Terms Flashcards
Need to know terms.
Abandonment
Ending the rescuer/patient relationship at a time when care is still needed.
Acetaminophen
An analgesic used to treat mild to moderate pain and to reduce fever.
Acute Stress Response (ASR)
Autonomic nervous system-controlled response to physical or emotional stress that can cause severe, but temporary and reversible, changes in vital signs. ASR can mimic respiratory distress, shock, and brain failure.
Advanced Directives
A legal written document outlining a person’s wishes regarding medical treatment.
Advanced Life Support
The emergency treatment of major critical system problems using medications and advanced procedures (i.e., intubation).
Anaphylaxis
Severe systemic allergic reaction capable of causing generalized edema (swelling), vascular and volume shock, and respiratory distress secondary to upper airway swelling and lower airway constriction.
Aspirin
Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), is a medication used to treat pain, fever, or inflammation. It falls in the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) class. It is important to note that aspirin suppresses the normal functioning of platelets (a.k.a. blood thinner). Should not be given to trauma patients where bleeding is on the problem or anticipated problem list.
Authorization
Permission to use the certification and scope of practice in a particular setting.
Automatic External Defibrillator (AED)
A portable electronic device that automatically diagnoses life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. In the presence of these arrythmias, an AED applies electricity which stops the heart and allows the heart to reestablish an effective rhythm (a reboot).
Basic Life Support
The generic process of supporting the functions of the Circulatory, Respiratory, and Nervous systems using CPR, bleeding control, and spine stabilization.
Cardiac Arrest
Loss of effective heart function, which results in cessation of functional circulation.
Cetirizine
An antihistamine used to relieve symptoms of allergies, hay fever, and the common cold.
Circulatory System
An organ system that circulates blood and lymph through the body, consisting of the heart, blood vessels, blood, lymph, and the lymphatic vessels and glands.
Compensated Volume Shock
Condition in which the body is successfully maintaining enough pressure to adequately perfuse vital organs.
Decompensated Volume Shock
Condition in which the body is unable to maintain adequate pressure to perfuse vital organs in the presence of low blood volume. This presents in patients as significantly altered mental status or reduced level of consciousness.
Diabetes
A disease resulting in the inability to produce the appropriate amount of insulin in response to rising blood sugar levels in the blood.
Diphenhydramine
An antihistamine used to relieve symptoms of allergies, hay fever, and the common cold.
Duty to Act
Required action to respond in an emergency when a major component of the job description or is required by contractual agreement.
Epinephrine
The synthetic form of the hormone adrenalin. Used to constrict blood vessels and dilate airway tubes. The fix for anaphylaxis.
Expressed Consent
Permission from the patient allowing a rescuer to do an assessment or render care.
Generic to Specific Principle
An assessment tactic that intentionally moves from a generic diagnosis to one that is more specific after ruling out possible diagnoses. It is important to remember that the most important diagnosis is serious or not serious.
Good Samaritan
Someone who voluntarily helps some else who is in distress.
Hyperglycemia
high blood sugar
Hyperthermia
Abnormally high body core temperature.
Hypoglycemia
low blood sugar
Hypothermia
Abnormally low body core temperature.
Ibuprofen
A NSAID used to treat fever and mild to severe pain.
Ideal to Real Principle
A concept that reminds rescuers to get as close to ideal as possible under the given circumstances. In most cases, the ideal is not possible, and rescuers must forgive themselves for not being able to provide the ideal treatment and move on with a real plan that reduces risk and increases benefit for all involved.
Implied Consent
Implicit permission that allows a rescuer to perform an assessment and render care for minors and those with reduced level of consciousness or altered mental status.
Increased Intracranial Pressure
Anything that causes intracranial swelling or bleeding will increase pressure inside the skull. Tumor growth and excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) can also cause increased intracranial pressure. Increased intracranial pressure causes brain failure.
Infarction
Tissue death caused by ischemia. Tissue death not caused by ischemia is referred to as necrosis.
Ischemia
Tissue starvation; Local loss of perfusion due to swelling, deformity, or obstruction; can result in infarction.
Level of Consciousness
Describes the level of brain function in terms of responsiveness to specific stimuli (AVPU scale): A = awake, V = responds to verbal stimuli, P = responds to painful stimuli, U = unresponsive to any stimuli.
Mental Status
Describes the level of brain function.
Musculoskeletal System
An organic system consisting of muscles, ligaments, tendons, and bones used to support/provide protection and move the body.
Nervous System
A complex network of nerves and cells that carry messages to and from the brain and spinal cord to various parts of the body.
Neurovascular Bundle
An artery, vein, and nerve combination routed through the body together.
Opioid
A substance that reduces the brain’s ability to respond to pain impulses from the site of the injury.
Oxygenation
Oxygen transferred from the lungs to the blood and from the blood to the cells.
Patient Assessment System
A system of surveys including Scene Size Up, Primary Assessment, and Secondary Assessment designed to gather information about an injured or ill patient and the environment in which the patient is found.
Perfusion
The generation of enough pressure in the circulatory system to force blood around the body and through the capillary beds where oxygen can be delivered to cells and metabolic wastes can be removed.
Prednisone
A corticosteroid medication used to suppress the immune system and decrease inflammation in conditions such as asthma, autoimmune, and inflammatory diseases.
Primary Assessment
A step within the patient assessment process that identifies and initiates treatment of immediate and potential life threats.
Probability vs Consequence Principle
A risk management tool used to assess the level of risk and the needs for mitigation.
Respiratory Arrest
Absence of breathing; a.k.a. apnea.
Respiratory Distress
Difficulty breathing, but the respiratory system is still able to adequately oxygenate the blood to maintain brain function. The patient remains awake and responsive. Any mental status changes are mild or primarily due to ASR.
Respiratory Failure
Difficulty breathing where the respiratory system is not able to adequately oxygenate the blood to maintain brain function. The patient will have altered mental status or reduced level of consciousness.
Respiratory System
A system of organs, functioning in the process of gas exchange between the body and the environment, consisting especially of the nose, nasal passages, nasopharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs.
Risk vs Benefit Principle
A risk management tool used to aid in the decision-making process.
Scene Size-Up
A step within the Patient Assessment System that involves a quick assessment of the scene and the surroundings to provide information about scene safety and the mechanism of injury or nature of illness before you enter and begin patient care. This regularly needs to be reassessed in a dynamic wilderness environment.
Scope of Practice
The skills, techniques, and procedures that are allowed at a particular level of training.
Secondary Assessment
The Secondary Assessment takes place after immediate life threats have been treated or ruled out. The secondary Assessment is a thorough assessment to identify more subtle, yet still important, injuries or illnesses.
Shock
Inadequate perfusion pressure in the circulatory system, resulting in inadequate tissue oxygenation.
Spine Injury
An injury to the spinal column, spinal cord, or both.
Standard of Care
The level and type of care that a reasonably competent and skilled provider would perform under similar circumstances.
Thermoregulation
Process of the body maintaining a stable internal temperature under various conditions.
Traumatic Brain Injury
A blow to the head or a penetrating head injury that damages the brain tissue.
Volume Shock
Shock due to the loss of blood volume.
Wilderness Context
A situation where access to definitive medical care is delayed by distance, logistics, or danger.
Wilderness Protocol
An expanded scope of practice that can be used in the wilderness context.
