NREMT - Everything you need to know.
upper airway
(Nose, mouth, pharynx, larynx)FUNCTION:*Conducts air to lower airway *Protects lower airways *Warms, filters & humidifies air
tonsil tip
... Rigid suction
oropharyngeal
..., -curved plastic device used to establish an airway in a patient by displacing the tongue from the posterior wall of the oropharynx -used in unconscious patients who do not have a gag reflex
cyanosis
..., A bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes
crowing
..., A breathing sound similarto the cawing of a crow; may indicate that muscles around the larynx are in spasm.
patent airway
..., An airway that is open and clear of obstructions.
n-95
..., Mask used for a patient with TB
pulmonary ventilation
..., Movement of air into and out of the lungs
retractions
..., Movements in which the skin pulls in around the ribs during inspiration.
intercostal muscles
..., Muscles which move the rib cage during breathing
agonal respiration
..., Shallow, slow or infrequent breathing
respiratory arrest
..., When breathing completely stops.
respiratory failure
..., a condition in which the level of oxygen in the blood becomes dangerously low or the level of carbon dioxide becomes dangerously high
stridor
..., a whistling sound when breathing (usually heard on inspiration) upper airway
snoring sounds
..., airway blocked, open patients airway promt transport
dyspnea
..., difficult or labored respiration
internal respiration
..., exchange of gases between the blood and the cells of the body
external respiration
..., exchange of gases between the lungs and the blood
nasopharyngeal
..., flexible airway inserted through the patients nose
gurgling
..., indicates presence of fluid in the upper airway, need for suctioning
visceral pleura
..., inner layer of pleura that surrounds each lung
pleura
..., membrane surrounding the lungs
parietal pleura
..., pleura that lines the inner chest walls and covers the diaphragm
cellular respiration
..., process that releases energy by breaking down glucose and other food molecules in the presence of oxygen
bronchioles
..., smallest branches of the bronchi
respiration
..., the bodily process of inhalation and exhalation
carina
..., the fork at the lower end of the trachea where the two mainstem bronchi branch.
pleural space
..., the small potential space between the parietal and visceral layers of the pleura
french tip
...Soft suction
anatomical planes
1. coronal (vertical cut into front and back halves) 2. transverse (horizontal cut into upper and lower) 3. sagittal (vertical cut into left and right halves)
noepinephrine
A neurotransmitter from nerve endings and a hormone from the adrenal gland. It is release in times of stress and is involved in hunger regulation, blood glucose regulation and other body processes.
Standing Orders
A policy or protocol issued by a Medical Director that authorizes EMT-Bs and others to perform particular skills in certain situations.
alpha1 and Alpha2
Alpha1 vessels constrict and release sweat Alpha2 try's to regulate alpha1
hypo perfusion
Also known as shock (decreased blood flow through an organ, as in hypovolemic shock; if prolonged, it may result in permanent cellular dysfunction and death.)
lateral
Away from center of body
bilateral
Both sides
quadrants of the abdomen
Describing where an abdominal organ or pain is located is made easier by dividing the abdomen into four imaginary quadrants. *Right upper quadrant (RUQ) *Left upper quadrant (LUQ) *Right lower quadrant (RLQ) *Left lower quadrant (LLQ)
distal
Far from point of reference
HEPA Mask
High Efficiency Particulate Air respirator; used for patients with suspected TB; worn by the EMT provider to prevent airborne transmission
Tuberculosis
Infectious disease caused by the tubercle bacillus, Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Most commonly affects the respiratory system and causes inflammation and calcification of the system.
Involuntary
Mentally incompetent person
Urgent Move
Move used if a scne factor causes a decline in patient's condition, or if the treatment of a patient requires a move.
Treatment of a Minor
Must be given by legal guardian
proximal
Near the point of reference
Non urgent move
No immediate threat to life, are carried out in such a way as to prevent injury and to avoid discomfort and pain.
unilateral
One side
Medical Direction
Oversight of the patient-care aspects of an EMS system by the Medical Director.
palmar
Palm of hand
Expressed Consent
Permission that must be obtained from every conscious, mentally competent adult before emergency treatment may be provided
Polst
Physicians orders for life sustaining treatment. May include order for DO NOT RESUSCITATE
PCR
Prehospital care report
ipsilateral
Same side
plantar
Sole of foot
bariatric stretcher
Stretcher for obese patients
signs of severe hypoxia
Tachypnea Dyspnea Cyanosis Tachycardia may lead to dysrhythmias and eventually bradycardia Confusion Loss of coordination sleepy appearance Head bobbing Slow reaction time Altered mental status
signs of mild hypoxia
Tachypnea Dyspnea Pale cool clammy skin ( early) Elevation of blood pressure Agitation Disorientation and confusion ( from high carbon dioxide levels) Headache
Implied Consent
The consent it is presumed a patient or patient's parent or gaurdian would give if they could, such as for an unconscious patient or a parent who cannot be contacted when care is needed.
perfusion
The supply of oxygen to and removal of wastes from the cells and tissues of the body as a result of the flow of blood through the capillaries.
medial
Toward center of body
anterior
Toward the Front
posterior
Toward the back
dorsal
Toward the back/spine
ventral
Toward the front/ belly
Ribs
Vertebrosternal = 'True ribs" -ribs 1-7 attach directly to the sternum through their costal cartilage. Vertebrochondral = "False ribs" =ribs 8-10 costal cartilage articulate indirectly with the sternumb by joing the costal cartilages of ribs above. Vertebral Ribs = "Floating ribs" ribs 11 and 12 no anterior attachment.
Scope of Practice
What we are allowed to do or trained to do
fowler position
a bed sitting position with the head of the bed raised to 45 degrees
Advanced Directive
a legal document prepared by a living, competent adult to provide guidance to the health care team if the individual should become unable to make decisions regarding his or her medical care; may also be called a living will or durable power of attorney for health care
Emergency Move
a move made when there is an immediate danger to the patient.
Good Samaritan
a person who voluntarily offers help or sympathy in times of trouble
epinephrine
adrenaline; activates a sympathetic nervous system by making the heart beat faster, stopping digestion, enlarging pupils, sending sugar into the bloodstream, preparing a blood clot faster
Duty to Act
an obligation to provide care to a patient
inferior
away from the head or below point of reference
Online Direction
consists of orders from the on-duty physician given directly to an EMT-B in the field by radio or telephone.
Offline Direction
consists of standing orders issued by the medical director that allows EMTs to give certain medications or perform certain procedures without speaking to the medical director or another physician.
basket stretcher
designed to surround and protect the patient, this stretcher is used to move a patient from one level to another to over rough terrain.
pulse pressure
difference between systolic and diastolic pressure no more than 25%
shock position
feet elevated 12 inches higher than head
beta 1
increases HR, inotrophy (forced contraction of heart) increases electrical impulse in heart
Hepatitis B
infectious inflammation of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) that is transmitted sexually or by exposure to contaminated blood or body fluid
Hepatitis C
inflammation of the liver caused by the hepatitis C virus, transmitted by exposure to infected blood (rarely contracted sexually)
cerebrum
large part of the brain that controls the senses and thinking
mid axillary
line drawn veritcally from the middle of the armpit to the ankle
Protocols
lists of steps, such as assessments and interventions, to be taken in different situations. Protocols are developed by the Medical Director of an EMS system
flexible stretcher
made of canvas or rubberized or other flexible material, often with wooden slats sewn into pockets and three carrying handles on each side. can be useful in restricted areas or narrow hallways
diaphragm
muscular partition that separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity and aids in respiration by moving up and down
contralateral
opposite side
beta 2
relaxes smooth muscle such as bronchioles and some vessels
Acute Stress
short term ; fight or flight response ; effects disappear quickly after it is over
phrenic nerve
stimulates the diaphragm
edema
swelling
cerebellum
the "little brain" attached to the rear of the brainstem; its functions include processing sensory input and coordinating movement output and balance
vertebrae
the 33 bones of the spinal column
Standard Care
the degree of care that a reasonably prudent person should exercise under the same or similar circumstances
semi fowler position
the head of the bed is raised 30 degrees; or the head of the bed is raised 30 degrees and the knee portion is raised 15 degrees
mid clavicular
the line through the center of the clavical
brain stem
the part of the brain continuous with the spinal cord and comprising the medulla oblongata and pons and midbrain and parts of the hypothalamus
cricoid cartilage
the ring-shaped structure that forms the lower portion of the larynx
scoop stretcher
this cot splits in tow or four sections, so it can be used where larger stretchers cannot fit.
superior
toward the head or above point of reference
lower airway
trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, and aveoli (gasses travel through the structers to and from the blood)