Definitions Flashcards
1
Q
Ending care of a patient without that patient’s consent or without ensuring that someone with equal or greater training will continue that care
A
Abandonment
2
Q
Airway, breathing, and circulation
A
ABCs
3
Q
The part of the trunk below the ribs and above the pelvis
A
Abdomen
4
Q
A rupturing of the abdominal aorta
A
Abdominal aortic aneurysm
5
Q
An area located in the trunk that contains the liver, pancreas, intestines, stomach, and spleen
A
Abdominal cavity
6
Q
A wound characterized by skin that has been scraped or rubbed away
A
Abrasion
7
Q
A partial or complete detachment of a normally implanted placenta at more than 20 weeks gestation
A
Abruptio placentae
8
Q
A condition caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
A
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)
9
Q
Having a rapid or severe onset and then quickly subsiding
A
Acute
10
Q
A range of clinical conditions, including unstable angina, that are due to insufficient blood supply to the heart muscle, resulting from coronary heart disease
A
Acute coronary syndrome (ACS)
11
Q
One of three forms of high-altitude illness; not a specific disease but a group of caused symptoms caused by altitude
A
Acute mountain sickness (AMS)
12
Q
An episode of chest pain due to reduced blood flow to the heart muscle
A
Acute myocardial ischemia
13
Q
Fluid buildup in the lungs
A
Acute pulmonary edema
14
Q
Serious lung disease caused by a variety of conditions that lead to an increase in the quantity of fluid between the alveolar membrane and the surrounding pulmonary capillaries, which decreases the amount of oxygen the red blood cells can absorb
A
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
15
Q
A person between 13 and 18 years of age
A
Adolescent
16
Q
Isolated or infrequent gasping in the absence of other breathing in an unconscious person; can occur after the heart has stopped beating; not considered breathing.
A
Agonal respiration
17
Q
The transmission of a disease by inhaling infected droplets that become airborne when an infected person coughs or sneezes
A
Airborne transmission
18
Q
The pathway from air from the mouth and nose to the lungs
A
Airway
19
Q
Small air sacs in the lungs where gases and waste are exchanged between the lungs and the blood
A
Alveoli
20
Q
A progressive, degenerative disease that affects the brain, resulting in impaired memory, thinking, and behaviour
A
Alzheimer’s disease
21
Q
A fluid-filled sac that encloses, bathes, and protects the developing baby
A
Amniotic sac
22
Q
The complete removal or severing of a body part
A
Amputation
23
Q
A small tear in the skin that lines the anus
A
Anal fissure
24
Q
A splint that used an uninjured body part to imobilize an injured body part
A
Anatomical splint
25
The blockage of the airway by an anatomical structure, such as the tongue
Anatomical obstruction
26
A position in which a person is standing erect with arms down at the sides, and palms facing foward
anatomical position
27
Anatomy
The study of structure, including gross anatomy (structures that can be seen with the naked eye" and microscopic anatomy (structures seen under the microscope)
28
A condition in which the wall of an artery or vein weakens, balloons out, and ruptures
Aneurysm
29
Chest pain or pressure resulting when the heart needs more oxygen-rich blood than it is getting' pain or pressure usually lasts less than 10 minutes; can be stable (occurring under exertion or stress) or unstable (occurring at rest, without reason); also called angina pectoris
Angina
30
Toward the front of the body
Anterior
31
A type of protein found in blood or other bodily fluids; used by the immune system to identify and neutralize pathogens, such as bacteria and viruses
Antibodies
32
Acute inflammation of the appendix
Appendicitis
33
A disturbance in the conduction of electrical impulses within the heart; also called dysrthythmia
Arrythmia
34
large blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood from the heart to all parts of the body
Arteries
35
An inflamed condition of the joints, causing pain and swelling and sometimes limiting motion
Arthritis
36
The use of sterile procedures to prevent bacteria from entering the body, thus limiting the risk of infection
Aseptic technique
37
Removal by suction of fluid and cells through a needle. Also refers to the accidental sucking in of food particles or fluids into the lungs.
Aspiration
38
A common long-term inflammatory disease of the airways of the lungs. It is characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction, and bronchospasm. Symptoms include episodes of wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. These episodes may occur a few times a day or a few times per week. Depending on the person, they may become worse at night or with exercise.
Asthma
39
The stopping of all electrical activity in the heart
Asystole
40
The upper chambers of the heart
Atria
41
An unusual sensation or feeling a person may experience before an epileptic seizure; may be a visual hallucination; a strange sound, taste or smell; or an urgent need to get to safety
Aura
42
Listening to the internal sounds of the body; usually with a stethoscope
Auscultation
43
An electronic device that shocks a patient's heart to stop certain arrhythmias
Automated external defibrillator (AED)
44
A wound in which a portion of the skin, and sometimes other soft tissue, is partially or completely torn away
Avulsion
45
A child up to one year of age
Baby
46
One-celled micro-organisms that may cause infections
Bacteria
47
A hand-held ventilation device consisting of a self-inflating bag, a one-way valve, and a face mask; can be used with or without supplemental oxygen
Bag-valve-mask (BVM)
48
The irreversible damage caused by the death of brain cells
Biological death
49
The passageway from the uterus to the vaginal opening through which a baby passes during birth
Birth canal
50
An organ in the pelvis in which urine is stored until released from the body
Bladder
51
An injury resulting from an explosion; caused by pressure waves, flying debris, or being thrown
Blast injury
52
Bacteria and viruses present in human blood and body fluids that can cause disease in humans
Blood-borne pathogens
53
The amount of sugar (glucose) in the blood
Blood glucose level (BGL)
54
The force exerted by blood against the blood vessel walls as it travels throughout the body
Blood pressure (BP)
55
A large artery located in the upper arm
Brachial artery
56
The delivery of a baby, feet or buttocks first
Breech birth
57
The air passages that lead from the trachea to the lungs
Bronchi
58
A disease causing excessive mucous secretions and inflammatory changes to the bronchi
Bronchitis
59
An injury to the skin or other body tissues caused by heat, chemicals, electricity, or radiation
Burn
60
Tiny blood vessels linking arteries and veins that transfer oxygen and other nutrients from the blood to all body cells and remove waste products
Capillaries
61
An estimate of the amount of blood flowing through the capillary beds, such as those in the fingertips
Capillary refill
62
A colourless, odourless gas; a waste product of respiration
Carbon dioxide
63
A sudden loss of blood flow resulting from the failure of the heart to effectively pump. Symptoms include loss of consciousness and abnormal or absent breathing.
Cardiac arrest
64
A technique that combines rescue breathing and chest compressions for a patient whose breathing and heart have stopped
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
65
A disease of the heart and blood vessels; commonly known as heart disease
Cardiovascular disease
66
Arteries located in the neck that supply blood to the head and neck
Carotid arteries
67
An elastic tissue that acts as a shock absorber when a person is walking, running, or jumping
Cartilage
68
The basic unit of all living tissue
Cell
69
A rigid device positioned around the neck to limit movement of the head and neck
Cervical collar
70
The upper part of the birth canal
Cervix
71
Burns that are caused by caustic chemical, such as strong acids or alkalis
Chemical burns
72
Forceful pushes on the chest; delivered to a patient with an obstructed airway in an attempt to expel any foreign object blocking the airway
Chest thrusts
73
A brief description, usually in the patients own words, of why EMS personnel were called to the scene
Chief complaint
74
For the purpose of providing emergency medical care, anyone who appears to be between the ages of about one year and puberty; when using an AED, anyone between the ages of one and eight
Child
75
The use of items, such as wooden blocks, placed against the wheels of a vehicle to help stabilize the vehicle
Choking
76
A fatty substance made by the body and found in certain food
Cholesterol
77
Persistent over a long period of time
Chronic
78
A disease characterized by a loss of lung function
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
79
Sudden illnesses or injuries involving the heart or blood vessels
Circulatory emergencies
80
A group of organs and other structures that carry oxygen-rich blood and other nutrients throughout the body and remove waste
Circulatory system
81
The condition in which the heart stops beating and breathing stops
Clinical death
82
A fracture in which the skin is left unbroken
Closed fracture
83
A wound in which soft tissue damage occurs beneath the skin and the skin is not broken
Closed wound
84
The process by which blood thickens at a wound site to seal an opening in a blood vessel and stop bleeding
Clotting
85
A temporary impairment of brain function, usually without permanent damage to the brain
Concussion
86
A condition in which the heart loses its pumping ability, causing fluid buildup in the body; results in heart failure
Congestive heart failure (CHF)
87
Permission to provide care, given by a patient to a responder
Consent
88
The rhythmic tightening of muscles in the uterus during labour; or the pumping action of the heart
Contraction
89
Blood vessels that supply the heart muscle with oxygen rich blood
Coronary arteries
90
A disease in which cholesterol and plaque build up on the inner walls of the arteries that supply blood to the heart; also called coronary artery disease (CAD)
Coronary heart disease (CHD)
91
An area of the body that contains the brain and is protected by the skull
Cranial cavity
92
A grating, crackling, or popping sound under the skin that can be due to a number of causes, including two pieces of bone rubbing against each other
Crepitus
93
Any burn that is potentially life threatening, disabling, or disfiguring; a burn requiring more advanced emergency care
Critical burn
94
A viral infection that causes swelling of the tissues below the vocal cords; a common childhood illness
Croup
95
The time in labour when the baby's head is at the opening of the vagina
Crowning
96
An injury caused when a crushing force is applied to any part of the body over a short or long period of time
Crush injury
97
A bluish colouration of the skin and mucous membranes due to the presence of deoxygenated blood in the vessels near the skin surface
Cyanosis
98
The breaking down of the body's chemical composition after death
Decomposition
99
An electric shock administered to correct a life-threatening heart rhythm
Defibrillation
100
Substances that affect the central nervous system to slow physical and mental activity
Depressants
101
The deeper of the two layers of skin
Dermis
102
A potent and illegal street drug formed from a medicinal substance whose chemical composition has been modified ("designed")
Designer drug
103
Impaired mental function, resulting from injury or genetics
Developmental disability
104
A disease in which there are high levels blood glucose due to the defects in insulin production
Diabetes
105
A situation in which a person becomes ill because of an imbalance of insulin
Diabetic emergency
106
A dome-shaped muscle that aids breathing and separates the chest from the abdomen
Diaphragm
107
The pressure in the arteries when the heart is at rest
Diastolic pressure
108
A group of organs and other structures that digest food and eliminates wastes
Digestive system
109
Using tact and skill when dealing with people
Diplomacy
110
The transmission of a disease by touching an infected person's body fluids
Direct contact transmission
111
The pressure applied on a wound to control bleeding
Direct pressure
112
The displacement of a bone from its normal position at a joint
Dislocation
113
Away from the trunk of the body
Distal
114
Blood flow below the site of an injury
Distal circulation
115
A pad placed directly over a wound to absorb blood and other bodily fluids and to prevent infection
Dressing
116
Difficulty breathing; shortness of breath
Dyspnea
117
A disturbance in the conduction of electrical impulses within the heart; also called arrhythmia
Dysrhythmia
118
When a fertilized ovum implants anywhere other than in the uterus
Ectopic pregnancy
119
A sudden blockage of a blood vessel by a travelling clot or other material, such as fat or air
Embolism
120
A disease in which the alveoli lose their elasticity, become distended with trapped air, and stop working
Emphysema
121
A group of organs and other structures that regulate and coordinate the activities of other systems by producing chemicals that influence the activity of tissues
Endocrine system
122
Pertaining to something within the trachea
Endotracheal
123
Pertaining to the small intestine; within the small intestine; also called enteric
Enteral
124
The outer layer of skin
Epidermis
125
Arterial bleeding between the skull and dura mater
Epidural hematoma
126
The flap of tissue that covers the trachea to keep food and liquid out of the lungs
Epoglottis
127
A chronic infection that causes a severe inflammation of the epiglottis
Epiglottitis
128
A chronic condition characterized by seizures that vary in type and duration; can usually be controlled by medication
Epilepsy
129
A naturally occurring hormone; can be used to counter the effects of anaphylaxis
Epinephrine
130
A nosebleed
Epistaxis
131
The tube leading from the mouth to the stomach
Esophagus
132
The limbs of the body
Extremities
133
The freeing of someone or something from an entanglement or difficulty
Extrication
134
A loss of consciousness resulting from a temporary reduction in blood flow to the brain; also called syncope
Fainting
135
A seizure caused by an elevated body temperature
Febrile seizure
136
The thighbone
Femur
137
An injury involving fractured ribs that do not move normally with the rest of the chest during breathing
Flail chest
138
A device used to regulate in litres per minute (lpm) the amount of oxygen administered to a patient
Flowmeter
139
A break of disruption in bone tissue
Fracture
140
A burn injury involving both layers of skin and underlying tissues; skin may be brown or charred, and underlying tissues may appear white
Full-thickness burn
141
A standardized system used to determine a patients level of consciousness; often performed on patients with suspected head injuries
Glasgow Coma Scale
142
A sudden illness involving the death of heart muscle tissue when it does not receive enough oxygen-rich blood; also called myocardinal infarction (MI)
Heart attack
143
A life-threatening condition that develops when the bodys cooling mechanisms are overwhelmed and the body systems begin to fail
Head stroke
144
A loss of a large amount of blood in a short time
Hemmorrhage
145
A condition in which blood enters the pleural space as a result of a blunt or penetrating trauma
Hemothorax
146
A viral infection of the liver
Hepatitis
147
A constant state of balance or well being of the bodys internal systems that is continually and automatically adjusted
Homeostasis
148
The virus that destroys the bodys ability to fight infection. The resultant state is referred to as AIDS
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
149
The bone of the upper arm
Humerus
150
A condition in which too much sugar is in the bloodstream
Hyperglycemia
151
High blood pressure
Hypertension
152
Rapid breathing that upsets the body's balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide
Hyperventilation
153
A condition in which too little sugar is in the bloodstream
Hypoglycemia
154
A life-threatening condition in which the body's warming mechanisms fail to maintain normal body temperature and the entire body cools
Hypothermia
155
A decrease in oxygen in the blood
Hypoxia
156
A technique used to minimize movement of a patient's head and neck
In-line stabilization
157
A structure in which two or more bones are joined
Joint
158
A organ that filters waste from the blood to form urine
Kidney
159
A part of the airway connecting the pharynx with the trachea; commonly called the "voice box"
Larynx
160
A Fibrous band that holds bones together at a joint
ligament
161
The event or forces that caused a person injury
Mechanism of injury (MOI)
162
Toward the midline
Medial
163
An inflammation of the brain or spinal cord caused by a viral or bacterial infection
Meningitis
164
A group of organs and other structures that regulates all body functions
Nervous system
165
A medication often prescribed to people diagnosed with angina
Nitroglycerin
166
A dressing or bandage that seals a wound and protects it from the air
Occulsive dressing
167
A disease characterized by low bone mass and bone tissue deterioration
Osteoporosis
168
The method of feeling with the hands by a responder during a physical examination of a patient
Palpation
169
The kneecap
Patella
170
The lowest part of the trunk that contains the bladder, rectum, and the reproductive organs in females
Pelvic cavity
171
The study of drugs and how they interact with the body
Pharmacology
172
An organ attached to the uterus and unborn chid through which nutrients are delivered to the baby; expelled after the baby is delivered
Placenta
173
A group of illnesses characterized by lung infection and fluid of pus-filled alveoli, resulting in inadequate oxygen in the blood
Pneumonia
174
Toward the back
Posterior
175
A complication of childbirth in which a loop of umbilical cord protrudes through the vagina prior to delivery of the baby
Prolasped cord
176
A position in which a person is lying face down on their stomach
prone
177
A blockage of a pulmonary artery by a clot or other foreign material
Pulmonary embolism
178
The beat felt in arteries with each contraction of the heart
Pulse
179
A device used to measure the percentage of red blood cells that are saturated with oxygen
Pulse oximeter
180
The pulse found in the wrist
Radial pulse
181
A condition in which breathing has stopped
Respiratory arrest
182
A condition in which breathing is difficult
Respiratory distress
183
The rigid stiffening of heart and skeletal muscle after death
Rigor mortis
184
What is SAMPLE
Signs and symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Past medical history, Last meal, and Events before incident
185
A child between 5 and 12 years of age
School age
186
A disorder in the brains electrical activity, marked by a loss of consciousness and often uncontrollable muscle movement
Seizure
187
A life-threatening condition that occurs when the circulatory systems fails to provide adequate oxygen rich blood to all parts of the body
Shock
188
The excessive stretching and tearing of ligaments and other soft tissue structures at a joint
Sprain
189
a simple system used at the scene of multiple casualty incidents to quickly assess and prioritize care according to three conditions: breathing, circulation, and level of consciousness
START system
190
Under the skin
Subcutaneous
191
Venous bleeding in the subdural space
Subdural hematoma
192
The type of penetrating chest injury in which a sucking sounds is heard with each breath a person takes due to air freely passing in and out of the chest cavity
Sucking chest wound
193
A position in which a person is lying face up on his back
supine
194
The pressure in the arteries when the heart is contracting
Systolic pressure
195
A fibrous band that attaches muscle to bone
Tendon
196
The continual flow of air into the pleural space, which cannot escape
Tension pneumothorax
197
A constricting band used over an artery above the site of an open wound with severe bleeding to decrease blood flow to the injured area for a short period of time
Tourniquet
198
A tube leading from the upper airway to the lungs
Trachea
199
A position in which a person is sitting upright, leaning forward, struggling to breathe
Tripod position
200
A respiratory disease caused by a bacterium. The bacteria usually attack the lungs, but they can also damage other parts of the body.
Tuberculosis (TB)
201
The transmission of a disease by an animal or insect bite through exposure to blood or other body fluids
Vector-borne transmission
202
A life-threatening arrhythmia in which the heart muscle quivers rather than pumping blood
Ventricular fibrillation
203
A life-threatening arrhythmia in which the heart muscle contracts too quickly for an adequate pumping of blood to the body
Ventricular Tachycardia
204
The 33 bones of the spinal column
Vertebrae
205
Organs whose functions are essential to life, including the brain, heart and lungs
Vital organs
206
An important structural component of the body. It is a firm tissue but is softer and much more flexible than bone. Its a connective tissue found in many areas of the body including:
- Joints between bones e.g. the elbows, knees and ankles
- Ends of the ribs
- Between the vertebrae in the spine
- Ears and nose
- Bronchial tubes or airways
Cartilage
