EMT glossary page 1350

Question 1

Venule

Answer 1

The smallest branch of a vein.

Question 2

Vertebrae

Answer 2

The 33 bony segments of the spinal column; plural of vertebra.

Question 3

Vertebral column

Answer 3

See spinal column.

Question 4

Vesicants

Answer 4

Chemical agents that cause blistering, burning, and tissue damage on contact as well as causing generalized illness if a significant amount is absorbed. Vesicants include sulfur and nitrogen mustards, lewisite, and phosgene oxime.

Question 5

Visceral pain

Answer 5

Poorly localized, intermittent, crampy, dull, or aching pain associated with ischemia, tearing, or distention of an organ.

Question 6

Visceral pleura

Answer 6

Innermost layer of the pleura that covers the lung.

Question 7

Vital signs

Answer 7

The traditional signs of life; assessments related to breathing, pulse, skin, pupils, and blood pressure.

Question 8

Vitreous body

Answer 8

The large chamber of the eye, containing the vitreous humor.

Question 9

Vitreous humor

Answer 9

The clear jelly that fills the large chamber of the eye.

Question 10

Volatile inhalants

Answer 10

Substances that are easily vaporized and inhalable.

Question 11

Volatility

Answer 11

The tendency of a chemical agent to evaporate; a volatile liquid evaporates easily and creates a dangerous, breathable vapor.

Question 12

Voluntary guarding

Answer 12

A deliberate abdominal wall muscle contraction.

Question 13

Voluntary muscle

Answer 13

See skeletal muscle.

Question 14

Voluntary nervous system

Answer 14

Part of the nervous system that influences voluntary muscles and movements of the body.

Question 15

Warm zone

Answer 15

The area that is established surrounding or immediately adjacent to the hot zone in a hazardous materials emergency, the purpose of which is to prevent the spread of contamination. Lifesaving emergency care is performed here; also called contamination reduction zone.

Question 16

Water chill

Answer 16

The increase in rate of cooling in the presence of water or wet clothing.

Question 17

Weapons of mass destruction

Answer 17

Weapons intended to cause widespread and indiscriminate death and destruction.

Question 18

White blood cells

Answer 18

The part of the blood that helps the body’s immune system defend against infection.

Question 19

Wind chill

Answer 19

The combined cooling effect of wind speed and environmental temperature.

Question 20

Withdrawal

Answer 20

A syndrome that occurs after a period of abstinence from the alcohol or drugs to which a person’s body has become accustomed.

Question 21

Witnessed cardiac arrest

Answer 21

For the purposes of emergency medical services and provision of resuscitation and defibrillation, a cardiac arrest in which an EMT or other emergency responder witnesses the patient become unresponsive, apneic, and pulseless (does not refer to a lay-person witnessing the patient collapse).

Question 22

Xiphoid process

Answer 22

Inferior portion of the sternum.

Question 23

X-ray radiation

Answer 23

X-ray radiation and gamma radiation are the same type of powerful and penetrating radiation that may be generated by the reaction in a nuclear bomb or through the decay or radioactive particles, as in fallout. Gamma radiation is both an external and an internal hazard associated with a nuclear detonation or reactor accident.

Question 24

Zygomatic bones

Answer 24

The cheekbones.