Vital Vocabulary Flashcards
(240 cards)
1
Q
Advanced EMT (AEMT)
A
An individual who has training in specific aspects of advanced life support, such as intravenous therapy, and the administration of certain emergency medications.
2
Q
Advanced Life Support (ALS)
A
Advanced lifesaving procedures, some of which are now being provided by the EMT.
3
Q
Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)
A
Comprehensive legislation that is designed to protect people with disabilities against discrimination.
4
Q
Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
A
A device that detects treatable, life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias (ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia) and delivers the appropriate electrical shock to the patient.
5
Q
Certification
A
A process in which a person, an institution, or a program is evaluated and recognized as meeting certain predetermined standards to provide safe and ethical care.
6
Q
Community Paramedicine
A
A health care model in which experienced paramedics receive advanced training to equip them to provide additional services in the prehospital environment, such as heal evaluations, monitoring of chronic illnesses or conditions, and patient advocacy.
7
Q
Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI)
A
A system of internal and external reviews and audits of all aspects of an EMS system.
Circular System: Plan, Do, Study, Act
8
Q
Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD)
A
A system that assists dispatchers in selecting appropriate units to respond to a particular call for assistance and provides callers with vital instructions until the arrival of EMS crews.
9
Q
Emergency Medical Responder (EMR)
A
The first trained professional, such as a police officer, firefighter, lifeguard, or other rescuer, to arrive at the scene of an emergency to provide initial medical assistance.
10
Q
Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
A
A multidisciplinary system that represents the combined efforts of several professionals and agencies to provide prehospital emergency care to the sick and injured.
11
Q
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
A
An individual who has training in basic life support, including automated external defibrillation, use of a definitive airway adjunct, and assisting patients with certain medications.
12
Q
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
A
Federal legislation passed in 1996. Its main effect in EMS is in limiting availability of patients’ health care information and penalizing violations of patient privacy.
13
Q
Intravenous (IV) Therapy
A
The delivery of medication directly into a vein.
14
Q
Licensure
A
The process whereby a competent authority, usually the state, allows people to perform a regulated act.
15
Q
Medical Control
A
Physician instructions given directly by radio or cell phone (online/direct) or indirectly by protocol/guidelines (off-line/indirect), as authorized by the medical director of the service program.
16
Q
Medical Director
A
The physician who authorizes or delegates to the EMT the authority to provide medical care in the field.
17
Q
Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH)
A
A method of delivering health care which involves providing health care within the community rather than at a physician’s office or hospital.
18
Q
National EMS Scope of Practice Model
A
A document created by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that outlines the skills performed by various EMS Providers.
19
Q
Paramedic
A
An individual who has extensive training in advanced life support, including endotracheal intubation, emergency pharmacology, cardiac monitoring, and other advanced assessment and treatment skills.
20
Q
Primary Prevention
A
Efforts to prevent an injury or illness from happening.
21
Q
Primary Service Area (PSA)
A
The designated area in which the EMS agency is responsible for the provision of prehospital emergency care and transportation to the hospital.
22
Q
Public Safety Access Point
A
A call center, staffed by trained personnel who are responsible for managing requests for police, fire, and ambulance services.
23
Q
Quality Control
A
The responsibility of the medical director to ensure the appropriate medical care standards are met by EMTs on each call.
24
Q
Secondary Prevention
A
Efforts to limit the effects of an injury or illness that you cannot completely prevent.
25
Acute Stress Reaction
Reactions to stress that occur during a stressful situation.
26
Airborne Transmission
The spread of an organism via droplets or dust.
27
Bloodborne Pathogens
Pathogenic microorganisms that are present in human blood and can cause disease in humans. These pathogens include, but are not limited to, hepatitis B virus and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
28
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
The primary federal agency that conducts and supports public health activities in the United States. The CDC is part of the US department of health and human services.
29
Communicable Disease
A disease that can be spread from one person or species to another.
30
Concealment
The use of objects to limit a person's visibility of you.
31
Contamination
The presence of infectious organisms on or in objects such as dressings, water, food, needles, wounds, or a patient's body.
32
Cover
The tactical use of an impenetrable barrier for protection.
33
Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM)
A process that confronts the responses to critical incidents and defuses them, directing the emergency services personnel toward physical and emotional equilibrium.
34
Cumulative Stress Reactions
Prolonged or excessive stress.
35
Delayed Stress Reactions
Reactions to stress that occur after a stressful situation.
36
Designated Officer
The individual in the department who is charged with the responsibility of managing exposures and infection control issues.
37
Direct Contact
Exposire or transmission of a communicable disease from one person to another by physical contact.
38
Exposure
A situation in which a person has had contact with blood, body fluids, tissues, or airborne particles in a manner that suggests disease transmission may occur.
39
Foodborne transmission
The contamination of food or water with an organism that can cause disease.
40
General Adaptation Syndrome
The body's response to stress that begins with an alarm response, followed by a stage of reaction and resistance , and then recovery or, if the stress is prolonged, exhaustion.
41
Hepatitis
Inflammatory of the liver, usually caused by a viral infection, that causes fever, loss of appetite, jaundice, fatigue, and altered liver function.
42
Host
The organism or individual that is attacked by the infecting agent.
43
Human Immunodeficiency Virus
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is caused by HIV, which damages the cells in the body's immune system so that the body is unable to fight infection and certain cancers.
44
Immune
The body's ability to protect itself from acquiring a disease.
45
Indirect contact
Exposure or transmission of disease from one person to another by contact with a contaminated object.
46
Infection
THe abnormal invasion of a host or hose tissues by organisms such as bacteria, viruses, or parasites, with or without signs or symptoms of disease.
47
Infection Control
Procedures to reduce transmission of infection among patients and health care personnel.
48
Infectious Disease
A medical condition cause by the growth and spread of small, harmful organisms within the body.
49
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
The federal regulatory compliance agency that develops, publishes, and enforces guidelines concerning safety in the workplace.
50
Pathogen
A microorganism that is capable of causing disease in a susceptible host.
51
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Protective equipment that blocks exposure to a pathogen or a hazardous material.
52
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
A delayed stress reaction to a prior incident. Often the result of one or more unresolved issues concerning the incident, and may relate to an incident that involved physical harm or the threat or physical harm.
53
Transmission
The way in which an infectious disease is spread: contact, airborne, by vehicles, or by vectors.
54
Standard Precautions
Protective measures that have traditionally been developed by the CDC for use in dealing with objects, blood, body fluids, and other potential exposure risks of communicable diseases.
55
Vector-Borne Transmission
The use of an animal to spread an organism from one person or place to another.
56
Auscultate
To listen with a stethoscope
57
Palpate
To feel
58
Bradypnea
Respiratory rate < normal
59
Tachypnea
Respiratory rate > normal
60
Abandonment
Unilateral termination of care by the EMT without the patient's consent and without making provisions for transferring care to another medical professional with the skills and training necessary to meet the needs of the patient.
61
Advance Directive
Written documentation that specifies medical treatment for a competent patient should the patient become unable to make decisions; also called a living will or health care directive.
62
Applied Ethics
The manner in which principles of ethics are incorporated into professional conduct.
63
Assault
Unlawfully placing a patient in fear of bodily harm.
64
Battery
Unlawfully touching a patient or providing emergency care without consent.
65
Bioethics
The study of ethics related to issues that arise in health care.
66
Breach of confidentiality
Disclosure of information without proper authorization.
67
Certification
A process by which a person, an institution, or a program is evaluated and recognized as meeting certain predetermined standards
68
Compensatory Damages
Damages awarded in a civil lawsuit that are intended to restore the plaintiff to the same condition that he or she was in prior to the incident.
69
Competent
Able to make rational decisions about personal well-being.
70
Consent
Permission to render care.
71
Contributory Negligence
A legal defense that may be raised when the defendant feels that the conduct of the plaintiff somehow contributed to any injuries or damages that were sustained by the plaintiff.
72
Credentialing
An established process to determine the qualifications necessary to be allowed to practice a particular profession, or to function as an organization.
73
Decision-making capacity
Ability to understand and process information and make a choice regarding appropriate medical care.
74
Defamation
The communication of false information about a person that is damaging to that person's reputation or standing in the community.
75
Dependent lividity
Blood settling to the lowest point of the body, causing discoloration of the skin; a definitive sign of death.
76
Depositions
Oral questions asked of parties and witnesses under oath.
77
Discovery
The phase of a civil lawsuit where the plaintiff and defense obtain information from each other that will enable the attorneys to have a better understanding of the case and which will assist in negotiating a possible settlement or in preparing for trial. Discovery includes depositions, interrogatories, and demands for production of records.
78
DNR Order
Do not resuscitate Order. Written documentation by a physician giving permission to medical personnel not to attempt resuscitation in the event of cardiac arrest.
79
Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care
A type of advance directive executed by a competent adult that appoints another individual to make medical treatment decisions on his or her behalf, in the event that the person making the appointment loses decision-making capacity.
80
Duty to Act
A medicolegal term relating to certain personnel who either by statute or by function have a responsibility to provide care.
81
Emancipated Minors
A person who is under the legal age in a given state by, because of other circumstances, is legally considered an adult.
82
Emergency
A serious situation, such as injury or illness that threatens the life or welfate of a person or group of people and requires immediate intervention.
83
Emergency Doctrine
The principle of law that permits a health care provider to treat a patient in an emergency situation when the patient is incapable of granting consent because of an altered level of consciousness, disability, the effects of drugs or alcohol, or the patient's age.
84
Emergency medical care
Immediate care or treatment.
85
Ethics
The philosophy of right and wrong, of moral duties, and of ideal professional behavior.
86
Expressed consent
A type of consent in which a patient gives verbal or nonverbal authorization for provision of care or transport.
87
False Imprisonment
The confinement of a person without legal authority or the person's consent.
88
Forcible Restraint
The act of physically preventing an individual from initiating any physical action.
89
Good Samaritan Laws
Statutory provisions enacted by many states to protect citizens from liability for errors and omissions in giving good faith emergency medical care, unless there is wanton, gross, or willful negligence.
90
Governmental Immunity
Legal doctrine that can protect an EMS provider from being sued or which may limit the amount of the monetary judgment that the plaintiff may recover; generally applies only to EMS systems that are operated by municipalities or other governmental entities.
91
Gross Negligence
Conduct that constitutes a willful or reckless disregard for a duty or standard of care.
92
Health Care Directive
A written document that specifies medical treatment for a competent patient, should he or she become unable to make decisions. Also known as an advance directive or living will.
93
Health Care Proxies
A type of advance directive executed by a competent adult that appoints another individual to make medical treatment decisions on his or her behalf in the event that the person making the appointment loses decisions making capacity. Also known as a durable power of attorney for healthcare.
94
Implied Consent
A type of consent in which a patient who is unable to give consent is given treatment under the legal assumption that he or she would want treatment.
95
Informed Consent
Permission for treatment given by a competent patient after the potential risks, benefits, and alternatives to treatment have been explained.
96
In loco parentis
Refers to the legal responsibility of a person or organization to take on some of the functions and responsibilities of a parent.
97
Interrogatories
Written questions that the defense and plaintiff send to one another.
98
Kidnapping
The seizing, confining, abducting, or carrying away of a person by force, including transporting a competent adult for medical treatment without his or her consent.
99
Libel
False and damaging information about a person that is communicated in writing.
100
Licensure
The process whereby a competent authority, usually the state, allows people to perform a regulated act.
101
Medicolegal
A term relating to medical jurisprudence (law) or forensic medicine.
102
Morality
A code of conduct that can be defined by society, religion, or a person, affecting character, conduct, and conscience.
103
Negligence
Failure to provide the same care that a person with similar training would provide.
104
Negligence per se
A theory that may be used when the conduct of the person being sued is alleged to have occurred in clear violation of a statute.
105
Patient Autonomy
The right of a patient to make informed choices regarding his or her health care.
106
Protected Health Information (PHI)
Any information about health status, provision of healthcare, or payment for health care that can be linked to an individual. This is interpreted rather broadly and includes any part of a patient's medical record or payment history.
107
Proximate Causation
When a person who has a duty abuses it, and causes harm to another individual, the EMT, the agency, and/or the medical director may be sued for negligence.
108
Punitive Damages
Damages that are sometimes awarded in a civil lawsuit when the conduct of the defendant was intentional or constituted a reckless disregard for the safety of the public.
109
Putrefaction
Decomposition of body tissues; a definitive sign of death.
110
Res ipsa loquitor
When the EMT or an EMS system is held liable even when the plaintiff is unable to clearly demonstrate how an injury occurred.
111
Rigor Mortis
Stiffening of the body muscles; a definitive sign of death.
112
Scope of Practice
Most commonly defined by state law; outlines the care that the EMT is able to provide for the patient.
113
Slander
False and damaging information about a person that is communicated by the spoken word.
114
Standard of Care
Written, accepted levels of emergency care expected by reason of training and profession; written by legal or professional organizations so that patients are not exposed to unreasonable risk or harm.
115
Statute of Limitations
The time within which a case must be commenced.
116
Tort
A wrongful act that gives rise to a civil lawsuit.
117
Base station
Any radio hardware containing a transmitter and receiver that is located in a fixed place.
118
Cellular telephone
A low-power portable radio that communicates through an interconnected series of repeater stations called "cells."
119
Channel
An assigned frequency or frequencies that are used to carry voice and/or data communcations.
120
Closed-ended questions
Questions that can be answered in short or single word responses.
121
Communication
The transmission of information to another person - verbally or through body language.
122
Cultural Imposition
When one person imposes his or her beliefs, values, and practices on another because he or she believe his or her ideals are superior.
123
Dedicated Line
A special telephone line that is used for specific point-to-point communcations; also known as a hotline.
124
Documentation
The recorded portion of the EMT's patient interaction, either written or electronic. This becomes part of the patient's permanent medical record.
125
Duplex
The ability to transmit and receive simultaneously.
126
Ethnocentrism
When a person considers his or her own cultural values as more important when interacting with people of a different culture.
127
Federal Communication Commission (FCC)
The federal agency that has jurisdiction over interstate and international telephone and telegraph services and satellite communications, all of which may involve EMS activity.
128
Interoperable Communications System
A communication system that uses voice-over-Internet-protocol (VoIP) technology to allow multiple agencies to communicate and transmit data.
129
MED Channels
VHF and UHF channels that the Federal Communications Commission has designated exclusively for EMS use.
130
Mobile data terminal (MDT)
A small computer terminal inside the ambulance that directly receives data from the dispatch center.
131
Multiplex
The ability to transmit audio and data signals through the use of more than one communications channel.
132
Noise
Anything that dampens or obscures the true meaning of a message.
133
Open-ended questions
Questions for which the patient must provide detail to give an answer.
134
Paging
The use of a radio signal and a voice or digital message that is transmitted to pagers ("beepers") or desktop monitor radios.
135
Patient Care Report (PCR)
The legal document used to record all patient care activities. This report has direct patient care functions but also administrative and quality control functions. PCRs are also known as prehospital care reports.
136
Rapport
A trusting relationship that you build with your patient.
137
Repeater
A special base station radio that receives messages and signals on one frequency and then automatically retransmits them on a second frequency.
138
Scanner
A radio receiver that searches or "scans" across several frequencies until the message is completed; the process is then repeated.
139
Simplex
Single-frequency radio; transmissions can occur in either direction but not simultaneously in both; when one party transmits, the other can only receive, and the party that is transmitting is unable to receive.
140
Standing Orders
Written documents, signed by the EMS system's medical director, that outline specific directions, permissions, and sometimes prohibitions regarding patient care; also called protocols.
141
Telemetry
A process in which electronic signals are converted into coded, audible signals; these signals can then be transmitted by radio or telephone to a receiver with a decoder at the hospital.
142
Therapeutic Communications
Verbal and nonverbal communication techniques that encourage patients to express their feelings and to achieve a positive relationship.
143
Trunking
Telecommunication systems that allow a computer to maximize utilization of a group of frequencies.
144
UHF (Ultra-high frequency)
Radio frequencies between 300 and 3,000 MHz
145
VHF (very high frequency)
Radio frequencies between 30 and 300 MHz; the VHF spectrum is further divided into "high" and "low" bands.
146
Adolescent
A young person age 12 to 18 years.
147
Atherosclerosis
A disorder in which cholesterol and calcium build up inside the walls of the blood vessels, forming plaque, which eventually leads to a partial or complete blockage of blood flow.
148
Barotrauma
Injury caused by pressure to enclosed body surfaces, for example from too much pressure in the lungs.
149
Conventional Reasoning
A type of reasoning in which a child looks for approval from peers and society.
150
Early Adult
A young adult age 19-40 years.
151
Fontanelles
Areas where the neonate's or infant's skull has not fused together; usually disappear at approximately 18 months of age.
152
Infant
A young child age 1 month to 1 year.
153
Life Expectancy
The average number of years a person can be expected to live.
154
Middle Adult
An adult age 41 to 60 years.
155
Moro Reflex
An infant reflex in which, when an infant is caught off guard, the infant opens his or her arms wide, spreads the fingers, and seems to grab at things.
156
Neonate
A newborn age birth to 1 month.
157
Nephrons
The basic filtering units in the kidneys.
158
Older Adult
An adult age 61 years or older.
159
Palmar Grasp
An infant reflex that occurs when something is placed in the infant's palm; the infant grasps the object.
160
Postconventional Reasoning
A type of reasoning in which a child bases decisions on his or her conscience.
161
Preconventional Reasoning
A type of reasoning in which a child acts almost purely to avoid punishment to get what he or she wants.
162
Preschooler
A child age 3 to 6 years.
163
Rooting Reflex
An infant reflex that occurs when something touches an infant's cheek, and the infant instinctively turns his or her head toward the touch.
164
School Age
A person who is 6 to 12 years of age.
165
Sucking Reflex
An infant reflex in which the infant starts sucking when his or her lips are stroked.
166
Toddler
A young child age 1 to 3 years.
167
Trust and mistrust
Refers to a stage of development from birth to approximately 18 months of age, during which infants gain trust of their parents or caregivers if their world is planned, organized, and routine.
168
Accessory Muscles
The secondary muscles of respiration. They include the neck muscles (sternocleidomastoids), the chest pectoralis major muscles, and the abdominal muscles.
169
Altered Mental State
Any deviation from alert and oriented to person, place, time, and event, or any deviation from a patient's normal baseline mental status.
170
Auscultate
To listen to sounds within an organ with a stethoscope.
171
AVPU Scale
A method of assessing the level of consciousness by determining whether the patient is awake and alert, responsive to verbal stimuli or pain, or unresponsive; used principally early in the assessment process.
172
Blood Pressure
The pressure that the blood exerts against the walls of arteries as it passes through them.
173
Bradycardia
A slow heart rate, less than 60 beats/min
174
Breath Sounds
An indication of air movement in the lungs, usually assessed with a stethoscope.
175
Capillary Refill
A test that evaluates distal circulatory system function by squeezing (blanching) blood from an area such as a nail bed and watching the speed of its return after releasing the pressure.
176
Capnography
A noninvasive method to quickly and efficiently provide information on a patient's ventilatory status, circulation, and metabolism; effectively measures the concentration of carbon dioxide in expired air over time.
177
Carbon Dioxide
Carbon Dioxide is a component of air and typically makes up 0.3% of air at sea level; also a waste product exhaled during expiration by the respiratory system.
178
Chief Complaint
The reason a patient called for help; also, the patient's response to questions such as "What's wrong?" or "What happened?"
179
Coagulate
To form a clot to plug an opening in an injured blood vessel and stop bleeding.
180
Conjunctiva
The delicate membrane that lines the eyelids and covers the exposed surface of the eye.
181
Crackles
A crackling, rattling breath sound that signals fluid in the air spaces of the lungs.
182
Crepitus
A grating or grinding sensation caused by fractured bone ends or joints rubbing together; also air bubbles under the skin that produce a crackling sound or crinkly feeling.
183
Cyanosis
A blue-gray skin color that is caused by a reduced level of oxygen in the blood.
184
DCAP-BTLS
A mnemonic for assessment in which each area of the body is evaluated for Deformities, Contusions, Abrasions, Punctures/penetrations, Burns, Tenderness, Lacerations, and Swelling.
185
Diaphoretic
Characterized by light or profuse sweating.
186
Diastolic Pressure
The pressure that remains in the arteries during the relaxing phase of the heart's cycle (diastole) when the left ventricle is at rest.
187
Distracting Injury
Any injury that prevents the patient from noticing other injuries he or she may have, even severe injuries; for example, a painful femur or tibia fracture that prevents the patient from noticing back pain associated with a spinal fracture.
188
Focused Assessment
A type of physical assessment typically performed on patients who have sustained nonsignificant mechanisms of injury or on responsive medical patients. This type of examination is based on the chief complaint and focuses on one body system or part.
189
Frostbite
Damage to tissues as the result of exposure to cold; frozen or partially frozen body parts are frostbitten.
190
General Impression
The overall intial impression that determines the priority for patient care; based on the patient's surroundings, the mechanism of injury, signs and symptoms, and the chief complaint.
191
Golden Hour
The time from injury to definitive care, during which the treatment of shock and traumatic injuries should occur because survival potential is best; also called the Golden Period.
192
Guarding
Involuntary muscle contractions of the abdominal wall to minimize the pain of abdominal movement; a sign of peritonitis.
193
History Taking
A step within the patient assessment process that provides detail about the patient's chief complaint and an account of the patient's signs and symptoms.
194
Hypertension
Blood Pressure that is higher than the normal range.
195
Hypotension
Blood pressure that is lower than the normal range.
196
Hypothermia
A condition in which the internal body temperature falls below 95F (35C) after exposure to a cold environment.
197
Incident Command System
A system implemented to manage disasters and mass- and multiple casualty incidents in which section chiefs, including finance, logistics, operations, and planning, report to the incident commander. Also referred to as the incident management system.
198
Jaundice
Yellow skin or sclera that is caused by liver disease or dysfunction.
199
Labored Breathing
Breathing that requires greater than normal effort; may be slower or faster than normal and characterized by grunting, stridor, and use of accessory muscles.
200
Mechanism of Injury (MOI)
The forces, or energy transmission, applied to the body that cause injury.
201
Metabolism
The biochemical processes that result in production of energy from nutrients within the cells.
202
Nasal Flaring
Widening of the nostrils, indicating that there is an airway obstruction.
203
Nature of Illness (NOI)
The general type of illness a patient is experiencing.
204
OPQRST
A mnemonic used in evaluating a patient's pain: Onset, Provocation/palliation, Quality, Region/Radiation, Severity, and Timing.
205
Orientation
The mental status of a patient as measured by memory of person (name), place (current location), time (current year, month, and approximate date), and event (what happened).
206
Palpate
To examine by touch.
207
Paradoxical Motion
The motion of the portion of the chest wall that is detached in a flail chest; the motion - in during inhalation, out during exhalation - is exactly the opposite of normal chest wall motion during breathing.
208
Perfusion
The flow of blood through body tissues and vessels.
209
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Protective equipment that blocks exposure to a pathogen or a hazardous material.
210
Pertinent Negatives
Negative Findings that warrant no care or intervention.
211
Priapism
A painful, tender, persistent erection of the penis; can result from spinal cord injury, erectile dysfunction drugs, or sickle cell disease.
212
Primary Assessment
A step within the patient assessment process that identifies and initiates treatment of immediate and potential life threats.
213
Pulse
The pressure wave that occurs as each heartbeat causes a surge in the blood circulating through the arteries.
214
Pulse Oximetry
An assessment tool that measures oxygen saturation of hemoglobin in the capillary beds.
215
Reassessment
A step within the patient assessment process performed at regular intervals during the assessment process to indentify and treat changes in a patient's condition. A patient in unstable condition should be reassesssed ever 5 minutes, whereas a patient in stable condition should be reassessed every 15 minutes.
216
Responsiveness
The way in which a patient responds to external stimuli, including verbal stimuli (sound), tactile stimuli (touch), and painful stimuli.
217
Retractions
Movements in which the skin pulls in around the ribs during inspiration.
218
Rhonchi
Coarse, low-pitched breath sounds heart in patients with chronic mucus in the upper airways.
219
SAMPLE History
A brief history of a patient's condition, to determine signs and symptoms, allergies, medications, pertinent past history, last oral intake, and events leading to the injury or illness.
220
Scene Size-up
A step within the patient assessment process that involves a quick assessment of the scene and the surroundings to provide information about scene safety and the mechanism of injury or nature of illness before you enter and begin patient care.
221
Sclera
The tough, fibrous, white portion of the eye that protects the more delicate inner structures.
222
Secondary Assessment
A step within the patient assessment process in which a systematic physical examination of the patient is performed. The examination may be a systematic exam or an assessment that focuses on a certain area or region of the body, often determined through the chief complaint.
223
Shallow Respirations
Respirations characterized by little movement of the chest wall (reduced tidal volume) or poor chest excursion.
224
Sign
Objective findings that can be seen, heard, felt, smelled, or measured.
225
Situational Awareness
Knowledge and understanding of your surroundings and situation and the risk they potentially pose to your safety or the safety of the EMS team.
226
Sniffing Position
An upright position in which the patient's head and chin are thrust slightly forward to keep the airway open.
227
Spontaneous Respiration
Breathing that occurs without assistance.
228
Standard Precautions
Protective measures that have traditionally been developed by the CDC for use in dealing with objects, blood, body fluids, and other potential exposure risks of communicable disease.
229
Stridor
A harsh, high-pitched, breath sound, generally heart during inspiration, that is caused by partial blockage or narrowing of the upper airway; may be audible without a stethoscope.
230
Subcutaneous Emphysema
A characteristic crackling sensation felt on palpation of the skin, caused by the presence of air in soft tissues.
231
Symptom
Subjective findings that the patient feels but that can be indentified only by the patient.
232
Systolic Pressure
The increased pressure in an artery with each contraction of the heart (systole)
233
Tachycardia
A rapid heart rate, more than 100 beats/min
234
Tidal Volume
The amount of air (in millileters) that is moved in or out of the lungs during one breath.
235
Triage
The process of establishing treatment and transportation priorities according to severity of injury and medical need.
236
Tripod Positions
An upright position in which the patient leans forward onto two arms stretched forward and thrusts the head and chin forward.
237
Two to three word dyspnea
A severe breathing problem in which a patient can speak only two or three words at a time without pausing to take a breath.
238
Vasoconstriction
Narrowing of a blood vessel.
239
Vital Signs
The key signs that are used to evaluate the patient's overall condition, including respirations, pulse, blood pressure, level of consciousness, and skin characteristics.
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Wheezing
A high-pitched, whistling breath sound that is most prominent on expiration, and which suggests an obstruction or narrowing of the lower airways; occurs in asthma and bronchitis.
