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EMS Terms
EMS General Terms
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Asystole | Colloquially referred to as "flatline" Represents the cessation of electrical and mechanical activity of the heart. Latin - 'a' - meaning without or not Latin - systole - contraction AED will not shock |
| Chain of Survival - Adult (out of hospital) Hint - there are 6 | 1 Fast Assessment and Activation of 911 2 High Quality CPR (CCR>60%, 100-110, depth, no excess ventilation) 3 Defibrillation 4 Advanced Resuscitation 5 Post-Cardiac Care 6 Recovery |
| Liable | Legal responsible or legally answerable |
| AED | Automated External Defibrillator A portable electronic device that automatically diagnoses some life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. is able to treat some of arrhythmias through depolarization allowing the heart to re-establish an effective rhythm. |
| AHA | American Heart Association |
| Algor Mortis | A stage of death - Temperature (not to be used for DOA) Bodies cool slowly at room temperature. Algor is Latin for coldness |
| BLS | Basic Life Support A level of medical care which is used for patients with life-threatening illnesses or injuries until they can be given full medical care by advanced life support providers (paramedics, nurses, physicians). The next level is ALS |
| BP | Blood Pressure systolic pressure - maximum pressure during a heartbeat diastolic pressure - minimum pressure between two heartbeats units are millimeters of mercury (mmHg) Adult normal is 120/80 |
| BSI | Body Substance Isolation Measures/actions taken to protect the rescuer from the patient’s bodily fluids and other mechanisms of disease transmission. |
| C A B | Circulatory, Airway, Breathing The three main components of CPR Circulatory (Compressions) come first. |
| CPR | Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation An emergency procedure consisting of chest compressions often combined with artificial ventilation in an effort to manually preserve intact brain function until further measures are taken. |
| EMS | Emergency Medical Services Are emergency services that provide urgent pre-hospital treatment and stabilization for serious illness and injuries and transport to definitive care. |
| Heart Attack (or MI) | Blood supply to the heart is restricted Often by a blood clot or a buildup of plaque in the arteries. Patients often experiences degrees of discomfort but remain responsive. Most Heart Attacks do not result in a Cardiac Arrest. |
| Heart Failure (or HF or CHF) | Heart Failure is not a disease but a syndrome A combination of signs and symptoms caused by the impairment of the heart's function as a pump to support the circulatory system, at rest or during exercise. Causes many problemss |
| Rigor Mortis | Sign of death – joint stiffness (can be used for DOA) Onset is 1-6 hours Rigor mortis is not permanent. Last about 8 hours from onset at room temperature. Disappears 12-36 hrs from death. |
| Tachycardia | Heart rate > 100/min Not always abnormal. Depends on pt's activity level. Ventricular Tachycardia (V-Tach) is irregular and when detected will initiate an AED to shock. |
| Dependent Lividity (Livor Mortis, Morbid Lividity) | A reddish-blue discoloration of the skin resulting from the gravitational pooling of blood in the blood vessels evident in the lower lying parts of the body in the position of death. Also called livor mortis, morbid lividity. Latin: Livor = purpl |
| DOA | Dead On Arrival - conditions where CPR is not required: Decapitation or other catastrophic injuries not compatible with life (CPR would not be possible) Rigor mortis Morbid Lividity Decomposition / Putrification |
| V-Tach (VT) | Ventricular Tachycardia An irregular heart rhythm in which the ventricles beat to fast not allowing the chambers to fill and reduces circulation. An AED will shock for V-Tach. |
| V-Fib (VF) | Ventricular Fibrillation An irregular heart rhythm in which the ventricles quiver and lose their ability to pump blood effectively. The most common rhythm in cardiac arrest. An AED will shock for V-Fib. |
| Arrhythmia | Any of many types of irregular heart rhythms such as V-Fib and V-Tach |
| Fibrillation | The rapid, irregular, and unsynchronized contraction of muscle fibers. Quivering or spasming muscle |
| A-Fib (AF) | Atrial Fibrillation An abnormal heart arrhythmia characterized by rapid and irregular beating of the atrial chambers of the heart. Heart may fell like a flopping fish. AED will shock |
| High Quality CPR | Chest Compression Fraction >80% (limit interruptions) Compression rate of 100-120/min Compression depth of at least 50 mm (2 inches) in adults and at least 1/3 the AP dimension of the chest in infants and children No excessive ventilation |
| Hands Only CPR | Compressions only. Buy the brain time for more experienced rescuers to arrive. Not recommended for infants, drowning, drug OD, prolonged arrest, or arrest due to respiration issues |
| CPR Ratios for Infant | 1 rescuer: 30:2 2 rescuer: 15:2 With children arrest is usually about respiration. Need breaths if possible. Breaths are easier for 2 than for 1 rescuer |
| CPR Ratios for Adult 1 & 2 rescuer | 1 rescuer: 30:2 2 rescuer: 30:2 |
| How is CPR different for choking victims? | Choking victims may need to skip breaths. You do not want to force the obstruction further down. Watch for chest raise. If none, discontinue breath attempts. |
| Defibrillation | The stopping of a fibrillating the heart by administering a controlled electric shock in order to allow restoration of the normal rhythm. The shock puts the heart into Asystole. |
| Sinoatrial Node (SA Node) | Region of specialized cardiac muscle in the upper back wall of the right atrium made up of cells known as pacemaker cells. Responsible for setting the electrical pulse down through the heart. |
| Sinus Rhythm | Any cardiac rhythm in which depolarization of the cardiac muscle begins at the sinus node. Sinus rhythm is necessary, but not sufficient, for normal electrical activity within the heart. |
| Myocardial Infarction (MI) | medical tern for "heart attack" Infarction is tissue death due to inadequate blood supply (ischemic) |
| Infarction (Infarct) | Obstruction of the blood supply to an organ or region of tissue, typically by a thrombus or embolus, causing local death of the tissue. |
| Ischemia | A restriction in blood supply to any tissues, muscle group, or organ of the body, causing a shortage of oxygen that is needed for cellular metabolism (to keep tissue alive) |
| Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) | Commonly known as a mini-stroke A TIA is a minor stroke whose noticeable symptoms usually end in a few minute to an hour. TIA causes the same symptoms associated with strokes 70% go on to have a full stroke. |
| Stroke | A medical condition in which poor blood flow to the brain causes cell death. Two types: ischemic - due to lack of blood flow - blockage hemorrhagic - due to bleeding |
| Chest Compression Fraction (CCF) | A measure of high-quality CPR. The amount of time during a cardiac arrest event that High-Quality Chest Compressions are performed. Improving CCF to achieve the 80% threshold has been shown to increase survival by 2-3x. 60% is the minimum |
| Recumbent | Lying down Lateral Recumbent - laying down on the side |
| Lateral Recumbent | Lying down on the side aka the Recovery Position Used for people not fully responsive, without spinal injury, who may vomit Right Lateral Recumbent - lying on right side Left Lateral Recumbent - laying on left side |
| Recovery Position | Left or Right Lateral Recumbent (lying on their side) Used for people not fully responsive, without spinal injury, who may vomit Late pregnancy should be on their left side |
| Semi-Fowler Position | Sitting with the upper body elevated, starting at the waist, to a 45-degree angle Commonly used for patients who are awake and are not suspected of having a severe injury or illness |
| High-Fowler position | Sitting fully upright (90 degrees) with the knees straight or slightly bent Typically used for patients with severe breathing problems |
| Normal Breathing Rate (adult, child, infant) | [Note - posted rates vary a lot! - need to confirm] Adult: 12-20 / min (every 3 - 5 seconds) Child: 18-30 / min (every 2 - 3 seconds) Infant: 24-40 / min (1.5 - 2.5 seconds) |
| Signs of Death | Decapitation or other catastrophic injuries not compatible with life (when CPR would not be possible) Rigor mortis Morbid Lividity Decomposition / Petrification |
| The three main response phases to cardiac arrest Hint: its not ABC | C A B Circulatory Airway Breathing |
| Chain of Survival - Child | Prevent arrest - its about airway not the heart - fix the airway Fast Assessment and Activation of 911 High Quality CPR Defibrillation Advanced Resuscitation Post-Cardiac Care Recovery |
| #1 reason for injuries to EMS | Moving, lifting, patients. Lift with your legs! |
| Lumen (medical) | The bore a tube. Cavity, opening, or channel. Used for pipes, tubes, blood vessels, intestines, airway, etc. Latin: light or opening |
| The Levine Sign | A patient experiencing intense heart related chest pain will often clench their first and press it to their chest above their heart |
| Cravat | a triangular bandage is a piece of cloth put into a right-angled triangle, and often provided with safety pins to secure it in place. |
| Referred Pain | Pain in an area that was not injured |
| Avulsion | the action of pulling or tearing away |
| Rule of Nines | Used to measure burn percentages A hand is about 1% - how many hands to cover the burn site? Each part of the body is 9% or a 2x 9% Groin is 1% |
| Classifications of Burns | Superficial (1st) - red and painful Partial thickness (2nd) - blistering Full thickness (3rd) – pain is absent – nerves are destroyed 4th – burns into the deeper tissues – can be all the way to the bone |
| Emesis | Vomiting the oral eviction of gastrointestinal contents, due to contractions of the gut and the muscles of the thoracoabdominal wall |
| Lacrimation | the flow of tears. |
| Decorticate | Abnormal Posturing arms flexing in - deCORticate (towards the core) "Defending" the body still |
| Decerebrate | Abnormal Posturing arms extending away This is often a sign of encroaching death. |
| Immobilization Guidelines for Head/Neck Injury When to and when not to | Immobilize Patient when: > 65 Patient unreliable Distracting injury Abnormal CMS example Spine pain/tenderness |
| Crepitus | is the grating, crackling or popping sounds caused by bones rubbing together |
| Bullae | a fluid-filled sac or lesion that appears when fluid is trapped under a thin layer of your skin. It’s a type of blister. pronounced as “bully” |
| Pneumothorax vs Hemothorax | Collapses lung due to air (pneumo) or blood (hemo) |
| Febrile Seizure | A seizure caused by a fever. Mostly in children The fever is often from an infection. Febrile - fever |
| Avulsion | A tear in the skin The skin is torn completely off or left hanging as a flap. |
| Chief Complaint | The answer to why was the ambulance called What is the patient's main complaint |
| General Impression | What do you, as the EMR/EMT, see as you approach the patient. the “view from the door,” “big sick vs. little sick,” your basic opinion of whether a patient is doing okay or not, and it’s formed within the first moments of contact. |
| Concussion | A closed head injury that alters the brain functioning |
| Cyanosis | Blue-ish color to the skin, lips, nail beds Poor perfusion - poor oxygenation |
| Dyspnea | Improper breathing pattern Shortness of breath Difficulty breathing |
| Heatstroke | When the body loses the ability to dissipate heat and core temps are raising quickly Very deadly - cool the patient quickly. |
| mottling skin | patch skin condition caused by areas of too much or too little blood Not the same as hives - typically more networked and blotchy |
| Occlusive Dressing | An airtight dressing / bandage |
| Prolapsed Umbilical Cord | A condition during birth in which the cord presents first Move it out of the way to avoid it being compressed |
| Stoma - airway | An opening made in the neck that connects the trechea to the skin. Made when the mouth and upper airway can no longer function as an airway (cancer, injury...) |
| Stridor | A high pitch sound made mostly on inhalation Typically made by an obstruction in the trachea and upper lungs |
| Flail Chest | Two or more contiguous rib fractures with multiple breaks per rib. Chest wall is destabilized |
| Last Known Well | The last time a patient was reliably known to be well. Very important for stroke. Hospital will want to know for the stroke treatment window |
| Mutual Aid | an agreement between fire departments to help each other across jurisdictional boundaries. When local needs exceed resources or may be automatic response (ALS). |
| Mass Casualty Incident | An incident involving 2 or more patients in which the number of patients exceeds the capability of the immediately available resources. |
| Triage | A process of prioritizing patients for treatment and transport based on criteria. |
| Braxton Hicks contractions | False labor Contraction timing is irregular and not very strong Can occur early in a pregnancy The body is preparing for True Labor |
| Pregnancy Labor Contraction rate and durations | true labor contractions last 30 to 70 secs and come about 5-10 minutes apart. They’re so strong. You can’t walk or talk during them Get stronger and closer together |
| Indirect Medical Control | protocols spell out the accepted practice for EMRs in your area |
| Direct Medical Control | when the medical director or another physician directs an EMS rescuer at the scene of an emergency aka “online,” “base station,” “immediate,” or “concurrent.” |
| Public-Safety Answering Point (PSAP) | An entity responsible for receiving 9-1-1 calls and processing those calls according to a specific operational policy. Dispatch may or may not take PSAP calls directly. |
| Triage Color Levels (with care) | Green - Delayed care (>3 hours) - WW Delayed (Yellow) - Urgent care (>1 hour) Immediate (Red) - Immediate care (now) Expectant (Black) - not expected to survive without significant resources. Deceased (Black) Grey - alive but not for long |
| Best way to cool a child with fever | Remove clothing |
| Treat for shock | Lay down O2 high flow Keep warm Fix the cause (if possible) - bleeding, anaphylaxis |
| Another name for shock | Hypo-perfusion |
| Labor - Lithotomy position | the most common lean back and pull your flexed knees to your chest. At the same time, you bend your neck and try to touch your chin to your chest. |
| Labor - Squatting position | An advantage of squatting is that you have gravity working with you. A disadvantage is that you may be too tired to hold the position for very long, and any monitoring equipment or an intravenous line you may have can be cumbersome |
| Labor - knee-chest position | push while on all fours. This position is sometimes helpful if the baby’s head is rotated in the birth canal in such a way that makes pushing the baby out in the lithotomy or squatting position difficult. |
| Shock in children How are they different than adults? | Children can compensate for shock longer than most adults Then they crash quickly. |
| Adult core vital signs with ranges | PR - 50-100 RR - 12-16 BP - 120/80 Temp - 98.6 |
| Chain of Survival (6 stages) | Activate EMS High Quality CPR AED ALS Hospital Care Home - Recovery |
| Pleural Cavity | The space enclosed by the pleura, which is a thin layer of tissue that covers the lungs and lines the interior wall of the chest cavity. Pleura oncludes two thin layers of tissue that protect and cushion the lungs. |
| Causes of AMS | Most anything... Low blood sugar Stroke Brain injury Syncope Seizure Hypothermia Drugs Shock Psychosis |
| Placenta Previa | a problem during pregnancy when the placenta completely or partially covers the opening of the uterus. bright red vaginal bleeding, usually without pain, after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Sometimes, spotting happens before an event with more blood loss. |
| Status Epilepticus or Status Seizure | a single seizure lasting more than 5 minutes or 2 or more seizures within a 5-minute period without the person returning to normal between them. These are life threats. Call 911/ALS |
| Acute Abdomen | The patient will usually present with sudden onset of abdominal pain with associated nausea or vomiting. The acute abdomen may be caused by an infection, inflammation, vascular occlusion, or obstruction. Serious! |
| Traumatic Asphyxia | compression of the thoracic cavity causing venous back-flow from the right side of the heart into the veins of the neck and the brain |
| Volume of blood in average 170 lb male | About 7 liters |
| Percent blood loss before traumatic reaction | Most patients will need to lose 30-40% of their blood volume. About 2L for a 170 male |
| Acute Coronary Syndrome vs MI | ACS describes a range of conditions associated with sudden, reduced blood flow to the heart. One such condition is a heart attack (myocardial infarction) — when cell death results in damaged or destroyed heart tissue. |
| Tonic-Clonic | A type of seizure Tonic - body become rigid Clonic- violent jerking Seizures lasing more than 5 mins are very serious (Status Epilepticus) |
| Hazardous Material | Any material that poses a unreasonable risk to health, safety, or property |
| Periumbilical | situated or occurring adjacent to the navel Peri is Greek for "about" or "around the area of" |
| Visceral Pain | pain related to the internal organs in the midline of the body visceral pain is often vague, happens every so often, and feels like a deep ache or pressure |
| Somatic Pain | pain that occurs in tissues such as the muscles, skin, or joints Typically the pain is localized and the pt can point to it. Opposite of visceral pain |
| Visceral | Having to do with the viscera, which are the soft internal organs of the body, including the lungs, the heart, and the organs of the digestive, excretory, reproductive, and circulatory systems. |
| Referred Pain | Pain felt at a distance from the affected organ, but usually on the same side. Referred pain is felt in the midline only if the site of the pain is in the midline. |
| exsanguination | the action of draining a person, animal, or organ of blood |
Created by:
danfar
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