Acronyms Flashcards
1
Q
Abrasion
A
Injury caused by scraping or rubbing skin against rough surface
2
Q
Abdominal Thrusts
A
Method of dislodging object from throat
3
Q
Zone
A
Numbered area in response, location on a map
4
Q
Xiphoid Process
A
The cartilage at the lower end of the sternum
5
Q
ACLS
A
Advanced Cardiac Life Support
6
Q
AED
A
Automated External Defibrillator
7
Q
ALS
A
Advanced Life Support
8
Q
ALTERED LOC
A
Change in level of consciousness - deterioration, not alert, confused
9
Q
AMC
A
Air Medical Crew
10
Q
AMI
A
Acute Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack) AKA MI
11
Q
ANAPHYLACTIC SHOCK
A
A SEVERE ALLERGIC REACTION
12
Q
ANEURYSM
A
PERMANENT BLOOD FILLED DILATION OF A BLOOD VESSEL RESULTING FROM DISEASE, INJURY OR DEFECT OF THE BLOOD VESSEL WALL
13
Q
ANGINA
A
SPASMODIC CHEST PAIN CHARACTERIZED BY A SENSE OF SEVERE CONSTRICTION IN THE CHEST
14
Q
ANGIO GRAM
A
ASSESSMENT OF BLOOD VESSELS (MAY BE OF HEAD - CEREBRAL, USUALLY OF HEART - CARDIAC)
15
Q
ANGIO PLASTY
A
OPENING OR WIDENING OF A NARROWED SECTION OF BLOOD VESSEL (USUALLY IN THE HEART)
16
Q
AOB
A
ALCOHOL ON BREATH (AKA ETOH OR 10-12)
17
Q
APNEA
A
ABSENCE OF RESPIRATION (BREATHING)
18
Q
ARRHYTHMIA
A
AN ABNORMAL RHYTHM OF THE HEARTBEAT
19
Q
ASPHYXIA
A
SUFFOCATION
20
Q
ASPIRATE
A
TO BREATHE LIQUID OR FOREIGN MATERIAL INTO THE LUNGS
21
Q
ASTHMA
A
A RESPIRATORY CONDITION CAUSED BY BRONCHIOLAR SPASM
22
Q
ASYMPTOMATIC
A
WITHOUT “A” SYMPTOMS
23
Q
AAA
A
ALBERTA AIR AMBULANCE - PROVINCIAL FLIGHT CONTROL CENTRE - DISPATCH FOR ALL AHS FLIGHTS IN ALBERTA (AKA CENTRAL COMMUNICATIONS CENTRE)
24
Q
AVULSION
A
FORCIBLE SEPARATION OR TEARING AWAY OF BODY PART OR TISSUE
25
BACKHAUL
A PATIENT NEEDING TO BE RETURNED TO BASE (HOSPITAL, PROVINCE, ETC)
26
BLOOD RUN
TRANSPORTING BLOOD TO THE BLOOD BANK AND THEN TO THE HOSPITAL
27
BLS
BASIC LIFE SUPPORT
28
BM
BOWEL MOVEMENT
29
BVM
BAG VALVE MASK
30
C/C
CHIEF COMPLAINT
31
CCU
CORONARY CARE UNIT
32
CP
CHEST PAIN
33
CA
CANCER
34
CALL SIGN
RADIO NAME REFERRING TO AN OBJECT (IE. AMBULANCE UNIT OR PLANE)
35
CARDIAC OR CARDIO
PERTAINING TO THE HEART
36
CEREBRAL
PERTAINING TO THE BRAIN
37
CERVICAL OR C-SPINE
THE FIRST SEVEN BONES OF THE SPINE, FOUND IN THE NECK
38
CHF
CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE
39
CLAVICLE
COLLAR BONE
40
CO
CARBON MONOXIDE
41
CODE OR CODE 99
CARDIAC ARREST (WORKABLE THUS CPR IN PROGRESS)
42
COMATOSE
PROLONGED UNCONSCIOUSNESS
43
CONSCIOUS
ALERT AND AWARE OF SENSATION
44
CONTUSION
BRUISE
45
CONVULSION
QUIVERING OR SPONTANEOUS CONTRACTION OF INDIVIDUAL MUSCLE FIBRES (AKA SEIZURE)
46
COPD
CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE - LUNG DISEASE - POOR AIRFLOW AS A RESULT OF BREAKDOWN OF LUNG TISSUE
47
CP
CHEST PAIN
48
CPR
CARDIO PULMONARY RESUSCITATION
49
CVA
CEREBRAL VASCULAR ACCIDENT (A STROKE)
50
CYANOSIS / CYANOTIC
A BLUISH/PURPLISH DISCOLORATION OF THE SKIN DUE TO LACK OF OXYGEN IN THE BLOOD
51
DELIRIUMS TREMENS
A DISORDER INVOLVING VISUAL AND AUDITORY HALLUCINATIONS FROM HABITUAL AND EXCESSIVE USE OF ALCOHOL
52
DI
DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING (AREA WHERE IMAGES FOR ASSESSMENT ARE DONE) - SCANS, ULTRASOUNDS, ETC
53
DIABETES
A DISEASE CHARACTERIZED BY THE INADEQUATE SECRETION OR UTILIZATION OF INSULIN BY THE BODY (HORMONE THAT REGULATES GLUCOSE IN THE BLOOD)
54
DIAPHORETIC
PROFUSE PERSPIRATION
55
DIASTOLIC
THE POINT OF LEAST PRESSURE IN THE ARTERIAL VASCULAR SYSTEM (DIASTOLIC PRESSURE)
56
DILATED
ENLARGED PUPILS
57
DNR
DO NOT RESUSCITATE
58
DOA
DEAD ON ARRIVAL
59
DROWNING
CONDITION CAUSED BY SUFFOCATION OF LIQUID
60
DVT
DEEP VEIN THROMBUS - CLOT IN LARGE VEIN (OFTEN IN LEG) RESTRICTING BLOOD FLOW
61
DYSPNEA
AIR HUNGER RESULTING IN LABOURED OR DIFFICULT BREATHING
62
....ECTOMY
CUT OFF, CUT OUT
63
EDEMA
AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF FLUID IN THE TISSUES (AKA SWELLING)
64
EMBOLISM
OBSTRUCTION OF A BLOOD VESSEL
65
EMERGENCY TRAFFIC
PRIORITY MESSAGE ON THE RADIO RELATING TO EMERGENCY SITUATION TO BE REPORTED
66
EMETIC
A VOMITING AGENT
67
EMPHYSEMA
A CHRONIC (RECURRING) PULMONARY DISEASE RESULTING IN RESPIRATORY DISTRESS
68
EPIGLOTTIS
A LID LIKE CARTILAGINOUS STRUCTURE AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE LARYNX
69
EPILEPSY
RECURRING TRANSIENT (TEMPORARY) ATTACKS OF DISTURBED BRAIN FUNCTIONS (SEIZURES)
70
ER, ED
EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT
71
ESOPHAGUS
A MUSCULAR CANAL EXTENDING FROM THE THROAT TO THE STOMACH
72
FEBRILE
PERTAINING TO FEVER - FEBRILE CONVULSIONS ARE SEIZURES DUE TO HIGH FEVER IN SMALL CHILDREN
73
ERCP
TREATMENT TO CLEAN OUT BILE DUCT IN GALLBLADDER (LAPAROSCOPIC OR MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGERY)
74
FEMUR
THE THIGH BONE
75
FIBRILLATION
QUIVERING OR SPONTANEOUS CONTRACTION OF INDIVIDUAL MUSCLE FIBRES
76
FIBULA
THE SMALLER OUTER OF TWO BONES LEADING FROM THE KNEE TO THE ANKLE
77
FLAIL CHEST
A CONDITION OF THE CHEST CAUSED BY SEVERE INJURY RESULTING IN SEVERAL RIBS FRACTURED IN MORE THAN ONE PLACE
78
FLT
SHORT FOR FLIGHT
79
FRACTURE OR FX OR #
A BONE BREAK
80
GASTROINTESTINAL (GI)
REFERS TO STOMACH AND BOWELS (INTESTINE)
81
GU
REFERS TO URINARY SYSTEM
82
HYPERTENSION (HTN)
A CONDITION OF HIGHER BLOOD PRESSURE THAN WHAT IS EXPECTED
83
HYPERVENTILATE
ABNORMALLY FAST OR DEEP BREATHING, BUZZING IN EARS, TINGLING EXTREMITIES, OFTEN BROUGHT ON BY EMOTIONAL STRESS
84
HYPOGLYCEMIC
A DEFICIENCY OF SUGAR IN THE BLOOD
85
HYPOTENSION
LOW BLOOD PRESSURE
86
ICU
INTENSIVE CARE UNIT
87
IDDM
INSULIN DEPENDENT DIABETES MELLITIS
88
IMMINENT
IMMEDIATE
89
IRP
INCIDENT RESPONSE PARAMEDIC
90
....ITIS
IS AN INFLAMMATION
91
IV
INTRAVENOUS
92
L&D
LABOUR AND DELIVERY UNIT (BIRTH PLACE IN HOSPITAL)
93
LANOXIN
CARDIAC MEDICATION (ALSO LAXIS AND DIGOXIN)
94
LIFE PAK
A CARDIAC MONITORING MACHINE
95
LLQ
LOWER LEFT QUADRANT (REFERS TO THE ABDOMEN)
96
LUQ
LEFT UPPER QUADRANT (REFERS TO ABDOMEN)
97
LZ
LANDING ZONE FOR HELICOPTERS
98
MBA
MOTOR BIKE ACCIDENT
99
MCI
MULTIPLE CASUALTY INCIDENT
100
MDT
MOBILE DATA TERMINAL
101
ME
MEDICAL EXAMINER
102
METASTASIZED
CANCER HAS SPREAD
103
MRC
MEDICAL RESPONSE COMMAND
104
MRS
MEDICAL RESPONSE SUPPORT
105
MUTUAL AID
ASSISTANCE TO ANOTHER AGENCY
106
MVC
MOTOR VEHICLE CRASH
107
MVA
MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT
108
NB
NEW BORN
109
NEONATAL
NEWBORN BABY
110
NEURO
USUALLY REFERS TO NERVE CONDUCTION / FUNCTION (OFTEN FOR BRAIN: STROKES, SEIZURES, ETC)
111
NEWTONS CRADLE
PATIENT CARE TRANSFER FROM 1 EMS UNIT TO ANOTHER
112
NH
NURSING HOME
113
NICU
NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT
114
NITRO
NITROGLYCERIN (CARDIAC MEDICATION)
115
NYD
NOT YET DIAGNOSED
116
O2
OXYGEN
117
OD
OVERDOSE
118
OOT
OUT OF TOWN
119
OPD
OUT PATIENT DEPARTMENT (UNIT IN HOSPITALS)
120
OTW
ON THE WAY
121
P-A-T
RAPID HEARTBEAT
122
PATCH
RADIO TO PHONE DIRECT COMMUNICATION
123
PE
PULMONARY EMBOLUS - CLOT OR OTHER AIR BUBBLE STUCK INSIDE VESSEL IN THE LUNG, IMPEDING OXYGEN EXCHANGE (NOTE PE CAN REFER TO CAD OUT OF SERVICE REASON PERSONNEL)
124
PED
PEDIATRIC
125
PEO
PUBLIC EDUCATION OFFICER (EMS)
126
PFCC
PROVINCIAL FLIGHT CONTROL CENTRE - DISPATCH FOR ALL AHS FLIGHTS IN ALBERTA (AKA ALBERTA AIR AMBULANCE (AAA) OR CENTRAL COMMUNICATION CENTRE (CCC)
127
PHx
PAST HISTORY
128
PNEUMOTHORAX
A CONDITION THAT DEVELOPS WHEN AIR IS CONTINUALLY PUMPED INTO THE CHEST CAGE OUTSIDE THE LUNG AND IS UNABLE TO ESCAPE
129
PORTABLE
RADIO CARRIED BY HAND
130
POST PARTUM
RECENTLY DELIVERED A BABY
131
PPE
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
132
PREMIE
PREMATURE INFANT
133
PRU
PARAMEDIC RESPONSE UNIT
134
PSAP
PUBLIC SAFETY ANSWERING POINT
135
PSC
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMUNICATIONS
136
PSU
PUBLIC SAFETY UNIT
137
PSX
PRIORITY SYMPTOMS
138
PT
PATIENT
139
RAD
RADIATION THERAPY (USUALLY A WAIT AND RETURN - QUICK TURN-AROUND FOR RADIATION TREATMENT)
140
RAP
RAPID ACCESS PARAMEDIC (PARAMEDIC ON BIKES)
141
RELAY
SAY AGAIN, REPEAT TO OTHER UNITS
142
REPAT
REPATRIATION - RETURN OF PATIENT BELONGING TO ANOTHER AREA (CITY, PROVINCE)
143
RESP
RESPIRATIONS (BREATHING)
144
RESPIRATORY
REFERRING TO BREATHING (DISTRESS IS DIFFICULTY BREATHING, ARREST IS NO BREATHING)
145
RESUSCITATE
RESTORE TO CONSCIOUSNESS
146
RUN
RESPONSE
147
Rx
PRESCRIPTION
148
S&A (S/A)
SICKNESS AND ACCIDENT
149
SCC
SOUTH COMMUNICATIONS CENTRE
150
SEIZURE
CONVULSION ACTIVITY
151
SHORT REPORT
INFORMATION GIVEN TO RESPONDING UNITS ABOUT THE INCIDENT
152
SIDS
SUDDEN INFANT DEATH SYNDROME
153
SOB
SHORTNESS OF BREATH
154
SOP
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
155
STEMI
SIGNIFICANT RISK TO HEART (DAMAGE) - TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE TO REDUCE DAMAGE
156
STOMA
OPENING (MAY BE INTO TRACHEA SO MAY HAVE LIMITED OR NO ABILITY TO TALK; OR INTO BOWEL ETC)
157
SYNCOPE
FAINTING
158
SYSTOLE
THE CONTRACTION PORTION OF THE HEARTBEAT (SYSTOLIC PRESSURE, MAXIMUM BLOOD PRESSURE: THE UPPER NUMBER)
159
TAC
SECONDARY FREQUENCY (RADIO CHANNEL)
160
TACHYCARDIA
ABNORMAL RAPIDITY OF THE HEART ACTION
161
TELEMETRY
TRANSMISSION OF MEDICAL INFORMATION VIA ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
162
TEMS
TACTICAL EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
163
THALLIUM
CARDIAC STRESS TEST (RADIOACTIVE DYE FOR NUCLEAR CARDIOLOGY UNIT TO ACCESS) THESE PATIENTS HAVE BEEN FASTING PRIOR TO THE PROCEDURE (HUNGRY)
164
THORAX
THE CHEST
165
TIA
TRANSIENT ISCHEMIC ATTACK - TEMPORARY INTERFERENCE WITH THE BLOOD SUPPLY TO THE BRAIN. LIKE A STROKE, BUT WITHOUT PERMANENT DAMAGE
166
TIBIA
THE INNER AND LARGER OF THE TWO BONES IN THE LOWER LEG
167
TRACHEA
THE WINDPIPE FROM MOUTH TO LUNGS
168
TRAUMA
AN INJURY INFLICTED BY SOME PHYSICAL AGENT
169
TRIAGE
THE SORTING OR SELECTION OF PATIENTS TO DETERMINE PRIORITY CARE
170
TSF
TRANSFER
171
Tx
TREATMENT
172
ULCER
A LESION ON THE SURFACE OF THE SKIN OR MEMBRANE
173
ULNA
THE INNER AND LARGER BONE OF THE FOREARM
174
UNRESPONSIVE
DOES NOT RESPOND TO STIMULUS
175
VASCULAR
REFERS TO BLOOD VESSELS
176
VERTEBRA
ANY OF THE BONES OF THE SPINAL COLUMN
177
WC
WHEEL CHAIR
178
WALK-IN
PATIENT AT A MEDICAL OR FIRE STATION FOR ASSISTANCE
179
XIPHOID PROCESS
THE CARTILAGE AT THE LOWER END OF THE STERNUM
