General Terms

Description:	Basic terms
Category:	Paramedic/EMT
Created by:	cndoke on 2008-12-26

Question	Answer
Abandonment	failure of the EMT to continue emergency medical treatment.
Abdomen	the more inferior of the two major body cavities, lying between the thorax and the pelvis and containing the major organs of digestion and excretion.
Abdominal Catastrophe	a term describing the most severe form of an acute abdomen; the presence of a severe intra-abdominal problem that causes peritonitis.
Abdominal Cavity	the cavity between the diaphragm and the pelvis that contains all the Abdominal organs.
Abdominal Eviscerations	injuries in which abdominal organs are exposed.
Abdominal Quadrants	For equal parts into which the abdomen is divided; they are separated by two imaginary lines that intersect at right angles at the umbilicus. The quadrants are the right upper, the right lower, left upper, and left lower quadrants.
Abdominal Subdiaphragmatic Thrust Maneuver	a series of 6 to 10 manual thrusts into the upper abdomen, just above the umbilicus and well below the xiphoid to relieve upper airway obstruction; also called the Heimlich maneuver.
Abduction	motion of a limb away from the midline.
Abortion	delivery of the fetus before it is mature enough to survive outside the womb (about 20 weeks), either from natural causes (spontaneous abortion) or induced; also called miscarriage.
Abrasion	loss of skin as a result of a body part being rubbed or scraped across a rough or hard surface.
Abruptio Placentae	early separation of the placenta from the wall of the uterus.
Abscess	a localized collection of pus in a cavity formed by the disintegration of tissues.
Abuse	a cause of injury that can take the form of beatings, burns, rape, attempted murder, etc
Acetabulum	the socket portion of the hip joint, into which the femoral head fits.
Acetone	a colorless liquid found in small quantities in normal urine and in larger amounts in diabetic urine; a metabolic end product of the use of fat for routine energy needs.
Achilles Tendon	the tendon joining the muscles in the calf of the leg to the bone of the heel.
Acid	any compound of an electronegative element with one or more electropositive hydrogen ions. Acids can cause severe burns.
Acidosis	a condition caused by accumulation of acid or loss of base in the body.
A/C Joint - Acromioclvicular Joint	joint at the top of the shoulder, formed by bony projections of the scapula and clavicle.
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)	a fatal disease first noted in 1978 an caused by a virus. It is spread through direct contact with the blood, semen, or oral secretions of infected individuals.
Acromion Process	lateral extension of the spine of the scapula; the highest point of the shoulder.
A/C Separation	a dislocation of the acromioclvicular joint; shoulder separation.
Activated Charcoal	powdered charcoal that has been treated to increase its powers of adsorption; used as a general-purpose antidote.
Actual Consent	consent actually given by a person authorizing the EMT to provide care or transportation.
Acute Abdomen	a term indication the presence of some abdominal process that causes the sudden irritation of the peritoneum and intense pain.
Acute Cholecystitis	inflammation of the gallbladder
Acute Epiglittitis	a bacterial infection of the epiglottis. In children it can cause swelling severe enough to cause airway obstruction.
Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI)	heart attack; death of the heart muscle caused by lack of oxygen to the muscle.
Acute Pulmonary Edema	severe fluid buildup in the lungs that usually occurs following acute myocardial infarction.
Acute Symptoms	symptoms of sudden onset.
Acute Urinary Retention	a condition more common in the older male, often in conjunction with enlargement of the prostate gland, in which the urethral outlet of the bladder is obstructed and the patient is unable to void.
Alcohol	a liquid obtained by fermentation of carbohydrates with yeast.
Alcoholic Hallucinations	the awareness or perception of fantastic figures, often walking on the wall or appearing as if to attack the patient; they are a manifestation of the alcoholic withdrawal syndrome.
Alcoholism	addiction to alcohol; overuse that affects the individual’s health and social and economic functioning.
Alkali	any compound of an electropositive element with an electronegative hydroxyl ion or similar ion. Alkalis can cause severe burns.
Alkaline	having a pH above the normal level of 7.45.
Alkalosis	a condition in which excessive breathing, as from hyperventilating, “blows off” too much carbon dioxide. The patient experiences shortness of breath, This response is common in psychological stress.
Allergens	agents to which a person is sensitive.
Alergic	suffering from an allergy.
Allergy	exaggerated reaction to substances, situations, or physical states that have no such effect on the average person.
Alopecia	Loss of hair.
Alpha Particle	a positively charged particle emitted from the nucleus of a radioactive atom.
Alpha Radiation	a form of ionizing radiation that poses little danger; these rays are easily stopped by paper, a few inches of air, or light clothing.
Alveoli	the air sacs of the lungs where the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place.
Ambulance	vehicle for emergency medical care, especially designed to provide a patient compartment large enough for two EMTs and two litter patients, so positioned that at least one patient can be given intensive lifesaving care during transit.
Ambulance Run Report	a permanent run report filled out by the EMT after the patient has been delivered to the emergency department.
Ambulance Street Form	a compact form, frequently printed on a 3x5 card, that allows the EMT to record the information needed to make a radio report to the emergency department,
American Standard System	safty system for large cylinders of gas in which gas outlet valves are threaded to accept matching regulator valves so that a regulator cannot be attached to a wrong supply tank.
Amino Acids	organic compounds that form the chief structure of proteins.
Amnesia	loss of memory.
Amniotic Fluid	a liquid that surrounds the fetus in the uterus and protects it from injury.
Amniotic Sac	the innermost of the membranes enveloping the fetus in the uterus.
Amphetamines	stimulants that are taken to produce a general mood elevation, improve task performance, suppress appetite, or prevent sleepiness; common forms are “speed,” “uppers,” or “Bennies.”
Amputation	removal of a body part.
Anal Canal	the lower end of the alimentary canal.
Anaphylactic Shock	severe shock caused by an allergic reaction.
Anaphylaxis	the most severe form of an allergic reaction resulting in shock.
Anatomic Position	position of a patient standing erect, facing the examiner, arms at the side, and palms facing forward.
Anesthesia	the loss of sensation from injury or the administration of drugs.
Anesthetic	without feeling.
Aneurysm	a weakened, bulging area of a blood vessel.
Angina Pectoris	chest pain with squeezing or tightness in the chest caused by an inadequate flow of blood to the heart muscle.
Angle of Louis	a bony prominence on the breastbone, just inferior to the junction of the clavicle and sternum and just opposite the second intercostal space.
Angulation	departure from a straight line, as in a broken bone.
Anisocoria	unequal size of the pupils of the eyes.
Ankle Joint	a hinge joint that allows flexion and extension of the foot on the leg.
Anorexia	loss of hunger or appetite.
Anorexia Nervosa	a condition more common in young females in which the patient takes less and less food and may become seriously emaciated and malnourished. It is a manifestation of a severe underlying psychological disorder.
Anoxia	lack of oxygen.
Antecubital Fossa	the depression in the anterior region of the elbow.
Anterior Superior Iliac Spines	the hard bony prominences at the front on each side of the lower abdomen just below the plane of the umbilicus; they form the anterior ends of the iliac crest.
Anterior Surface	the front surface of the body, facing the examiner.
Antibiotic	a chemical substance produced by microorganisms, which has the capacity to kill other microorganisms.
Antidote	a substance that will counteract poison.
Antihistamine	a drug that counteracts the effects of histamine and relieve symptoms of an allergic reaction.
Antivenin	antitoxin (remedy) for a venom.
Anus	the distal or terminal ending or the alimentary canal.
Aorta	the major artery leaving the left side of the heart, which carries freshly oxygenated blood to the body.
Aortic Valve	a valve that guards the aortic opening in the left ventricle of the heart and prevents backflow into the left ventricle.
Aorto-coronary Bypass	an operation to bypass damaged coronary arteries to the heart; a vein from the leg or an artificial vessel is sewn directly from the aorta to a coronary artery beyond the point of obstruction.
Apgar Score	a system whereby the status of a newborn baby is assessed in five areas: cardiac rate, respirations, muscle tone, reflex irritability, and color.
Aphasic	unable to speak.
Apneic	having no spontaneous breathing.
Appendicitis	inflammation of the appendix.
Appendix	a small tubular structure that is attached to the lower border of the cecum in the lower right quadrant of the abdomen.
Aqueous Humor	the fluid in front of the lens of the eye.
Arachnoid	middle layer of the tree layers of tissue that envelop the brain and spinal cord; lies between the dura mater and the pia mater.
Arm	part of the upper extremity that extends from the shoulder to the elbow.
Arrhythmia	abnormal heart rhythm.
Arterial Pressure	the pressure of the blood that flows through the arteries.
Arterial Pressure Points (Pulse Points)	points where an artery passes over a bony prominence or lies close to the skin; at these points the artery can be palpated and the arterial pulse taken.
Arterial Rupture	rupture of a cerebral artery.
Arteries	the tubular vessels that carry blood from the heart to the body tissues.
Arterioles	small branches of arteries.
Arteriosclerosis	a disease characterized by a thickening and destruction of the arterial walls, caused by fatty deposits within them; the arteries lose the ability to dilate and carry oxygen-enriched blood.
Articular	pertaining to a joint.
Articular Cartilage	a layer of cartilage covering the ends of bones to form the joint surface.
Articulation	joint; the juncture where two bones come in contact.
Artificial Airway	a device that is inserted through the nose or mouth to allow passage of air and oxygen to the lungs.
Artificial Circulation	a means of providing circulation by external chest compression.
Artificial Respiration (Ventilation)	opening the airway and restoring breathing by mouth-to-mouth or mouth-to-nose ventilation and by the use of mechanical devices.
Ascending Colon	part of the colon that lies in the vertical position on the right side of the abdomen, extending up to the lower border of the liver.
Ascent Injuries	injuries in ascent from a dive, especially air embolism and decompression sickness.
Aspiration	taking foreign matter such as vomitus into the lungs during inhalation.
Asthma	an acute spasm of the smaller air passages; a condition marked by labored breathing and wheezing due to contraction of the bronchi.
Asystole	lack of any electric or muscular activity in the heart; lack of a heartbeat.
Atom	the smallest particle of an element that can enter into a chemical reaction.
Atrial Fibrillation	disorganized, ineffective quivering of the atria, causing irregular, often rapid ventricular heart rate.
Atrial Flutter	beating of the atria up to rates of 300/minute not associated with equal beating of the ventricles.
Atrium	either of the two upper chambers of the heart.
Auditory Nerves	nerves transmitting hearing sensations to the brain.
Aura	the first phase of a generalized epileptic seizure. It is a sensation experienced by the patient that a seizure is about to occur.
Auscultate	to listen.
Auscultation	listening to sounds within the organs, usually with a stethoscope; a method of taking a patient’s blood pressure.
Autonomic	involuntary.
Autonomic Nervous System	the part of the nervous system that regulates functions not controlled by the voluntary act of conscious will, such as digestion or sweating.
AVPU Scale	a scale to measure a patient’s level of consciousness. The letters stand for Alert, Verbal, Pain, Unresponsive.
Avulsion	an injury in which a piece of skin is either torn completely loose from all of its attachments or is left hanging as a flap.
Axilla	the armpit.