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EMT-Basic
Flash Cards for EMT review
165
Health Care
Undergraduate 1
11/06/2006
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Term
9-1-1 System
 Definition
A system for telephone access to report emergencies.
Term
Quality Improvement
 Definition
A process of continous self-review with the purpose of identifying and correcting aspects of the system that require improvement
Term
Medical Director
 Definition
A physician who assumes ultimate responsibility for the patient care aspects of the EMS system
Term
Medical direction
 Definition
Oversight of the patient care aspects of an EMS system by the medical director. OFF LINE: consists of standing orders and protocols; ON LINE consists of orders from the on-duty physician given directly to the EMT-B by radio or telephone
Term
Protocols
 Definition
Lists of steps such as assessments and preventions, to be taken in different situations. Protocols are developed by the Medical Director of an EMS system.
Term
Designated Agent
 Definition
An EMT-B or other person authorized by a Medical Director to give medications and provide emergency care.
Term
Standing Orders
 Definition
A policy or protocol issued by a Medical Director that authorizes EMT-B's and others to perform particular skills in certain situations.
Term
Pathogens
 Definition
The organisms that cause infection, such as viruses and bacteria.
Term
Body Substance Isolation (BSI)
 Definition
A form of infection control based on the presumption that all bodily fluids are infectious.
Term
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
 Definition
Equipment that protects the EMS worker from infection and/or exposure to the dangers of rescue operations.
Term
Stress
 Definition
A state of physical and/or psychological arousal to a stimulus.
Term
Multiple-casualty Incidents (MCI)
 Definition
An emergency involving multiple patients.
Term
Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD)
 Definition
A process in which teams of professional and peer counselors provide emotional and psychological support to EMS personnel who are or have been involved in a critical(highly stressful) incident.
Term
Decontamination
 Definition
The removal or cleansing of dangerous chemicals and other dangerous or infectious materials.
Term
Scope of Practice
 Definition
A set of regulations and critical considerations that define the scope, or extent and limits, of the EMT-B's job.
Term
Consent
 Definition
Permission from the patient for care or other action by the EMT-B's.
Term
Expressed Consent
 Definition
Consent given by adults who are of legal age and mentally competent to make a rational decision in regard to their medical well-being.
Term
Implied Consent
 Definition
The consent it is presumed a patient or patient's parent or guardian would give if they could, such as for an unconscious patient or a parent who cannot be contacted when care is needed.
Term
Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order
 Definition
A legal document, usually signed by the patient and his physician, which states that the patient has a terminal illness and does not wish to prolong life through resuscitative efforts.
Term
Advance Directive
 Definition
A DNR order; instructions written in advance of an event.
Term
Negligence
 Definition
A finding of failure to act properly in a situation in which there was a duty to act, needed care as would be reasonably be expected of the EMT-B was not provided, and harm was caused as a result.
Term
Duty To Act
 Definition
An obligation to provide care to the patient.
Term
Abandonment
 Definition
Leaving a patient after care has been initiated and before the patient has been transferred to someone of equal or greater medical training.
Term
Good Samaritan Laws
 Definition
A series of laws, varying in each state, designed to provide limited legal protection for citizens and some health care personnel when they are administering emergency care.
Term
Confidentiality
 Definition
The obligation not to reveal information obtained about a patient except to other health care professionals involved in patient's care, or under subpoena or in a court of law, or when the patient has signed a release of confidentiality.
Term
HIPAA
 Definition
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, a federal law protecting the privacy of patient-specific health care information and providing the patient with control over how this is used and distributed.
Term
Crime Scene
 Definition
The location where a crime has been committed or any place that evidence relating to a crime may be found.
Term
Anatomy
 Definition
The study of body structure.
Term
Physiology
 Definition
The study of body function.
Term
Anatomical Position
 Definition
The standard reference position for the body in the study of anatomy. The body is standing erect, facing the observer, arms down and palms forward.
Term
Plane
 Definition
A flat surface formed when slicing through a solid object.
Term
Midline
 Definition
An imaginary line drawn down the center of the body, dividing it into right and left halves.
Term
Medial
 Definition
Toward the midline of the body.
Term
Lateral
 Definition
To the side, away from the midline of the body.
Term
Bilateral
 Definition
On both sides.
Term
Mid-axillary
 Definition
A line drawn vertically from the middle of the armpit to the ankle.
Term
Anterior
 Definition
The front part of the body or body part.
Term
Posterior
 Definition
The back of the body or body part.
Term
Ventral
 Definition
A synonym for anterior.
Term
Dorsal
 Definition
A synonym for posterior.
Term
Superior
 Definition
Toward the head. (e.g. the chest is superior to the abdomen)
Term
Inferior
 Definition
Away from the head, usually compared to another structure that is closer to the head. (e.g. the lips are inferior to the nose)
Term
Proximal
 Definition
Closer to the torso.
Term
Distal
 Definition
Further away from the torso.
Term
Torso
 Definition
The trunk of the body; the body without the head and extremities.
Term
Palmar
 Definition
Referring to the palm of the hand.
Term
Mid-clavicular Line
 Definition
The line through the center of each clavicle.
Term
Abdominal Quadrants
 Definition
Four divisions of the abdomen used to pinpoint the location of a pain or injury; the Right Upper Quadrant(RUQ), The Left Upper Quadrant(LUQ), Right Lower Quadrant(RLQ) and Left Lower Quadrant(LLQ).
Term
Supine
 Definition
Position of lying on the back.
Term
Prone
 Definition
Position of lying face down.
Term
Recovery Position
 Definition
Position of lying on the side, also referred to as lateral recumbent position.
Term
Fowler's Position
 Definition
A sitting position, between 45 and 60 degrees.
Term
Trendelenburg Position
 Definition
Also called the shock position. The patient's feet and legs are slightly higher than the head (8-10 inches).
Term
Musculoskeletal System
 Definition
System of bones and skeletal muscles that support and protect the body and permit movement.
Term
Skeleton
 Definition
The bones of the body.
Term
Muscle
 Definition
Tissue that can contract to allow movement of a body part.
Term
Ligament
 Definition
Tissue that connects bone to bone.
Term
Tendon
 Definition
Tissue that connects muscle to bone.
Term
Skull
 Definition
The bony structure of the head.
Term
Cranium
 Definition
The top, back and sides of the skull.
Term
Mandible
 Definition
The lower jaw bone.
Term
Maxillae
 Definition
The two fused bones forming the upper jaw.
Term
Nasal Bones
 Definition
The nose bones.
Term
Orbits
 Definition
The bony structure around the eyes; the eye sockets.
Term
Zygomatic Arches
 Definition
Form the structure of the cheeks.
Term
Vertebrae
 Definition
The 33 bones of the spinal column.
Term
Thorax
 Definition
The chest.
Term
Sternum
 Definition
The breastbone.
Term
Manubrium
 Definition
The superior portion of the sternum.
Term
Xiphoid Process
 Definition
The inferior portion of the sternum.
Term
Pelvis
 Definition
The basin shaped bony structure that supports the spine and is the point of proximal attachment for the lower extremities.
Term
Ilium
 Definition
The superior and widest part of the pelvis.
Term
Ischium
 Definition
The lower posterior portions of the pelvis.
Term
Pubis
 Definition
The medial anterior portion of the pelvis.
Term
Acetabulum
 Definition
The pelvic socket into which the ball at the proximal end of the femur fits to form the hip joint.
Term
Femur
 Definition
The large bone of the thigh.
Term
Patella
 Definition
The kneecap.
Term
Tibia
 Definition
The medial and larger bone of the lower leg.
Term
Fibula
 Definition
The lateral and smaller bone of the lower leg.
Term
Malleolus
 Definition
Protrusion on the side of the ankle. The lateral malleolus, at the lower end of the fibula is seen on the outer ankle; the medial malleolus, at the lower end of the tibia is seen on the inner ankle.
Term
Tarsals
 Definition
The ankle bones.
Term
Metatarsals
 Definition
The foot bones.
Term
Calcaneus
 Definition
The heel bone.
Term
Phalanges
 Definition
The toe bones and finger bones.
Term
Clavicle
 Definition
The collarbone.
Term
Scapula
 Definition
the shoulder blade.
Term
Acromion Process
 Definition
The highest portion of the shoulder.
Term
Humerus
 Definition
The bone between the shoulder and the elbow.
Term
Radius
 Definition
The lateral bone of the forearm.
Term
Ulna
 Definition
The medial bone of the forearm.
Term
Carpals
 Definition
The wrist bones.
Term
Metacarpals
 Definition
The hand bones.
Term
Joint
 Definition
The point where two bones come together.
Term
Voluntary Muscle
 Definition
Muscle that can be consciously controlled.
Term
Involuntary Muscle
 Definition
Muscle that responds automatically from brain signals but that cannot be consciously controlled.
Term
Cardiac Muscle
 Definition
Specialized involuntary muscle found only in the heart.
Term
Automaticity
 Definition
The ability of the heart to generate and conduct electrical impulses on its own.
Term
Respiratory System
 Definition
The system of nose, mouth, throat, lungs and muscles that bring oxygen into the body and expels carbon dioxide.
Term
Oropharynx
 Definition
The area directly posterior to the mouth.
Term
Nasopharynx
 Definition
The area directly posterior to the nose.
Term
Pharynx
 Definition
The area directly posterior to the mouth and nose. It is made up of the oropharynx and nasopharynx
Term
Epiglottis
 Definition
Leaf shaped structure that prevents food and foreign matter from entering the trachea.
Term
Larynx
 Definition
The voice box.
Term
Cricoid cartilage
 Definition
The ring shaped structure that forms the lower portion of the larynx.
Term
Trachea
 Definition
The "windpipe"; the structure that connects the pharynx to the lungs.
Term
Lungs
 Definition
The organs where exchange of atmospheric oxygen and waste carbon dioxide take place.
Term
Bronchi
 Definition
The two large sets of branches that come off the trachea and enter the lungs. singular is BRONCHUS.
Term
Alveoli
 Definition
The microscopic sacs of the lungs where the gas exchange with the bloodstream takes place.
Term
Diaphragm
 Definition
The muscular structure that divides the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity. A major muscle of respiration.
Term
Inhalation
 Definition
An active process in which the intercostal (rib) muscles and the diaphragm contract, expanding the size of the chest cavity and causing air to flow into the lungs.
Term
Exhalation
 Definition
A passive process in which the intercostal (rib) muscles and diaphragm relax, causing the chest cavity to decrease in size and air to flow out of the lungs.
Term
Cardiovascular System
 Definition
The system made up of the heart (cardio) and the blood vessels (vascular); the circulatory system.
Term
Atria
 Definition
The two upper chambers of the heart. The right atrium receives unoxygenated blood returning from the body, and the left atrium receives oxygenated blood returning from the lungs.
Term
Ventricles
 Definition
The two lower chambers of the heart. Right ventricle sends oxygen poor blood to the lungs, Left ventricle sends oxygen rich blood to the body.
Term
Venae Cavae
 Definition
Made up of the Superior Vena Cava and Inferior Vena Cava. These two major veins return blood from the body to the right atrium.
Term
Valve
 Definition
A structure that opens and closes to permit the flow of a fluid in only one direction.
Term
Cardiac Conduction System
 Definition
A system of specialized muscle tissues that conduct electrical impulses that stimulate the heart to beat.
Term
Artery
 Definition
Any blood vessel carrying blood away from the heart.
Term
Coronary Arteries
 Definition
Blood vessels that supply the muscle of the heart (myocardium).
Term
Aorta
 Definition
The largest artery in the body. It transports blood from the left ventricle to begin systemic circulation.
Term
Pulmonary arteries
 Definition
The vessels that carry blood from the right ventricle of the heart to the lungs.
Term
Carotid arteries
 Definition
The large neck arteries, on on each side of the neck that carry blood from the heart to the head.
Term
Femoral artery
 Definition
The major artery supplying the leg.
Term
Brachial artery
 Definition
The artery of the upper arm; the site of the pulse checked during infant CPR.
Term
Radial artery
 Definition
The artery of the lower arm. It is felt when taking the pulse at the wrist.
Term
Posterior Tibial artery
 Definition
Artery supplying the foot, behind the medial ankle.
Term
Dorsalis Pedis artery
 Definition
The artery supplying the foot, lateral to the large tendon of the big toe.
Term
Arteriole
 Definition
The smallest kind of artery.
Term
Capillary
 Definition
A thin walled, microscopic blood vessel where the oxygen/carbon dioxide and nutrient/waste exchanges with the body's cells take place.
Term
Venule
 Definition
The smallest kind of vein.
Term
Vein
 Definition
Any blood vessel returning blood to the heart.
Term
Pulmonary veins
 Definition
The vessels that carry oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium of the heart.
Term
Plasma
 Definition
The fluid portion of blood.
Term
Red blood cells
 Definition
Components of blood that carry oxygen to and carbon dioxide away from the cells.
Term
White blood cells
 Definition
Components of blood that produce substances to help the body fight infection.
Term
Platelets
 Definition
components of blood; membrane-enclosed fragments of specialized cells.
Term
Pulse
 Definition
The rythmic beats caused as waves of blood move through and expand the arteries.
Term
Peripheral pulse
 Definition
The radial, brachial, posterior tibial and dorsalis pedis pulses, that can be felt at peripheral(outlying) points on the body.
Term
Central pulses
 Definition
The carotid and femoral pulses, which can be felt in the central part of the body.
Term
Blood pressure
 Definition
The pressure caused by blood exerting force against the walls of blood vessels. Usually arterial blood pressure is measured.
Term
Systolic blood pressure
 Definition
The pressure created in the arteries when the left ventricle contracts and forces blood into circulation.
Term
Diastolic blood pressure
 Definition
The pressure in the arteries when the left ventricle is refilling.
Term
Perfusion
 Definition
The supply of oxygen to and removal of wastes from the cells and tissues of the body as a result of the flow of blood through the capillaries.
Term
Hypoperfusion
 Definition
Inadequate perfusion of the cells caused by insufficient flow of blood through the capillaries.
Term
Shock
 Definition
See: hypoperfusion.
Term
Nervous System
 Definition
The system of brain, spinal cord, and nerves that govern sensation,movement and thought.
Term
Central Nervous System
 Definition
The brain and spinal cord.
Term
Peripheral Nervous System
 Definition
The nerves that enter and leave the spinal cord and travel between the brain and organs without passing through the spinal cord.
Term
Autonomic Nervous system
 Definition
The division of the peripheral nervous system that controls involuntary motor functions.
Term
Digestive system
 Definition
System by which food travels through the body and is digested, or broken down into absorbable forms.
Term
Stomach
 Definition
Muscular sac between the esophagus and the small intestine where digestion of food begins.
Term
Small Intestine
 Definition
The muscular tube between the stomach and the large intestine, divided into the duodenum, the jejunum, and the ilium, which receives partially digested food from the stomach, and continues digestion.Nutrients are absorbed by the body through its walls.
Term
Large intestine
 Definition
The muscular tube that removes water from waste products received from the small intestine and removes anything not absorbed by the body toward excretion from the body.
Term
Liver
 Definition
The largest organ of the body, produces bile to assist in the breakdown of fats and assists in the metabolism of various substances in the body.
Term
Gallbladder
 Definition
A sac on the underside of the liver that stores bile produced by the liver.
Term
Pancreas
 Definition
Gland located behind the stomach that produces insulin and juices that assist in digestion of food in the duodenum of the small intestine.
Term
Spleen
 Definition
An organ located in the left upper quadrant(LUQ) of the abdomen that acts a blood filtration system and reservoir for reserves of blood.
Term
Appendix
 Definition
A small tube located near the junction of the small and large intestines in the right lower quadrant(RLQ) of the abdomen, the function of which is not well understood. It's inflammation is called appendicitis, a common cause of abdominal pain.
Term
Skin
 Definition
The layer of tissue between the body and the external environment.
Term
Epidermis
 Definition
The outer layer of skin.
Term
Dermis
 Definition
The inner second layer of skin, rich in blood vessels and nerves, found beneath the epidermis.
Term
Subcutaneous Layers
 Definition
The layers of fatand soft tissue found below the dermis.
Term
Endocrine system
 Definition
System of glands that produce chemicals called hormones that help to regulate many bodily activities and functions.
Term
Insulin
 Definition
A hormone produced by the pancreas or taken as a medication by many diabetics.
Term
Epinephrine
 Definition
A hormone produced by the body. As a medication, it dilates respiratory passages and is used to relieve severe allergic reactions.
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