paramedic care vocabulary

Question 1

anemia

Answer 1

an inadequate number of red blood cells or inadequate hemoglobin within the red blood cells

Question 2

antigen

Answer 2

marker on the surface of a cell that identifies it as self or nonself; any substance that is capable, under appropriate conditions, or inducing a specific immune system

Question 3

autoimmune disease

Answer 3

condition in which the body makes antibodies against its own tissues

Question 4

bohr effect

Answer 4

phenomenon in which a decrease in PCO2/acidity causes an increase in the quantity of oxygen that binds the hemoglobin and, conversely, an increase in PCO2/acidity causes the hemoglobin to give up a greater quantity of oxygen

Question 5

chemotaxis

Answer 5

the movement of white blood cells in response to chemical signals

Question 6

disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)

Answer 6

a disorder of coagulation caused by systemic activation of the coagulation cascade

Question 7

erythrocyte

Answer 7

the red blood cell

Question 8

erythropoiesis

Answer 8

the process of producing red blood cells

Question 9

erythropoietin

Answer 9

a hormone produced by kidney cells that stimulates maturation of red blood cells

Question 10

fibrinolysis

Answer 10

the process through which plasmin dismantles a blood clot

Question 11

hematocrit

Answer 11

the packed cell volume of red blood cells per unit of blood

Question 12

hematology

Answer 12

the study of blood and the blood forming organs

Question 13

hematopoiesis

Answer 13

the process through which pluripotent stem cells differentiaie into various types of blood cells

Question 14

hemoglobin

Answer 14

oxygen bearing molecule in the red blood cells; made up of iron rich red pigment called heme and a protein called globin

Question 15

hemolysis

Answer 15

destruction of red blood cells

Question 16

hemophilia

Answer 16

a blood disorder in which one of the proteins necessary for blood clotting is missing or defective

Question 17

hemostasia

Answer 17

the combinied three mechanisms that work to prevent or control blood loss

Question 18

inflammatory process

Answer 18

a nonspecific defense mechanism that wards off domage from microorganisms or trauma

Question 19

leukemia

Answer 19

a cancer of the hematopoitic cells

Question 20

leukocyte

Answer 20

white blood cell

Question 21

leukocytosis

Answer 21

too many white blood cells

Question 22

leukopenia

Answer 22

too few white blood cells

Question 23

leukopoiesis

Answer 23

the process through which stem cells differentiate into the white blood cells’ immature form

Question 24

lymphoma

Answer 24

cancer of the lymphatic system

Question 25

major basic protein (MBP)

Answer 25

a larvicidal peptide

Question 26

multiple myeloma

Answer 26

a cancerous disorder of plasma cells

Question 27

neutropenia

Answer 27

a reduction in the number of neutrophils

Question 28

phagocytosis

Answer 28

process in which certain white blood cells engulf and destroy an invader

Question 29

plasma

Answer 29

thick pale yellow fluid that makes up the liquid part of the blood

Question 30

pluripotent stem cell

Answer 30

a cell from which various types of blood cells can form

Question 31

polycythemia

Answer 31

an excess of red blood cells; an abnormally high hematocrit

Question 32

Sequestration

Answer 32

the trapping of red blood cells by an organ such as the spleen

Question 33

sickle cell anemia

Answer 33

an inherited disorder of red blood cell production, so named because the red blood cells become sickle shaped when oxygen levels are low

Question 34

thrombocyte

Answer 34

blood platelet

Question 35

thrombocytopenia

Answer 35

an abnormal decrease in the number of platelets

Question 36

thrombosis

Answer 36

clot formation which is extremely dangerous when it occurs in the coronary arteries or cerebral vasculature

Question 37

2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG)

Answer 37

chemical in the red blood cells that affects hemglobins affinity for oxygen

Question 38

von williebrands disease

Answer 38

condition in which the vWF component of factor VIII is deficent

Question 39

apoptosis

Answer 39

a type of cell death in which the cell uses specialized cellular machinary to kill itself, a cell suicide mechanism that enables metazoans to control cell number and eliminate cells that threaten the animals survival

Question 40

periumbilical cyanosis

Answer 40

late and ominous sign indicative of later stage of ectopic pregnancy

Question 41

zollinger-ellison syndrome

Answer 41

condition that causes the stomach to secreate excessive amounts of hydrochloric acid and pepcin

Question 42

mcburneys point

Answer 42

common site of pain from appendicitis, 1-2” above the anterior iliac crest in a direct line with the umbilicus

Question 43

murphy’s sign

Answer 43

pain caused when an inflamed gallbladder is palpated by pressing under the right coastal margin

Question 44

kehr’s sign

Answer 44

pain may be referred to shoulder occurs in ectopic body

Question 45

cullens sign

Answer 45

ecchymosis in the periumbilical area

Question 46

greys turners sign

Answer 46

ecchymosis in the flank

Question 47

pulsus paradoxus

Answer 47

a pulse that weakens abnormally during inspiration and is symptomatic of various abnormalities (as pericarditis)

Question 48

viral infection

Answer 48

infection caused by the presence of a virus in the body. Depending on the virus and the persons state of health, various viruses can infect almost any type of body tissue, from the brain to the skin. viral infections cannot be treated with antibiotics; in fact , in some cases the use of antibiotics makes the infection worse. the vast majority of human viral infections can be effectivily fought by the body’s own immune system, with a little help in the form of proper diet, hydration, and rest. As for the rest, treatment depends on the type and location of the virus, and may include anti-viral or other drugs