CMA - CH 8 Key Terms - Emergency Procedures and First Aid

Question 1

abrasion

Answer 1

superficial scraping of the epidermis

Question 2

anaphylactic

Answer 2

hypersensitive state of the body to a foreign protein or drug

Question 3

automated external defibrillator (AED)

Answer 3

portable, self contained, automatic device with voice instructions on how to use for individuals in cardiac arrest. It is used externally to electronically “shock” the myocardium into contracting again. Same as cardioversion.

Question 4

avulsion

Answer 4

open wound in which the skin is torn off and bleeding is profuse.

Question 5

bandages

Answer 5

nonsterile gauze or other material applied over a sterile dressing to protect and immobilize

Question 6

cardiogenic

Answer 6

type of shock in which the cardiac muscle is unable to contract and adequately provide blood to the body

Question 7

cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

Answer 7

combination of rescue breathing and chest compressions performed by a trained individual on a patient experiencing cardiac arrest

Question 8

cardioversion

Answer 8

conversion of a pathological cardiac rhythm (arrhythmia), such as ventricular fibrillation, to normal sinus rhythm.

Question 9

crash cart or tray

Answer 9

tray or portable cart that contains medications and supplies needed for emergency and first aid procedures

Question 10

crepitation

Answer 10

grating sound heard on movement of ends of a broken bone

Question 11

diplopia

Answer 11

AKA double vision. Subjective complaint of seeing two images instead of one.

Question 12

disclocations

Answer 12

displacement of bone or joint from its normal position

Question 13

dressings

Answer 13

sterile gauze or material applied directly to a wound to absorb secretions and to protect

Question 14

electrocautery

Answer 14

control of bleeding using an instrument that is electrically heated

Question 15

emergency medical services (EMS)

Answer 15

local network of police, fire, and medical personnel trained to respond to emergency situations; in many communities, the system is activated by calling 911.

Question 16

explicit

Answer 16

fully revealed or expressed without ambiguity or vagueness, leaving no question as to the intent.

Question 17

first aid

Answer 17

immediate, or first, care provided to persons who are suddenly ill or injured; first aid is typically followed by more comprehensive care and treatment.

Question 18

fractures

Answer 18

break in bone. there are several types of fractures, but all are classified as either closed or open fractures.

Question 19

Good Samaritan laws

Answer 19

Laws designed to protect individuals from legal action when rendering emergency medical aid, without compensation, within the areas of their training and expertise.

Question 20

hyperglycemia

Answer 20

Increased levels of blood glucose. Does not necessarily mean patient is diabetic but may be an indication of prediabetes.

Question 21

hypoglycemia

Answer 21

State of having lower than normal blood glucose levels.

Question 22

hypothermia

Answer 22

Extremely dangerous cold-related condition that can result in death if the individual does not receive care and if the progression of hypothermia is not reversed.

Question 23

hypovolemic

Answer 23

type of shock in which the body has lost blood or fluid volume to such an extent that there is not enough circulating volume to fill the ventricles. The heart attempts to compensate by increasing the heart rate.

Question 24

hypoxia

Answer 24

oxygen deficiency

Question 25

implicit

Answer 25

capable of being understood from something else though unexpressed; implied.

Question 26

incision

Answer 26

surgical cut made into the skin or tissue.

Question 27

ketoacidosis

Answer 27

accumulation of ketones in the body, occurring primarily as a complication of diabetes mellitus; if left untreated could cause coma.

Question 28

laceration

Answer 28

tears or splits in the skin or tissues caused by trauma.

Question 29

myocardial infarction (MI)

Answer 29

AKA heart attack. Usually caused by a blockage of one or more of the coronary arteries.

Question 30

neurogenic

Answer 30

type of shock in which there is injury or trauma to the nervous system causing the loss of tone in the vessels resulting in massive dilation of arterioles and venuoles. This results in a dramatic drop in blood pressure.

Question 31

normal saline

Answer 31

solution of sodium chloride (salt) and distilled water. Has the same osmotic pressure as blood serum. Also known as isotonic of physiologic saline.

Question 32

occlusion

Answer 32

closure of a passage.

Question 33

puncture wound

Answer 33

wound caused by an object piercing the skin and underlying soft tissues that creates a small hole.

Question 34

rescue breathing

Answer 34

performed on individuals in respiratory arrest, rescue breathing is a mouth-to-mouth (using appropriate protective equipment) or mouth-to-nose procedure that provides oxygen to the patient until emergency personnel arrive.

Question 35

risk management

Answer 35

techniques adhered to in the ambulatory care setting that keep the practice, its environment, and its procedures as safe for the patient as possible. Proper risk management also reduces the possibility of negligence that leads to torts and malpractice suits.

Question 36

septic

Answer 36

Overwhelming infection that occurs most often in critically ill patients. Chemicals are released into the bloodstream that cause vasodilation and other organic products that are harmful to the organs and tissues. The vasodilation and decreased ability of the cells and tissues to utilize oxygen is the basis for this type of shock.

Question 37

shock

Answer 37

Potentially serious condition in which the circulatory system is not providing enough blood to all parts of the body, causing the body’s organs to fail to function properly.

Question 38

splints

Answer 38

Any device used to immobilize a body part. Often used by EMS personnel

Question 39

sprain

Answer 39

Injury to a joint, often an ankle, knee, or wrist, that involves a tearing of the ligaments. Most sprains are minor and heal quickly; others are more severe, include swelling, and may not heal properly if the patient continues to put stress on the affected joint.

Question 40

Standard Precautions

Answer 40

Precautions developed in 1996 by the DCD that augment Universal Precautions and body substance isolation practices. They provide a wider range of protection and are used any time there is contact with blood, moist body fluid (except perspiration), mucous membranes, or non-intact skin. They are designed to protect all health care providers, patients, and visitors.

Question 41

status epilepticus

Answer 41

continued seizure that is prolonged, or two or more seizures without a recovery period between them. Status epilepticus is associated with significant morbidity and mortality.

Question 42

strain

Answer 42

injury to soft tissue between joints that involves the tearing of muscles or tendons. Strains often occur in the neck, back, and thigh muscles.

Question 43

syncope

Answer 43

fainting.

Question 44

triage

Answer 44

Screening to determine which patient is treated first when two or more patients present with emergencies simultaneously.

Question 45

tonic-clonic phase

Answer 45

muscular stiffening followed by the rapid and rhythmic jerking of the extremities during a seizure.

Question 46

tourniquet

Answer 46

Device used to facilitate vein prominence.

Question 47

ulcers

Answer 47

gradual disturbance of the skin and underlying tissues due to an underlying process; for example, prolonged pressure that interrupts tissue oxygenation or the pressure that occurs from increased venous pressure in vascular disease.

Question 48

universal emergency medical identification symbol

Answer 48

ID sometimes carried by individuals to identify health problems they have.

Question 49

wounds

Answer 49

break in the continuity of soft parts of the body structures caused by violence or trauma to tissues. In an open wound, skin is broken, as in a laceration, abrasion, avulsion, or incision. In a closed wound, skin is not broken, as in contusion, ecchymosis, or hematoma.