Definitions COPY Flashcards
A loss of consciousness resulting from a temporary reduction in blood flow to the brain; also called syncope
Fainting
A position in which a person is lying face down on their stomach
prone
The deeper of the two layers of skin
Dermis
Blood flow below the site of an injury
Distal circulation
The pressure in the arteries when the heart is contracting
Systolic pressure
When a fertilized ovum implants anywhere other than in the uterus
Ectopic pregnancy
A technique that combines rescue breathing and chest compressions for a patient whose breathing and heart have stopped
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
A brief description, usually in the patients own words, of why EMS personnel were called to the scene
Chief complaint
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
Pertaining to something within the trachea
Endotracheal
Burns that are caused by caustic chemical, such as strong acids or alkalis
Chemical burns
Arterial bleeding between the skull and dura mater
Epidural hematoma
A bluish colouration of the skin and mucous membranes due to the presence of deoxygenated blood in the vessels near the skin surface
Cyanosis
The upper part of the birth canal
Cervix
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)
Impaired mental function, resulting from injury or genetics
Developmental disability
A nosebleed
Epistaxis
Permission to provide care, given by a patient to a responder
Consent
Organs whose functions are essential to life, including the brain, heart and lungs
Vital organs
The use of sterile procedures to prevent bacteria from entering the body, thus limiting the risk of infection
Aseptic technique
A disease in which the alveoli lose their elasticity, become distended with trapped air, and stop working
Emphysema
A break of disruption in bone tissue
Fracture
A condition in which too little sugar is in the bloodstream
Hypoglycemia
The transmission of a disease by touching an infected person’s body fluids
Direct contact transmission
A condition caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)
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
A condition in which blood enters the pleural space as a result of a blunt or penetrating trauma
Hemothorax
A fracture in which the skin is left unbroken
Closed fracture
A child up to one year of age
Baby
Any burn that is potentially life threatening, disabling, or disfiguring; a burn requiring more advanced emergency care
Critical burn
The basic unit of all living tissue
Cell
Under the skin
Subcutaneous
An estimate of the amount of blood flowing through the capillary beds, such as those in the fingertips
Capillary refill
A life-threatening arrhythmia in which the heart muscle quivers rather than pumping blood
Ventricular fibrillation
A fluid-filled sac that encloses, bathes, and protects the developing baby
Amniotic sac
A rupturing of the abdominal aorta
Abdominal aortic aneurysm
A disturbance in the conduction of electrical impulses within the heart; also called dysrthythmia
Arrythmia
A blockage of a pulmonary artery by a clot or other foreign material
Pulmonary embolism
A seizure caused by an elevated body temperature
Febrile seizure
A sudden blockage of a blood vessel by a travelling clot or other material, such as fat or air
Embolism
An electronic device that shocks a patient’s heart to stop certain arrhythmias
Automated external defibrillator (AED)
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.
Agonal respiration
A loss of a large amount of blood in a short time
Hemmorrhage
The study of drugs and how they interact with the body
Pharmacology
A small tear in the skin that lines the anus
Anal fissure
Away from the trunk of the body
Distal
The stopping of all electrical activity in the heart
Asystole
The displacement of a bone from its normal position at a joint
Dislocation
The event or forces that caused a person injury
Mechanism of injury (MOI)
An area of the body that contains the brain and is protected by the skull
Cranial cavity
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
Toward the midline
Medial
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
A part of the airway connecting the pharynx with the trachea; commonly called the “voice box”
Larynx
An organ in the pelvis in which urine is stored until released from the body
Bladder
A constant state of balance or well being of the bodys internal systems that is continually and automatically adjusted
Homeostasis
A temporary impairment of brain function, usually without permanent damage to the brain
Concussion
Using tact and skill when dealing with people
Diplomacy
Airway, breathing, and circulation
ABCs
The flap of tissue that covers the trachea to keep food and liquid out of the lungs
Epoglottis
The time in labour when the baby’s head is at the opening of the vagina
Crowning
An organ attached to the uterus and unborn chid through which nutrients are delivered to the baby; expelled after the baby is delivered
Placenta
A structure in which two or more bones are joined
Joint
A fibrous band that attaches muscle to bone
Tendon
A condition in which too much sugar is in the bloodstream
Hyperglycemia
A disease characterized by low bone mass and bone tissue deterioration
Osteoporosis
A complication of childbirth in which a loop of umbilical cord protrudes through the vagina prior to delivery of the baby
Prolasped cord
A partial or complete detachment of a normally implanted placenta at more than 20 weeks gestation
Abruptio placentae
A wound in which soft tissue damage occurs beneath the skin and the skin is not broken
Closed wound
The process by which blood thickens at a wound site to seal an opening in a blood vessel and stop bleeding
Clotting
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
The bone of the upper arm
Humerus
A decrease in oxygen in the blood
Hypoxia
An inflammation of the brain or spinal cord caused by a viral or bacterial infection
Meningitis
A colourless, odourless gas; a waste product of respiration
Carbon dioxide
The complete removal or severing of a body part
Amputation
A standardized system used to determine a patients level of consciousness; often performed on patients with suspected head injuries
Glasgow Coma Scale
An injury involving fractured ribs that do not move normally with the rest of the chest during breathing
Flail chest
The irreversible damage caused by the death of brain cells
Biological death
Arteries located in the neck that supply blood to the head and neck
Carotid arteries
Acute inflammation of the appendix
Appendicitis
A naturally occurring hormone; can be used to counter the effects of anaphylaxis
Epinephrine
