AEMT Vocabulary Flashcards
A pathological condition resulting of acids in the body.
Acidosis
A sealed hub on an administration set designed for sterile access to IV fluids.
Access Point
A method used to move compounds across a cell membrane to create or maintain an imbalance of charges.
Active Transport
Tubing that connects to the IV bag access port and the catheter in order to deliver the IV fluids
Administration Set
The presence of air in the veins, which can lead to cardiac arrest if it enters the heart.
Air Embolus
The pathologic condition resulting in accumulation of bases in the body.
Alkalosis
Small glass containers that are sealed and the contents sterilized
Ampules
An ion that contains an overall negative charge.
Anion
The anterior aspect of the elbow
Antecubical
A method of cleansing used to prevent contamination of a site when performing an invasive procedure, such as inserting an IV line
Aseptic Technique
A staggered walk or gait caused by injury to the brain or spinal cord
Ataxia
A term used to describe “in one mass”, in medication administration, a single dose given by the IV route; may be a small or large quantity of the drug
Bolus
Relating to the cheek or mouth
Buccal
A substance or group of substances that controls the hydrogen levels in a solution
Buffer
A rigid,hollow, venous cannula toon device identified by its plastic “wings” that act as anchoring points for securing the catheter
Butterfly Catheter
The insertion of a hollow thine into the vein to allow for fluid flow.
Cannulation
The terminal ends of the vascular system where fluids, food, and wastes are exchanged between the vascular system and the cells of the body
Capillary Beds
A flexible, hollow structure that delivers fluid.
Catheter
A free-floating segment of a catheter in the circulatory system, created if the needle slices through the catheter while it is being inserted
Catheter Shear
An ion that contains an overall positive charge.
Cation
The ability of a cell to take oxygen and remove carbon dioxide.
Cellular Perfusion
A type of IV solution that contains compounds that are too large to pass out of the capillary membranes and therefore remain in the vascular compartment; for example, used to help reduce edema.
Colloid Solution
The total weight of a drug contained in a specific volume of liquid.
Concentration
The natural tendency for substances to flow from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration, either within the cell or outside the cell
Concentration Gradient
The puncturing of an emergency care providers skin with a catheter that was used on a patient.
Contaminated Sticks
A type of IV solution that contains compounds that quickly disassociate in solution and can cross membranes; considered the best choice for prehospital care of injured patients who need fluids to replace lost body fluid
Crystalloid Solution
An IV solution made up of 5% dextrose in water.
D2W
The rapid movement of electrolytes across a cell membrane that changes the cell overall charge. This rapid shifting of electrolytes and cellular charges is the main catalyst for muscle and neural transmission.
Depolarization
A process in which molecules move from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.
Diffusion
The area of the administration set where fluid accumulates so that the tubing remains filled with fluid.
Drip Chamber
Number of dropper minute.
Drip Rate
Another name for an administration set
Drip Set
Injecting sterile water (or saline) from one viral into another vial containing a powdered form of the drug.
Drug Reconstitution
A charged atom or compound that results from the loss or gain of an electron. These are ions that the body uses to perform certain critical metabolic processes.
Electrolyte
Medications that are given through a portion of the gastrointestinal tract
Enteral Medication
IV access established in the jugular veins of the neck.
External Jugular IV
The fiber like connective tissue that covers arteries, veins, tendons, and ligaments.
Fascia
A type of diffusion in which water carries dissolved compounds across the cell membrane; commonly used by the kidneys to clean blood.
Filtration
The area of a catheter that fills with blood to help indicate when a vein is cannulated.
Flash Chamber
In the medication administration sense, the interior diameter of a catheter or needle.
Gauge
A measurement that indicates drops.
GTT
An accumulation of blood in the tissue surrounding an IV site
Hematoma
The balance of all systems of the body.
Homeostasis
High serum calcium levels.
Hypercalcemia
High serum levels of potassium.
Hyperkalemia
A solution that has a greater concentration of sodium than does the cell; the increased extra cellular osmotic pressure can draw water out of the cell and cause it to collapse.
Hypertonic Solution
Low serum calcium levels
Hypocalcemia
Low levels of potassium.
Hypokalemia
The solution that has a lower concentration of sodium than the cell does. The increased intercellular osmotic pressure lets water flow into the cell, causing it to swell and possibly burst
Hypotonic Solution
The escape of fluid into the surrounding tissue
Infiltration
Breathing into the lungs; a medication delivery route.
Inhalation
Water between the vascular system and the surrounding cells (for example, between the membranes of two cells located outside the vascular compartment in the body)
Interstitial
Into a muscle; a medication delivery route.
Intraosseous (IO)
The water portion of the circulatory system surrounding the blood cell (for example, in the heart, arteries, or veins)
Intravascular
Into a vein; a medication delivery route
Intravenous (IV)
A charged atom or compound that results from the loss or gain of an election
Ion
The amount of charged particles found in a particular area.
Ionic concentration
A solution that has the same concentration of sodium as does the cell. In this case, water does not shift, and no change in cell shape occurs.
Isotonic Solution
A sterile crystalloid isotonic IV solution of specified amounts of calcium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium chloride, and sodium lactate in water.
Lactated Ringers Solution
Mild to moderate allergic reaction occurring in a localized area
Local Reaction
The rupturing of a cell caused by either the presence of certain enzymes or the uncontrolled influx of material into the cell.
Lysis
An administration set named for the large orifice between the piercing spike and the drip chamber; allows for rapid fluid flow into the vascular system.
Macrodrip Set
The breakdown of the ingested foodstuffs into smaller and smaller molecules and atoms that used as energy sources for cellular function.
Metabolic
A miniature spray canister used to direct medication through the mouth and into the lungs
Metered dose inhaler (MDI)
A decimal system based on tens for the measurement of length, weight, and volume
Metric System
An administration set named for the small orifice between the piercing spike and the drip chamber; allows for carefully controlled fluid flow and is ideally suited for medication administration.
Microdrip Set.
A device that attaches to the end of a syringe that is used to spray (atomize) certain medications via the intranasal route
Mucosal Atomizer Device
A device for producing a fine spray or mist that is used to deliver inhaled medication
Nebulizer
0.9% sodium chloride; an isotonic crystalloid
Normal Saline
Blockage, usually of a tubular structure such as a blood vessel
Occlusion
The ability to influence the movement of water across a semipermeable membrane
Osmolarity
The movement of water across a cell membrane from an area of lower to higher solute molecules
Osmosis
Pressure created against the cell wall by the presence of water
Osmotic Pressure
The prehospital standard for IV Cannulation. It consists of a hollow tube over a laser sharpened steel needle; also referred to as an angiocath
Over the Needle Catheter
Medication that are given through any route other than through the gastrointestinal tract
Parenteral Medication
A type of surgical drain often used as a constricting band
Penrose Drain
A measure of the acidity of a solution
pH
Inflammation of the vein
Phlebitis
The cell membranes double layer, consisting of a hydrophilic outer layer composed of phosphate groups,and a hydrophilic inner layer made up of lipids, or fatty acids. It is this structure and composition that allows the cell membrane to have selective permeability
Phospholipid Bilayer
The hard, sharpened plastic spike on the end of the administration set designed to pierce the sterile membrane of the IV bag.
Piercing Spike
The passage of an unusually large volume of urine I’m a given period. In diabetes, polyuria can result from excreting excess glucose in the urine
Polyuria
Symptomatic drop in blood pressure related to the patients body position, detected by measuring pulse and blood pressure while the patient is lying supine, sitting up, and standing. An increase in pulse rate and a decrease in blood pressure in any one of these positions is considered a positive sign for this condition
Postural Hypotension
A blood clot trapped within the pulmonary circulation
Pulmonary Embolus
A type of IV access device that allows an active IV site to be maintained without having to run fluids through the vein, also called a buff cap or intermittent site
Saline Lock
The hardening of a vein from scar tissue after repeated cannulation
Sclerosis
The ability of the cell membrane to selectively allow compounds into the cell based on the cell current needs
Selective Permeability
The mechanism by which the cell brings in two potassium (K+) ions and releases three sodium (Na+) ions
Sodium/potassium ( Na+\k+) pump
Into the tissue between the skin and muscle; a medication delivery route
Subcutaneous
Under the tongue; medication delivery route.
Sublingual
Fainting, brief loss of consciousness caused by transiently inadequate blood flow to the brain
Syncopal Episode
Moderate to severe allergic reaction affecting the systems of the body.
Systemic Complications
Rapid heart rhythm, more than 100 beats/minute
Tachycardia
Rapid respirations
Tachypnea
The shifting fluid into the tissue creating edema
Third Spacing
The osmotic pressure of a solution, based on the relationship between sodium and water inside and outside the cell that takes advantage of chemical and osmotic properties to move water to areas of higher sodium concentration.
Tonicity
Veins on the leg that are large, twisted, and rope like and can cause pain, swelling, or itch
Varicose veins
A reaction consisting of precordial distress, anxiety, nausea,and sometimes syncope
Vasovagal Reaction
The development of a stationary blood clot in the venous circulation.
Venous Thrombosis
Small glass bottles for medication, may contain single or multiple doses
Vials
The amount of fluid you have on hand, suck as the amount of fluid in an IV bag or the amount of fluid in a vial of medication
Volume on Hand
