Emt Glossary

Front 1

12-lead ECG

Back 1

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

Front 2

4-lead ECG

Back 2

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

Front 3

abandonment

Back 3

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

Front 4

abdomen

Back 4

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

Front 5

abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)

Back 5

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

Front 6

abdominal-thrust maneuver

Back 6

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

Front 7

abduction

Back 7

Motion of a limb away from the midline.

Front 8

abrasion

Back 8

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

Front 9

abruptio placenta

Back 9

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

Front 10

absorption

Back 10

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

Front 11

access

Back 11

Gaining entry to an enclosed area and reaching a patient.

Front 12

access port

Back 12

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

Front 13

accessory muscles

Back 13

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

Front 14

acetabulum

Back 14

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

Front 15

acidosis

Back 15

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

Front 16

acromioclavicular (AC) joint

Back 16

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

Front 17

action

Back 17

The therapeutic effect of a medication on the body.

Front 18

activated charcoal

Back 18

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

Front 19

activities of daily living

Back 19

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

Front 20

acute abdomen

Back 20

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

Front 21

acute coronary syndrome

Back 21

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

Front 22

acute myocardial infarction (AMI)

Back 22

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

Front 23

acute stress reactions

Back 23

Reaction to stress that occurs during a stressful situation.

Front 24

Adam's apple

Back 24

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

Front 25

addiction

Back 25

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

Front 26

adduction

Back 26

Motion of a limb toward the midline.

Front 27

adenosine triphosphate (ATP)

Back 27

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

Front 28

adolescents

Back 28

Persons who are 12 to 18 years of age.

Front 29

adrenal glands

Back 29

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

Front 30

adrenergic

Back 30

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

Front 31

adsorption

Back 31

The process of binding or sticking to a surface.

Front 32

advance directive

Back 32

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

Front 33

advanced EMT (AEMT)

Back 33

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

Front 34

advanced life support (ALS)

Back 34

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

Front 35

adventitious breath sounds

Back 35

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

Front 36

aerobic metabolism

Back 36

Metabolism that can proceed only in the presence of oxygen.

Front 37

afterload

Back 37

The force or resistance against which the heart pumps.

Front 38

aging

Back 38

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

Front 39

agitated delirium

Back 39

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

Front 40

agonal respirations

Back 40

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

Front 41

agonist

Back 41

A medication that causes stimulation of receptors.

Front 42

air ambulances

Back 42

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

Front 43

air embolism

Back 43

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

Front 44

airborne transmission

Back 44

The spread of an organism in aerosol form.

Front 45

airway

Back 45

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

Front 46

alkalosis

Back 46

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

Front 47

allergen

Back 47

A substance that causes an allergic reaction

Front 48

allergic reaction

Back 48

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

Front 49

alpha

Back 49

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

Front 50

alpha-adrenergic receptors

Back 50

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

Front 51

altered mental status

Back 51

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

Front 52

alveolar ventilation

Back 52

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