Vital Vocab 2 Flashcards
What are lymph nodes?
The area of the lymphatic system where infection-fighting cells are housed.
What is miosis?
Excessively constricted pupil; often bilateral after exposure to nerve agents.
What is a mutagen?
A substance that mutates, damages, and changes the structures of DNA in the body’s cells.
What are nerve agents?
A class of chemical called organophosphates; they function by blocking an essential enzyme in the nervous system, which causes the body’s organs to become overstimulated and burn out.
What are neurotoxins?
Biologic agents that are the deadliest substances known to humans; they include botulinum toxin and ricin.
What is neutron radiation?
The type of energy that is emitted from a strong radiologic source, involving particles that are among the most powerful forms of radiation; the particles easily penetrate through lead and require several feet of concrete to stop them.
What is off-gassing?
The release of an agent after exposure, for example, from a person’s clothes that have been exposed to the agent.
What is a pandemic?
An outbreak that occurs on a global scale.
What is persistency?
How long a chemical agent will stay on a surface before it evaporates.
What is phosgene?
A pulmonary agent that is a product of combustion, resulting from a fire at a textile factory or house, or from metalwork or burning Freon. It is a very potent agent that has a delayed onset of symptoms, usually hours.
What is phosgene oxime (CX)?
A blistering agent that has a rapid onset of symptoms and produces immediate, intense pain and discomfort on contact.
What is pneumonic plague?
A lung infection, also known as plague pneumonia, that is the result of inhalation of plague-causing bacteria.
What are points of distribution (PODs)?
Existing facilities used as mass distribution sites for antibiotics, antidotes, vaccinations, and other medications and supplies during an emergency.
What is primary blast injury?
Injuries caused by an explosive pressure wave to the hollow organs of the body.
What are pulmonary blast injuries?
Pulmonary trauma resulting from short-range exposure to the detonation of high-energy explosives.
What is a quaternary blast injury?
A blast injury that falls into one of the following categories: burns, crush injuries, toxic inhalation, medical emergencies, or mental health disorders.
What is radioactive material?
Any material that emits radiation.
What is a radiologic dispersal device (RDD)?
Any container that is designed to disperse radioactive material.
What is ricin?
A neurotoxin derived from mash that is left from the castor bean; causes pulmonary edema and respiratory and circulatory failure leading to death.
What is the route of exposure?
The manner by which a toxic substance enters the body.
What is sarin (GB)?
A nerve agent that is one of the G agents; a highly volatile colorless and odorless liquid that turns from liquid to gas within seconds to minutes at room temperature.
What is a secondary blast injury?
A penetrating or nonpenetrating injury caused by ordnance projectiles or secondary missiles.
What is a secondary device?
A secondary explosive used by terrorists, set to explode after the initial bomb.
What is smallpox?
A highly contagious viral disease; it is most contagious when blisters begin to form.
