Need to know terms Flashcards
abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)
a weakening in the wall of the aorta in the abdominal region.
abduction
movement away from the midline, or
move apart
abruptio placenta
the premature separation of the
placenta from the uterine wall.
acidosis
an abnormally high level of acidity in the
body’s fluids and tissues
acute coronary syndrome
symptoms caused by
myocardial ischemia, such as angina or myocardial
infarction.
acute myocardial infarction (AMI)
death to myocardial muscle. Also called heart attack.
adduction
to move toward the midline, or bring
together
alveoli
air sacs in the lungs that exchange oxygen
and carbon dioxide with the pulmonary capillaries.
amniotic sac
a fluid-filled membrane in the uterus
which contains the fetus.
anaphylactic shock
severe, life threatening allergic
reaction. Also called anaphylaxis.
aneurysm
weakening in the wall of an artery.
angina pectoris
temporary chest pain occurs when
myocardial oxygen demand exceeds supply
anterograde amnesia
unable to remember events
prior to the injury
aorta
artery that carries blood out of the left heart.
apnea
absence of spontaneous breaths.
appendix
pouch connected to the large intestine
in the right lower abdominal quadrant.
arterioles
small arteries that lead to capillaries.
aspiration
material, such as vomit, entering the
lungs.
atherosclerosis
plaque build-up within a blood
vessel.
atrium
upper chambers of the heart
autonomic nervous system (ANS)
involuntary component of the peripheral nervous system.
battle’s sign
bruising behind the ears indicating
possible basal skull fracture.
beck’s Triad
triad of signs indicating a possible
pericardial tamponade.
bradycardia
slow heart rate
bradypnea
slow respiratory rate
breech birth
the presentation of the buttocks as
the presenting part in the birth canal.
bronchitis
inflammation of the lungs, either
chronic or acute.
bronchoconstriction
tightening (constriction) of
the airways.
capillaries
small, branching vessels that connect
arteries and veins. Allows for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
capillary permeability
leakage of fluid out of a
capillary into surrounding tissue.
cardiac tamponade
accumulation of fluid in the
pericardial sac that compresses the heart.
cardiogenic shock
decreased cardiac output due to
poor cardiac function or mechanical obstruction.
cavitation
pressure wave caused by high velocity
projectile
central nervous system (CNS)
brain and spinal chord
cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
fluid that circulates
through the central nervous system.
cervix
the portion of the uterus that opens into
the vagina.
cholecystitis
inflammation of the gall bladder
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
chronic disease processes caused by obstruction of
the lower airways.
compartment syndrome
injury caused by compression of nerves, blood vessels, and muscle in a
closed space within the body
conduction
direct transfer of heat through contact
with a colder structure.
congestive heart failure (CHF)
caused by ineffective ventricular function leading to fl uid backup.
continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
technique of assisting ventilations in a patient
with respirator distress.
contraindication
situations when a certain intervention should not be performed.
convection
loss of heat to passing air
coronary arteries
arteries that perfuse the heart
muscle.
croup
inflammation of the upper airways and
trachea.
cushing’s response
triad of signs indicating
increased intracranial pressure; hypertension, bradycardia, altered respiratory pattern.
cyanosis
bluish color to the skin, lips, mouth, or
nail beds indicating a lack of oxygen.
dependent edema
fluid build-up in area of the
body closest to the ground.
dermis
the lower layer of the skin beneath the
epidermis.
diabetes mellitus
a disease process in which the
body is unable to metabolize glucose normally.
diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
a diabetic emergency
caused by severe hyperglycemia and acidosis.
distal
away from the point of attachment
distributive shock
shock due to poor distribution
of blood due to vasodilation.
diverticulitis
inflammation of small pouches (diverticula) along the wall of the intestine.
dyspnea
difficulty breathing
ecchymosis
another term for bruising
eclampsia
pregnancy induced seizures
ectopic pregnancy
a pregnancy thats develops outside of the uterus
edema
swelling
embolus
an obstruction in a blood vessel
emphysema
a respiratory disease that leads to
destruction of the alveoli.
epidermis
outer most layer of the skin
epidural hematoma
bleeding beneath the skull
and above the dura mater.
epiglottis
flap that covers the trachea during swallowing.
esophageal varices
weakening of the blood vessels
lining the esophagus.
esophagus
connects mouth to stomach
expressed consent
verbal, non-verbal, or written
consent accepting medical care.
external respiration
exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the alveoli and pulmonary
capillaries.
flail chest
a life-threatening medical condition
that occurs when a segment of the chest wall is
fractured and detaches from the rest of the thoracic cage.
foramen magnum
the opening in the skull where
the brain meets the spinal cord
full thickness burn (3°)
burn injury through all
skin layers
gallbladder
organ that stores bile from the liver.
gastroenteritis
inflammation of the stomach and
intestines.
gravida
the number of pregnancies a woman has
had.
hematemesis
vomiting blood
hematochezia
bloody stool.
hematoma
collection of blood under the skin in
tissue or body cavity.
hematuria
blood in urine
hemorrhage
bleeding
hemothorax
the presence of blood in the pleural
cavity
herniation
compression of the brain due to
increased intracranial pressure
humerus
bone of the upper arm
hypoperfusion
shock or inadequate tissue perfusion.
hypoventilation
ventilations that are too slow or
shallow.
hypovolemia
low blood volume.
hypovolemic shock
shock due to loss of blood or
body fluid.
hypoxia
inadequate oxygen supply to the body’s
cells and tissues.
hypoxic drive
the backup respiratory drive, measures oxygen levels in the blood.
implied consent
assumption of consent from a
patient unable to expressly provide it.
indications
recommended uses for a medication
informed consent
consent to treatment given after
all the relevant facts are disclosed.
insulin shock
a diabetic emergency caused by
severe hypoglycemia.
intercostal
between the ribs
internal respiration
gas exchange between the
body’s cells and the systemic capillaries.
intracerebral hemorrhage
bleeding within the
brain itself
intraventricular shunt
a device that allows excess
CSF to drain from the ventricles of the brain to
reduce intracranial pressure.
ischemia
poor blood supply
kehr’s sign
referred pain in the shoulder due to
possible abdominal organ injury.
laceration
jagged cut
lateral
away from the midline
ligament
connects bone to bone
limb presentation
the presence of an arm or leg as
the first presenting part in the birth canal.
liver
filters toxins from the body
maxillae
upper portion of the jaw
meconium
the presence of fetal stool in the amniotic fluid.
metered dose inhaler (MDI)
device used to deliver
aerosolized medication through inhalation.
miosis
pupillary constriction.
mottled
blotched skin coloring
myocardial contractility
the heart’s ability to contract.
myocardium
middle muscle of the heart
nasopharynx
upper part of the pharynx behind
the nose.
neurogenic shock
shock due to spinal cord injury
nuchal cord
an umbilical cord wrapped around
the baby’s neck.
obstructive shock
shock due to mechanical
obstruction of the heart.
orbit
portion of the skull surrounding the eyes.
oropharynx
portion of the pharynx behind the
mouth.
pancreas
endocrine gland that produces insulin.
para
the number of live births. Multiple births
count as one.
paradoxical motion
movement in the opposite
direction.
parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS)
portion of
the autonomic nervous system.
parietal pain
severe, localized pain
partial seizure
seizure due to abnormal electrical
activity in a limited area of the brain.
partial thickness burn
burn injury into but not
through the dermis.
pathophysiology
the study of disease
pelvic binder
a splint used to stabilize a pelvic
fracture.
pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
inflammation of
the female genital tract.
perfusion
circulation of blood
peripheral nervous system (PNS)
nervous system
outside of the brain and spinal cord.
peritoneum
membrane lining the abdominal
organs and abdominal cavity
peritonitis
inflammation of the peritoneum.
pertinent negatives
symptoms important to consider, but denied by the patient.
pharynx
the upper portion of the airway behind
the mouth and nose
placenta previa
when the placenta partially or
completely covers the cervix.
plasma
fluid part of the blood
platelets
component of blood essential for clotting
pleura
paired membranes in the thorax.
pleural space
the closed space between the two
pleural membranes.
pneumothorax
compression of the lung due to
accumulation of air in the space surrounding the
lung.
polydipsia
excessive thirst
polyphagia
excessive hunger
polyuria
excessive urination
postpartum
after delivery of the baby and placenta
preeclampsia
complication characterized by high blood pressure and signs of damage to another organ system, most often the liver and kidneys.
preload
the pre-contraction pressure based on the
amount of blood coming back to the heart.
primary blast injuries
injuries caused by the shock
wave of the blast
psychogenic shock
syncope due to sudden, temporary vasodilation
pulmonary artery
arteries that carry blood from
the right side of the heart to the lungs.
pulmonary edema
accumulation of fluid within
the lungs.
pulmonary veins
veins that carry blood from the
lungs to the left heart.
pulse oximetry
measures oxygen saturation of hemoglobin
racoon’s eyes
bruising around the eyes indicating
possible basal skull fracture.
radius
lateral bone of the forearm.
rales
abnormal lung sound typically caused by
fluid in the lungs.
red blood cells
oxygen carrying component of
whole blood.
respiration
the movement of oxygen and carbon
dioxide in and out of the lungs
retrograde amnesia
unable to remember events
following the injury.
secondary blast injuries
injuries caused by shrapnel or other projectiles.
seesaw breathing
opposing movement of the
chest and abdomen.
sellick maneuver
mechanical pressure applied to
the cricoid cartilage.
septic shock
shock due to infection.
shock
inadequate tissue perfusion. Also called
hypoperfusion.
somatic nervous system
voluntary portion of the
peripheral nervous system
sprain
injury to a ligament, typically a joint
status epilepticus
a prolonged seizure, or rapidly
recurring seizures.
stoma
opening in the neck into the trachea.
strain
injury to a muscle or tendon
stroke
a lack of blood fl ow to the brain causing
permanent damage to the brain cells.
subarachnoid hemorrhage
bleeding within the
subarachnoid space surrounding the brain
subdural hematoma
bleeding beneath the dura
mater and above the brain.
superficial burn
burn injury involving epidermal
layer only.
supine hypotensive syndrome
hypotension caused
by impaired venous return due to pressure from
uterus.
tachycardia
fast heart rate
tachypnea
rapid breathing
tendons
connects bone to muscle
tension pneumothorax
progressive accumulation
of air in the pleural cavity.
tertiary blast injuries
injuries caused when victims
are propelled against solid objects.
thorax
area between the head and the abdomen.
tibia
the medial bone of the lower leg.
trachea
the windpipe
tracheostomy
a surgical opening in the neck into
the trachea
transverse plane or line
divides the body into top
and bottom portions.
type I diabetes
insulin dependent diabetes.
type II diabetes
non insulin dependent diabetes
ulna
medial bone of the forearm
vena cava
large veins which return blood to the
right heart.
ventricle
lower chambers of the heart
visceral pain
dull, diff use pain that is difficult to
localize.
white blood cells
component of blood that fights
infection
