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Paramedic Class > Vocabulary 11-12 > Flashcards

Vocabulary 11-12 Flashcards

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1
Q

Affect

A

The patient’s emotional state as reflected in the patient’s physical behavior

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2
Q

Comorbidity

A

The existence of two or more chronic diseases or conditions in a patient

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3
Q

Concept formation

A

Pattern of understanding based on initially obtained information; the first stage of the critical thinking process in prehospital care

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4
Q

Cookbook medicine

A

Blindly following a protocol or algorithm without thinking about what is being done and whether or not it is working

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5
Q

Data interpretation

A

The process of reaching conclusions based on comparing the patient’s presentation with information from your training, education, and past experiences; the second stage of the critical thinking process in prehospital care

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6
Q

Medical ambiguity

A

Vague or unclear aspects of medicine

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7
Q

Tunnel vision

A

Focusing on or considering only one aspect of a situation without first taking into account all possibilities

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8
Q

Adventitious breath sounds

A

Abnormal breath sounds, such as wheezing, rhonchi, crackles, stridor, and pleural friction rubs

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9
Q

A x O

A

Alert and oriented

A determination made when assessing mental status by looking at whether the patient is oriented in four areas: person, place, time, and the event itself; each element provides information about different aspects of the patient’s memory

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10
Q

Anisocoria

A

Unequal pupils with a greater than 1-mm difference

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11
Q

Aphasia

A

The language impairment that affects the production or understanding of speech and the ability to read or write

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12
Q

ALTE

A

Apparent life-threatening event

An episode characterized by some combination of apnea (central or obstructive), color change (cyanotic, pallid, erythematous, or plethoric), change in muscle tone (usually diminished), and choking or gagging

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13
Q

Ascites

A

Abnormal accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity; typically signals liver failure

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14
Q

Aspiration

A

The entry of fluids or solids into the trachea, bronchi, and lungs; the act of drawing material in or out by suction

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15
Q

Auscultation

A

The act of using a stethoscope to listen to sounds within the body

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16
Q

AVPU

A

A method of assessing mental status by determining whether a patient is Awake and alert, responsive to Verbal stimuli or Pain, or Unresponsive; used principally in the primary survey

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17
Q

Battle sign

A

Bruising over the mastoid process, which may indicate a basilar skull fracture; also known as retroauricular ecchymosis or raccoon eyes

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18
Q

Beck triad

A

The combination of a narrowed pulse pressure, muffled heart tones, and jugular venous distention associated with cardiac tamponade; usually caused by penetrating chest trauma

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19
Q

Blood pressure (BP)

A

The measurement of the force exerted against the walls of the blood vessels as the heart contracts and relaxes; it is calculated as the product of cardiac output and peripheral vascular resistance

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20
Q

Bronchial sounds

A

Hollow, tubular, lower-pitched sounds heard over the trachea

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21
Q

Bronchophony

A

A test of decreased breath sounds performed by placing the diaphragm of the stethoscope over the area in question while the patient says “ninety-nine”; a loud, clear sound indicates lung consolidation

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22
Q

Bronchovesicular sounds

A

A combination of the tracheal and vesicular breath sounds; heard where airways and alveoli are found, in the upper part of the sternum and between the scapulae

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23
Q

Bruit

A

An abnormal whooshing sound of turbulent blood flow moving through a narrowed artery; usually heard in the carotid arteries

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24
Q

Capnography

A

The use of a noninvasive diagnostic tool that can quickly and efficiently provide information on a patient’s ventilatory and circulatory status with a graphic and digital depiction similar to an electrocardiogram

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25
Q

Capnometry

A

The use of a capnometer, which is a monitoring device used to measure the amount of expired carbon dioxide; the reading is usually given as a digital reading

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26
Q

Cerumen

A

Ear wax

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27
Q

Chief complaint

A

The reason the patient is seeking help

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28
Q

Crackles

A

Wet rattling, bubbling, or crackling lung sounds indicative of fluid in the small airways; also known as rales

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29
Q

Crepitus

A

A crackling, grating, or grinding sound often heard when fragments of broken bones rub together

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30
Q

Current health status

A

A composite picture of a number of factors in a patient’s life, such as dietary habits, current medications, allergies, exercise, alcohol or tobacco use, recreational drug use, sleep patterns and disorders, and immunizations

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31
Q

Cushing reflex

A

The combination of a slowing pulse, rising blood pressure, and an erratic respiratory pattern; a grave sign for patients with head trauma or cerebrovascular accident

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32
Q

Cyanosis

A

A blue-gray skin color that is caused by inadequate levels of oxygen in the blood

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33
Q

Delirium

A

An acute confusional state characterized by global impairment of thinking, perception, judgment, and memory

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34
Q

Dementia

A

The gradual and pervasive deterioration or loss of cognitive cortical functions

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35
Q

Diaphoresis

A

Excessive sweating; it is often associated with shock

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36
Q

Diastolic pressure

A

The result of residual pressure in the circulatory system while the left ventricle is relaxing (ie, in diastole)

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37
Q

Differential diagnosis

A

The process of weighing the probability of one disease versus other diseases by comparing clinical findings that could account for a patient’s illness; also refers to the list of possible conditions considered based on the patient’s signs and symptoms

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38
Q

Diplopia

A

Double vision

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39
Q

Ecchymosis

A

Localized bruising or collection of blood within or under the skin

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40
Q

Egophony

A

A test of decreased breath sounds performed by placing the diaphragm of the stethoscope over the area in question while the patient says a drawn-out “eee”; an “A” sound indicates lung consolidation

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41
Q

Field impression

A

A field conclusion of the patient’s problem based on the clinical presentation and the exclusion of other possible causes through considering the differential diagnoses

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42
Q

Focused exam

A

A type of physical exam that is typically performed on responsive patients who have sustained an isolated injury; this type of exam is based on the chief complaint and focuses on one body system or part

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43
Q

Full-body exam

A

A systematic head-to-toe exam performed during the secondary assessment of a patient who has sustained a significant mechanism of injury, is unresponsive, or is in critical condition

44
Q

General impression

A

The overall initial impression that determines the priority of patient care; based on the patient’s surroundings, the mechanism of injury, signs and symptoms, and the chief complaint

45
Q

Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)

A

An evaluation tool used to determine level of consciousness by evaluating and assigning point values (scores) for eye opening, verbal response, and motor response, which are then totaled; effective in helping predict patient outcomes

46
Q

Guarding

A

Contraction of the abdominal muscles indicating peritoneal irritation

47
Q

Heave

A

The perception that the heart is beating very strongly; felt upon palpation of the chest wall, this finding suggests hypertrophy; also called a lift

48
Q

History of the present illness

A

A narrative detail of the symptoms that a patient is experiencing, usually obtained using the OPQRST mnemonic

49
Q

Iatrogenic

A

Related to a side effect or complication of medications or other medical treatment

50
Q

Inspection

A

Looking at the patient, either in general or at a specific area (ie, a patient’s overall appearance from the doorway, versus looking specifically at the chest wall for abnormalities/deformities)

51
Q

JVD

A

Jugular venous distention

The visible bulging of the jugular veins when a patient is in semi-Fowler or full-Fowler position; indicates inadequate blood movement through the heart and/or lungs

52
Q

Korotkoff sounds

A

Sounds related to blood pressure measurement that are heard by stethoscope

53
Q

Kyphosis

A

Outward curve of the thoracic spine

54
Q

Lesions

A

Localized areas of the skin that do not resemble the area surrounding it

55
Q

Lift

A

A sensation felt upon palpation of the chest wall, in which the heart beats extremely strongly; suggests hypertrophy; also called a heave

56
Q

Lordosis

A

Inward curve of the lumbar spine just above the buttocks; an exaggerated form results in the condition known as swayback

57
Q

MOI

A

Mechanism of injury

The series of events that result in traumatic injuries; the forces that act on the body to cause injury

58
Q

Mottling

A

A blotchy pattern on the skin; a typical finding in states of severe protracted hypoperfusion and shock

59
Q

Murmur

A

An abnormal whooshing sound heard over the heart that indicates turbulent blood flow around a cardiac valve

60
Q

NOI

A

Nature of illness

The general type of illness a patient is apparently experiencing

61
Q

Ophthalmoscope

A

An instrument used to examine a patient’s eyes and view the retina and aqueous fluid; consists of a concave mirror and a battery-powered light that is usually contained in the handle

62
Q

Orthostatic vital signs

A

Multiple sets of vital signs taken from the patient in different positions (for example, in the supine and sitting or standing positions) to determine the degree of hypovolemia; also called a tilt test

63
Q

Otoscope

A

An instrument used to examine the ears of a patient; consists of a head and a handle; the head contains an electric light source and a low-power magnifying lens

64
Q

Pallor

A

Paleness

65
Q

Palpation

A

Physical touching for the purpose of obtaining information (ie, to detect tenderness)

66
Q

Paresthesias

A

Tingling feeling or sensory change

67
Q

Past medical history

A

Information obtained during the history-taking process, such as the patient’s general state of health, childhood and adult diseases, surgeries and hospitalizations, psychiatric and mental illnesses, or traumatic injuries, which may relate to the patient’s current condition

68
Q

Pathologic fracture

A

A fracture that occurs when normal forces are applied to abnormal bone structures

69
Q

Patient history

A

Information about the patient’s chief complaint, present symptoms, and previous illnesses

70
Q

Percussion

A

Gently striking the surface of the body, typically overlying various body cavities, to detect changes in the densities of the underlying structures

71
Q

Perfusion

A

The circulation of oxygenated blood through the body tissues and vessels

72
Q

Pertinent negatives

A

The absence of certain signs and symptoms normally expected of specific illnesses or conditions; these findings warrant no medical care or intervention, but demonstrate the thoroughness of the patient exam and history

73
Q

Pleural friction rubs

A

Squeaking or grating sounds that occur when the pleural linings rub together, which may be heard on inspiration, expiration, or both; commonly caused by inflammation of the pleura

74
Q

Primary survey

A

The part of the assessment process that focuses on identifying immediate or potential life-threatening conditions so you can initiate lifesaving care

75
Q

Primitive reflexes

A

Reflex reactions such as Babinski, grasping, and sucking signs normally found in infants

76
Q

Pronator drift

A

The drifting of one arm downward toward a patient’s feet while he or she holds out his or her arms, palm side up, with his or her eyes shut; can be a sign of a stroke

77
Q

Proprioception

A

The perception of the position and movement of the body or limbs

78
Q

Pulse

A

The wave of pressure created as the heart contracts and forces blood out the left ventricle and into the major arteries; palpated at a point where an artery passes close to a bone

79
Q

Pulse oximetry

A

An assessment tool used to measure oxygen saturation of hemoglobin in the capillary beds

80
Q

Rapid full-body scan

A

A 60- to 90-second nonsystematic review and palpation of the patient’s body to identify injuries that must be managed or protected immediately; also called the rapid full-body sweep

81
Q

Reassessment

A

The portion of the assessment process in which a patient’s condition is reevaluated and response to treatment is assessed

82
Q

Reflexes

A

Involuntary motor responses to specific sensory stimuli, such as a tap on the knee or stroking the eyelash

83
Q

Rhonchi

A

Coarse, low-pitched breath sounds heard in patients with chronic mucus in the upper airways

84
Q

Rigidity

A

A clinically important sign characterized by marked peritoneal irritation and guarding, indicating an injury or illness for which urgent surgical intervention may be required

85
Q

Rubor

A

Redness; one of the classic signs of inflammation

86
Q

Scene size-up

A

A step in the patient assessment process involving a quick assessment of the scene and its surroundings to gather information about the overall safety and stability of the scene and the mechanism of injury or nature of illness; this process is carried out before you enter and begin patient care

87
Q

Scoliosis

A

Sideways curvature of the spine

88
Q

Secondary assessment

A

The process by which more detailed, quantifiable, objective information is obtained from the patient about his or her overall state of health

89
Q

Signs

A

Objective observations that can be seen, heard, felt, smelled, or measured

90
Q

Social history

A

A subsection of the patient history that provides valuable information regarding the patient’s overall health status and helps to identify risk factors for various disease processes; includes items such as tobacco use, alcohol and drug use, sexual behavior, diet, travel history, living environment, and occupation

91
Q

Sphygmomanometer

A

A blood pressure cuff

92
Q

Splitting

A

In the context of heart sounds, a situation in which events on the right side of the heart occur slightly later than those on the left side, and create two discernible sounds rather than one heart sound

93
Q

Stridor

A

A harsh, high-pitched respiratory sound produced as air moves past an obstruction within or immediately above the glottic opening; associated with severe upper airway obstruction

94
Q

Symptoms

A

Subjective information the patient feels, such as pain, discomfort, or other abnormality

95
Q

Systolic blood pressure

A

Blood pressure created by the left ventricle as it contracts (that is, in systole)

96
Q

Tenting

A

A condition in which the skin slowly retracts after being pinched and pulled away slightly from the body; a sign of dehydration

97
Q

Thrill

A

A humming vibration that can be palpated through the chest wall, suggesting an underlying bruit or murmur

98
Q

Traumatic fracture

A

A fracture that occurs when abnormal forces are applied to normal bone structures

99
Q

Turgor

A

Loss of skin elasticity

100
Q

Vasoconstriction

A

Narrowing of the diameter of a blood vessel

101
Q

Vasodilation

A

Widening of the diameter of a blood vessel

102
Q

Vesicular sounds

A

Normal breath sounds made by air moving in and out of the alveoli

103
Q

Visual acuity

A

Determined by the ability or inability to see, and by how far

104
Q

Wheezing

A

A high-pitched whistling sound that may be heard on inspiration, expiration, or both, indicating air movement through a constricted lower airway, as in asthma

105
Q

Whispered pectoriloquy

A

A test of decreased breath sounds performed by placing the diaphragm of the stethoscope over the area in question as the patient whispers “ninety-nine”; a loud, clear sound indicates lung consolidation

106
Q

Working diagnosis

A

The one diagnosis from a differential list used to base the patient’s treatment plan

Paramedic Class (12 decks)

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