113

Cardiac conduction system

Back 113

The specialized contractile and conductive tissue of the heart that generates electrical impulses and causes the heart to beat. Also called the coronary conduction system.

Front 114

Cardiac hypertrophy

Back 114

An increase in the size of the heart from a thickening of the heart wall, without a parallel increase in the size of die cavity.

Front 115

Cardiac muscle

Back 115

A kind of involuntary muscle found only in the walls of the heart. Cardiac muscle has automaticity, the ability to generate an impulse on its own, separately from the central nervous system.

Front 116

Cardiovascular system

Back 116

See circulatory system: System composed of the heart and blood vessels that brings oxygen and nutrients to and takes wastes away from body cells. Also called the cardiovascular system.

Front 117

Carina

Back 117

The point at which the treachea splits into the right and left main stem bronchi.

Front 118

Carotid (kal1-ROT-id) artery

Back 118

One of two major arteries of the neck, which supply the brain and head with blood.

Front 119

Carpals (KAK·pulz)

Back 119

The eight bones that form the wrist.

Front 120

Capitation

Back 120

A cavity formed by a pressure wave resulting from the kinetic energy of a bullet traveling through body tissue; also called pathway expansion.

Front 121

Central nervous system (CNS)

Back 121

The brain and the spinal cord.

Front 122

Cerebellum

Back 122

Part of the brain controlling equilibrium and muscle coordination.

Front 123

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

Back 123

A clear fluid that surrounds and cushions the brain and the spinal cord.

Front 124

Cerebrum

Back 124

Largest part of the brain, responsible for most conscious and sensory functions, the emotions, and the personality.

Front 125

Cervical (SER-vi-kal) spine

Back 125

The first seven vertebrae, or the neck.

Front 126

Cervix

Back 126

The neck of the uterus.

Front 127

Chain of Survival

Back 127

Term used by the American Heart Association for the series of four interventions—early access, early CPR, early defibrillation, and early ACLS—that provides the best chance for successful resuscitation of a cardiac arrest victim.

Front 128

Chemoreceptors

Back 128

Sense organs within the body, such as the carotid and aortic bodies, that are sensitive to chemical changes in the blood, especially to levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen, and that, in response, play a role in the regulation of respiration.

Front 129

Chief complaint

Back 129

The patient’s answer to the question "Why did you call the ambulance?”

Front 130

Chronic

Back 130

Long term, progressing gradually.

Front 131

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Back 131

Umbrella term used to describe pulmonary diseases such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis.

Front 132

Circulatory system

Back 132

System composed of the heart and blood vessels that brings oxygen and nutrients to and takes wastes away from body cells. Also called the cardiovascular system.

Front 133

Circumferential burn

Back 133

Burn that encircles a body area, e.g., arm, leg, or chest.

Front 134

Clammy

Back 134

A moist, or a cool and moist, condition; a skin condition often characteristic of shock. p. 109

Front 135

Clavicle (KLAV-i-kul)

Back 135

The collarbone, attached to the superior portion of the sternum.

Front 136

Cleaning

Back 136

The process of washing a soiled object with soap and water.

Front 137

Closed injury

Back 137

Any injury in which there is no break in the continuity of the skin.

Front 138

CNS depressants

Back 138

Substances that inhibit or decrease central nervous system functions.

Front 139

CNS stimulants

Back 139

Substances that excite or increase central nervous system functions.

Front 140

Coccyx (KOK-siks)

Back 140

The four fused vertebrae that form the lower end of the spine; the tailbone.

Front 141

Cold zone

Back 141

The area adjacent to the warm zone in a hazardous materials emergency. Normal triage, treatment, and stabilization are performed here. Also called support zone.

Front 142

Combining form

Back 142

Word part that carries the word’s essential meaning.

Front 143

Compensated respiratory distress

Back 143

See early respiratory distress.

Front 144

Complex access

Back 144

A way to gain access to a patient that requires the use of tools and specialized equipment.

Front 145

Concussion temporary

Back 145

Loss of brain function.

Front 146

Conduction

Back 146

Transfer of heat through direct physical touch with nearby objects.

Front 147

Congestive heart failure (CHF)

Back 147

A cardiac disease in which the heart cannot pump blood sufficiently to meet the needs of the body.

Front 148

Conjunctiva

Back 148

The thin covering of the inner eyelids and exposed portion of the sclera of the eye.

Front 149

Consensual reflex

Back 149

Same or similar reaction of the unstimulated pupil when the other pupil is stimulated, as when a light is shined into one pupil and both pupils contract.

Front 150

Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA)

Back 150

A federal regulation that ensures the public’s access to emergency health care regardless of ability to pay.

Front 151

Constricted

Back 151

Narrowed, made small.

Front 152

Contamination reduction zone

Back 152

See warm zone.

Front 153

Contraindications

Back 153

Situations in which a medication should not be used; for example, because nitroglycerin lowers blood pressure, existing low blood pressure in a patient is a contraindication for nitro-glycerin.

Front 154

Contusion

Back 154

A closed injury to the tissue and blood vessels contained within the dermis that is characterized by discoloration, swelling, and pain; a bruise; bruising or swelling of the brain.

Front 155

Convection

Back 155

Loss of body heat to the atmosphere when air passes over the body.

Front 156

Convulsion

Back 156

Unresponsiveness accompanied by a generalized jerky muscle movement affecting the entire body.

Front 157

Cornea

Back 157

The clear front portion of the eye that covers the pupil and the iris.

Front 158

Corniculates

Back 158

Cone-shaped cartilage attached to the top of the arytenoids. They are landmarks used when visualizing the glottic opening.

Front 159

Coronary (KOR-o-nair-e) arteries

Back 159

Blood vessels that supply the heart with blood.

Front 160

Coup-contrecoup injury

Back 160

A brain injury in which there may be damage at the point of a blow to the head and/ or damage on the side opposite the blow as the brain is propelled against the opposite side of the skull.

Front 161

Cranial skull

Back 161

The bones that form the top, back, and sides of the skull plus the forehead. Also called the cranium.

Front 162

Cranium (KRAY-ne-um)

Back 162

The bones that form the top, back, and sides of the skull plus the forehead.

Front 163

Crepitus

Back 163

The sound or feel of broken fragments of bone grinding against each other. Also called crepitation.

Front 164

Cricoid (KRIK-oyd)

Back 164

Cartilage a firm and completely circular ring located below the thyroid cartilage and attached to the first ring of the trachea; the lowermost cartilage of the larynx.

Front 165

Cricoid pressure

Back 165

Pressure applied to the cricoid cartilage to compress the esophagus. Also called the Sellick maneuver.

Front 166

Critical incident

Back 166

Any situation that causes unusually strong emotions that interfere with the ability to function.

Front 167

Stress debriefing (CISD)

Back 167

A session usually held within 24 to 72 hours of a critical incident, where a team of peer counselors and mental health professionals help emergency service personnel work through the emotions that normally follow a critical incident.

Front 168

Crossed-finger technique

Back 168

A technique in which the thumb and index finger are crossed with the thumb on the lower incisors and the index finger on the upper incisors. The fingers are moved in a snapping or scissor motion to open the mouth.

Front 169

Crowing

Back 169

A sound similar to that of a cawing crow that indicates that the muscles around the larynx are in spasm and beginning to narrow the opening into the trachea.

Front 170

Crowning

Back 170

The stage in delivery when the fetal head presents at the vagina.

Front 171

Crush injury

Back 171

A closed injury to the cells and blood vessels contained within the dermis that is characterized by discoloration, swelling, and pain; a bruise; bruising or swelling of the brain.

Front 172

Cuneiforms

Back 172

Elongated cartilage attached to the posterior arytenoids. They are landmarks used when visualizing the glottic opening.

Front 173

Curved blade

Back 173

A laryngoscope blade that is curved at the distal end. The blade is inserted into the vallecula to indirectly lift the epiglottis and expose the vocal cords and glottic opening.

Front 174

Cushing’s reflex

Back 174

A protective reflex by the body to try to maintain perfusion of the brain in a head—injured patient with an increase in intracranial pressure. The systolic blood pressure increases, heart rate decreases, and the respiratory pattern changes. This collective change in vital signs indicates a severe head injury.

Front 175

Cyanide

Back 175

A rapid—acting agent that disrupts the ability of the cell to use oxygen, leading to severe cellular hypoxia and eventual death.

Front 176

Cyanosis

Back 176

A blue-gray color of the mucous membranes and/ or skin that indicates inadequate oxygenation or poor perfusion.

Front 177

Dead air space

Back 177

Inspired air that fills the respiratory tract but never reaches the alveoli of the lungs.

Front 178

Decoder

Back 178

Device that recognizes and responds to only certain codes imposed on radio broadcasts.

Front 179

Decompensated respiratory failure

Back 179

When the respiratory compensatory mechanisms have begun to fail and respiration becomes inadequate.

Front 180

Defamation

Back 180

An intentional false communication that injures another person’s reputation or good name.

Front 181

Defibrillation

Back 181

Electrical shock or current delivered to the heart through the patient’s chest wall to help the heart restore a normal rhythm.

Front 182

Defusing

Back 182

A session held prior to a critical incident stress debriefing (CISD) for emergency service personnel most directly involved to provide an opportunity to vent emotions and get information before the CISD.

Front 183

Delirium

Back 183

Sudden-onset altered mental status that may involve illusions, disjointed thought processes, incoherent speech, an increased or decreased psychomotor activity.

Front 184

Dementia

Back 184

Chronic condition resulting in the malfunctioning of normal cerebral processes.

Front 185

Deoxygenated

Back 185

Containing low amounts of oxygen, as with venous blood.

Front 186

Depression

Back 186

One of the most common psychiatric conditions, one characterized by deep feelings of sadness, worthlessness, and discouragement, feelings that often do not seem connected to the actual circumstances of the patient’s life.

Front 187

Dermis

Back 187

The second layer of the skin. Sec al.t0 epidermis, subcutaneous layer.

Front 188

Detailed physical exam

Back 188

A head-to-toe physical assessment for injuries and medical conditions, which may follow the focused history and physical exam and is more thorough than the rapid trauma or medical assessment.

Front 189

Diabetes mellitus

Back 189

A disease in which the normal relationship between glucose and insulin is altered.

Front 190

Diaphragm (DI-ah-fram)

Back 190

A powerful dome-shaped muscle essential to respiration that also separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity.

Front 191

Diastolic (di-as-TOL-ik)

Back 191

Blood pressure the pressure exerted against the walls of the arteries when the left ventricle is at rest. See also systolic blood pressure.

Front 192

Dilated

Back 192

Expanded, made large.

Front 193

Diplopia

Back 193

Double vision.

Front 194

Direct force

Back 194

Direct blow. Injuries from direct force occur at the point of impact.

Front 195

Disaster

Back 195

A sudden catastrophic event that overwhelms natural order and causes great loss of property and/or life.

Front 196

Disc

Back 196

Fluid-filled pad of cartilage between two vertebrae.

Front 197

Disinfecting

Back 197

In addition to cleaning, this process involves using a disinfectant such as alcohol or bleach to kill many of the microorganisms that may be present on the surface of an object.

Front 198

Dissipation of energy

Back 198

The way energy is transferred to the human body by the forces acting upon it.

Front 199

Distal

Back 199

Distant, or far from the point of reference. Opposite of proximal.

Front 200

Do not resuscitate (DNR)

Back 200

Order a legal document, usually signed by the patient and his physician, that indicates to medical personnel which, if any, life—sustaining measures should be taken when the patient’s heart and respiratory functions have ceased.

Front 201

Dorsal

Back 201

Toward the back or spine. Opposite of ventral.

Front 202

Dorsalis pedis (dor-SAL-is PED-is) artery

Back 202

An artery of the foot, which can be felt on the top surface of the foot.

Front 203

Dose

Back 203

The amount of a medication that is given to a patient at one time; for example, a dose of nitroglycerin may be one tablet and a dose of epinephrine may be the contents of one auto-injector.

Front 204

Drag

Back 204

The factors that slow a projectile.

Front 205

Dressing

Back 205

A sterile covering for an open wound that aids in the control of bleeding and prevention of further damage and contamination.

Front 206

Drowning

Back 206

An incident in which someone is submersed or immersed in a liquid that prevents the person from breathing air and that results in a primary respiratory impairment, whether the person lives or dies after this process.

Front 207

Drug

Back 207

A chemical substance that is used to treat or prevent a disease or condition.

Front 208

Drug abuse

Back 208

Self administration of drugs (or of a single drug) in a manner that is not in accord with approved medical or social patterns.

Front 209

Drug toxicity

Back 209

An adverse or toxic reaction to a drug or drugs.

Front 210

Dura mater

Back 210

Outer layer of protective brain tissue (meninges).

Front 211

Duty

Back 211

To act the obligation to care for a patient who requires it.

Front 212

Dyspnea

Back 212

Shortness of breath or perceived difficulty in breathing.

Front 213

Dysrhythmias

Back 213

Irregular contractions of the myocardium secondary to electrical disturbances in the heart.

Front 214

Early respiratory distress

Back 214

Increased respiratory effort due to impaired respiratory function.

Front 215

Ecchymosis

Back 215

Black and blue discoloration.

Front 216

Edema (uh-DEE-muh)

Back 216

Swelling caused by fluid accumulating in the tissues.

Front 217

Embolic stroke

Back 217

A type of ischemic stroke caused by plaque or other material carried to the brain from another part of the body that lodges in a blocks a cerebral artery.

Front 218

Emergency Medical Responder (EMR)

Back 218

Under the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 2005 National EMS Scope of Practice Model, designation of the level of EMS practitioner that will replace the existing First Responder level.

Front 219

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

Back 219

Under the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 2005 National EMS Scope of Practice Model, designation of the level of EMS practitioner that will replace the existing EMT-Basic level with the addition of advanced oxygen therapy and ventilation equipment, pulse oximetry, use of automatic blood pressure monitoring equipment, and limited medical administration.

Front 220

Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA)

Back 220

A federal regulation that ensures the public’s access to emergency health care regardless of ability to pay. Also known as the “anti-patient-dumping statute,” forbidding turning a patient away at the door or sending him to a public hospital because of inability to pay.

Front 221

Emergency move

Back 221

A patient move that should be performed when there is immediate danger to the patient or to the rescuer.

Front 222

EMS system

Back 222

Emergency Medical Services system.

Front 223

EMT-Basic (EMT-B)

Back 223

Emergency medical technician trained to the basic level.

Front 224

EMT—Intermediate (EMT—I)

Back 224

Emergency medical technician trained to the intermediate level.

Front 225

EMT-Paramedic (EMT—P)

Back 225

Emergency medical technician trained to the paramedic level.

Front 226

Encoder

Back 226

Device that breaks down sound waves into unique digital codes for radio transmission.

Front 227

Endocrine (EN-do-krin) system

Back 227

A system of ductless glands that produce hormones that regulate body functions.

Front 228

Endotracheal intubation

Back 228

Placement of a tube down the trachea to facilitate air flow into the lungs and aid in breathing.

Front 229

Epidermis (EP-i-DER-mis)

Back 229

The outermost layer of the skin. See also dermis, subcutaneous layer.

Front 230

Epidural hematoma

Back 230

Bleeding between the dura mater and the skull.

Front 231

Epidural

Back 231

Between the dura mater and the skull.

Front 232

Epiglottis (EP-i-GLOT-is)

Back 232

A small leaf—shaped flap of tissue, located immediately posterior to the root of the tongue, that covers the entrance of the larynx to keep food and liquid from entering the trachea and lungs during swallowing.

Front 233

Epilepsy

Back 233

A medical disorder characterized by recurrent seizures.

Front 234

Epinephrine

Back 234

A natural hormone that, when used as a medication, constricts blood vessels to improve blood pressure, reduces leakage from blood vessels, and relaxes smooth muscle in the bronchioles (causes bronchodilation); often prescribed in a single-dose auto-injector form to patients with a history of severe allergic reaction.

Front 235

Epistaxis

Back 235

Bleeding from the nose resulting from injury, disease, or environment; a nosebleed.

Front 236

Eschar

Back 236

The hard, tough, leathery dead soft tissue formed as a result of a full thickness bum.

Front 237

Esophagus (es-AH-fuh-gus)

Back 237

Passageway at the lower end of the pharynx that leads to the stomach.

Front 238

Evaporation

Back 238

Conversion of a liquid or solid into a gas; evaporation of sweat is a means by which the body is cooled.

Front 239

Evisceration

Back 239

A protrusion of organs from a wound.

Front 240

Exclusion zone

Back 240

See hot zone.

Front 241

Exhalation

Back 241

The passive process of breathing air out of the lungs. Also called expiration.

Front 242

Expiration

Back 242

The passive process of breathing air out of the lungs. Also called exhalation.

Front 243

Expressed consent

Back 243

Permission that must be obtained from every conscious, mentally competent adult before emergency treatment may be provided.

Front 244

Extension posturing

Back 244

A posture in which the patient arches the back and extends the arms straight out parallel to the body. A sign of serious head injury. Also called decerebrate posturing.

Front 245

Extremities

Back 245

The limbs of the body. The lower extremities include the hips, thighs, legs, ankles, and feet. The upper extremities include the shoulder, arm, forearm, wrist, and hand.

Front 246

Extubation

Back 246

The removal of a tube.

Front 247

Face

Back 247

The area of the skull between the brow and the chin.

Front 248

False imprisonment

Back 248

The intentional and unjustifiable detention of a person without his consent or other legal authority.

Front 249

False vocal cords

Back 249

Membranous tissue that lies above the true vocal cords.

Front 250

Femoral (FEM-or-al) artery

Back 250

The major artery of the thigh that supplies the groin and leg with blood.

Front 251

Femur (FE-mer)

Back 251

The thigh bone.

Front 252

Fetus

Back 252

The child in the uterus from the third month of pregnancy to birth; prior to that time it is called an embryo.

Front 253

Fibula (FIB-u-lah)

Back 253

The lateral, smaller long bone of the lower leg.

Front 254

First Responder

Back 254

A person typically trained to the first responder level who is likely to be the first person on the scene with emergency care training.

Front 255

Flail segment

Back 255

Two or more adjacent ribs that are fractured in two or more places and thus move independently from the rest of the ribcage.

Front 256

Flexion posturing

Back 256

A posture in which the patient arches the back and flexes the arms inward toward the chest. A sign of serious head injury. Also called decorticate posturing.

Front 257

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

Back 257

A device that consists of a ventilation valve and trigger or button and is driven directly by oxygen. It is used to provide positive pressure ventilation.

Front 258

Flushing

Back 258

Abnormally red skin color.

Front 259

Focused history and physical exam

Back 259

The portion of patient assessment conducted after the initial assessment, for the purpose of identifying additional serious or potentially life-threatening injuries or conditions and as a basis for further emergency care.

Front 260

Focused medical assessment

Back 260

A physical exam that is focused on the parts of the body indicated by a responsive patient’s chief complaint, signs, or symptoms.

Front 261

Focused trauma assessment

Back 261

A physical exam that is focused on a specific injury site, performed on a responsive patient with no significant mechanism of injury.

Front 262

Fontanelle

Back 262

The “soft—spot” on the top of an infant’s head where the plates of the skull have not yet formed together.

Front 263

Form

Back 263

The size, shape, consistency, or appearance of a medication; for example, nitroglycerin may be in pill or spray form; oral glucose is in gel form.

Front 264

Fowler’s position

Back 264

A position in which the patient is lying on the back with upper body elevated at a 45° to 60° angle. Semi-Fowler’s position is when the upper body is at an angle less than 45°.

Front 265

French catheter

Back 265

See soft catheter: Flexible tubing that is part of a suctioning system, the “French" catheter.

Front 266

Frontal plane

Back 266

A vertical plane drawn side to side through the body from the midaxillary line on one side to the midaxillary line on the opposite side, which divides the body into anterior and posterior planes.

Front 267

Full thickness burn

Back 267

Burn that involves all of the layers of the skin and can extend beyond the subcutaneous layer into the muscle, bone, or organs below; also called a third-degree burn

Front 268

Gamma radiation

Back 268

See X-ray radiation: X-ray radiation and gamma radiation are the same type of radiation but created by different processes. This powerful type of radiate is the most penetrating type and can travel great distances. It is the type of radiation that is generated in the reactor of a nuclear bomb and through the decay of radioactive particles, as in fallout. Gamma radiation is the major external hazard and, to a lesser extent, is also an internal hazard associated with a nuclear detonation or reactor accident.

Front 269

Gastric distention

Back 269

Inflation of the stomach.

Front 270

Generalized cold emergency

Back 270

See generalized hypothermia: An overall reduction in body temperature, affecting the entire body; also called hypothermia or generalized cold emergency.

Front 271

Generalized hypothermia

Back 271

An overall reduction in body temperature, affecting the entire body; also called hypothermia or generalized cold emergency.

Front 272

Generalized tonic-clonic seizure

Back 272

A common type of seizure that produces unresponsiveness and a generalized jerky muscle activity. Also known as a grand mal seizure.

Front 273

Glossoepiglottic ligament

Back 273

A ligament that helps support and suspend the epiglottis and is found in the center of the vallecula.

Front 274

Glottic opening

Back 274

The opening between the vocal cords. Also called the glottis.

Front 275

Glottis

Back 275

See glottic opening.

Front 276

Glucagon

Back 276

A hormone secreted by the pancreas that raises the blood glucose level by stimulating the liver to convert stored glycogen and other substances into glucose.

Front 277

Glucose

Back 277

A form of sugar that is the body’s basic source of energy.

Front 278

Good Samaritan law

Back 278

A law that provides immunity from liability for acts performed in good faith to assist at the scene of a medical emergency unless those acts constitute gross negligence.

Front 279

Grunting

Back 279

A sound heard in infants during exhalation when suffering from a respiratory problem that causes collapsed lungs.

Front 280

Guarded position

Back 280

A position generally assumed by patients with acute abdominal pain with knees drawn up and hands clenched over the abdomen.

Front 281

Gurgling

Back 281

A gargling sound that indicates a fluid is in the mouth or pharynx.

Front 282

Gynecological

Back 282

Having to do with the female reproductive system.

Front 283

Hallucinogens

Back 283

Substances that cause hallucinations, or false perceptions not based on reality. Also called psychodelics.

Front 284

Hard catheter

Back 284

See rigid catheter.

Front 285

Hazardous material

Back 285

Material that in any quantity poses a threat or unreasonable risk to life, health, or property if not properly controlled during manufacture, processing, packaging, handling, storage, transportation, use, and disposal.

Front 286

Head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver

Back 286

A manual technique used to open the airway. The head is tilted back by one hand. The tips of the fingers of the other hand are placed under the chin and used to lift it up and forward.

Front 287

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

Back 287

A federal law enacted in 1996 that protects the privacy of patient health care information and gives the patient control over how the information is distributed and used.

Front 288

Heart

Back 288

The muscular organ that contracts to force blood into circulation through the body.

Front 289

Hematoma

Back 289

A closed injury to the soft tissues characterized by swelling and discoloration caused by a mass of blood beneath the epidermis.

Front 290

Hemoglobin

Back 290

A complex protein molecule found on the surface of the red blood cell that is responsible for carrying a majority of oxygen in the blood.

Front 291

Hemoptysis

Back 291

Coughing up blood or blood-stained sputum.

Front 292

Hemorrhagic stroke

Back 292

A stroke caused by rupture of a blood vessel in the brain that allows blood to leak and collect in or around the brain tissue.

Front 293

High-pressure regulator

Back 293

A one-gauge regulator that is used to power the flow-restricted, oxygen-powered ventilation device. The flow rate cannot be adjusted.

Front 294

Histamine

Back 294

The primary chemical mediator released from the MAST cells in an allergic reaction.

Front 295

Hives

Back 295

Raised, red blotches associated with some allergic reactions.

Front 296

Hot zone

Back 296

The area where contamination is actually present. It generally is the area that is immediately adjacent to the accident site and where contamination can still occur. Also called exclusion zone.

Front 297

Huffers

Back 297

People who inhale vapors in order to “get high.”

Front 298

Humane restraints

Back 298

Padded soft leather or cloth straps used to tie a patient down to keep him from hurting himself or others.

Front 299

Humerus (HU-mer-us)

Back 299

The largest bone in the upper extremity, located in the proximal portion of the upper arm.

Front 300

Hydrostatic (HY-dro-STAT-ik)

Back 300

Pressure the blood pressure or force exerted against the inside of vessel walls.

Front 301

Hypercarbia

Back 301

Increased carbon dioxide levels in the blood. Also called hypercapnia.

Front 302

Hyperglycemia

Back 302

High blood sugar. A blood glucose level greater than 120mg/dl.

Front 303

Hyperthermia

Back 303

Abnormally high core body temperature; core body temperature above the normal 37 degrees C (98.6 degrees F).

Front 304

Hypoglycemia

Back 304

Low blood sugar. A blood glucose level of 60 mg/dl with signs or symptoms of hypoglycemia or a blood glucose level of less than 50 mg/dl with or without signs or symptoms of hypoglycemia.

Front 305

Hypoperfusion (HY-po-per—FU-zhun)

Back 305

The insufficient delivery of oxygen and other nutrients to some of the body’s cells and inadequate elimination of carbon dioxide and other wastes that results from inadequate circulation of blood. Also called shock.

Front 306

Hypopnea

Back 306

Inadequate tidal volume in a breathing patient.

Front 307

Hypothermia

Back 307

Abnormally low core body temperature; core body temperature under 35 degrees C (95 degrees F). See also generalized hypothermia.

Front 308

Hypoxia

Back 308

The absence of sufficient oxygen in the body cells.

Front 309

Iliac (IL-i-ak) crest

Back 309

The upper margin of the bones of the pelvis.

Front 310

Immune response

Back 310

Production of antibodies by the immune system to fight off invasion by foreign substances.

Front 311

Immune system

Back 311

The body’s defense mechanism against invasion by foreign substances.

Front 312

Impaled object

Back 312

An object embedded in an injury to the body.

Front 313

Implied consent

Back 313

The assumption that, in a true emergency where a patient who is unresponsive or unable to make a rational decision is at significant risk of death, disability, or deterioration of condition, that patient would agree to emergency treatment.

Front 314

Incendiary devices

Back 314

Devices including napalm, thermite, magnesium, and white phosphorous that are designed to cause injury by burning at high temperatures.

Front 315

Incident command system (ICS)

Back 315

The standardized incident management concept that has become the standard for on-scene management of disasters and multiple-casualty incidents.

Front 316

Incident commander

Back 316

The person who is responsible for coordinating all aspects of a disaster or multiple-casualty incident.

Front 317

Incomplete spinal cord injury

Back 317

Injury to the spinal cord that does not affect all of the three major spinal cord tracts: the motor tract, the light touch tract, and the pain tract. May produce conflicting and confusing assessment findings as some motor and sensory functions are intact while others are not.

Front 318

Index of suspicion

Back 318

An anticipation that certain types of accidents and mechanisms will produce specific types of injuries.

Front 319

Indications

Back 319

The common reasons for using a medication to treat a specific condition; for example, chest pain is an indication for nitroglycerin.

Front 320

Infant

Back 320

A child up to 12 months.

Front 321

Inferior

Back 321

Beneath, lower, or toward the feet. Opposite to superior.

Front 322

Inferior plane

Back 322

Everything below the transverse line (below the waist). Opposite to superior plane.

Front 323

Informed consent

Back 323

Consent for treatment that is given by a competent patient based on full disclosure of possible risks, and consequences.

Front 324

Ingestion

Back 324

Swallowing.

Front 325

Inhalation

Back 325

The active process of breathing air into the lungs. Also called inspiration.

Front 326

Initial assessment

Back 326

The portion of patient assessment conducted immediately following scene size-up for the purpose of discovering and treating immediately life-threatening conditions. Initial assessment also includes determining whether the patient is injured or ill and making decisions about priorities for further assessment, care, and transport.

Front 327

Injection

Back 327

Forced introduction into the body through the skin, possibly into a muscle or blood vessel, usually via a syringe, bite, or sting.

Front 328

In-line stabilization

Back 328

Bringing the patient’s head into a neutral position in which the nose is lined up with the navel and holding it there manually.

Front 329

Inspiration

Back 329

The active process of breathing air into the lungs. Also called inhalation.

Front 330

Insulin

Back 330

A hormone secreted by the pancreas that lowers the blood glucose level by promoting the movement of glucose from the blood into the cells.

Front 331

Intentional tort

Back 331

A wrongful act, injury, or damage that is committed knowingly.

Front 332

Intercostal (in-ter-KOS-tal) muscles

Back 332

The muscles between the ribs.

Front 333

Intracranial pressure (ICP)

Back 333

The amount of pressure within the skull.

Front 334

Intubation

Back 334

The process of passing a tube, such as a tracheal tube, into the body. See also tracheal intubation. (Personal note: Tracheal intubation is not listed in the glossary.)

Front 335

Involuntary guarding

Back 335

An abdominal wall muscle contraction due to inflammation of the peritoneum that the patient cannot control. Also called rigidity.

Front 336

Involuntary muscle

Back 336

Muscle that carries out the automatic muscular functions of the body. Also called smooth muscle.

Front 337

Iris

Back 337

The colored portion of the eye that surrounds the pupil.

Front 338

Ischemic stroke

Back 338

A stroke caused by a clot obstructing a blood vessel in the brain, resulting in an inadequate amount of blood being delivered to a portion of the brain.

Front 339

Ischium (IS-ke-um)

Back 339

The posterior and inferior portion of the pelvis.

Front 340

Jaundice

Back 340

A condition characterized by yellowness of the skin, sclera of the eyes, mucous membranes, and body fluids.

Front 341

Jaw-thrust

Back 341

Maneuver a manual technique used to open the airway in the patient with a suspected spinal injury. The fingers are placed at the angles of the jaw and used to lift the jaw up and forward.

Front 342

Joint

Back 342

A place where one bone meets another.

Front 343

Kinetic Energy

Back 343

The energy contained by an object in motion. Kinetic energy equals mass (weight in pounds), times the velocity (feet per second) squared, divided by two.

Front 344

Kinetics

Back 344

The branch of mechanics dealing with the motions of material bodies.

Front 345

Kinetics of trauma

Back 345

The science of analyzing mechanism of injury.

Front 346

Kyphosis

Back 346

Abnormal curvature of the spine with convexity backward. Also called slouch.

Front 347

Labor

Back 347

The physiological process by which the fetus is expelled from the uterus into the vagina and then to the outside of the body. Also called childbirth.

Front 348

Laceration

Back 348

An open injury usually caused by forceful impact with a sharp object and characterized by a wound whose edges may be linear (smooth and regular) or stellate (jagged and irregular) in appearance; a wound that penetrates the brain.

Front 349

Laryngectomy

Back 349

A surgical procedure in which a patient’s larynx is removed. A stoma is created for the patient to breathe through.

Front 350

Laryngoscopy

Back 350

The procedure of using a laryngoscope to lift the epiglottis to visualization the vocal cords and glottic opening.

Front 351

Larynx (LAIR-inks)

Back 351

Structure that houses the vocal cords and is located inferior to the pharynx and superior to the trachea.

Front 352

Lateral (LAT-er-a1)

Back 352

Refers to the left or right of the midline, or away from the midline, or to the side of the body. Sec also medial.

Front 353

Lateral recumbent

Back 353

A position in which the patient is lying on the left or right side.

Front 354

Left

Back 354

Refers to the patient’s left.

Front 355

Left plane

Back 355

Everything to the left of the midline.

Front 356

Lens

Back 356

The portion of the eye behind the pupil that focuses light on the retina.

Front 357

Libel

Back 357

The act of injuring a person’s reputation or good name in writing or through the mass media with malicious intent or reckless disregard for the falsity of those statements.

Front 358

Ligaments

Back 358

Bands of fibrous tissue that connect bones about a joint and support organs.

Front 359

Limb presentation

Back 359

When an arm or leg is the first fetal part to protrude from the vaginal opening.

Front 360

Local cold injury

Back 360

Damage to body tissues in a specific part of the body resulting from exposure to cold.

Front 361

Lordosis

Back 361

Abnormal anterior convexity of the spine. Also called swayback.

Front 362

Lower airway

Back 362

The portion of the respiratory system that extends from the trachea to the alveoli of the lungs.

Front 363

Lumbar (LUM-bar) spine

Back 363

The five vertebrae that form the lower back, located between the sacral and the thoracic spine.

Front 364

Lungs

Back 364

The principal organs of respiration.

Front 365

Mainstem bronchi

Back 365

The main branches of the airway leading from the trachea to the lungs. There are two mainstem bronchi, the right main-stem bronchus and the left mainstem bronchus.

Front 366

Malaise

Back 366

A general feeling of weakness or discomfort.

Front 367

Malleolus (mal-E-o-lus)

Back 367

The knobby surface landmark of the ankle. There is a medial malleolus and a lateral malleolus.

Front 368

Mammalian diving reflex

Back 368

The body’s natural response to submersion in cold water in which breathing is inhibited, the heart rate decreases, and blood vessels constrict in order to maintain cerebral and cardiac blood flow.

Front 369

Mandible (MAN-di-bl)

Back 369

The lower jaw.

Front 370

Manubrium (ma-NU-bre-um)

Back 370

The superior portion of the sternum where the clavicle is attached.

Front 371

Markle test

Back 371

A test for the presence of peritonitis in which the patient stands on his toes with knees straight and then drops to his heels, or in which the heels of a supine patient are raised and then struck together or struck on the bottom. The jarring of the torso will elicit pain when the peritoneal linings are inflamed.

Front 372

Maxillae

Back 372

The fused bones of the upper jaw.

Front 373

Mechanism of injury (MOI)

Back 373

The factors and forces that cause traumatic injury.

Front 374

Meconium staining

Back 374

A greenish or brownish-yellow staining of the amniotic fluid, caused by a fetal bowel movement resulting from distress.

Front 375

Medial

Back 375

Toward the midline or center of the body. See also lateral.

Front 376

Medical direction

Back 376

Medical policies, procedures, and practices that are available to EMS providers either off line or on line. medical director physician who is legally responsible for the clinical and patient care aspects of an EMS system.

Front 377

Medical oversight

Back 377

The medical director’s broad responsibilities, including all clinical and administrative functions and activities necessary to exercise ultimate responsibility for the emergency care provided by individual personnel and the entire emergency medical services (EMS) system.

Front 378

Medical patient

Back 378

A patient with a condition brought on by illness or by substances or by environmental factors that affect the function of the body.

Front 379

Medication

Back 379

A drug or other substance that is used as a remedy for illness.

Front 380

Meninges

Back 380

Layers of tissue protecting the brain. They include the dura mater, the arachnoid, and the pia mater.

Front 381

Metacarpals (MET-uh-KAK·pulz)

Back 381

The bones of the hand. metatarsals (MET-uh-TAR·sulz) the bones that form the arch of the foot.

Front 382

Metered dose inhaler (MDI)

Back 382

Device consisting of a plastic container and a canister of medication that is used to inhale an aerosolized medication.

Front 383

Midaxillary (mid-AX-uh-lar·e)

Back 383

Refers to the center of the armpit (axilla).

Front 384

Midaxillary line

Back 384

An imaginary line that divides the body into anterior and posterior planes; the imaginary line from the middle of the armpit to the ankle.

Front 385

Midclavicular (mid-ltlav-IK-u-ler)

Back 385

Refers to the center of the collarbone (clavicle).

Front 386

Midclavicular line

Back 386

The imaginary line from the center of either clavicle down the anterior thorax.

Front 387

Midline

Back 387

An imaginary line drawn vertically through the middle of the patient’s body, dividing it into right and left planes.

Front 388

Minimum data set

Back 388

The minimum information the U.S. Department of Transportation has determined should be included on all prehospital care reports.

Front 389

Minor consent

Back 389

Permission obtained from a parent or legal guardian for emergency treatment of a minor or a mentally incompetent adult.

Front 390

Minute volume

Back 390

The amount of air breathed in and out in one minute. Also called minute ventilation.

Front 391

Miscarriage

Back 391

See spontaneous abortion: Without apparent cause, the termination of a pregnancy before the fetus reaches the stage of viability, generally before the 20th week of pregnancy.

Front 392

Mobile data terminal

Back 392

Device that is mounted in the cab of an ambulance, receives a signal from a digital radio, and displays the information on the terminal screen. Some mobile data terminal will also print a hard copy of the information.

Front 393

Mottling

Back 393

A skin discoloration similar to cyanosis but occurring in a blotchy pattern; a possible sign of shock. p. 108

Front 394

Mucous membrane

Back 394

A thin layer of tissue that lines various structures within the body.

Front 395

Multiple birth

Back 395

The delivery of more than one baby during a single birth, for example twins or triplets.

Front 396

Multiple-casualty incident (MCI)

Back 396

An event that places excessive demands on EMS personnel and equipment.

Front 397

Murphy eye

Back 397

A small hole opposite the bevel at the distal end of a tracheal tube. Its purpose is to lessen the chance of complete tube obstruction.

Front 398

Musculoskeletal (MUS-kyu-lo-SKEL-uh-tul) system

Back 398

The system of bones and muscle plus connective tissue that provides support and protection to the body and permits motion.

Front 399

Myxedema coma

Back 399

A life-threatening late complication of hypothyroidism that may be precipitated by exposure to cold temperatures as well as to illness, infection, trauma, or certain drugs.

Front 400

Narcotics

Back 400

Central nervous system depressants that are derived from opium (opiates) or from synthetic opium (opioids).

Front 401

Nasal airway

Back 401

A nasopharyngeal airway.

Front 402

Nasal bones

Back 402

The bones that form the bed of the nose.

Front 403

Nasal cannula

Back 403

An oxygen delivery device that consists of two prongs that are inserted into the nose of the patient. The oxygen concentration delivered is from 24 to 44 percent.

Front 404

Nasogastric (NG) tube

Back 404

A specialized catheter that is inserted through the nose and esophagus into the stomach.

Front 405

Nasopharyngeal airway

Back 405

A curved, hollow rubber tube with a flange or flare at the top end and a bevel at the distal end that is inserted into the nose. It fits in the nasopharynx and extends into the pharynx providing a passage for air.

Front 406

Nasopharynx (NA-zo-FAIR-inks)

Back 406

Nasal portion of the pharynx situated above the soft palate.

Front 407

National Incident Management System (NIMS)

Back 407

A system administered by the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security to provide a consistent approach to disaster management by all local, state, and federal employees who respond to such incidents.

Front 408

Nature of illness (NOI)

Back 408

The type of medical condition or complaint a patient is suffering from.

Front 409

Neglect

Back 409

The provision of insufficient attention or respect to someone who has a claim to that attention.

Front 410

Negligence

Back 410

The act of deviating from an accepted standard of care through carelessness, inattention, disregard, inadvertence, or oversight, which results in further injury to the patient. Simple negligence is a failure to perform care or commission of an error in care. Gross negligence is willful, wanton, or extremely reckless patient care that goes far beyond simple negligence or carelessness and that can be construed as being dangerous to the patient.

Front 411

Neonate

Back 411

An infant from birth to discharge from the hospital.

Front 412

Nerve agents

Back 412

Agents that block the action of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in the plasma of the blood, red blood cells, and nervous tissue. The most severe effects are those to the nervous tissue.

Front 413

Nervous system

Back 413

The body system including the brain, spinal cord, and nerves, that controls the voluntary and involuntary activity of the human body.

Front 414

Neurogenic shock

Back 414

Type of shock common in cases of damage to the brain or spinal cord that results in vasodilation and relative hypovolemia. See also spinal shock.

Front 415

Neurologic deficit

Back 415

Any deficiency in the nervous system’s functioning.

Front 416

Neutron radiation

Back 416

A powerful and a very damaging particle that penetrates several hundred meters of air and easily passes through the body. Its greatest threat to life occurs in close proximity to an active nuclear reactor or nuclear bomb ignition.

Front 417

Nitroglycerin

Back 417

Medication that dilates the blood vessels, increasing blood flow and decreasing the work load of the heart; often prescribed for patients with a history of chest pain.

Front 418

Nonrebreather mask

Back 418

An oxygen delivery device that consists of a reservoir and one-way valve. It can deliver up to 100 percent oxygen to the patient.

Front 419

Nontraumatic brain injury

Back 419

A medical injury to the brain which is not caused by external trauma. Stroke is an example of a nontraumatic brain injury.

Front 420

Nonurgent move

Back 420

A patient move made when no immediate threat to life exists.

Front 421

Obstetric

Back 421

Having to do with pregnancy or childbirth.

Front 422

Occluded

Back 422

Closed or blocked; not patent, as an occluded airway.

Front 423

Occlusive dressing

Back 423

A dressing that can form an airtight seal over a wound.

Front 424

Off-line medical direction

Back 424

Medical policies, procedures, and practices that medical direction has established in written guidelines.

Front 425

Olecranon (o-LEK—ran-on)

Back 425

The part of the ulna that forms the bony prominence of the elbow.

Front 426

Ongoing assessment

Back 426

The continuous assessment that is conducted following the rapid or focused assessment, or following the detailed physical exam if one is conducted, to detect any changes in the patient’s condition, to identify any missed injuries or conditions, and to adjust emergency care as needed.

Front 427

On-line medical direction

Back 427

Direct orders from a physician to a prehospital care provider given by radio or telephone.

Front 428

Open injury

Back 428

Any injury in which the skin is broken as a result of trauma.

Front 429

Oral airway

Back 429

An oropharyngeal airway.

Front 430

Oral glucose

Back 430

A form of sugar often given as a gel, by mouth, to help correct a glucose-insulin imbalance in patients with an altered status and a history of diabetes.

Front 431

Oral hypoglycemic drugs

Back 431

Medications that lower blood glucose levels by stimulating insulin secretion by the pancreas and promoting an increase in the number of insulin receptors on the cells or by reducing the amount of sugar absorbed into the blood from the small intestines.

Front 432

Orbits

Back 432

The bony structures that surround the eyes; the eye sockets.

Front 433

Oropharyngeal airway

Back 433

A semicircular hard plastic device that is inserted in the mouth and holds the tongue away from the back of the pharynx.

Front 434

Oropharynx (OR-o-FAIR-inks)

Back 434

The central portion of the pharynx lying between the soft palate and the epiglottis with the mouth as the opening.

Front 435

Orotracheal intubation

Back 435

The passage of a tracheal tube through the mouth, along the oropharynx and larynx, and into the trachea.

Front 436

Orotracheal suctioning

Back 436

The procedure in which a long, soft suction catheter is inserted through the tracheal tube to clear secretions deep in the airway.

Front 437

Orthopnea

Back 437

Shortness of breath while lying flat.

Front 438

Orthostatic hypotension

Back 438

A drop in systolic blood pressure and elevation in heart rate when a person changes from a lying to a standing position. Also called postural hypotension.

Front 439

Orthostatic vital signs

Back 439

A comparison of blood pressure and heart rate readings while a patient is supine and while the patient is sitting upright or standing. An increase in heart rate of 10 to 20 bpm and a decrease in blood pressure of 10 to 20 mmHg when the patient becomes upright is considered a positive orthostatic test. Also called a tilt test.

Front 440

Osteoporosis

Back 440

Loss of bone minerals that results in bones becoming brittle.

Front 441

Overdose

Back 441

An emergency that involves poisoning by drugs or alcohol oxygen a gaseous element required by the body’s tissues and cells to sustain life; often provided as a medication.

Front 442

Oxygen humidifier

Back 442

A container that is filled with sterile water and connected to the oxygen regulator to add moisture to the dry oxygen prior to being delivered to the patient.

Front 443

Oxygenated

Back 443

Containing high amounts of oxygen, as with arterial blood.

Front 444

Oxygenation

Back 444

The form of respiration in which oxygen molecules move across a membrane from an area of high oxygen concentration to an area of low oxygen concentration, as when oxygen moves out of a blood vessel into a cell.

Front 445

Pallor

Back 445

Pale or abnormally white skin color.

Front 446

Palmar

Back 446

Relates to the palm of the hand.

Front 447

Palpation

Back 447

Feeling, as for a pulse.

Front 448

Paradoxical movement

Back 448

A section of the chest that moves in the opposite direction to the rest of the chest during the phases of respiration. Typically seen with a flail segment.

Front 449

Paramedic

Back 449

Under the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 2005 National EMS Scope of Practice Model, designation of the level of EMS practitioner that will replace the existing EMT-Paramedic level to provide the highest level of prehospital care, including advanced assessments, formation of a field impression, and invasive and drug interventions.

Front 450

Paranoia

Back 450

A highly exaggerated or unwarranted mistrust or suspiciousness.

Front 451

Paresthesia

Back 451

A prickling or tingling feeling that indicates some loss of sensation.

Front 452

Parietal pain

Back 452

Localized, intense, sharp, constant pain associated with irritation of the peritoneum. Also called somatic pain.

Front 453

Parietal

Back 453

Pleura the outermost pleural layer that adheres to the chest wall.

Front 454

Partial thickness burn

Back 454

Burn that involves the epidermis and portions of the dermis; also called a second-degree burn.

Front 455

Passive rewarming

Back 455

The use of the patient’s own heat production and conservation mechanisms to rewarm him, for example, simply placing the patient in a warm environment and covering him with blankets.

Front 456

Patella

Back 456

The kneecap.

Front 457

Patent

Back 457

Open; not blocked, as a patent airway.

Front 458

Patent airway

Back 458

An airway that is open and clear of any obstructions.

Front 459

Pathogens

Back 459

Microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses that cause disease.

Front 460

Patient assessment

Back 460

Procedures performed to find out what is wrong with a patient, on which decisions about emergency medical care and transport will be based.

Front 461

Pelvis

Back 461

The bones that form the floor of the abdominal cavity: the sacrum and coccyx of the spine, the iliac crests, the pubis, and the ischium.

Front 462

Penetrating trauma

Back 462

A force that pierces the skin and body tissues, for example a knife or gunshot wound.

Front 463

Penetration/puncture

Back 463

An open injury caused by a sharp, pointed object being pushed into the soft tissues.

Front 464

Perfusion

Back 464

The delivery of oxygen and other nutrients to the cells of all organ systems, which results from the constant adequate circulation of blood through the capillaries.

Front 465

Perineum

Back 465

The area of skin between a female’s vagina and anus.

Front 466

Peripheral nervous system

Back 466

That portion of the nervous system located outside the brain and spinal cord. Abbr. PNS.

Front 467

Peritoneum

Back 467

The lining of the abdominal cavity.

Front 468

Peritonitis

Back 468

Irritation and inflammation of the peritoneum, typically resulting in parietal-type pain.

Front 469

Persistence

Back 469

A characteristic of agents that do not evaporate quickly and tend to remain as a puddle for long periods of time.

Front 470

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

Back 470

Equipment worn to protect against injury and spreading infectious disease.

Front 471

Pertinent negatives

Back 471

Signs or symptoms that might be expected in certain circumstances, based on the chief complaint, but are denied by the patient.

Front 472

Phalanges (fa-LAN-jez)

Back 472

Bones of the fingers, thumbs, and toes. Pl. of phalanx

Front 473

Pharmacology

Back 473

The study of drugs.

Front 474

Pharming

Back 474

Raiding others’ home medicine supplies or using faked prescriptions to obtain drugs.

Front 475

Pharynx (FAIR-inks)

Back 475

The throat, or passageway for air from the nasal cavity to the larynx and passageway for food from the mouth to the esophagus.

Front 476

Phobia

Back 476

An irrational fear of specific things, places, or situations.

Front 477

Physical abuse

Back 477

Improper or excessive action taken so as to injure or cause harm,

Front 478

Physiology (FIZ-e-OL-o-je)

Back 478

The study of the function of the living body and its parts.

Front 479

Pia mater

Back 479

Inner layer of protective brain tissue (meninges).

Front 480

Placenta

Back 480

The fetal organ through which the fetus exchanges nourishment and waste products during pregnancy.

Front 481

Plantar

Back 481

Refers to the sole of the foot.

Front 482

Plasma

Back 482

The liquid part of the blood.

Front 483

Platelets (PLATE-lets)

Back 483

Components of blood that are essential to the formation of blood clots.

Front 484

Pleura

Back 484

Two layers of connective tissue that surround the lungs.

Front 485

Pleural space

Back 485

A small space between the visceral and parietal pleura that is at negative pressure and filled with serous fluid.

Front 486

Pneumonia

Back 486

Infection of the lungs, usually from a bacterium or virus.

Front 487

Pneumothorax

Back 487

Air in the chest cavity, outside the lungs.

Front 488

Pocket mask

Back 488

A plastic mask placed over the patient’s nose and mouth through which ventilations can be delivered.

Front 489

Poison

Back 489

Any substance—liquid, solid, or gas——that impairs health or causes death by its chemical action when it enters the body or comes into contact with the skin. ·

Front 490

Positive pressure ventilation (PPV)

Back 490

Method of aiding a patient whose breathing is inadequate by forcing air into his lungs.

Front 491

Posterior (pos—TE—re-or)

Back 491

Toward the back. Opposite of anterior.

Front 492

Posterior plane

Back 492

The back or dorsal side of the body. Opposite to anterior plane.

Front 493

Posterior tibial artery

Back 493

A major artery that travels from the calf to the foot and that can be felt on the medial surface of the ankle bone.

Front 494

Postictal state

Back 494

The recovery period that follows the clonic phase of a generalized seizure. In a postictal state the patient commonly appears weak, exhausted, and disoriented and progressively improves.

Front 495

Power grip

Back 495

Recommended gripping technique. The palm and lingers come in complete contact with the object and all fingers are bent at the same angle.

Front 496

Power lift

Back 496

Recommended technique for lifting. Feet are apart, knees bent, back and abdominal muscles tightened, back as straight as possible, lifting force driven through heels and arches, upper body rising before hips.

Front 497

Prefix

Back 497

A syllable added to the beginning of a word to modify its meaning or to give additional or specific meaning to the word.

Front 498

Prehospital care

Back 498

Emergency medical treatment given to patients before they are transported to a hospital or other facility. Also called out-of-hospital care.

Front 499

Prehospital care report (PCR)

Back 499

Documentation of an EMT’s contact with a patient.

Front 500

Premature infant

Back 500

An infant weighing less than 5 pounds, or an infant born before its 38th week of gestation.

Front 501

Preschooler

Back 501

A child 3 to 6 years of age.

Front 502

Pressure point

Back 502

The point where an artery lies close to the surface over a bony prominence. By compressing an artery at a pressure point, arterial blood flow can be reduced in an extremity.

Front 503

Primary effect

Back 503

The blast of an explosion.

Front 504

Primary triage

Back 504

Evaluation of patients that occurs immediately upon arrival of the first EMS crew at the actual site of the incident to quickly categorize the severity of a patient’s condition and priority for treatment and transport.

Front 505

Profile

Back 505

The size and shape of a bullet’s point of impact; the greater the point of impact the greater the injury.

Front 506

Prolapsed cord

Back 506

When the umbilical cord, rather than the head of the fetus, is the first part to protrude from the vagina.

Front 507

Prone

Back 507

Lying face down.

Front 508

Protocols

Back 508

The policies and procedures for all components of an EMS system. Also called order: or standing order.

Front 509

Proximal (PKOK-sim-al)

Back 509

Near the point of reference. Opposite of distal.

Front 510

Proximate

Back 510

Cause the act of deviating from an accepted standard of care through carelessness, inattention, disregard, inadvertence, or oversight, which results in further injury to the patient.

Front 511

Pubis (I’YU-bis)

Back 511

Bone of the groin.

Front 512

Pulmonary agents

Back 512

Agents that act primarily to cause lung injury and are commonly referred to as choking agents, including phosgene (CG), other halogen compounds, and nitrogen-oxygen compounds.

Front 513

Pulmonary artery

Back 513

Vessel carrying oxygen-depleted blood from the heart’s right ventricle to the lungs.

Front 514

Pulmonary edema

Back 514

pp. 417, 1065

Front 515

Pulmonary embolism

Back 515

Fluid in the lungs.

Front 516

Pulmonary vein

Back 516

Vessel carrying oxygen-rich blood from the lungs to the left atrium of the heart.

Front 517

Pulse oximeter

Back 517

Device for measuring the level of hemoglobin saturated with oxygen.

Front 518

Pulse oximetry

Back 518

Measurement of blood oxygen saturation level.

Front 519

Pulse pressure

Back 519

The difference between the systolic blood pressure and the diastolic blood pressure.

Front 520

Pulse

Back 520

The wave of blood propelled through the arteries as a result of the contraction of the left ventricle.

Front 521

Pulseless

Back 521

Electrical activity (PEA) a condition in which the heart generates relatively normal electrical rhythms but fails to perfuse the body adequately because of a decreased or absent cardiac output from cardiac muscle failure or blood loss.

Front 522

Pulsus paradoxus

Back 522

A drop in blood pressure of more than 10 mmHg during inhalation resulting from increased pressure within the chest that suppresses the filling of the ventricles of the heart with blood.

Front 523

Pupil

Back 523

The dark center of the eye; the opening that expands or contracts to allow more or less light into the eye.

Front 524

Purified protein derivative (PPD) tuberculin test

Back 524

A test to determine the presence of a tuberculosis infection based on a person’s positive reaction to tuberculin, a substance prepared from the tubercle bacillus. p. 33

Front 525

Quality improvement (QI)

Back 525

A system of internal and external reviews and audits of an EMS system to ensure a high quality of care. Also known as continuous quality improvement (CQI).

Front 526

Raccoon sign

Back 526

Discoloration of tissue around the eyes suggestive of basilar skull injury.

Front 527

Radial artery

Back 527

A major artery of the arm, distal to the elbow joint.

Front 528

Radiation

Back 528

Transfer of heat from the surface of one object to the surface of another without physical contact between the objects.

Front 529

Radius

Back 529

The lateral bone of the forearm.

Front 530

Rapid extrication

Back 530

A technique using manual stabilization rather than application of an immobilization device for the purpose of speeding extrication when the time saved will make the difference between life and death.

Front 531

Rapid medical assessment

Back 531

A head-to-toe physical exam that is swiftly conducted on an unresponsive medical patient or a medical patient who is suspected to also have injuries.

Front 532

Rapid trauma assessment

Back 532

A head-to-toe physical exam that is swiftly conducted on a trauma patient who is unresponsive or who has a significant mechanism of injury.

Front 533

Reasonable force

Back 533

The minimum amount of force required to keep a patient from injuring himself or others.

Front 534

Red blood cells

Back 534

Part of the blood that gives it its color, carries oxygen to body cells, and carries carbon dioxide away from body cells.

Front 535

Referred pain

Back 535

Pain that is felt in a body part removed from the point of origin of the pain.

Front 536

Repeaters

Back 536

Devices that receive transmissions from a relatively low powered source such as a mobile or portable radio and rebroadcast them at another frequency and a higher power.

Front 537

Respiration

Back 537

The exchange of gases between an organism and its environment; the taking in of oxygen and giving off of carbon dioxide; the process of moving oxygen and carbon dioxide across membranes, in and out of alveoli, capillaries, and cells; gas exchange.

Front 538

Respiratory arrest

Back 538

Complete stoppage of breathing.

Front 539

Respiratory distress

Back 539

Increased respiratory effort due to impaired respiratory function; the sensation of difficulty breathing although tidal volume and respiratory rate are still adequate.

Front 540

Respiratory failure

Back 540

Insufficient respiratory rate and/or tidal volume.

Front 541

Respiratory rate

Back 541

The number of breaths taken in one minute. Also called frequency.

Front 542

Respiratory system

Back 542

The organs involved in the exchange of gases between an organism and the atmosphere.

Front 543

Retina

Back 543

The back of the eye.

Front 544

Retractions

Back 544

Depressions seen in the neck, above the clavicles, between the ribs, or below the rib cage from excessive muscle use during breathing. It is an indication of respiratory distress.

Front 545

Retrograde amnesia

Back 545

Inability to remember circumstances prior to an incident.

Front 546

Right mainstem intubation

Back 546

A complication of tracheal intubation in which the tube is advanced too far down the trachea and into the right mainstem bronchus. This provides for ventilation of only one lung and can lead to severe hypoxia.

Front 547

Right plane

Back 547

Everything to the right of the midline.

Front 548

Right

Back 548

Refers to the patient’s right.

Front 549

Rigid catheter

Back 549

A rigid plastic tube that is part of a suctioning system, commonly referred to as a “tonsil tip” or “tonsil sucker."

Front 550

Rigidity

Back 550

See involuntary guarding: An abdominal wall muscle contraction due to inflammation of the peritoneum that the patient cannot control.

Front 551

Route

Back 551

The means by which a medication is given or taken; for example, sublingual (under the tongue), oral (by mouth), inhalation (breathed in), or injection (inserted by needle into a muscle or vein).

Front 552

Rule of nines

Back 552

Standardized format to quickly identify the amount of skin or body surface area (BSA) that has been burned.

Front 553

Sacral (SAY-krul) spine

Back 553

Five vertebrae which are fused together to form the rigid part of the posterior side of the pelvis. Also called the sacrum.

Front 554

Safety zones

Back 554

Areas surrounding an accident involving hazardous materials, designated for specific rescue operations. See hot zone, warm zone, and cold zone.

Front 555

Sagittal (SAJ-i-tul) plane

Back 555

A vertical plane drawn front to back through the body at the midline, dividing the body into right and left planes.

Front 556

SAMPLE history

Back 556

A type of patient history.

Front 557

SAMPLE

Back 557

Is an acronym used to remember categories of information necessary to the patient history: signs and symptoms, allergies, medications, pertinent past history, last oral intake, and events leading to the injury or illness.

Front 558

Scapula (SKAP-u-la)

Back 558

The shoulder blade.

Front 559

Scene safety

Back 559

Steps taken to ensure the safety and well—being of the EMT, his partners, patients, and bystanders.

Front 560

Scene size-up

Back 560

An assessment of the scene for safety hazards and to determine the nature of the patient’s problem and the number of patients.

Front 561

Schizophrenia

Back 561

The name given to a group of mental disorders characterized by debilitating distortions of speech and thought, bizarre delusions, hallucinations, social withdrawal, and lack of emotional expressiveness.

Front 562

School age

Back 562

A child 6 to 12 years of age.

Front 563

Sclera

Back 563

The outer coating of the eye; the exposed portion is “the white of the eye.”

Front 564

Scope of practice

Back 564

The actions and care that are legally allowed to be provided by an EMT.

Front 565

Secondary effects

Back 565

Effects from flying debris, shrapnel, and other projectiles. In an explosion, the flying debris can cause significant penetrating injury or blunt trauma. Flames and hot gases present in explosions also result in secondary effect injuries.

Front 566

Secondary triage

Back 566

Reevaluation that takes place in the triage unit of the severity of a patient’s condition and priority for treatment and transport.

Front 567

Seizure

Back 567

A sudden and temporary alteration in the mental status caused by massive electrical discharge in a group of nerve cells in the brain.

Front 568

Sellick maneuver

Back 568

See cricoid pressure: Pressure applied to the cricoid cartilage to compress the esophagus.

Front 569

Sensitization

Back 569

The process by which antibodies are produced and attached to mast cells after exposure to an antigen.

Front 570

Serous fluid

Back 570

Fluid that acts as a lubricant to reduce the friction between the parietal and visceral pleura.

Front 571

Shock (hypoperfusion)

Back 571

The insufficient supply of oxygen and other nutrients to some of the body’s cells that results from inadequate circulation of blood. The terms shock and hypoperfusion are considered synonyms.

Front 572

Shock position

Back 572

Elevation of the legs of a supine patient approximately 12 inches; an alternative to the Trendelenburg position.

Front 573

Side effects

Back 573

The undesired effects of a medication; for example, side effects of epinephrine are increased heart rate and anxiety.

Front 574

Signs

Back 574

Any objective evidence of medical or trauma conditions that can be seen, heard, felt, or smelled in a patient.

Front 575

Silent heart attack

Back 575

A myocardial infarction (heart attack) that does not cause chest pain.

Front 576

Simple access

Back 576

A way to gain access to a patient that does not require specialized tools.

Front 577

Skeletal system

Back 577

The bony framework of the body.

Front 578

Skull

Back 578

The bony structure at the top of the spinal column that houses and protects the brain. The skull has two parts, the cranium and the face.

Front 579

Slander

Back 579

The act of injuring a person’s reputation or good name through spoken statements with malicious intent or reckless disregard for the falsity of those statements.

Front 580

Snoring

Back 580

A sound that is heard when the base of the tongue or relaxed tissues in the pharynx partially block the upper airway; also called a sonorous sound.

Front 581

Soft catheter

Back 581

Flexible tubing that is part of a suctioning system, the “French" catheter.

Front 582

Somatic pain

Back 582

See parietal pain: Localized, intense, sharp, constant pain associated with irritation of the peritoneum.

Front 583

Spacer

Back 583

A chamber that is connected to the metered dose inhaler to collect the medication until it is inhaled.

Front 584

Sphygmomanometer

Back 584

Instrument used to measure blood pressure. Also called a blood pressure cuff.

Front 585

Spinal column

Back 585

The 33 vertebrae that enclose and protect the spinal cord.

Front 586

Spinal cord

Back 586

A column of nervous tissue that exits from the brain and extends the length of the spinal column. All nerves to the trunk and extremities originate from the spinal cord.

Front 587

Spinal shock

Back 587

Shock caused by injury to the spinal cord, causing vasodilation and relative hypovolemia (neurogenic shock) as well as paralysis and loss of sensation below the level of the spinal cord injury. Signs include normal to low heart rate and warm, dry, pink skin.

Front 588

Splint

Back 588

Any device used to immobilize a body part.

Front 589

Spontaneous abortion

Back 589

Without apparent cause, the termination of a pregnancy before the fetus reaches the stage of viability, generally before the 20th week of pregnancy. Also called miscarriage.

Front 590

Staging unit

Back 590

In a multiple-casualty incident, monitors, inventories, and directs available ambulances to the treatment unit at the request of the transport officer.

Front 591

Standard of care emergency

Back 591

Care that would be expected to be given to a patient by any trained EMT under similar circumstances.

Front 592

Standard precautions

Back 592

A method of preventing infection by disease organisms based on the premise that all blood and body fluids are infectious. Formerly called body substance isolation (BSI).

Front 593

Standing order

Back 593

Preauthorized treatment procedures; a type of treatment protocol. See also protocols, off-line medical direction.

Front 594

Status epilepticus

Back 594

A seizure lasting longer than 5 minutes or seizures that occur-consecutively without a period of responsiveness between them. This is a serious medical emergency that may be life threatening.

Front 595

Sterile

Back 595

Free from living microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, or spores that may cause infection.

Front 596

Sterilization

Back 596

The process by which an object is subject to certain chemical or physical substances (typically, superheated steam in an autoclave) that kill all microorganisms on the surface of an object.

Front 597

Sternum

Back 597

The breastbone.

Front 598

Stoma

Back 598

A surgical opening into the neck and trachea. See also tracheostomy.

Front 599

Straight blade

Back 599

A laryngoscope blade that is straight at the distal end. The blade is fitted under the epiglottis to lift it to expose the vocal cords and glottic opening.

Front 600

Stridor

Back 600

A harsh, high-pitched sound heard on inspiration that indicates swelling of the larynx.

Front 601

Stroke

Back 601

A sudden disruption in blood flow to the brain that results in brain cell damage. Blood Bow might be blocked by a ruptured artery or a clot or other foreign matter in an artery that supplies the brain.

Front 602

Stylet

Back 602

A piece of pliable metal wire, typically coated with plastic, that is inserted into a tracheal tube to shape it and provide stiffness.

Front 603

Subarachnoid hemorrhage

Back 603

Bleeding that occurs between the arachnoid membrane and the surface of the brain.

Front 604

Subarachnoid space

Back 604

A lattice of fibrous, spongy tissue filled with cerebrospinal fluid that separates the arachnoid membrane and the pia mater.

Front 605

Subcutaneous (SUB-kyu-TAY-ne-us) layer

Back 605

A layer of fatty tissue just below the dermis. See also dermis, epidermis.

Front 606

Subdural

Back 606

Beneath the dura mater.

Front 607

Subdural hematoma

Back 607

Bleeding between the brain and the dura mater.

Front 608

Sucking chest wound

Back 608

An open wound to the chest that permits air to enter into the thoracic cavity.

Front 609

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

Back 609

The sudden and unexpected death of an infant or young child in which an autopsy fails to identify the cause of death. SIDS typically occurs while the infant is asleep.

Front 610

Suffix

Back 610

A syllable added to the end of a word to modify its meaning or to give additional or specific meaning to the word.

Front 611

Suicide

Back 611

A willful act designed to end one’s own life.

Front 612

Superficial burn

Back 612

Burn that involves only the epidermis, also called a first-degree burn.

Front 613

Superior

Back 613

Above; toward the head. Opposite to inferior.

Front 614

Superior plane

Back 614

Everything above the transverse line (above the waist). Opposite to inferior plane.

Front 615

Supine

Back 615

Lying face up.

Front 616

Supine hypotensive syndrome

Back 616

Inadequate return of venous blood to the heart, reduced cardiac output, and lowered blood pressure resulting from pressure on the inferior vena cava, caused by the weight of the uterus and fetus when the patient in late pregnancy is in a supine position.

Front 617

Support zone

Back 617

See cold zone.

Front 618

Surfactant

Back 618

A substance responsible for maintaining surface tension in the alveoli.

Front 619

Symptoms

Back 619

Conditions that must be described by the patient because they cannot be observed by another person.

Front 620

Syncope

Back 620

Brief period of unresponsiveness caused by a lack of blood flow to the brain; fainting.

Front 621

Systolic (sis-TOL-ik) blood pressure

Back 621

The pressure exerted against the walls of the arteries when the left ventricle contracts. See also diastolic blood pressure.

Front 622

Tachycardia

Back 622

A heart rate greater than 100 beats per minute.

Front 623

Tachypnea

Back 623

A breathing rate that is faster than the normal rate.

Front 624

Tarsals

Back 624

The bones of the ankle, hind foot, and midfoot.

Front 625

Tenderness

Back 625

Pain in response to palpation.

Front 626

Tension pneumothorax

Back 626

A condition in which the build-up of air and pressure in the thoracic cavity of the injured lung is so severe that it begins to shift to the uninjured side, resulting in compression of the heart, large vessels, and the uninjured lung.

Front 627

Tertiary effects

Back 627

In an explosion, injuries produced by propulsion, for example when a person is propelled by a blast or shock wave and strikes the ground or other objects, resulting in blunt trauma.

Front 628

Therapy regulator

Back 628

A device that controls the flow and pressure of oxygen from the tank to allow for a consistent delivery of oxygen by liters per minute.

Front 629

Thermoreceptor

Back 629

A sensory receptor that is stimulated by temperature.

Front 630

Thoracic (tho-RAS-ik) spine

Back 630

The upper back, or the 12 thoracic vertebrae directly inferior to the cervical spine.

Front 631

Thorax (THO-raks)

Back 631

The chest, or that part of the body between the base of the neck and the diaphragm.

Front 632

Thrombotic stroke

Back 632

A type of ischemic stroke caused by a clot that forms in and blocks a cerebral artery.

Front 633

Thyroid cartilage

Back 633

The bulky cartilage that forms the anterior portion of the larynx; the Adam’s Apple.

Front 634

Tibia

Back 634

The medial, larger bone of the lower leg; the shinbone.

Front 635

Tidal volume

Back 635

The amount of air breathed in and out in one normal respiration.

Front 636

Tilt test

Back 636

See orthostatic vital signs.

Front 637

Toddler

Back 637

A child 1 to 3 years of age.

Front 638

Tonsil tip or tonsil sucker

Back 638

See rigid catheter: A rigid plastic tube that is part of a suctioning system, commonly referred to as a “tonsil tip” or “tonsil sucker."

Front 639

Tort

Back 639

A wrongful act, injury, or damage. See also intentional tort. (pp. 49-51 )

Front 640

Toxicology

Back 640

The study of toxins, antidotes, and the effects of toxins on the body.

Front 641

Toxins

Back 641

Drugs or substances that are poisonous to humans and will cause certain adverse effects that may ultimately lead to death. Toxin is sometimes considered a synonym to poison, sometimes defined more narrowly as a poisonous substance of plant or animal origin.

Front 642

Trachea (TRAY-ke-ah)

Back 642

A tubular structure that extends from the lower portion of the larynx to the bronchi; also called the windpipe.

Front 643

Tracheal tube

Back 643

A tube designed to be inserted between the vocal cords, through the larynx, and into the trachea in order to maintain an airway and to facilitate ventilation.

Front 644

Trachealis muscle

Back 644

The muscular wall that closes the C-shaped rings on the posterior side of the trachea and abuts the esophagus.

Front 645

Tracheostomy

Back 645

A surgical opening into the trachea in which a tube is inserted for the patient to breathe through. See also stoma.

Front 646

Tracheostomy tube

Back 646

A hollow tube that is inserted into a tracheostomy to allow the patient to breathe.

Front 647

Trajectory

Back 647

The path of a projectile during its travel; a trajectory may be flat or curved.

Front 648

Transient ischemic attack (TIA)

Back 648

Brief, intermittent episode with stroke-like symptoms that disappear within 24 hours. TIAs are caused by an oxygen deficit in the brain tissue (ischemia) and are often a precursor to a stroke.

Front 649

Transport unit

Back 649

In a multiple-casualty incident, coordinates patient transportation with the triage and staging units and its officer communicates with the hospitals involved.

Front 650

Transverse line

Back 650

An imaginary line drawn horizontally through the waist.

Front 651

Transverse plane

Back 651

An imaginary line drawn horizontally through the waist, front to back, which divides the body into superior and inferior planes.

Front 652

Trauma patient

Back 652

A patient who has a physical injury or wound caused by external force or violence.

Front 653

Treatment unit

Back 653

In a multiple-casualty incident, responsible for collecting and treating patients in a centralized treatment area.

Front 654

Trendelenburg (tren-DEL-en-burg) position

Back 654

Lying on the back with the lower part of the body elevated higher than the head on an inclined plane.

Front 655

Triage

Back 655

The process of sorting patients to determine the order in which they will receive care or transportation to definitive care.

Front 656

Triage tag

Back 656

A tag containing key information about a patient that is attached to a patient during a multiple-casualty incident.

Front 657

Triage unit

Back 657

In a multiple-casualty incident, responsible for prioritizing patients for emergency medical care and transport.

Front 658

Tripod position

Back 658

A position in which the patient sits upright, leans slightly forward, and supports the body with the arms in front and elbows locked. This is a position commonly found in respiratory distress.

Front 659

True vocal cords

Back 659

Strands of fibrous tissue that regulate the flow of air into the trachea and produce sounds by vibrating.

Front 660

Twisting force

Back 660

A force that twists a bone while one end is held stationary.

Front 661

Umbilical cord

Back 661

An extension of the placenta through which the fetus receives nourishment while in the uterus.

Front 662

Umbilicus

Back 662

The navel.

Front 663

Upper airway

Back 663

The portion of the respiratory system that extends from the nose and mouth to the larynx.

Front 664

Urban hypothermia

Back 664

Hypothermia precipitated by cold environments such as with persons who live on the streets in cold weather or whose indoor environment is too cool.

Front 665

Urgent move

Back 665

A patient move made because there is an immediate threat to life due to the patient’s condition and the patient must be moved quickly for transport.

Front 666

Uterus

Back 666

An organ of the female reproductive system for containing and nourishing the embryo and fetus from the time the fertilized egg is implanted to the time of birth.

Front 667

Vagina

Back 667

The passageway through which the fetus is delivered. The lower part of the birth canal.

Front 668

Vallecula

Back 668

A depression located between the base of the tongue and the epiglottis.

Front 669

Valves

Back 669

Structures within the heart and circulatory system that keep blood flowing in one direction and prevent backflow.

Front 670

Vein

Back 670

Blood vessel that carries blood back to the heart.

Front 671

Venae cavae

Back 671

The two major veins that carries oxygen-depleted blood back to the heart: superior vena cava from the upper body, inferior vena cava from the lower body. Pl. of vena cava.

Front 672

Ventilation

Back 672

The mechanical process by which air is moved in and out of the lungs, primarily caused by changes in pressure inside the chest.

Front 673

Ventral

Back 673

Toward the front, or toward the anterior portion of the body. Opposite of dorsal.

Front 674

Ventricles

Back 674

The two lower chambers of the heart.

Front 675

Ventricular fibrillation (VF or V-Fib)

Back 675

A continuous, uncoordinated, chaotic rhythm which does not produce pulses.

Front 676

Ventricular tachycardia (VT or V-Tach)

Back 676

A very rapid heart rhythm which may or may not produce a pulse and is generally too fast to adequately perfuse the body’s organs.

Front 677

Venule (VEN-yule)

Back 677

The smallest vein, which at its proximal end leads from a capillary.

Front 678

Vertebrae (VER-tuh-bray)

Back 678

The 33 bony segments of the spinal column. Pl. of vertebra.

Front 679

Vesicants

Back 679

Chemical agents that most commonly result in damage to exposed skin, lungs, and eyes, causing blistering, burning, and tissue damage on contact as well as causing generalized illness if a significant amount is absorbed. Vesicants include sulfur and nitrogen mustards, lewisite, and phosgene oxime.

Front 680

Visceral pain

Back 680

Poorly localized, intermittent, crampy, dull, or aching pain associated with ischemia or distention of an organ.

Front 681

Visceral pleura

Back 681

Innermost layer of the pleura that covers the lung.

Front 682

Vital signs

Back 682

The traditional signs of life; assessments related to breathing, pulse, skin, pupils, and blood pressure.

Front 683

Vitreous body

Back 683

The large chamber of the eye, containing the vitreous humor.

Front 684

Vitreous humor

Back 684

The clear jelly that fills the large chamber of the eye.

Front 685

Volatile inhalants

Back 685

Substances that are easily vaporized and inhalable.

Front 686

Volatility

Back 686

The tendency of a chemical agent to evaporate. A volatile liquid evaporates easily and creates a dangerous, breathable vapor.

Front 687

Voluntary guarding

Back 687

A deliberate abdominal wall muscle contraction.

Front 688

Voluntary muscle

Back 688

Any muscle that can be consciously controlled by the individual. Also called skeletal muscle.

Front 689

Voluntary nervous system

Back 689

Part of the nervous system that influences voluntary muscles and movements of the body.

Front 690

Warm zone

Back 690

The area that is established surrounding or immediately adjacent to the hot zone in a hazardous materials emergency, the purpose of which is to prevent the spread of contamination. Life-saving emergency care is performed here. Also called contamination reduction zone.

Front 691

Water chill

Back 691

The increase in rate of cooling in the presence of water or wet clothing.

Front 692

Weapons of mass destruction

Back 692

Weapons intended to cause widespread and indiscriminate death and destruction.

Front 693

White blood cells

Back 693

The part of the blood that helps the body’s immune system defend against infection.

Front 694

Wind chill

Back 694

The combined cooling effect of wind speed and environmental temperature.

Front 695

Withdrawal

Back 695

A syndrome that occurs after a period of abstinence from the alcohol or drugs to which a person’s body has become accustomed.

Front 696

Xiphoid (ZI·foyd) process

Back 696

Inferior portion of the sternum.

Front 697

X-ray radiation

Back 697

X-ray radiation and gamma radiation are the same type of radiation but created by different processes. This powerful type of radiate is the most penetrating type and can travel great distances. It is the type of radiation that is generated in the reactor of a nuclear bomb and through the decay of radioactive particles, as in fallout. Gamma radiation is the major external hazard and, to a lesser extent, is also an internal hazard associated with a nuclear detonation or reactor accident.

Front 698

Zygomatic (ZI—go—MAT~ik) bone

Back 698

The cheek bones.

Front 699

Ulna

Back 699

The medial bone of the forearm.

Front 700

Indirect force

Back 700

A force that causes injury some distance away from the point of impact.

Front 701

Laryngoscope

Back 701

A device with a lighted distal end used to lift the epiglottis and provide visualization of the vocal cords and glottic opening.