Paramedic Program Entrance Exam

A medical legal term relating to certain personnel who either by statue or by function have a responsibility to provide care.

Failure to provide the same care that a person with similar training would provide.

Allows the EMT to contact a physician from the field via radio or other means to obtain instructions on further care of a patient.

When the EMT does not act within an expected and reasonable standard of care.

Unilateral termination of care by the EMT without the patients consent and without making provisions for transferring care to another medical professional with skills at the same level or higher.

Being there for the patient and family

A system of internal and external reviews of all aspects of the EMS system

Refusal to accept diagnosis or care, unrealistic demands for miracles, or persistent failure to understand why there is no improvement.

The contraction, or period of contraction of the heart, especially that of the ventricles

The relaxation, or period of relaxation of the heart, especially the ventricles

The circulation of oxygenated blood within an organ or tissue in adequate amounts to meet the cells current needs

Decreased blood flow through an organ.

A bluish-gray skin color that is caused by reduced levels of oxygen in the blood.

A yellow skin or sclera color that is caused by liver disease or dysfunction.

A combination of two movements to open the airway by tilting the forehead back and lifting the chin, not used for trauma patients.

A pattern of breathing seen in complete (or almost) complete) airway obstruction. As the patient attempts to breathe, the diaphragm descends, causing the abdomen to lift and the chest to sink. The reverse happens as the diaphragm relaxes

An imprecise method of oxygen delivery in which an oxygen source (such as a tube connected to a pressurized gas canister) discharges oxygen in front of the nostrils or mouth of the patient.

constriction of the airways in the lungs due to the tightening of surrounding smooth muscle, with consequent coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.

Maintaining neutral position of head and neck while extending jaw forward.  A manuever used for upper airway control of patient with suspected spinal injury

An abbreviation for key terms used in evaluating a patients signs and symptoms: onset, provocation or palliation, quality, region/radiation, severity, timing of pain

A mnemonic for assessment in which each area of the body is evaluated for Deformities, Contusions, Abrasions, Punctures/Penetrations, Burns, Tenderness, Lacerations and Swelling

A brief history of a patients condition to determine signs and symptoms, allergies, medications, pertinent past history, last oral intake, and events leading to the injury or illness

A condition in which the bodys cells and tissues do not have enough oxygen

A condition in which seizures recur every few minutes, or last more than 30 minutes

fainting spell or transient loss of consciousness

Disruption in a joint in which ligaments are damaged and the bone ends are completely displaced

Death by suffocation by submersion in water

survival, at least temporarily, after suffocation in water

A mental disorder marked by alternating periods of elation and depression

a long-term mental disorder of a type involving a breakdown in the relation between thought, emotion, and behavior, leading to faulty perception, inappropriate actions and feelings, withdrawal from reality and personal relationship

A persistent mood of sadness, despair, and discouragement; may be a symptom of many different mental disorders, or it may be a disorder on its own.

an extreme or irrational fear of or aversion to something

An injury that occurs because of pressure from a heavy object onto a body part

A temporary loss of alteration of part or all of the brains abilities to function without actual physical damage to the brain

An injury in which soft tissue is either torn completely loose or is hanging as a flap

the displacement of organs outside the body

* Full thickness burns covering less than 2% of the total body surface area
* Partial thickness burns covering less than 15% of the total body surface area
* Superficial burns covering less than 50% of the total body surface area

* Full thickness burns covering less than 2% to 10% of the total body surface area
* Partial thickness burns covering less than 15% to 30% of the total body surface area
* Superficial burns covering more than 50% of the total body surface area

* Full thickness burns involving the hands, feet, face, upper airway, genitals, or circumferential burns of other areas
* Full thickness burns covering more than 10% of the bodys total surface area
* Partial thickness burns covering more than 30% of the bodys total surface area
* Burns associated with respiratory injury (smoke inhalation or inhalation injury)
* Burns complicated by fractures
* Burns on patients younger than 5 years or older than 55 years that would be classified as "moderate" on young adults

When a burn injury completely encircles the torso, leg, or arm.

superficial burn

partial thickness burn

a burn that affects all the skin layers and may affect the subcutaneous layers, muscle, bine, and internal organs, leaving the area dry, leathery, and white, dark-brown or charred; traditionally called a third degree burn

A method of assessing a patients level of consciousness by determining whether a patient is AWAKE and alert, responsive to VERBAL stimulus or PAIN, or UNRESPONSIVE, used principally in the initial assessment

A sharp or smooth cut

Loss or damage of the superficial layer of skin as a result of a body part rubbing or scraping across a rough or hard surface

A jagged open wound

Involuntary muscle contractions (spasm) of the abdominal wall in an effort to protect the inflamed abdomen, a sign of peritonitis

refers to pain upon removal of pressure rather than application of pressure to the abdomen. It is indicative of peritonitis

inflammation of the peritoneum, the lining of the inner wall of the abdomen and cover of the abdominal organs.

an abnormal posturing in which a person is stiff with bent arms, clenched fists, and legs held out straight. The arms are bent in toward the body and the wrists and fingers are bent and held on the chest. This type of posturing is a sign of severe damage in the brain

abnormal body posture that involves the arms and legs being held straight out, the toes being pointed downward, and the head and neck being arched backward. The muscles are tightened and held rigidly. This type of posturing usually means there has been severe damage to the brain