Chapter 10 (In progress) Flashcards
The average pressure in the circulatory system during one cardiac cycle.
mean arterial pressure
Breathing that occurs without assistance.
spontaneous respirations
Any injury that prevents the patient from noticing other injuries he or she may have, even severe injuries; for example, a painful femur or tibia fracture that prevents the patient from noticing back pain associated with a spinal fracture.
distracting injury
A characteristic crackling sensation felt on palpation of the skin, caused by the presence of air in soft tissues.
subcutaneous emphysema
To examine by touch.
palpate
The motion of the portion of the chest wall that is detached in a flail chest; the motion—in during inhalation, out during exhalation—is exactly the opposite of normal chest wall motion during breathing.
paradoxical motion
Damage to tissues as the result of exposure to cold; frozen or partially frozen body parts are frostbitten.
frostbite
The way in which a patient responds to external stimuli, including verbal stimuli (sound), tactile stimuli (touch), and painful stimuli.
responsiveness
A test that evaluates distal circulatory system function by squeezing (blanching) blood from an area such as a nail bed and watching the speed of its return after releasing the pressure.
capillary refill
Protective equipment that blocks exposure to a pathogen or a hazardous material.
personal protective equipment
The wave of pressure created as the heart contracts and forces blood out the left ventricle and into the major arteries.
pulse
A step within the patient assessment process in which a systematic physical examination of the patient is performed. The examination may be a systematic exam or an assessment that focuses on a certain area or region of the body, often determined through the chief complaint.
secondary assessment
The biochemical processes that result in production of energy from nutrients within the cells; also called cellular respiration.
metabolism
The delicate membrane that lines the eyelids and covers the exposed surface of the eye.
conjunctiva
A change in the way a person thinks and behaves that may signal disease in the central nervous system or elsewhere in the body.
altered mental status
The increased pressure in an artery with each contraction of the ventricles (systole).
systolic pressure
The time from injury to definitive care, during which treatment of shock and traumatic injuries should occur because survival potential is best; also called the Golden Period.
Golden Hour
The tough, fibrous, white portion of the eye that protects the more delicate inner structures.
sclera
Subjective findings that the patient feels but that can be identified only by the patient.
symptom
A rapid heart rate, more than 100 beats/min.
tachycardia
A mnemonic for assessment in which each area of the body is evaluated for Deformities, Contusions, Abrasions, Punctures/penetrations, Burns, Tenderness, Lacerations, and Swelling.
DCAP-BTLS
A step within the patient assessment process that identifies and initiates treatment of immediate and potential life threats.
primary assessment
Objective finding that can be seen, heard, felt, smelled, or measured.
sign
A harsh, high-pitched respiratory sound, generally heard during inspiration, that is caused by partial blockage or narrowing of the upper airway; may be audible without a stethoscope.
stridor
A condition in which the internal body temperature falls below 95 degrees F (35 degrees C).
hypothermia
The process of establishing treatment and transportation priorities according to severity of injury and medical need.
triage
A grating or grinding sensation or sound caused by fractured bone ends or joints rubbing together.
crepitus
The conclusion about the cause of the patient’s condition after considering the situation, history, and examination findings.
field impression
An indication of air movement in the lungs, usually assessed with a stethoscope.
breath sounds
A blue skin discoloration that is caused by a reduced level of oxygen in the blood. Although paleness, or a decrease in blood flow, can be difficult to detect in dark-skinned people, it may be observed by examining mucous membranes inside the inner lower eyelid and capillary refill. On general observation, the patient may appear ashen or gray.
cyanosis
Blood pressure that is higher than the normal range.
hypertension
A brief history of a patient’s condition to determine signs and symptoms, allergies, medications, pertinent past history, last oral intake, and events leading to the injury or illness.
SAMPLE history
Coarse, low-pitched breath sounds heard in patients with chronic mucus in the upper airways.
rhonchi
A mnemonic used in evaluating a patient’s pain: Onset, Provocation/palliation, Quality, Region/radiation, Severity, and Timing.
OPQRST
Widening of the nostrils, indicating that there is an airway obstruction.
nasal flaring