chapter 23 vocabulary (Emergency Medical Procedures) study guide

pressure point

a site on the body where an artery lies close to the surface of the skin and can be compressed against an underlying bone to control bleeding

fracture

any break in a bone

splint

any device that immobilizes a body part

poison

any substance that causes illness, injury, or death if it enters the body

poison control centers

valuable resources that are easily accessible to medical personnel and the community; has access to information about almost all poisonous substances

hypothermia

a life threatening condition in which the temperature of the entire body falls to a dangerously low level

emergency medical services (EMS) system

a network of community resources, equipment, and personnel that provides care to victims of injury or sudden illness

epistaxis

a nosebleed; usually not serious, more of a nuisance

emergency medical technician (EMT)

a professional provider of prehospital emergency care, which includes care at the scene and during transportation to the hospital

emphysema

a progressive lung disorder in which the terminal bronchioles that lead into the alveoli become plugged with mucous

abrasion

a scrape; a wound in which the outer layers of the skin are scraped or rubbed off

aura

a sensation perceived by the patient that something is about to happen; provides the patient with a warning signal that a seizure is about to begin

status asthmaticus

a severe prolonged asthma attack that is life threatening; requires immediate transportation to an emergency care facility by the fastest way possible and is a true emergency

burn

an injury to the tissues caused by exposure to thermal, chemical, electrical, or radioactive agents

open fracture

a break in the bone along with penetration of the overlying skin surface

wound

a break in the continuity of an external or internal surface, caused by physical means

open wounds

a break in the skin surface or mucous membrane that exposes the underlying tissues

incision

a clean, smooth cut caused by a sharp cutting instrument, such as a knife, a razor, or a piece of glass; usually heals better than lacerations

asthma

a condition characterized by wheezing, coughing, and dyspnea

diabetes mellitus

a disease in which the body is unable to use glucose for energy because of a lack of insulin in the body

crepitus

a grating sensation caused by fractured bone fragments rubbing against each other

crash cart

a specially equipped cart for holding and transporting medications, equipment, and supplies needed for lifesaving procedures in an emergency

strain

a stretching of tearing of muscles or tendons caused by trauma

seizure

a sudden episode of involuntary muscular contractions and relaxation, often accompanied by changes in sensation, behavior, and level of consciousness

laceration

a wound in which the tissues are torn apart, rather than cut, leaving ragged and irregular edges; a scar often results

puncture

a wound made by a sharp, pointed object piercing the skin layers and sometimes the underlying structures

dislocation

an injury in which one end of a bone making up a joint is separated or displaced from its normal anatomic position

external bleeding

bleeding that can be seen coming from a wound

internal bleeding

bleeding that flows into the body cavity or an organ, or between tissues

full thickness (third degree) burn

burn; completely destroys the epidermis and the dermis and extends into the subcutaneous tissues; appears charred black, brown, and cherry red, with the damaged tissues underneath appearing pearly white; may feel intense pain or no pain at all; dense scarring typically results

chemical burns

burn; continues to burn the patient's tissues as long as it is on the skin; when this burn occurs from a liquid, all solid substances should be brushed off before flooding the area with water

partial thickness (second degree) burn

burn; involves the epidermis and extends into the dermis but not into the subcutaneous tissue; appears red, mottled, and blistered; very painful and often swells; heals in 3-4 weeks and may result in some scarring

thermal burn

burns that usually occur at home, often from fire, scalding water, or coming into contact with hot water

heart attack

caused by partial or complete obstruction of one or both of the coronary arteries or their branches; also known as a myocardial infarction (MI)

first aid kit

contains basic supplies to provide emergency care to individuals who have been injured or become suddenly ill

bleeding

hemorrhaging; the escape of blood from a severed blood vessel

clonic phase

during this phase of a generalized seizure body jerks around violently, jaw muscles contract

spiral fracture

fracture; the bone is broken into a spiral or S-shape caused by a twisting force

comminuted fracture

fracture; the bone is splintered or shattered into three or more fragments; usually caused by an extremely traumatic direct force

greenstick fracture

fracture; the bone remains intact on one side, but broken on the other; common in children, whose bones are more flexible than those of adults

oblique fracture

fracture; the break occurs diagonally across the bone; generally the result of a twisting force

transverse fracture

fracture; the break occurs perpendicular to the long axis of the bone

impacted fracture

fracture; the broken ends of the bones are forcefully jammed together

emergency medical dispatcher (EMD)

has formal training in handling emergency situations over the phone; responsibilities include answering emergency calls, listening to the caller, obtain critical information, determine what help is needed, and send the appropriate personnel and equipment, relaying instructions to the caller about providing emergency care until EMTs arrive

EMT basic (EMT-B)

has received formal training and is certified to provide basic life support measures

respiratory distress

indicates that the patient is breathing but is having great difficulty in doing so

closed wounds

involves an injury the underlying tissues of the body without a break in the skin surface or mucous membrane

heatstroke

least common and most serious heat-related injury; body becomes so overheated that the heat-regulating mechanism breaks down and is unable to cool down; body increases to dangerous levels, causing destruction of tissues

heat cramps

least serious type of heat-related injury; most apt to occur when an individual is exercising or working in a hot environment and fails to replace lost fluids and electrolytes

complex partial seizure

level of consciousness is affected and patient has little or no memory of the seizure afterwards; symptoms include abnormal behavior such as lip smacking, lasts for a few seconds to a minute or two

frostbite

localized freezing of body tissue as a result of exposure to cold

hyperventilation

means over breathing; is a manner of breathing in which the respirations become rapid and deep, causing an individual to exhale to much carbon dioxide

heat exhaustion

most common heat-related injury; occurs most often in individuals involved in vigorous physical activity on a hot and humid day or wearing to much clothes on a hot and humid day; symptoms are similar to those of influenza

superficial (first-degree) burn

most common type of burn; involves epidermis; skin appears red, warm to the touch, usually painful; heals in 2-5 days and does not scar

venous bleeding

occurs when a vein has been punctured or severed; a slow and steady flow of dark red blood

closed fracture

occurs when there is a break in a bone but no break in the skin over the fracture sight; most common type

diabetic coma (diabetic ketoacidosis)

occurs when there is not enough insulin in the body, this causes the blood glucose level to increase, resulting in hyperglycemia

insulin shock (hypoglycemia)

occurs when there is too much insulin in the body and not enough glucose; severe brain damage or death can occur if not treated quickly

tonic phase

patient suddenly loses consciousness and exhibits rigid muscular contractions, which result in odd posturing of the body. respirations are inhibited, which may cause cyanosis around the mouth and lips. patient may lose control of the bladder or bowels, resulting in involuntary urination or defecation this phase of a generalized seizure lasts for 30 seconds

injected poison

poison enters the body through bites, stings, or needles

injested poison

poison that enters the body by being swallowed

absorbed poison

poison that enters the body through the skin

inhaled poison

poison that is breathed into the body in the form of gas, vapor, or spray

EMT paramedics (EMT-P)

qualified to provide advanced life support care, including advanced airway maintenance, starting intravenous drips, administration of medication, cardiac monitoring and interpretation, and cardiac defibrillation

stroke

results when an artery to the brain is blocked or ruptures, causing an interruption of blood flow to the brain; also known as a cerebrovascular accident (CVA)

status elpilepticus

seizures are prolonged or come in rapid succession without full recovery of consciousness between them; potentially life threatening and requires immediate medical attention

hypovolemic shock

shock caused by loss of blood or other body fluids

cariogenic shock

shock caused by the failure of the heart to pump blood adequately to all of the body's vital organs; hard to reverse and has an 80%-90% fatality rate

anaphylactic shock

shock that is a life-threatenining reaction of the body to a substance to which an individual is highly allergic; medical care should be obtained immediately since most fatalities occur within the first 2 hours

neurogenic shock

shock that occurs when the nervous system is unable to control the diameter of the blood vessels

arterial bleeding

the most serious type of external bleeding, occurs when an artery is punctured or severed; is the least common type of bleeding; characterized by bright red blood that spurts

shock

the failure of the cardiovascular system to deliver enough blood to all of the vital organs of the body

postical state

the final phase of a generalized seizure; lasts 10 to 30 minutes; patient exhibits a depressed level of consciousness, is disoriented, and often has a headache

first aid

the immediate care administered before complete medical care can be provided to an individual who is injured or suddenly become ill

capillary bleeding

the most common type of external bleeding; consists of a slow oozing of bright red blood

partial seizure

the most common type of seizure; effects 805 of people who have seizures; can be further classified as simple or complex

musculoskeletal injuries

these injuries include fractures, dislocations, sprains, and strains

psychogenic shock

this shock is the least serious type of shock; caused by unpleasant physical or emotional stimuli, such as pain, fright, and the sight of blood

generalized seizure

tonic-clonic seizure (grand mal seizure); experience 3 phases, the tonic phase, clonic phase, and postictal state

sprain

trauma to a joint that causes tearing of a ligaments

simple partial seizure

twitching or jerking in one part of the body; lasts less than 1 minute; patient stays awake and alert during the seizure