EMS Exam 3 Vocab

A condition in which the layers of the aorta in the abdomen weaken. This causes blood to leak between the layers of the artery, causing it to bulge and sometimes rupture.

Seizures that are characterized by a brief lapse of attention. The patient may stare and not respond; also known as petit mal seizures.

The sudden onset of abdominal pain caused by disease or trauma that irritates the lining of the abdominal cavity and requires immediate medical or surgical treatment.

Chest pain with squeezing or tightness in the chest caused by an inadequate flow of blood to the heart muscle.

A disease in which the airway becomes narrowed and inflamed, resulting in episodes of shortness of breath because of air being trapped in the small air sacs of the lungs.

A disease characterized by a thickening and destruction of the arterial walls and caused by fatty deposits within them; the arteries lose the ability to dilate and carry blood.

Inflammation of the airways in the lungs.

Sudden cessation of heart function.

A slow process of destruction of the airways, alveoli, and pulmonary blood vessels caused by chronic bronchial obstruction (emphysema).

A disease in which the body is unable to use glucose normally because of a deficiency or total lack of insulin.

A state of unconsciousness that occurs when the body has too much glucose and not enough insulin.

Difficulty or pain with breathing.

Seizures characterized by contraction that may last for 1 to 2 minutes of all the body's muscle groups; also known as grand mal seizures.

Condition that occurs in a diabetic who has taken too much insulin or has not eaten enough food.

A medication used to treat angina pectoris; increases blood flow and oxygen supply to the heart muscle and reduces or eliminates the pain of angina pectoris.

A brain attack caused by a blood clot or a broken blood vessel in the brain. Strokes can result in trouble speaking, inability to move parts of the body, confusion, or unconsciousness.

A chemical substance with a pH of less than 7.0 that can cause severe burns.

Stimulants that produce a general mood elevation, improve task performance, suppress appetite, or prevent sleepiness.

Severe shock caused by an allergic reaction to food, medicine, or insect stings.

Drugs that depress the nervous system; they can alter the state of consciousness so that the person may appear drowsy or peaceful.

A chemical with a pH of greater than 7.0. Bases are also called caustics or alkalis.

A colorless, odorless, poisonous gas formed by incomplete combustion, such as in a fire.

The brain and spinal cord.

A powerful stimulant that induces an extreme state of euphoria. Legitimately, it is a potent local anesthetic. On the street, it is commonly known as coke. Crack cocaine, crack, or rock is a solid, smokable form of cocaine.

A state of unconsciousness from which the patient cannot be aroused.

A severe, often fatal, complication of alcohol withdrawal that most commonly occurs 3 to 4 days after withdrawal (though it can occur as late as 10 days after withdrawal). It is characterized by restlessness, fever, sweating, confusion, disorientation, agitation, hallucinations, and convulsions.

Chemicals that cause a person to see visions or hear sounds that are not real.

An allergic skin disorder marked by patches of swelling, redness, and intense itching.

Any substance that may cause injury or death if relatively small amounts are ingested, inhaled, or absorbed, or applied to, or injected into the body.

A complete unit for delivery of air to a rescuer who enters a contaminated area; contains a mask, regulator, and air supply.

Poisonous.

Situations in which patients exhibit abnormal behavior that is unacceptable or cannot be tolerated by the patients themselves or by family, friends, or the community.

A system of psychological support designed to reduce stress on emergency personnel.

A state of shock caused by sudden illness, accident, or death of a loved one.

The ability to participate in another person's feelings or ideas.

A severe form of anxiety characterized by flashbacks to a traumatic event, depression, sleep disturbances, and guilt.

Mental disturbance characterized by defective or lost contact with reality.

A means of focusing the patient's attention on the immediate situation or crisis.

Rephrasing a patient's own statement to show that he or she is being heard and understood by the rescuer.

A state of emotional upset or turmoil caused by a sudden and disruptive event.

Self-inflicted death.

Suffocation because of submersion in water or other fluids.

Partial or complete freezing of the skin and deeper tissues caused by exposure to the cold.

Muscle spasms that usually occur after vigorous exercise in hot weather and are generally relieved by rest and drinking water.

A form of shock that occurs when the body loses too much water and too many electrolytes through very heavy sweating after exposure to heat.

A condition of rapidly rising internal body temperature that occurs when the body's mechanisms for the release of heat are overwhelmed. Untreated heatstroke can result in death.

A condition in which the internal body temperature falls below 95°F after prolonged exposure to cool or freezing temperatures.

A spasm of the muscles of the larynx or vocal cords resulting in an inability to breathe.

An injury resulting from being under water or other fluid.