Vocabulary

Question 1

Abandonment

Answer 1

Unilateral termination of care by the EMT without the patient’s consent and without making provisions for transferring care to another medical professional with the skills and training necessary to meet the needs of the patient.

Question 2

Abdomen

Answer 2

The body cavity that contains many of the major organs of digestion and excretion. It is located below the diaphragm and above the pelvis.

Question 3

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)

Answer 3

A rapidly fatal condition in which the walls of the aorta in the abdomen weaken and blood leaks into the layers of the vessel, causing it to bulge.

Question 4

Abdominal thrust maneuver

Answer 4

The preferred method to dislodge a severe airway obstruction in adults and children; also called the Heimlich maneuver.

Question 5

Abduction

Answer 5

Motion of a limb away from the midline.

Question 6

Abrasion

Answer 6

Loss of or damage to the superficial layer of the skin as a result of a body part rubbing or scraping across a rough or hard surface.

Question 7

Abruptio placentae

Answer 7

Premature separation of the placenta from the wall of the uterus.

Question 8

Absorption

Answer 8

The process by which medications travel through body tissue until they reach the bloodstream.

Question 9

Access

Answer 9

Gaining entry to an enclosed area and reaching a patient.

Question 10

Accessory muscles

Answer 10

The secondary muscles of respiration. They include the neck muscles (sternocleidomastoids), the chest pectoralis major muscles, and the abdominal muscles.

Question 11

Acetabulum

Answer 11

The depression on the lateral pelvis where its three component bones join, in which the femoral head fits snugly.

Question 12

Acidosis

Answer 12

The buildup of excess acid in the blood or body tissues that can result from a primary illness.

Question 13

Acromioclavicular (AC) joint

Answer 13

A simple joint where the bony projections of the scapula and the clavicle meet at the top of the shoulder.

Question 14

Action

Answer 14

The therapeutic effect of a medication on the body.

Question 15

Active compression-decompression CPR

Answer 15

A technique that involves compressing the chest and then actively pulling it back up to its neutral position or beyond (decompression); may increase the amount of blood that returns to the heart and, thus, the amount of blood ejected from the heart during the compressions phase.

Question 16

Active shooter event

Answer 16

An act of terror in which firearms are used in an ongoing assault of multiple people.

Question 17

Activities of daily living

Answer 17

The basic activities a person usually accomplishes during a normal day, such as eating dressing, and bathing.

Question 18

Acute abdomen

Answer 18

A condition of sudden onset of pain within the abdomen, usually indicating peritonitis; immediate medical or surgical treatment is necessary.

Question 19

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS)

Answer 19

A group of symptoms caused by myocardial ischemia; includes angina and myocardial infarction.

Question 20

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI)

Answer 20

A heart attack; death of the heart muscle following obstruction of blood flow to it. “Acute” in this context means “new” or “happening right now”.

Question 21

Acute stress reactions

Answer 21

Reactions to stress that occur during a traumatic situation.

Question 22

Addiction

Answer 22

A state of overwhelming obsession or physical need to continue the use of a substance.

Question 23

Adduction

Answer 23

Motion of a limb toward the midline.

Question 24

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)

Answer 24

The nucleotide involved in energy metabolism; used to store energy.

Question 25

Adolescent

Answer 25

A young person age 12 to 18 years.

Question 26

Adrenal glands

Answer 26

Endocrine glands located on the top of the kidneys that release adrenaline when stimulated by the sympathetic nervous system.

Question 27

Adrenergic

Answer 27

Pertaining to nerves that release the neurotransmitter norepinephrine, or noradrenaline (eg, adrenergic nerves, adrenergic response); also pertains to receptors acted on by norepinephrine.

Question 28

Advanced EMT

Answer 28

An individual wha has training in specific aspects of advanced life support, such as intravenous therapy, and the administration of certain emergency medications.

Question 29

Advance directive

Answer 29

Written documentation that specifies medical treatment for a competent patient should be patient become unable to make decisions; also called a living will or health care directive.

Question 30

Advanced life support (ALS)

Answer 30

Advanced life-saving procedures, some of which are now being provided by the EMT.

Question 31

Adventitious breath sounds

Answer 31

Abnormal breath sounds such as wheezing, stridor, rhonchi, and crackles.

Question 32

Adverse effects

Answer 32

Any unwanted clinical results of a medication.

Question 33

Aerobic metabolism

Answer 33

Metabolism that can proceed only in the presence of oxygen.

Question 34

Aerosol-generating procedure

Answer 34

Any airway manipulation that includes the production of aerosols that may present a risk for airborne transmission of pathogens, such as CPR.

Question 35

Afterload

Answer 35

The force or resistance against which the heart pumps.

Question 36

Aging

Answer 36

The process by which the temporary bond between an organophosphate and acetylcholinesterase undergoes hydrolysis, resulting in a permanent covalent bond.

Question 37

Agonal gasps

Answer 37

Abnormal breathing pattern characterized by slow, gasping breaths, sometimes seen in patients in cardiac arrest.

Question 38

Agonist

Answer 38

A medication that causes stimulation of receptors.

Question 39

Air ambulances

Answer 39

Fixed-wing and rotary-wing (known as helicopter) aircraft that have been modified for medical care; used to evacuate and transport patients with life-threatening injuries to treatment facilities.

Question 40

Airborne transmission

Answer 40

The spread of an organism via droplets or dust.

Question 41

Air embolism

Answer 41

The presence of air in the veins, which can lead to cardiac arrest if it enters the heart.

Question 42

Airway

Answer 42

The upper airway tract or the passage above the larynx, which includes the nose, mouth, and throat.

Question 43

Algor mortis

Answer 43

Cooling of the body after death until it matches the ambient temperature.

Question 44

Alkalosis

Answer 44

The buildup of excess base (lack of acids) in the body fluids.

Question 45

Allergen

Answer 45

A substance that causes an allergic reaction.

Question 46

Allergic reaction

Answer 46

The body’s exaggerated immune response to an internal or surface agent.

Question 47

Alpha-adrenergic receptors

Answer 47

Portions of the nervous system that, when stimulated, can cause constriction of blood vessels.

Question 48

Alpha radiation

Answer 48

A type of energy that is emitted from a strong radiologic source; it is the least harmful penetrating type of radiation and cannot travel more than a few inches or penetrate most objects.

Question 49

Altered mental status

Answer 49

A change in the way a person thinks and behaves that may signal disease in the central nervous system or elsewhere in the body.

Question 50

Alveolar minute volume

Answer 50

The volume of air moved through the lungs in 1 minute minus the dead space; calculated by multiplying tidal volume (minus dead space) and respiratory rate.

Question 51

Alveolar ventilation

Answer 51

The volume of air that reaches the alveoli. It is determined by subtracting the amount of dead space air from the tidal volume.

Question 52

Alveoli

Answer 52

The air sacs of the lungs in which the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place.

Question 53

Ambient temperature

Answer 53

The temperature of the surrounding environment.