A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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abandonment
a legal term referring to discontinuing medical care without making sure that
another health-care professional with equal or better training has taken over.
ABCs memory aid for airway, breathing, and circulation.
abdominal cavity space below the diaphragm
and continuous with the pelvic cavity.
abdominal thrusts See Heimlich maneuver.
abrasion an injury caused by scraping, rubbing,
or shearing away of the outermost layer of skin; a type of open injury.
abuse improper or excessive action so as to injure
or cause harm.
accessory muscles additional muscles; in regard to breathing, these are
the muscles of the neck and the muscles between the ribs.
activated charcoal a finely ground charcoal that is very absorbent and
is sometimes used as an antidote to some ingested poisons.
acute to have a rapid onset. Also used to mean
severe.
advance directive a patient's instructions,
written in advance, regarding the kind of resuscitation efforts that should
be made in a life-threatening emergency.
advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) prehospital emergency care that
involves the use of intravenous fluids, drug infusions, cardiac monitoring,
defibrillation, intubations, and other advanced procedures.
afterbirth the placenta after it separates
from the uterine wall and delivers.
airway adjunct an artificial airway.
alimentary tract the food passageway,
which extends from the mouth to the anus.
altered mental status a change in a patient's normal level of responsiveness.
alveoli air sacs of the lungs. Singular alveolus.
amniotic sac a sac of fluid in which the developing fetus floats.
amputation an injury that occurs when a
body part is severed from the body; a type of open injury.
anaphylactic shock an acute allergic
reaction with severe bronchospasm and vascular collapse, which can be rapidly
fatal. Also called anaphylaxis.
anatomical position position in
which the patient is standing erect with arms down at sides and palms front.
anatomy structure of the body.
antecubital space the hollow, or front, of the elbow.
anterior term of direction or position meaning
toward the front. Opposite of posterior.
apical pulse an arterial pulse point located
under the patient's left breast.
arterial bleeding recognized by bright red blood spurting from a wound.
arteries blood vessels that take blood away
from the heart.
arterioles the smallest arteries.
artificial ventilation method
of assisting breathing by forcing air into a patient's lungs.
asphyxia a lethal condition caused by an insufficient
intake of oxygen; in extreme cases, convulsions, unconsciousness, and death
may result. Also called suffocation.
aspirate inhale material into the lungs.
asynchronously not done simultaneously; not done at the same time.
atria the two upper chambers of the heart. Singular
atrium.
auscultation a method of examination that
involves listening for signs of illness or injury.
automated external defibrillator (AED) an electrical apparatus that can
detect fatal heart rhythms and deliver a shock through the patient's chest.
autonomic nervous system the
part of the nervous system that handles involuntary activities.
AVPU memory aid for alert, verbal, painful, unresponsive.
avulsion an injury that is characterized by a torn flap of skin or soft
tissue that is either still attached to the body or pulled off completely; a
type of open injury.
bag of waters (BOW) amniotic sac.
bag-valve-mask (BVM) an aid for artificial ventilation; consists of a
self-inflating bag, one-way valve, face mask, and oxygen reservoir.
bandage any material used to hold a dressing in place.
behavior the way a person acts or performs.
behavioral emergency a situation in which a patient exhibits behavior
that is unacceptable or intolerable to the patient, family, or community.
birth canal a passage made up of the cervix and vagina.
blanching losing color from.
blood pressure the amount of pressure
the surging blood exerts against the arterial walls.
blood vessels a closed system of tubes
through which blood flows.
bloody show the plug of mucus that is discharged
during labor.
blunt trauma an injury caused by an object that is not sharp or forceful
enough to penetrate the skin.
body armor a garment made of a synthetic material that resists penetration
by bullets.
body mechanics the safest and most efficient
methods of using the body to gain a mechanical advantage.
body substance isolation (BSI)
strict form of infection control based on the premise that all blood and body
fluids are infectious.
brachial pulse point an arterial pulse that can be felt on the inside of the arm between the elbow and the shoulder.
bracing exerting an opposing force against two parts of a stable surface
with your body; in EMS, usually refers to a safety precaution taken while riding
in an ambulance patient compartment.
bronchi the two main branches of the trachea,
which lead to the lungs. Singular bronchus.
capillary
smallest blood vessel through which the exchange of fluid, oxygen, and carbon
dioxide takes place between the blood and tissue cells.
capillary bleeding bleeding recognized by dark red blood that oozes slowly
from a wound.
capillary refill the time it takes
for capillaries that have been compressed to refill with blood.
cardiac arrest the sudden cessation of
circulation.
cardiac dysrhythmia abnormal, disordered, or disturbed rhythm of the
heart.
cardiac muscle one of three types of
muscles; makes up the walls of the heart.
carotid pulse point an arterial pulse that can be felt on either side
of the neck.
catheter a hollow tube that is part of a suction
device. Also called tonsil tip or tonsil sucker.
central nervous system brain and
the spinal cord.
cerebrospinal fluid a cushion of
water that helps to protect the brain and spinal cord from injury.
cervical spine neck; formed by the first seven vertebrae.
cervix the neck of the uterus.
chain of survival term used by the American Heart Association for a series
of interventions that provide the best chance of survival for the cardiac-arrest
patient.
chief complaint the reason that EMS was called stated in the patient's
(or the caller's) own words.
child according to the American Heart Association, any patient who is
age one to eight years old.
child abuse improper or excessive action
so as to injure or cause harm to an infant or child.
child neglect giving insufficient attention
or respect to an infant or child who has claim to that attention and respect.
chronic of long duration.
clavicle the collarbone.
cleaning process of washing a soiled object with soap and water.
closed wound an injury to the soft tissues beneath unbroken skin.
coccyx tail bone; formed by four fused vertebrae.
Also called coccygeal spine.
colicky pain cramps that occur in waves.
competent a competent adult is one who is
lucid and able to make an informed decision about medical care.
complex access the process of gaining access to a patient with the use
of tools and specialized equipment.
consent permission to provide medical care.
constrict get smaller.
contusion a bruise; a type of closed wound.
cranium the bones that form the top (including
the forehead), back, and sides of the skull.
crepitus sound or feeling of broken bones grinding against each other.
cribbing a system of wood or other materials used to support an object.
critical incident any situation that causes a rescuer to experience unusually
strong emotions that interfere with the ability to function either during the
incident or after.
critical incident stress debriefing (CISD) session usually held within
three days of a critical incident in which a team of peer counselors and mental-health
professionals help rescuers work through the emotions that normally follow a
critical incident.
cross-finger technique a method of opening a patient's clenched jaw.
crowing sound made during respiration similar to the cawing of a crow,
which may mean the muscles around the larynx are in spasm.
crowning the appearance of the baby's head
or other body part at the opening of the birth canal.
cyanosis bluish discoloration of the skin
and mucous membranes; a sign that body tissues are not receiving enough oxygen.
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D
deep
term of position, meaning remote or far from the surface. Opposite of superficial.
defibrillation the process by which
an electrical current is sent to the heart to correct fatal heart rhythms.
defusing short, informal type of debriefing held within hours of a critical
incident.
dehydration excessive loss of body fluids.
dermis the second layer of skin.
diaphoresis excessive perspiration.
diaphragm a muscle, located between the thoracic
and abdominal cavities, that moves up and down during respiration.
diastolic pressure the result of
the relaxation of the heart between contractions.
dilate get larger.
direct medical control refers to an EMS medical director or another physician
giving orders to an EMS rescuer at the scene of an emergency via telephone,
radio, or in person.
disinfecting process of cleaning plus using a disinfectant, such as alcohol
or bleach, to kill microorganisms on an object.
distal a term of direction or position, meaning
distant or far away from the point of reference, which is usually the torso.
Opposite of proximal.
do not resuscitate order (DNR) document
that relates the wish of the chronically or terminally ill patient not to be
resuscitated.
dorsalis pedis pulse an arterial pulse point that can be felt at the
top of the foot on the side of the great toe.
DOTS memory aid for deformities, open injuries, tenderness, and swelling.
dressing a sterile covering for a wound.
drug abuse self-administration of one or
more drugs in a way that is not in accord with approved medical or social practice.
duty (to act) the legal obligation to provide emergency
care to a patient who requires it.
dyspnea shortness of breath.
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E
ecchymosis
black and blue discoloration of the skin.
edema swelling due to the accumulation of fluids
in the tissues.
emancipated minor a minor who is married,
pregnant, a parent, in the armed forces, or financially independent and living
away from home with permission of the courts.
emergency medical services "EMS" system a network of resources linked
together to provide emergency care and transport to victims of sudden illness
or injury.
emergency move a move made when there is immediate danger to the patient,
usually performed by a single rescuer.
EMT-Basic an emergency medical technician trained to the next level above
the EMS First Responder. Also called EMT-B.
EMT-Intermediate an emergency medical technician trained to a higher
level than the EMT-Basic and First Responder. Also called EMT-I.
EMT-Paramedic the most highly trained emergency medical technician in
EMS. Also called EMT-P or paramedic.
enhanced 9-1-1 a type of 9-1-1 service in which the EMS dispatcher is
able to see the street address and phone number of a caller on a computer screen.
epidermis the outermost layer of skin.
epiglottis leaf-shaped structure that prevents
foreign objects from entering the trachea during swallowing.
esophagus the passageway at the lower end
of the pharynx that leads to the stomach.
evisceration the protrusion of internal
organs from an open wound; a type of open injury.
expiration breathing out; exhaling.
express consent permission that must
be obtained from every responsive, competent adult patient before medical care
may be rendered.
external term of position, meaning outside.
Opposite of internal.
extremities the limbs of the body.
extrude push or force out.
eye orbits eye sockets; the bones in the skull that hold the eyeballs.
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F
fallopian
tubes the tube or duct that extends up from the uterus to a position
near an ovary.
femoral pulse point an arterial pulse that can be felt in the area of
the groin in the crease between the abdomen and thigh.
femur the bone in the thigh, or upper leg.
fibula one of the bones of the lower leg.
finger sweep technique used to remove a
foreign object from the mouth.
First Responder the first person on the scene with emergency medical
care skills, typically trained to the most basic EMS level.
flail chest a closed chest injury resulting
in the chest wall becoming unstable.
flail segment an area of the chest wall between broken ribs that becomes
free-floating.
fontanel soft spot lying between the cranial
bones of the skull of an infant.
frostbite freezing or near freezing of a
specific body part. Also called local cold injury.
full-thickness burn a burn that extends
through all layers of skin and may involve muscles, organs, and bone.
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G
gastric distention
inflation of the stomach.
geriatric patients patients who are elderly.
geriatrics branch of medicine concerned
with the problems of aging.
globe eyeball.
glucose a type of sugar.
Golden Hour a term trauma experts use to refer to the belief that severely
injured patients have the highest survival rates when they are on the operating
table within 60 minutes of injury.
grieving process process by which people cope with death and dying.
guarding position a position in which the patient draws up his or her
knees toward the abdomen.
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H
hand-off report
a report of the patient's condition and the care that was given, made to the
EMS personnel who take over patient care.
hazardous material a substance that in any quantity pose a threat or
unreasonable risk to life, health, or property. Also called hazmat.
head-tilt/chin-lift maneuver a manual technique used to open the airway
of an ill (uninjured) patient.
Heimlich maneuver a technique used
to dislodge and expel a foreign body airway obstruction. Also called subdiaphragmatic
abdominal thrusts or abdominal thrusts.
hematoma a lump with bluish discoloration
caused by a large collection of blood under the skin.
humerus the bone that extends from the shoulder
to elbow.
hyperthermia fever or raised body temperature.
hyperventilation rapid breathing common
to diseases such as asthma and pulmonary edema; the syndrome is common to anxiety-induced
states.
hypothermia an overall reduction of body
temperature.
hypoxia an insufficiency of oxygen in the body's
tissues.
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I
ilium
one of the bones that form the pelvis. Plural ilia.
immobilize to make immovable.
impaled object an object that is embedded in an open injury.
implied consent the assumption that
in an emergency a patient who cannot give permission for medical care would
give it if he or she could.
incontinent unable to retain.
indirect medical control refers to EMS system design, standing orders
and protocols, education for EMS personnel, and quality management.
infant according to the American Heart Association
standards, a patient from birth to one year old.
infectious disease a disease that
can spread from one person to another.
inferior term of direction or position, meaning
toward or closer to the feet. Opposite of superior.
initial assessment a component of patient assessment, conducted directly
after the scene size-up, in which the rescuer identifies and treats life-threatening
conditions.
inspection a method of examination that
involves looking for signs of injury or illness.
inspiration breathing in; inhaling.
insulin a medication used by people with diabetes
to perform the same function as the hormone; a hormone secreted by the pancreas
to metabolize sugar.
internal term of position, meaning inside. Opposite of external.
internal bleeding bleeding that occurs inside the body.
involuntary muscle one of three types of muscle; found in the walls of
tube-like organs, ducts, and blood vessels. Also called smooth muscle.
ischium lower portion of the pelvis or hip bone. Plural ischia.
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J
jaw-thrust maneuver
a manual technique used to open the airway of an unresponsive patient who is
injured or any patient who has suspected spine injury.
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L
labor
the term used to describe the process of childbirth.
laceration a break of varying depth in the
skin; a type of open injury.
larynx the voice box.
lateral term of direction or position, meaning
to the left or right of (away from) the midline.
lateral recumbent position position
in which the patient is lying on the left or right side.
level of responsiveness mental status; usually characterized as alert,
verbal, responsive to pain, or unresponsive. See AVPU.
ligaments tissues that connect bone to bone.
litter portable stretcher or cot.
local cold injury freezing or near freezing of a specific body part.
Also called frostbite.
log roll a method of turning a patient without causing injury to his
or her spine.
lumbar (spine) the lower back; formed by five vertebrae.
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M
mandible
the lower jaw.
manual traction applying a pulling force to a body part in order to align
it.
maxilla the upper jaw.
mechanism of injury (MOI) the force or forces that cause an injury.
meconium staining greenish or brownish color
to the amniotic fluid, which means the unborn infant had a bowel movement.
medial term or direction or position, meaning
toward the midline or center of the body.
medical director the physician legally responsible for the clinical and
patient-care aspects of an EMS system.
medical identification tag medallion or bracelet that identifies a specific
medical condition such as an allergy, epilepsy, or diabetes.
medical patient a patient who is ill, not injured.
minor any person under the legally defined age
of an adult; usually under the age of 18 or 21.
mouth-to-barrier device ventilation technique of artificial ventilation
that involves the use of a barrier device such as a face shield to blow air
into the mouth of a patient.
mouth-to-mask ventilation technique of artificial ventilation that involves
the use of a pocket mask with one-way valve to blow air into the mouth of a
patient.
multiple-casualty incident (MCI) any emergency where three or more patients
are involved.
myocardial infarction (MI) heart attack.
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N
nasal airway
See nasopharyngeal airway.
nasal cannula oxygen delivery device characterized
by two soft plastic tips, which are inserted a short distance into the nostrils.
nasopharyngeal airway an artificial airway positioned in the nose and
extending down to the larynx. Also called nasal airway.
nasopharynx nasal part of the pharynx.
nature of illness (NOI) the type of medical condition or complaint a
patient may be suffering.
neglect refers to giving insufficient attention
or respect to someone who has a claim to that attention and respect.
negligence carelessness, inattention, disregard,
inadvertence, or oversight that was accidental but avoidable; emergency care
that deviates from the accepted standard of care and results in further injury
to the patient.
non-accidental trauma injuries such as those caused by abuse.
non-emergency move a move made by several rescuers usually after a patient
has been stabilized. Also called non-urgent move.
nonrebreather mask oxygen delivery
device characterized by an oxygen reservoir bag and a one-way valve.
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O
occlude
block, close up, or obstruct.
occlusive dressing a dressing that can form an airtight and sometimes
a watertight seal.
open injury an injury that has broken the skin.
orbit the eye socket; the bones in the skull
that hold the eyeball.
oropharyngeal airway an artificial airway positioned in the mouth and
extending down to the larynx. Also called oral airway.
oropharynx central part of the pharynx.
overdose an emergency that involves poisoning by drugs or alcohol.
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P
package
refers to getting the patient ready to be moved and includes procedures such
as stabilizing impaled objects and immobilizing injured limbs.
palmar (surface method) a way of estimating the
amount of body surface area involved in a burn by using the palm of a patient's
hand.
palpation method of examination that involves
feeling for signs of injury or illness.
paradoxical breathing a condition
in which a segment of the chest moves in the opposite direction to the rest
of the chest during breathing; typically seen with a flail segment.
partial-thickness burn a burn that
involves both the epidermis and dermis.
patella the knee cap.
patent airway an airway that is open and clear of obstructions.
pathogens microorganisms, such as bacteria
and viruses, that cause disease.
patient history facts about the patient's medical history that are relevant
to the patient's condition.
pediatric patients patients who are infants or children.
pediatrics branch of medicine concerned
with the care of infants and children and the treatment of their injuries and
illnesses.
pelvic cavity space bound by the lower
part of the spine, the hip bones, and the pubis.
pelvis the hip bones.
penetrating wound (puncture) wound the result
of a sharp, pointed object being pushed or driven into soft tissues; a type
of open injury.
perfusion refers to the circulation of blood
throughout a body, organ, or structure.
peripheral nervous system portion
of the nervous system that is located outside the brain and spinal cord; the
nerves.
personal protective equipment (PPE)
equipment used by a rescuer to protect against injury and the spread of infectious
disease.
pharynx the throat.
physiology the study of how the body works.
placenta the disk-shaped inner lining of the
uterus that provides nourishment and oxygen to a developing fetus.
positional asphyxia asphyxia associated with hog-tie or hobble restraints,
which are suspected of decreasing respiratory effort.
posterior term of direction or position,
meaning toward the back. Opposite of anterior.
posterior tibial pulse an arterial pulse point that can be felt behind
the medial ankle bone.
power grip a technique used to get maximum force from hands while lifting
and moving.
power lift a technique used for lifting that is especially helpful to
rescuers with weak knees or thighs.
priapism constant erection of the penis; a
classic sign of cervical-spine injury.
prone position a position in which a
patient is lying face down on his or her stomach. Opposite of supine.
proximal term of direction or position, meaning
close to or near the point of reference, which is usually the torso. Opposite
of distal.
pubis bone of the groin; the anterior portion
of the pelvis.
pulse the wave of blood propelled through the
arteries as a result of the pumping action of the heart.
pustules raised areas of the skin that are
filled with pus.
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R
radial
pulse point an arterial pulse that can be felt on the palm side of the
wrist.
radius one of the bones of the forearm.
rape sexual intercourse that is performed without
consent and by compulsion through force, threat, or fraud.
rape trauma syndrome a reaction
to rape that involves four general stages: acute (impact) reaction, outward
adjustment, depression, and acceptance and resolution.
reasonable force the minimum amount of force needed to keep a patient
from injuring him- or herself and others.
recovery position lateral recumbent position; used to allow fluids to
drain from a patient's mouth instead of into the airway.
relative skin temperature an assessment of skin temperature obtained
by touching the patient's skin.
respiration passage of air into and out
of the lungs.
respiratory arrest the cessation
of spontaneous breathing.
respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) shortness
of breath or a feeling of air hunger with labored breathing.
responsive conscious; acting or moving in response to a stimulus.
rule of nines a way of estimating the amount
of body surface area involved in a burn by considering each of 11 regions of
the body equal to 9%.
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S
sacrum
the lower part of spine; formed by five fused vertebrae.
SAMPLE memory aid for gathering a patient history;
letters stand for signs and symptoms, allergies, medications, pertinent past
history, last oral intake, and events that led up to the emergency.
scapula the shoulder blades. Plural scapulae.
scene size-up an overall assessment of the emergency scene.
scope of care the actions and care legally allowed to be provided by the First Responder.
septum a wall that divides two cavities; example
is the wall dividing the two nostrils.
sexual assault any touch that the victim
did not initiate or agree to and that is imposed by coercion, threat, deception,
or threats of physical violence.
shock a life-threatening, progressive condition
that results from the inadequate delivery of oxygenated blood throughout the body.
shoulder girdle the clavicles and scapulae.
sign any injury or medical condition that can
be observed in a patient.
simple access the process of gaining access to a patient without the
use of tools.
skeletal muscle one of three types of
muscle; makes possible all deliberate acts such as walking and chewing. Also
called voluntary muscle.
skull the bony structure that houses and protects the brain.
smooth muscle one of three types of muscle;
found in the walls of tubelike organs, ducts, and blood vessels. Also called
involuntary muscle.
soft-tissue injury an injury to the skin, muscles, nerves, and blood
vessels.
sphygmomanometer instrument used to
measure blood pressure. Also called blood pressure cuff.
spinal column column of bones, or vertebrae, that houses and protects
the spinal cord.
spinal cord nervous tissue that lies within
the spinal column; responsible for sending signals from the brain to the body
and for receiving signals from the body and relaying them to the brain.
spinal precautions methods used to protect the spine from further injury.
For First Responders, this usually refers to manual stabilization of the head
and neck until the patient is fully immobilized.
splint any device used to immobilize a body
part.
sputum substance expelled by coughing or clearing
the throat; may contain mucus, blood, pus, cellular debris, and microorganisms.
stabilize to hold firmly and steadily.
staging area the safe area at an emergency scene where all responders
should check in and get orders.
standard of care the care that would
be expected to be provided to the same patient under the same circumstances
by another First Responder who had received the same training.
sterile free of all microorganisms and spores.
sterilizing process in which a chemical or other substance, such as superheated
steam, is used to kill all microorganisms on an object.
sternum the breastbone.
stethoscope instrument that aids in auscultating
(listening) for sounds within the body.
stoma permanent, surgically created opening that
connects the trachea directly to the front of the neck.
stridor harsh, high-pitched sound made during
inhalation, which may mean the larynx is swollen and blocking the upper airway.
stroke loss of brain function caused by a blocked
or ruptured blood vessel in the brain. Also called cerebrovascular accident.
subcutaneous (tissue) the layer of fat beneath
the skin.
sucking chest wound open wound to
the chest that bubbles or makes a sucking noise.
suctioning using negative pressure created
by a commercial device in order to keep a patient's airway clear.
superficial term of position, meaning near
the surface. Opposite of deep.
superficial burn a burn that involves
only the epidermis.
superior term of direction or position, meaning
toward or closer to the head. Opposite of inferior.
supine position position in which the
patient is lying face up on his or her back. Opposite of prone.
symphysis pubis the junction of the
pubic bones on the midline in front; the bony eminence under the pubic hair.
symptom any injury or medical condition that
can only be described by the patient.
systolic pressure the result of a
contraction of the heart, which forces blood through the arteries.
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T
tendons
tissues that connect muscle to bone.
thoracic cavity space above the diaphragm
and within the walls of the thorax. Also called chest cavity.
thoracic spine the upper back; formed by 12 vertebrae.
thorax the rib cage. Also called the chest.
tibia one of the bones of the lower leg.
tongue-jaw lift a technique used to draw
the tongue away from the back of the throat and away from the foreign body that
may be lodged there.
tourniquet constricting band used as a last
resort on an extremity to apply pressure over an artery in order to control
bleeding.
trachea the windpipe.
trauma patient a patient who is injured, not ill.
triage process of sorting patients to determine
the order in which they will receive care.
trimester a three-month period.
tripod position a position in which
the patient is sitting upright, leaning forward, fighting to breathe.
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U
ulna
one of the bones of the forearm.
umbilical cord an extension of the placenta
through which the developing fetus receives nourishment while in the uterus.
universal number a phone number—usually 9-1-1—used in many
areas to access emergency services including police, fire, rescue, and ambulance.
unresponsive unconscious; not acting or moving in response to a stimulus.
uterus the organ that contains the developing
fetus.
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V
vein
any of the blood vessels that carry blood back to the heart from the rest of the body.
venous bleeding recognized by dark red blood that flows steadily from
a wound.
ventilation See artificial ventilation.
ventricles the two lower chambers of the
heart.
venules the smallest veins.
vertebrae the 33 bone segments of the spinal
column. Singular vertebra.
vesicles small blisters or cysts that contain
moisture.
vital signs signs of life; assessments related
to breathing, pulse, skin, pupils, and blood pressure.
voluntary muscle one of three types of muscle; makes possible all deliberate
acts such as walking and chewing. Also called skeletal muscle.
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W
wheals
itchy, raised, round marks on the skin that are red around the edges and white
at the center.
withdrawal syndrome that occurs after a
period of abstinence from the drugs or alcohol to which a person's body has
become accustomed.
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X
xiphoid
process lowest portion of sternum.
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