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