Definitions Flashcards
An abrupt and sudden onset impairment of consciousness, interruption of ongoing activities, a blank stare
Absence seizures
Typically occurs in those that are not acclimatized and have recently traveled to altitude (w/in 24 hrs). Symptoms have been reported as low as 6,900 MSL (but usually occurs above 8,000 ft MSL)
Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)
Return of cold blood to the core induced by external rewarming and peripheral vasodilation
After Drop
The degree of vascular resistance to ventricular contraction
Afterload
Loss of pain and temperature sensation below the level of injury
Anterior Cord Syndrome
Respirations are abnormal pattern of breathing characterized by a deep, gasping inspiration w/ a pause at full inspiration followed by a brief, insufficient release
Apneustic
Coarse “flapping” muscle tremor of the hands
Asterixis
Respirations are an abnormal pattern of breathing characterized by complete irregularity of breathing, w/ irregular pauses and increasing periods of apnea
Ataxic
Alveolar Collapse
Atelectasis
(Drop seizures or drop attacks) Brief lapse in muscle tone that are caused by temporary alterations in brain function. The seizures are brief - usually less than 15 seconds
Atonic seizures
Occurs when the big toe moves toward the top surface of the foot and the other toes fan out after the sole of the foot has been firmly stroked
Babinski’s Sign (reflex)
Dullness to percussion on the left side of the abdomen due to coagulated blood
Balance Sign
Results from an extension of fractures from the calvaria (roof of the skull)
Basilar Skull Fracture
Weather that is UNDER weather minimums (Can’t fly)
Below minimums
Respirations are an abnormal pattern of breathing characterized by groups of quick, shallow inspirations followed by regular or irregular periods of apnea
Biots
Swelling of the bronchiole walls
Bronchiolitis
Ipsilateral Motor and Vibratory sense loss below the the level of injury and contralateral pain and temperature loss
Brown Sequard Lesion
The appearance of involuntary lifting of the legs when lifting a patient’s head w/ the patient lying supine
Bruzinki’s Sign
Jefferson’s Fracture
C1 Fracture
Hangman’s fracture
C2 Fracture
An electric device attached to the ETT to measure ETCO2
Capnography
Accumulated fluid around the heart either due to blunt or penetrating trauma
Cardiac Tamponade
Motor weakness in upper extremities (UE) is greater than lower extremities (LE)
Central Cord Injury
Respirations are progressively deeper and sometimes faster breathing, followed by a gradual ↓ that results in a temporary apnea
Cheyne-Stokes
Cheek muscle spasms when the facial nerve (CN VII) Tapped (just in front of the ear)
Chvostek’s Sign
Cheek
Chvostek’s
Automatisms such as; lip smacking, chewing, or swallowing (subtle seizures)
Complex Partial Seizures
Intrinsic ability of the heart / myocardium to contract
Contractility
Opposite side
Contralateral
Scrotal or Labial Ecchymosis from abdominal trauma or pelvic fractures
Coopernails Sign
Swelling around the vocal cords
Croup
The surfaces of the airway that are not involved in gaseous exchange
Dead space
Caused by a blow to the head (usually w/ a hammer or something similar)
Depressed skull fracture
A condition that occurs when the kidneys are unable to conserve water
Diabetes Insipidus (DI)
Along the suture lines of the skull, leads to a separation of the sutures
Diastatic Fracture
Pericarditis occurring in the post MI / post cardiac surgery patient
Dressler’s syndrome
No water gets in the lung
Dry drowning
The force required to accelerate a mass of one gram at a rate of one centimeter per second squared
Dyne
Heart moving towards and away on EKG
Electrical Alternans
Swelling of the epiglottis
Epiglottitis
The amount of air that can be forcefully exhaled after a normal tidal volume breath
ERV (Expiratory Reserve Volume)
Muscle Twitching
Fasciculations
