Med Terms 1/3

Deviating from normal.

i.e. aberrant conduction in the heart

A mnemonic device that spells out a WORD.

i.e. SCUBA, RADAR

78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen and about 1% "other" gases

• The pH of arterial blood is 7.4 (plus or minus 0.05, so 7.35-7.45) therefore... Alkaline is greater than 7.45 which is outside of the normal range.  
• "acid-alkaline balance"

• A change in the way a person thinks and behaves that may signal disease in the central nervous system or elsewhere in the body.
• NOT the same as "decreased level of consciousness"

The environment surrounding on all sides.

i.e. ambient temperature or ambient noise

AKA the Sternal Angle, is the angle between the sternum and manubrium.

• Interfere with the growth of bacteria (they are bacteriostatic).
• Do NOT work against viruses.

Inability to swallow.

• 1. Motor aphasia: "expressive" aphasia, inability to speak
• 2. Sensory aphasia: "receptive" aphasia, inability to understand speech

Because the Hering-Bruer Reflex is not working, they inhale, and stay there too long, not exhaling when their lungs are full.

"Without rhythm"

Bad or abnormal rhythm

Weakened or diluted

When brain cells die after the heart and lungs stop functioning which begins occurring after 4-6 minutes.

• to make pale
• i.e. checking cap refill

Usually very short IV tubing with a larger lumen; helpful for severe shock.

A mass (given all at once). 

i.e. Meds given as a bolus, large "wad" of food

A color coded system that helps clinicians decide what doses of medications to administer and what size medical equipment is needed based on the infant's height and weight.

Located posterior to the heart, a slit in the diaphragm.  Often incompetent resulting in "reflux" of gastric contents back up into the throat (aka "heartburn").

Any kind of release. 

i.e. Sorbitol added to activated charcoal works like a cathartic to clear the poison

At or near the tail end of the body (NOT the foot end).

Capable of burning tissue by chemical reaction.  Used to describe acid or alkali burns.

As coronary arteries gradually become blocked, the heart muscle opens up additional avenues for blood around the blockage.

Part of the neuro assessment.

i.e. When you shine a light into only one eye, both pupils should respond together

Touching or in close contact.

Breath or lung sound. AKA "Rales"

Provide the final solution.

Breathing with the diaphragm rather than the intercostals, usually due to inability to take a deep breath.  Can be a likely indicator of a spinal cord injury in the neck

Make or become wider, larger, or more open.

"Brought forth" 

i.e. Eliciting a response.

A gland that secretes hormones directly into the blood stream to carry out an effect at some distant location, or on a distant gland.

The study of the CAUSE of a disorder or disease.

i.e. The etiology of most cardiac dysrhythmias is hypoxia.

To make worse.

A medicine that promotes the secretion of sputum by the air passages, used esp. to treat coughs.

i.e. Robitussin increases coughing in order to clear the junk out of your lungs.

to bleed massively, or to "bleed out"

"Fractional inspired oxygen" The normal FiO₂ is 21%. 

i.e. Placing supplemental oxygen on the patient increases the FiO_2.

Normally 250-500 mL run in IV "wide open", then reduced to TKO.  It is important to check vital signs, breath sounds, and for SOB. 

1000 mL run in "wide open", then reduced to TKO. It is important to check vital signs, breath sounds, and for SOB. 

Modern term for 'fungi'.

Within in an hour, from the time of the accident, a trauma patient can reach a surgical table, their odds of survival are greatly improved. 

In the field, it is the goal to see that TRAUMA patients leave the scene within 10 minutes of EMS arrival.

i.e. Studies have shown clearly that long work-ups, IV's and splinting do NOT improve the patient's condition; how quickly the patient gets to surgery will. 

Heat cramps have replaced large amounts of fluid (water) without salt.  Salty solutions or salts help this condition. 

Occur when you don't supply the muscle with enough oxygen, often because the blood has thickened and slowed down due to dehydration secondary to sweating.  Condition improves through muscle massage. 

The percentage of all solids vs. liquids in blood, about 45% is normal.

AKA "hyperbaric chamber/ REcompression chamber" A specially equipped pressure vessel used to administer pure oxygen.  Often used to treat severe burns or possibly pressure sores. 

AKA "hypercapnia" High levels of carbon dioxide in the blood. Refers to high PCO₂ (Partial pressure carbon dioxide).

Abnormally DEEP breathing.

An increase in RATE of breathing.

A unique or distinct origin to a disease, sometimes as "unknown origin".

Muscle + change

i.e. Epinephrine and digitalis have positive inotropic effects on the heart by increasing contractility.

"built in"

i.e. The intrinsic rate of the heart is either a NUMBER (about 72) or it is a RANGE of numbers (60-100).

A bump located on the lowest bone of the pelvis. 

Internal diameter of a tube.

i.e. lumen of a blood vessel, endotracheal tube, IV. 

The over-softening of the skin. 

i.e. Removing a band aid after a long amount of time, the skin has been macerated. 

The inner or central part of an organ. 

A memory tool.

• Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureas
• A common skin bacteria that has become resistant to the common treatment protocol. 

An agent used to thin mucus. 

Considered to be an extension of your surface skin (contiguous with it). 

i.e. The bladder and intestine are lined with mucous membranes.

Any salt or ester of nitrous acid.

A statement about or a measurement of the osmotic pressure. Similar to osmolarity or tonicity.

i.e. Adding an IV of D₅W to the body will decrease the osmolality of the blood because it acts as a hypotonic solution.

Does not involve sensation referring to motor functions.  

The variables, the limits, or the conditions which affect whatever is being discussed. 

"Classic" or closely tied to a particular disease.

i.e. A pathognomonic sign for CVA is sudden onset of hemiplegia without any prior traumatic history. 

Something that comes before. 

i.e. A PVC landing on a T wave may be the precursor to V-fib. 

For protection.

Uses the color of the blood to estimate the oxygen saturation level.

"Bilateral, symmetrical, periorbital ecchymosis"

 

The flowing back of a liquid, often referring to gastric relux or gastroesophageal reflux.

A life-threatening metabolic disorder in young children, of uncertain cause but sometimes precipitated by aspirin.  It is advised to use other ways to control temperature and discomfort in children with colds or viral infections. 

Any of several classes of intracellular signals acting at or situated within the plasma membrane and translating electrical or chemical messages from the environment into cellular responses.

• "Self contained breathing apparatus"
• SCBA's and SCUBA are used to provide oxygen.  Regulators come with a purge button as many demand valves do.  These demand valves can pose dangerous when used on a unconscious patient by risking filling the stomach with oxygen. 

Relationship of meanings.

i.e. Jerk, or SOB 

Hiding or being kept away from.

The change of a serologic test from negative to positive, indicating the development of antibodies in response to infection or immunization.

A rapid and progressive deterioration or depressed state of the vital body functions brought about by an insufficient supply oxygenated blood being delivered to the tissues. 

Will have most other signs of MI, just NO pain.

An abnormal breath sound indicating some sort of upper airway obstruction.  The sound is loud and rounded. 

Narrowing of a passage.

i.e. Aortic stenosis, coronary stenosis, mitral stenosis, esophageal stenosis.

• An agent that changes surface tension.  
• SURF-ace ACT-ive A-ge-NT

A collection of signs and symptoms that point to a single underlying problem. 

A state of strong muscular contraction. 

i.e. Occurs with hypocalcemia, black widow spider bite, or infection from the tetanus bacterium.

• AKA "Orthostatic vitals or Postural vitals"
• A drop of 20 mmHg in BP or rise in pulse of 20 in supine, Fowler's with legs dangling over the side, and standing.  The tilt test indicates if a patient is hypovolemic.

To measure out. 

The amount of crystalloids. Related to osmolality or osmolarity.

i.e. Tonicity of the solution

In civil law, a personal injury.

i.e. Paramedics could be sued under tort law.

When an EMT transfers a patient to a Paramedic, RN, or MD.  Must be face-to-face, and should include a briefing on what was found and what was done. 

Used by physicians to mean that there is nothing significant to point out. 

• 70-75% is saturated with oxygen upon its return to the right heart and lungs.
• "under saturated blood"

Designed to deliver a flow that is barely above normal air in order to avoid depressing respiratory drive with excessive oxygen. 

A structure arising dorsally from a vertebral centrum and enclosing the spinal cord.  This arch is made up of the "LAMINA".

A solution that is sticky or gummy.

i.e. Dehydration increases the viscosity of the blood, making it thicker (or stickier).

Jelly-like fluid behind the eye lens that can be replaced by injecting saline in its place in case of loss. 

• Vancomycin Resistant Enterococcus
• A common intestinal bacteria that has become resistant to one of our strongest antibiotics.

Front of the forearm.

Equivalent to Joules.

"Failing to prepare, is preparing to fail." 

means "in total"

means "in life" (in living tissue, how it happens or how it works in the body)

means "in glass" (in a glass dish this drug kills that bacteria, but that does not necessarily mean it will do the same thing inside a human body)

moving a limb away from the midsagittal plane

moving a limb toward the midsagittal plane

moving toward a central object, as a sensory nerve signal traveling to the brain is afferent

pertaining to the front side of the body

pertaining to the tail end

refers to structures that are at the center

pertaining to the head

pertaining to the skull (or head)

refers to organs or structures that are found deep within the body

used with limbs- more distant measured from the armpit or groin crease (the point of origin of the limb)

the BACK surface of the body

bending the hand at the wrist backward is dorsiflexion, as is curling the toes upward

moving away from a central object, as a motor nerve signal traveling from the brain is efferent

movement of a body part to straighten out the angle at a joint, or straighten

movement of a body part at a joint to bend or decrease the angle

lower down

to the side- from the midsagittal plane

• also called "external rotation"
• rotating a limb from the anatomical position outward 

to the middle- to the midsagittal plane

• also called "internal rotation"
• rotating a limb from the anatomical position inward

away from the center, as in peripheral nervous nervous system

pertaining to the rear side of the body

meaning "to change to prone" therefore it involves turning the palm to face downward (or prone)

used with limbs- "closer to" measured from the armpit or groin crease (the point of origin of the limb)

as in suprasternal retractions, a sign of respiratory distress

closer to the surface

higher up

meaning "to change to supine" therefor it involves turning the palm to face upward (or supine)

the BELLY surface of the body

the frontal plane runs through the "midline" and is actually the mid-axillary plane (or mid-axillary line running straight down the center of the armpit)

plane running through the center of the body separating it into right and left halves

• also called "horizontal plane" separates the body into top and bottom halves

the area down either side of the sternum where there is cartilage connecting the sternum to the ribs

• the area down either side of the spine where the ribs connect to the spinal vertebrae

also corresponds to the mid-nipple line in the male

looking from the side, a line drawn vertically downward from the front fold of the armpit

looking from the side, a line drawn vertically downward from the middle of the armpit

looking from the side, a line drawn vertically downward from the back fold of the armpit

a line drawn vertically down the back from the center of the scapula

"...without the patient's consent" or without their understanding the consequences if they refuse care

"Secondary" type of respiratory muscles, but should be viewed as a "third" type.  Diaphragm is first, external intercostals is second.  Use of accessory muscles indicate severe respiratory distress in the patient.

the hip joint or hip socket

Newer term describing a spectrum of clinical diseases that are acute... In the field we are really dealing with acute coronary syndromes since diagnoses can not be made until later.

Occurring during the period when circulation to a region of the heart is obstructed and necrosis is occurring.

AKA EMT-Intermediate or EMT-II

Located on top of the kidney. Produce hormones that help control heart rate, blood pressure, the way the body uses food, the levels of minerals such as sodium and potassium in the blood, and other functions particularly involved in stress reactions.  Release epinephrine (or adrenaline).

Not in the usual place, really unusual.

pertaining to or associated with agony (especially death agonies), "death like"

• Apparent Life Threatening Event
• Refers to a sudden event, often characterized by apnea or other abrupt changes in the child's behavior. Symptoms include one or more of the following: apnea, change in color or muscle tone, coughing, or gagging.

• Abnormal widening or ballooning of a portion of an artery due to weakness in the wall of the blood vessel.

patient is unable to remember what they were doing for the 10-30 minutes right before the injury

The top or highest part of something.

• i.e. apex of the heart

• the cecum is the first portion of the large intestine

Blood vessel made up of smooth muscle and carries blood away from the heart at fairly high pressures.  

thickening, hardening and loss of elasticity of the walls of the arteries. 

Form of arteriosclerosis characterized by deposits of fat and cholesterol within the muscular wall of an artery. 

A drawing of something in, out, up, or through by or as if by suction. The withdrawal of fluid or friable tissue from the body.

The accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity, causing abdominal swelling.  

putting a person in reasonable fear of harm; threatening them with injury.

actual touching of a person without their consent

refers to a condition of "stale air" in the lungs

• otherwise known as a "demand valve" that ventilates a non-breathing patient based on the time and tidal volume settings you select

Alert > Verbal > Physical stimulus or greater > Painful > Unresponsive