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Since half of sounding intelligent is knowing which words to use, I've created this list of definitions for some standard medical terms. Due to its size, I moved it to its own seperate page. Just click on the link above to get to the regular Modern Medicine menu choices. This list is in alphabetical order, and if you happen to see a weird word (like thrombolytics), you can usually click on the word and find its meaning. If you have any specific questions, email the webmistress. All definitions in quotation marks are from "Brady Emergency Care: Eighth Edition", which, to the best of my knowledge, complies with DOT (Department of Transportation) models. In other words--this is about as official as they get. Any information given in addition to Brady's definition comes from my learning, my experience, and sundry outside resources (usually in the form of other EMTs and the occasional nurse and/or doctor's assistant). Happy reading. Terminology
ABCs : "airway, breathing, and circulation" Why is this important? Because when one of these is messed up, you've got a life-threatening problem. The body can't function without an airway. An airway is what allows Kathryn Janeway to get oxygen into her system. If she doesn't have an airway, she doesn't have oxygen. If she doesn't have oxygen, her brain will die in six minutes. Why six minutes? Because that's how long it takes a brain to die from lack of air. Once Janeway's airway is secured, you have to get her breathing again. This can be done through artificial ventilation. (Think mouth-to-mask; mouth-to-mouth isn't appropriate care these days--too many nasty diseases. That, and the mask keeps you a good three inches from the patient and her inevitable vomitus. Do you want vomit in your mouth?) You have an airway and you have oxygen going in. Great. But what good is any of that if the blood isn't moving? Once the oxygen enters Janeway's lungs, it gets transported to the alveoli, small sacs within the lungs where the carbon dioxide (waste material) in the blood gets exchanged with oxygen. The newly reoxygenated blood now has to travel through Janeway's body to 'feed' the cells. If the cells aren't fed, they die. This is where CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) comes in. If Janeway has no pulse, then she doesn't have adequate circulation--her heart isn't pumping, so no blood is getting to all those hungry cells. The purpose of CPR is to literally pump the heart from the outside; by pumping the heart, however weakly, at least some of Janeway's cells will be getting fed--including, with any luck, the brain. The sad truth of CPR: 1) At some point, you're probably going to have to break Janeway's ribs. By this point, she's dead--no pulse means no life, so a few broken ribs aren't going to make her any worse. By breaking the ribs, however, you can get that much closer to the heart, and it makes compressions a lot easier. 2) If you don't put your hand two-fingers above the xiphoid process (the bottom of your sternum, or breast bone), then you're probably going to compress her stomach. And you'll discover, very shortly, every single thing she had for dinner that night (coffee, beef stew and/or spagetti, a bit of bile . . . ). She's going to vomit over all nearby surfaces, and she won't say sorry. And the worst thing is, her body might not even wait for you to screw up--it may puke for the hell of it. They don't show you that on television.
abdominal quardrants: "four divisions of the abdomen used to pinpoint the location of a pain or injury" Why is this important? Here's a scenario: Tom Paris has been in a shuttle accident (or, for those inclined, has been kicked in the gut). Chakotay, the other passenger, is unscathed. When asked if anything hurts, Tom says, "My abdomen is killing me." Chakotay doesn't have a medical tricorder on-board, nor does he have the know-how to jury-rig his regular 'corder. Fortunately for Tom, he took some emergency medical lessons from the Doctor. Chakotay knows that Tom may have severe internal damage. To find out what may be happening, Chakotay has Tom lay supine, in the anatomical position. He performs the rapid trauma assessment using palpation, which eventually brings him to Tom's abdomen. Chakotay asks if Tom can pinpoint where it hurts precisely. "Precisely? Give me a break, Commander. But . . . it hurts more on the left, near my ribs." Having heard this, Chakotay carefully palpates the right upper, right lower, and left lower quadrants, leaving the painful left upper quadrant for last. Tom's flesh should depress about two inches--if it squishes deeper, [there's something wrong], and if it's as stiff as a board, then there's likely to be a great deal of blood pooling beneath the skin (how can liquid be stiff? Think of belly-flopping in a pool). So what does Chakotay do? The only thing he can: increase Tom's oxygen (possibly by increasing the oxygen in the shuttle) and wait for Voyager.
abrasion: "a scratch or scrape" Why is this important? Because if the Doc isn't talking like a real doctor, then what's the point?
active rewarming: "application of an external heat source to rewarm the body of a hypothermic patient (also central rewarming)" Why is this important? Think of poor B'Elanna, with that darn Klingon biology that can't take the cold. "And I'll be damned if I let some p'taQ try to 'warm me up'." Though it may make for a more interesting story, if B'Elanna is smart, she'll fend off the p'taQ till she can get properly, medically, rewarmed.
acute myocardial infarction : "the condition in which a portion of the myocardium dies as a result of oxygen starvation" Why is this important? Because an AMI is a heart attack. In Latin, 'myo' means 'muscle', and 'cardia' means 'of or pertaining to the heart'. When Harry's heart isn't getting enough oxygen, he's having an MI. Sucks to be Harry. The signs and symptoms of an MI are: -Pain, pressure, or discomfort in the chest or upper abdomen (epigastrium) -Difficulty breathing -Palpitations -Sudden onset of sweating with nausea or vomiting -Anxiety (feeling of impending doom, irritability) -Abnormal pulse -Abnormal blood pressure If you place Harry in a position of comfort (ie, however he feels like sitting), then this should help matters along. If Harry's unconscious, then place him in the semi-Fowler's position (ie, supine, with his head/upper body raised about forty-five degrees. It's the position you often see on television-- though hardly ever for the right reasons).
airway: "the passageway by which air enters or leaves the body. The structures of the airway are the nose, mouth, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs." Why is this important? Because without an airway, your character's toast. Go back above and reread about Janeway's technicolor adventures in ABCs.
allergen : "something that causes an allergic reaction" Why is this important? Think of Neelix's food. Any second now, someone could come running up to Sickbay with a desperate need for epinephrine. If your Doctor doesn't know that epinephrine is used to relieve severe allergic reactions, what will become of poor Ensign Full-Body Hives?
allergic reaction: "an exaggerated immune response" Why is this important? Because of Ensign Full-Body Hives. Poor kid. He could either be suffering from a regular allergic reaction (think of cat dander, or hayfever), or he could be suffering from anaphylaxis, otherwise known as 'anaphalactic shock'. Now, a regular reaction can be annoying, but not much more than that. Anaphylaxis, on the other hand, will do its damndest to kill you. The trouble is, anaphylaxis can happen in mere moments, and what may seem like a 'mild' reaction can escalate to anaphylaxis. This is why constant monitoring is a good idea. Allergic reactions occur because "a natural response of the human body's immune system is to react to any foreign sustance--to defend the body by neutralizing or getting rid of the foreign material." Antibodies are your little defenders. Whenever the immune system perceives a threat (ie, just about anything), it releases antibodies to intercept and eat the intruder. When you have a cold, all that mucus you blow out is in fact hundreds upon thousands of dead antibodies, who fought bravely and well to keep you healthy. Antibodies are neat. But occassionally the immune system goes overboard, and creates far more antibodies than necessary to deal with a threat. This exaggerated response is what causes an allergic reaction. (Neat fact: People don't have allergic reactions the first time they're exposed to an allergen. The first time a person is exposed to say, leola root, the immune system goes nuts and creates all those unnecessary antibodies. The second time the person comes in contact with the root, then all those antibodies attack at once, causing dilation of the blood vessels, swelling, and difficulty breathing.) The signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction are: Skin -Itching -Hives -Flushing -Swelling of face (especially the eyes and lips), neck, hands, feet, or tongue -Warm, tingling feeling in the face, mouth, chest, feet, and hands Respiratory -Patient may report a feeling of tightness in his throat or chest -Cough -Rapid breathing -Labored, noisy breathing -Hoarseness, muffled voice, or loss of voice entirely -Stridor -Wheezing Cardiac -Increased heart rate -Decreased blood pressure Generalized findings -Itchy, watery eyes -Headache -Runny nose -Patient expresses a sense of impending doom -Shows signs and symptoms of shock
anaphylaxis : "a severe or life-threatening allergic reaction in which the blood vessels dilate, causing a drop in blood pressure, and the tissues lining the respiratory system swell, interfering with the airway (also anaphylactic shock)" Why is this important? Because people tend to die from it. If the allergic reaction is severe enough, then the swelling of the patient's tissue will swell shut the trachea (windpipe) or other respiratory passages, leading to a lack of oxygen. Then you (or whichever character in your story you feel like adding angst to) have six minutes to get that airway open. How do you do this? With really neat tubes, usually, and a lot of shoving. Before (or while the patient is in the midst of) anaphylactic shock, the use of epinephrine, a hormone, sometimes works to dilate the patient's respiratory passages. But, like all good cures, it doesn't always work, so just injecting the epinephrine will not solve all your (or your character's) problems.
anatomical position: "the standard reference position for the body in the study of anatomy. The body is standing ereect, facing the observer. The arms are down at the sides and the palms of the hands face forward." Why is this important? []
aneurysm: "the dilation, or ballooning, of a weakened seciton of the wall of an artery" Why is this important? []
angina pectoris: "pain in the chest, occurring when blood supply to the heart is reduced and a portion of the heart muscle is not receiving enough oxygen" Why is this important? []
anterior: "the front of the body or body part. Opposite of posterior" Why is this important? []
aorta: "the largest artery in the body. It transports blood from the left ventricle to begin systemic circulation" Why is this important? []
apnea: "absence of breathing" Why is this important? []
arrythmia: "a disturbance in heart rate and rhythm" Why is this important? []
arteriole: "the smallest kind of artery" Why is this important? []
artery: "any blood vessel carrying blood away from the heart" Why is this important? []
artificial ventilation: "forcing air or oxygen into the lungs when a patient has stopped breathing or has inadequate breathing" Why is this important? []
asystole: "when the heart has ceased generating electrical pulses" Why is this important? []
atria: "the two upper chambers of the heart. There is a right atrium (which receives unoxygenated blood returning from the body) and a left atrium (which receives oxygenated blood returning from the lungs" Why is this important? []
auscultation: "listening. A stethoscope is used to auscultate for characteristic body sounds" Why is this important? []
automaticity: "the ability of the heart to generate and conduct electrical impulses on its own" Why is this important? []
autonomic nervous system : "the division of the peripheral nervous system that controls involuntary motor functions" Why is this important? []
AVPU: "a memory aid for alert, verbal response, painful response, unresponsive as a classification of a patient's leverl of responsiveness. See also mental status" Why is this important? []
avulsion: "the tearing away or tearing off of a piece or flap of skin or other soft tissue. This term also may be used for an eye pulled form its socket or a tooth dislodged from its socket" Why is this important? []
bandage: "any material used to hold a dressing in place" Why is this important? []
behavior: "the manner in which a person acts" Why is this important? []
behavioral emergency: "when a patient's behavior is not typical for the situation; when the patient's behavior is unacceptable or intolerable to the patient, his family, or the community, or when the patient may harm himself or others" Why is this important? []
bilateral: "on both sides" Why is this important? []
blood : "[cool shit" Why is this important? []
blood pressure: "the force of blood against the walls of the blood vessels. Usually arterial blood pressure (the pressure in an artery) is measured. See also diastolic blood pressure and systolic blood pressure" Why is this important? []
blunt-force trauma: "injury caused by a blow that does not penetrate through the skin or other body tissues" Why is this important? []
body mechanics: "the proper use of the body to facilitate lifting and moving and prevent injury" Why is this important? []
body substance isolation: "(also BSI) a form of infection control based on the presumption that all body fluids are infectious. BSI calls for always using appropriate barriers to infection at the emergency scene" Why is this important? [Remember Harry, and that glowing disease?]
bones: "hard but flexible living structures that provide support for the body and protection to vital organs" Why is this important? []
brachial artery: "artery of the upper arm" Why is this important? []
brachial pulse: "the pulse felt in the upper arm; the pulse checked during infant CPR" Why is this important? []
bradycardia: "a slow heart rate; any pulse rate below 60 beats per minute" Why is this important? []
breech presentation: "when the baby appears buttocks or both legs first during birth" Why is this important? []
bronchoconstriction: "constriction, or blockage, of the bronchi that lead from the trachea to the lungs" Why is this important? []
capillary: "a thin-walled, microscopic blood vessel where oxygen/carbon dioxide and nutrient/waste exchange with the body's cells takes place" Why is this important? []
cardiac compromise: "a blanket term for any heart problem" Why is this important? []
cardiac conduction system: "a system of specialized muscle tissues that conduct electrical impulses that stimulate the heart to beat" Why is this important? []
cardiac muscle: "specialized involuntary muscle found only in the heart" Why is this important? []
cardiogenic shock: "shock, or lack of perfusion, brought on not by blood loss but by inadequate pumping action of the heart. It is often the result of a heart attack or congestive heart failure" Why is this important? []
cardiopulmonary resuscitation: "(also CPR) [more cool shit]" Why is this important? []
cardiovascular system: "the heart and the blood vessels; the circulatory system" Why is this important? []
carotid arteries: "the large neck arteries, one on each side of the neck, that carry blood from the heart to the head" Why is this important? []
carotid pulse: "the pulse felt along the large carotid artery on either side of the neck" Why is this important? []
carpals: "the wrist bones" Why is this important? []
cartilage: "tough tissue that covers the joint ends of bones and helps to form certain body parts such as the ear" Why is this important? []
central nervous system: "(also CNS) the brain and spinal cord" Why is this important? []
central pulses: "the carotid and femoral pulses, which can be felt in the central part of the body" Why is this important? []
central rewarming: "application of heat to the lateral chest, neck, armpits, and groin of a hypothermic patient" Why is this important? []
cephalic presentation: "when the baby appears head first during birth. This is the normal presentation" Why is this important? []
cerebrospinal fluid: "(also CSF) the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord" Why is this important? []
cerebrovascular accident: "(also CVA) see stroke" Why is this important? []
cervix: "the neck of the uterus at the entrance of the birth canal" Why is this important? []
circulatory system: "see cardiovascular system" Why is this important? []
clavicle: "the collarbone" Why is this important? []
closed extremity injury: "an injury to an extremity with no associated opening in the skin" Why is this important? []
closed wound: "an internal injury with no open pathway from the outside" Why is this important? []
compensated shock: "when the patient is developing shock but the body is still able to maintain perfusion. See decompensated shock and shock" Why is this important? []
concussion: "mild closed head injury without detectable damage to the brain. Complete recovery is usually expected" Why is this important? []
confidentiality: "the obligation not to reveal information obtained about a patient except to other health care professionals involved in the patient's care, or under subpoena, or in a court of law, or when the patient has signed a release of confidentiality" Why is this important? []
congestive heart failure: "(also CHF) the failure of the heart to pump efficiently, leading to excessive glood or fluids in the lungs, the body, or both" Why is this important? []
constrict: "get smaller" Why is this important? []
contamination: "the introduction of dangerous chemicals, disease, or infectious materials. See also decontamination" Why is this important? []
contraindications: "specific signs or circumstances under which it is not appropriate and may be harmful to administer a particular drug to a patient" Why is this important? []
contusion: "a bruise; in brain injuries, a bruised brain caused when the force of a blow to the head is great enough to rupture blood vessels" Why is this important? []
coronary arteries: "blood vessels that supply the muscle of the heart (myocardium)" Why is this important? []
coronary artery disease: "(also CAD) diseases that affect the arteries of the heart" Why is this important? []
cranium: "the bony structure making up the forehead, top, back, and upper sides of the skull" Why is this important? []
crepitation: "the grating sound or feeling of broken bones rubbing together; also called crepitus" Why is this important? []
crowning: "when part of the baby is visible through the vaginal opening" Why is this important? []
crush injury: "an injury caused when force is transmitted from the body's exterior to its internal structures. Bones can be broken, muscles, nerves, and tissues damaged, and internal organs ruptured, causing internal bleeding" Why is this important? []
cyanosis: "a blue or gray color resulting from lack of oxygen in the body (see hypoxia" Why is this important? []
DCAP-BTLS: "a memory aid to remember Deformities, Contusions, Abrasions, Punctures/penetrations, Burns, Tenderness, Lacerations, and Swelling -- signs and symptoms of injury found by inspection or palpation during patient assessment" Why is this important? []
decompensated shock: "occurs when the body can no longer compensate for low blood volume or lack of perfusion. Late signs such as decreading blood pressure become evident. See compensated shock and shock" Why is this important? []
decompression sickness: "a condition resulting from nitrogen trapped in the body's tissues caused by coming up too quickly from a deep, prolonged dive. A symptom of decompression sickness is 'the bends', or deep pain in the muscles and joints" Why is this important? []
decontamination: "the removal or cleansing of dangerous chemicals and other dangerous or infectious materials. See also contamination" Why is this important? []
delirium tremens: "(also DTs) a severe reaction that can be part of alcohol withdrawal, characterized by sweating, trembling, anciety, and hallucinations. Severe alcohol withdrawal with the DTs can lead to death if untreated" Why is this important? []
dermis: "the inner (second) layer of skin found beneath the epidermis. It is rich in blood vessels and nerves" Why is this important? []
detailed physical exam: "an assessment of the head, neck, chest, abdomen, pelvis, extremities, and posterior of the body to detect signs and symptoms of injury. The examination of the head includes detailed examination of the face, ears, eyes, nose, and mouth" Why is this important? []
diaphragm: "the muscular structure that divides the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity. A major muscle of respiration" Why is this important? []
diastolic blood pressure: "the pressure remaining in the arteries when the heart is relaxed and refilling" Why is this important? []
dilate: "get larger" Why is this important? []
dilution: "thinning down or weakening by mixing with something else. Ingested poisons are sometimes diluted by drinking water or milk" Why is this important? []
direct carry: "a method of transferring a patient from bed to stretcher in which two or more rescuers curl the patient to their chests, then reverse the process to lower the patient to the stretcher" Why is this important? []
direct ground lift: "a method of lifting and carrying a patient from ground level to a stretcher in which two or more rescuers kneel, curl the patient to their chests, stand, then reverse the process to lower the patient to the stretcher" Why is this important? []
dislocation: "the disruption or 'coming apart' of a joint" Why is this important? []
distal: "farther away from the torso. Opposite of proximal" Why is this important? []
distention: "a condition of being stretched, inflated, or larger than normal" Why is this important? []
dorsal: "referring to the back of the body or the back of the hand or foot. A synonym for posterior" Why is this important? []
dorsalis pedis artery: "artery supplying the foot, lateral to the large tendon of the big toe" Why is this important? []
downers: "depressants, such as barbituates, that depress the central nervous system, often used to bring on a more relaxed state of mind" Why is this important? []
draw sheet method: "a method of transferring a patient from bed to stretcher by grasping and pulling the loosened bottom sheet of the bed" Why is this important? []
dressing: "any material (preferably sterile) used to cover a wound that will help control bleeding and help prevent additional contamination" Why is this important? []
drowning: "death caused by changes in the lungs resulting from immersion in water. See also near-drowning" Why is this important? []
duty to act: "an obligation to provide care to a patient" Why is this important? []
dyspnea: "shortness of breath; labored or difficult breathing" Why is this important? []
eclampsia: "a severe complication of pregnancy that produces seizures and coma" Why is this important? []
ectopic pregnancy: "when implantation of the fertilized egg is not in the body of the uterus, occuring instead in the oviduct (fallopian tube), cervix, or abdominopelvic cavity" Why is this important? []
edema: "swelling resulting from a buildup of fluid in the tissues" Why is this important? []
embolism: "a thrombus, or clot of blood and plaque, that has broken loose from the wall of an artery" Why is this important? []
epidermis: "the outer layer of skin" Why is this important? []
epilepsy: "a medical condition that sometimes causes seizures" Why is this important? []
epinephrine : "a hormone produced by the body. As a medication it dilates respiratory passages and is used to relieve severe allergic reactions" Why is this important? []
esophagus: "the tube that leads from the pharynx to the stomach" Why is this important? []
evisceration: "an intestine or other interal organ protruding through a wound in the abdomen" Why is this important? []
exhalation: "a passive process in which the intercostal (rib) muscles and diaphragm relax, causing the chest cavity to decrease in size and causing air to flow out of the lungs. Also called expiration" Why is this important? []
expiration: "see exhalation" Why is this important? []
extremities: "the portions of the skeleton that include the clavicles, scapulae, arms, wrists, and hands (upper extremities) and pelvis, thighs, legs, ankles, and feet (lower extremities)" Why is this important? []
extremity lift: "a method of lifting and carrying a patient in which one rescuer slips hands under the patient's armpits and grasps the wrists, while another rescuer grasps the patient's knees" Why is this important? []
femoral artery: "the major artery supplying the thigh and leg" Why is this important? []
femur: "the large bone of the thigh" Why is this important? []
fetus: "the baby as it deveops in the womb" Why is this important? []
fibula: "the lateral and smaller bone of the lower leg" Why is this important? []
flushing : "[cool shit]" Why is this important? []
focused history and physical exam: "the step of patient assessment that follows the initial assessment and includes the patient history, physical exam, and vital signs" Why is this important? []
Fowler's position: "sitting up" Why is this important? []
fracture: "any break in a bone" Why is this important? []
full thickness burn: "a burn in which all the layers of the skin are damaged. There are usually areas that are charred black or areas that are dry and white. Also called third degree burns" Why is this important? []
gag reflex: "vomiting or retching that results when something is placed in the back of the pharynx. This is tied to the swallow reflex" Why is this important? []
glucose: "a form of sugar, the body's basic source of energy" Why is this important? []
golden hour: "the optimum limit of one hour between time of injury and surgery at the hospital. See also platinum ten minutes" Why is this important? []
hallucinogens: "mind-affecting or -altering drugs that act on the central nervous system to produce excitement and distortion of perceptions" Why is this important? []
hazardous material: "according to the U.S. Department of Transportation, 'any substance or material in a form which poses an unreasonable risk to health, safety, and property when transported in commerce'" Why is this important? []
hazardous material incident: "the release of a harmful substance into the environment" Why is this important? []
head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver: "a means of correcting blockage of the airway by the tongue by tilting the head back and lifting the chin. Used when no trauma, or injury, is suspected. See also jaw-thrust maneuver" Why is this important? []
heart rate : "[cool shit]" Why is this important? []
hematoma: "a swelling caused by the collection of blood under the skin or in damaged tissues as a result of an injured or broken blood vessel; in a head injury, a collection of bloody within the skull or brain" Why is this important? []
hemorrhage: "bleeding, especially severe bleeding" Why is this important? []
hemorrhagic shock: "shock resulting from blood loss" Why is this important? []
hives : "red, itchy, possibly raised blotches on the skin that often result from allergic reactions" Why is this important? []
humerus: "the bone of the upper arm, betweent he shoulder and the elbow" Why is this important? []
hyperglycemia: "high blood sugar" Why is this important? []
hyperthermia: "an increase in body temperature above normal" Why is this important? []
hyperventilate: "to provide ventilations at a higher rate than normal" Why is this important? []
hypoglycemia: "low blood sugar" Why is this important? []
hypoperfusion: "inadequate perfusion of the cells and tissues of the body caused by insufficient flow of blood through the capillaries. All called shock. See also perfusion" Why is this important? []
hypothermia: "a generalized cooling that reduces body temperature below normal" Why is this important? []
hypovolemic shock: "shock resulting from blood or fluid loss" Why is this important? []
hypoxia: "an insufficiency of oxygen in the body's tissues" Why is this important? []
ilium: "the superior and widest portion of the pelvis" Why is this important? []
index of suspicion: "awareness, often based on the mechanism of injury, that a patient may have suffered injuries" Why is this important? []
indications: "specific signs or circumstances under which it is appropriate to administer a drug to a patient" Why is this important? []
induced abortion: "expulsion of a fetus as a result of deliberate actions taken to stop the pregnancy" Why is this important? []
inferior: "away from the head; usually compared with another structure that is closer to the head (e.g., the lips are inferior to the nose). Opposite of superior" Why is this important? []
ingested poisons: "poisons that are swallowed" Why is this important? []
inhalation: "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. Also called inspiration" Why is this important? []
inhaled poisons: "poisons that are breathed in" Why is this important? []
initial assessment: "the first element in assessment of a patient; steps taken for the purpose of discovering and dealing with any life-threatening problems. The six parts of inital assessment are: forming a general impression, assessing mental status, assessing airway, assessing breathing, assessing circulation, and determining the priority of the patient for treatment and transport" Why is this important? []
injected poisons: "poisons that are inserted through the skin, for example by needle, snake fangs, or insect stinger" Why is this important? []
inspiration: "see inhalation" Why is this important? []
insulin: "a hormone produced by the pancreas or taken as amedication by many diabetics" Why is this important? []
interventions: "actions taken to correct a patient's problems" Why is this important? []
involuntary muscle: "muscle that responds automatically to brain signals but cannot be consciously controlled" Why is this important? []
irreversible shock: "when the body has lost the battle to maintain perfusion to vital organs. Cell and tissue damage occur, especially to the liver and kidneys. Even if adequate vital signs return, the patient may die days later due to organ failure" Why is this important? []
ischium: "the lower, posterior portions of the pelvis" Why is this important? []
jaw-thrust maneuver: "a means of correcting blockage of the airway by moving the jaw forward without tilting the head or neck. Used when trauma, or injury, is suspected to open the airway without causing further injury to the spinal cord in the neck. See also head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver" Why is this important? []
joints: "places where bones articulate, or meet" Why is this important? []
jugular vein distention: "(also JVD) bulging of the neck veins" Why is this important? []
labor: "the stages of delivery of a baby that begin with the contractions of the uterus and end with the expulsion of the placenta" Why is this important? []
laceration: "a cut" Why is this important? []
larynx: "the voicebox" Why is this important? []
lateral: "to the side, away from the midline of the body" Why is this important? []
lateral recumbent position: "lying on the side. See recovery position" Why is this important? []
ligaments: "connective tissues that connect bone to bone" Why is this important? []
limb presentation: "when an infant's limb protrudes from the vagina before the appearance of any other body part" Why is this important? []
local cooling: "cooling or freezing of particular (local) parts of the body" Why is this important? []
lungs: "the organs where exchange of atmospheric oxygen and waster carbon dioxide take place" Why is this important? []
malar: "the cheek bone, also called the zygomatic bone" Why is this important? []
malleolus: "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" Why is this important? []
mandible: "the lower jaw bone" Why is this important? []
manual traction: "the process of applying tension to straighten and realign a fractured limb before splinting. Also called tension" Why is this important? []
maxillae: "the two fused bones forming the upper jaw" Why is this important? []
mechanism of injury: "a force or forces that may have caused injury" Why is this important? []
meconium staining: "amniotic fluid that is greenish or brownish-yellow rather than clear as a result of fetal defecation; an indication of possible maternal or fetal distress during labor" Why is this important? []
medial: "toward the midline of the body" Why is this important? []
mental status: "level of responsiveness. See also AVPU" Why is this important? []
metacarpals: "the hand bones" Why is this important? []
metatarsals: "the foot bones" Why is this important? []
mid-axillary line: "a line drawn vertically from the middle of the armpit to the ankle" Why is this important? []
mid-clavicular line: "a vertical line through the center of each clavicle" Why is this important? []
midline: "an imaginary line drawn down the center of the body, dividing it into right and left halves" Why is this important? []
miscarriage: "see spontaneous abortion" Why is this important? []
multiple birth: "when more than one baby is born during a single delivery" Why is this important? []
multiple casualty incident: "(also MCI) any medical or trauma incident involving multiple patients" Why is this important? []
muscles: "tissues or fibers that cause movement of body parts and organs" Why is this important? []
musculoskeletal system: "the system of bones and skeletal muscles that support and protect the body and permit movement" Why is this important? []
narcotics: "a class of drugs that affect the nervous system and change many normal body activities. Their legal use is for the relief of pain. Illicit use is to produce an intense state of relaxation" Why is this important? []
nasal bones: "the bones that form the upper third, or bridge, of the nose" Why is this important? []
nasopharynx: "the area directly posterior to the nose" Why is this important? []
nature of illness: "what is medically wrong with a patient" Why is this important? []
near-drowning: "the condition of having begun to drown, but still able to be resuscitated" Why is this important? []
nervous system: "the system of brain, spinal cord, and nerves that govern sensation, movement, and thought. See also central nervous system, peripheral nervous system, and autonomic nervous system" Why is this important? []
neurogenic shock: "hypoperfusion due to nerve paralysis (sometimes caused by spinal cord injuries) resulting in the dilation of blood vessels that increases the volume of the circulatory system beyond the point where it can be filled" Why is this important? []
nitroglycerin: "a medication that dilates the blood vessels" Why is this important? []
occlusion: "blockage, as of an artery by fatty deposits" Why is this important? []
occlusive dressing: "any dressing that forms an airtight seal" Why is this important? []
ongoing assessment: "a procedure for detecting changes in a patient's condition. It involves four steps: repeating the inital assessment, repeating and recording vital signs, repeating the focused history and physical exam, and checking interventions" Why is this important? []
open extremity injury: "an extremity injury in which the skin has been broken or torn through from the inside by an injured bone or from the outside by something that has caused a penetrating wound with associated injury to the bone" Why is this important? []
open wound: "an injury in which the skin is interrupted, exposing the tissue beneath" Why is this important? []
OPQRST: "a memory device for the questions asked to get a description of the present illness: Onset, Provokes, Quality, Radiation, Severity, and Time" Why is this important? []
orbits: "the bony structures around the eyes; the eye sockets" Why is this important? []
oropharynx: "the area directly posterior to the mouth" Why is this important? []
oxygen: "a gas commonly found in the atmosphere. Pure oxygen is used as a drug to treat any patient whose medical or traumatic condition may cause them to by hypoxic, or low in oxygen" Why is this important? []
oxygen cylinder: "a cylinder filled with oxygen under pressure" Why is this important? []
palmar: "referring to the palm of the hand" Why is this important? []
palpation : "touching or feeling. A pulse or blood pressure may be palpated with the fingertips" Why is this important? []
palpitations : "[cool shit]" Why is this important? []
paradoxical motion: "movement of a part of the chest in the opposite direction to the rest of the chest during respiration" Why is this important? []
partial thickness burn: "a burn in which the epidermis (outer layer of the skin) is burned through and the dermis (second layer) is damaged. Burns of this type cause reddening, blistering, and a mottled appearance. Also called a second degree burn" Why is this important? []
passive rewarming: "covering a hypothermic patient and taking other steps to prevent further heat loss and help the body rewarm itself" Why is this important? []
patella: "the kneecap" Why is this important? []
pathogens: "the organisms that cause infection, such as viruses and bacteria" Why is this important? []
penetrating trauma: "injury caused by an object that passes through the skin or other body tissues" Why is this important? []
perfusion: "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" Why is this important? []
perineum: "the surface area between the vagina and the anus" Why is this important? []
peripheral nervous system: "(also PNS) the nerves that enter and leave the spinal cord and that travel between the brain and organs without passing through the spinal cord" Why is this important? []
peripheral pulses: "the radial, brachial, posterior tibial, and dorsal pedis pulses, which can be felt at peripheral (outlying) points of the body" Why is this important? []
phalanges: "the toe bones and finger bones" Why is this important? []
pharmacology: "the study of drugs, their sources, characteristics, and effects" Why is this important? []
pharynx: "the area directly posterior to the mouth and nose. It is made up of the oropharynx and the nasopharynx" Why is this important? []
physiology: "the study of body function" Why is this important? []
placenta: "the organ of pregnancy where exchange of oxygen, foods, and wastes occurs between a mother and fetus" Why is this important? []
placenta previa: "a condition in which the placenta is formed in an abnormal location (low in the uterus and close to or over the cervical opening) that will not allow for a normal delivery of the fetus; a cause of prebirth bleeding" Why is this important? []
plane: "a flat surface formed when slicing through a solid object" Why is this important? []
plantar: "referring to the sole of the foot" Why is this important? []
plasma: "the fluid portion of the blood" Why is this important? []
platelets: "components of the blood; membrane-enclosed fragments of specialized cells" Why is this important? []
platinum ten minutes: "the optimum limit of ten minutes at the scene with a serious trauma patient. See also gold hour" Why is this important? []
poison: "any substance that can harm the body by altering cell structure or functions" Why is this important? []
positional asphyxia: "death of a person due to a body position that restricts breathing for a prolonged time" Why is this important? []
posterior: "the back of the body or body part. Opposite of anterior" Why is this important? []
posterior tibial artery: "artery supplying the foot, behind the medial ankle" Why is this important? []
preeclampsia: "a complication of pregnancy where the woman retains large amounts of fluid and has hypertension (high blood pressure). She may also experience seizures and/or coma during birth, which is very dangerous to the infant" Why is this important? []
premature infant: "any newborn weighing less that 5.5 pounds or born before the 37th week of pregnancy" Why is this important? []
pressure dressing: "a bulky dressing held in position with a tightly wrapped bandage to apply pressure to help control bleeding" Why is this important? []
pressure point: "a site where a main artery lies near the surface of the body and directly over a bone. Pressure on such a surface can stop distal bleeding" Why is this important? []
priapism: "persistent erection of the penis that may result from spinal injury and some medical problems" Why is this important? []
prolapsed umbilical cord: "when the umbilical cord presents first and is squeezed between the vaginal wall and the baby's head" Why is this important? []
prone: "lying face down" Why is this important? []
proximal: "closer to the torso. Opposite of distal" Why is this important? []
pubis: "the medial anterior portion of the pelvis" Why is this important? []
pulmonary arteries: "the vessels that carry blood from the lungs to the left atrium of the heart" Why is this important? []
pulmonary edema: "accumulation of fluid in the lungs" Why is this important? []
pulmonary veins: "the vessels that cary oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium of the heart" Why is this important? []
pulse : "the rhythmic beats felt as the heart pumps blood through the arteries" Why is this important? []
pulse quality: "the rhythm (regular or irregular) and force (strong or weak) of the pulse" Why is this important? []
pulse rate: "the number of pulse beats per minute" Why is this important? []
pulseless electrical activity: "(also PEA) a condition in which the heart's electrical rhythm remains relatively normal, yet the mechanical pumping activity fails to follow the electrical activity, causing cardiac arrest" Why is this important? []
puncture wound: "an open wound that tears through the skin and destroys underlying tissues. A penetrating punture wound can be shallow or deep. A perforating puncture wound has both an entrance and an exit wound" Why is this important? []
pupil: "the black center of the eye" Why is this important? []
quality improvement: "a process of continuous self-review with the purpose of identifying and correcting aspects of the system tht require improvement" Why is this important? []
radial artery: "artery of the lower arm. It is felt when taking the pulse at the wrist" Why is this important? []
radial pulse: "the pulse felt at the wrist" Why is this important? []
radiation: "sending out energy, such as heat, in waves into space" Why is this important? []
radius: "the lateral bone of the forearm" Why is this important? []
rapid trauma assessment: "a rapid assessment of the head, neck, chest, abdomen, pelvis, extremities, and posterior of the body to detect signs and symptoms of injury" Why is this important? []
reactivity: "in the pupils of the eyes, reacting to light by changing size" Why is this important? []
recovery position: "lying on the side. Also called lateral recumbent position" Why is this important? []
red blood cells: "components of the blood. They carry oxygen to and carbon dioxide away from the cells" Why is this important? []
respiration: "breathing" Why is this important? []
respiratory arrest: "when breathing completely stops" Why is this important? []
respiratory arrest: "when breathing completely stops" Why is this important? []
respiratory quality: "the normal or abnormal (shallow, labored, or noisy) character of breathing" Why is this important? []
respiratory rate: "the number of breaths taken in one minute" Why is this important? []
respiratory rhythm: "the regular or irregular spacing of breaths" Why is this important? []
respiratory system: "the system of nose, mouth, throat, lungs, and muscles that brings oxygen into the body and expels carbon dioxide" Why is this important? []
rule of nines: "a mehtod for estimating the extent of a burn. For an adult, each of the following areas represents 9% of the body surface: the head and neck, each upper extremity, the chest, the abdomen, the upper back, the lower back and buttocks, the front of each lower extremity, and the back of each lower extremity. The remaining 1% is assigned to the genital region. For an infant or child the percentages are modified so that 18% is assigned to the head, 14% to each lower extremity" Why is this important? []
rule of palm: "a method for estimating the extent of a burn. The palm of the patient's hand, which equals about 1% of the body's surface area, is compared with the patient's burn to estimate its size" Why is this important? []
SAMPLE history: "the present and past medical history of a patient, so called because the elements of the history begin with the letters of the word sample: Signs/symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Pertinent past history, Last oral intake, Events leading to the injury or illness" Why is this important? []
scapula: "the shoulder blade" Why is this important? []
seizure: "a sudden change in sensation, behavior, or movement. The most severe form of seizure produces violent muscle contractions called convulsions" Why is this important? []
shock : "see hypoperfusion. See also cardiogenic shock, compensated shock, decompensated shock, irreversible shock, hemorrhagic shock, hypovolemic shock, and neurogenic shock" Why is this important? []
shock position: "see Trendelenburg position" Why is this important? []
side effect: "any action of a drug other than the desired action" Why is this important? []
sign : "an indication of a patient's condition that is objective, or can be observed by another person; an indication that can be seen, heard, smelled, or felt by the medical practitioner or others" Why is this important? []
spinous process: "the bony bump on a vertebra" Why is this important? []
spontaneous abortion: "when the fetus and placenta deliver before the 28th week of pregnancy; commonly called a miscarriage" Why is this important? []
sprain: "the stretching and tearing of ligaments" Why is this important? []
status epilepticus: "a prolonged seizure or when a person suffers two or more convulsive seizures without regaining full consciousness" Why is this important? []
sternum: "the breastbone" Why is this important? []
strain: "muscle injury resulting from over-stretching or over-exertion of the muscle" Why is this important? []
stridor : "[cool shit]" Why is this important? []
stroke: "a condition of altered function caused when an artery in the brain is blocked or ruptured, disrupting the supply of oxygenated blood or causing bleeding into the brain. Also called a cerebrovascular accident (CVA)" Why is this important? []
subcutaneous layers: "the layers of fat and soft tissues found below the dermis" Why is this important? []
sucking chest wound: "an open chest wound through which air is 'sucked' into the chest cavity" Why is this important? []
suctioning: "use of a vacuum device to remove blood, vomitus, and other secretions or foreign materials from the airway" Why is this important? []
sudden death: "a cardiac arrest that occurs within two hours of the onset of symptoms. The patient may have no prior symptoms of coronary artery disease" Why is this important? []
superficial burn: "a burn that involves only the epidermis, the outer layer of skin. It is characterized by reddening of the skin and perhaps some swelling. An example is a sunburn. Also called a first degree burn" Why is this important? []
superior: "toward the head (e.g., the chest is superior to the abdomen). Opposite of inferior" Why is this important? []
supine : "lying on the back" Why is this important? []
supine hypotensive syndrome: "dizziness and a drop in blood pressure caused when the woman in advanced pregnancy is in a supine position and the weight of the uterus, infant, placenta, and amniotic fluid compress the inferior vena cava, reducing return of blood to the heart and cardiac output" Why is this important? []
symptom : "an indication of a patient's condition that cannot be observed by another person but rather is subjective, or felt and reported by the patient" Why is this important? []
systolic blood pressure: "the pressure created when the heart contracts and forces blood out into the arteries" Why is this important? []
tachycardia: "a rapid heart rate; any pulse rate avove 100 beats per minute" Why is this important? []
tarsals: "the ankle bones" Why is this important? []
temporal bone: "bone that forms part of the side of the skull and floor of the cranial cavity. There are a right and a left temporal bone" Why is this important? []
temporomandibular joint: "the movable joint formed between the mandible and the temporal bone, also called the TM joint" Why is this important? []
tendons: "tissues that connect muscle to bone" Why is this important? []
thorax: "the chest" Why is this important? []
thrombus: "a clot formed of blood and plaque attached to the inner wall of an artery" Why is this important? []
tibia: "the medial and larger bone of the lower leg" Why is this important? []
torso: "the trunk of the body; the body without the head and the extremities" Why is this important? []
tourniquet: "a device used for bleeding control that constricts all blood flow to and from an extremity" Why is this important? []
toxin: "a poisonous substance secreted by bacteria, plants, or animals" Why is this important? []
trachea: "the 'windpipe'; the structure that connects the pharynx to the lungs" Why is this important? []
traction splint: "a special splint that applies constant pull along the length of a lower extremity to help stabilize the fractured bone and to reduce muscle spasms in limb. Traction splints are used primarily on femoral shaft fractures" Why is this important? []
Trendelenburg position: "a position in which the patient's feet and legs are higher than the head. Also called shock position" Why is this important? []
trending: "the changes in a patient's condition over time, such as slowing respirations or rising pulse rate, that may show improvement or deterioration, and that can be shown by documenting repeated assessments" Why is this important? []
triage: "the process of quickly assessing patients in a multiple-casualty incident and assigning each a priority for receiving treatment according to the severity of their illness or injuries. From a French word meaning 'to sort'" Why is this important? []
ulna: "the medial bone of the forearm" Why is this important? []
umbilical cord: "the fetal structure containing the blood vessels that carry blood to and from the placenta" Why is this important? []
universal dressing: "a bulky dressing" Why is this important? []
uppers: "stimulants such as amphetamines that affect the central nervous system to excite the user" Why is this important? []
uterus: "the muscular abdominal organ where the fetus develops; the womb" Why is this important? []
vagina: "the birth canal" Why is this important? []
vein: "any blood vessel returning blood to the heart" Why is this important? []
venom: "a toxin (poison) produced by certain animals such as snakes, spiders, and some marine life forms" Why is this important? []
ventilation: "the breathing in of air or oxygen or providing breaths artificially. See also artificial ventilation" Why is this important? []
ventral: "referring to the front of the body. A synonym for anterior" Why is this important? []
ventricles: "the two lower chambers of the heart. There is a right ventricle (which sends oxygen-poor blood to the lungs) and a left ventricle (which sends oxygen-rich blood to the body)" Why is this important? []
ventricular fibrillation: "(also VF) a condition in which the heart's electrical impulses are disorganized, preventing the heart muscle from contracting normally" Why is this important? []
ventricular tachycardia: "(also V-Tach) a condition in which the heartbeat is quite rapid; if rapid enough, ventricular tachycardia will not allow the heart's chambers to fill with enough blood between beats to produce blood flow sufficient to meet the body's needs" Why is this important? []
venule: "the smallest kind of vein" Why is this important? []
vertebrae: "the 33 bones of the spinal column (singular vertebra)" Why is this important? []
vital signs: "outward signs of what is going on inside the body, including respiration; pulse; skin color, temperature, and condition (plus capillary refill infants and children); pupils; and blood pressure" Why is this important? []
vocal cords: "two thin folds of tissue within the larynx that vibrate as air passes between them, producing sounds" Why is this important? []
volatile chemicals: "vaporizing compounds, such as cleaning fluid, that are breathed in by the abuser to produce a 'high'" Why is this important? []
voluntary muscle: "muscle that can be consciously controlled" Why is this important? []
water chill: "chilling caused by conduction of heat from the body when the body or clothing is wet" Why is this important? []
white blood cells: "components of the blood. They produce substances that help the body fight infection" Why is this important? []
wind chill: "chilling caused by convection of heat from the body in the presence of air currents" Why is this important? []
withdrawal: "referring to alcohol or drug withdrawal in which the patient's body reacts severely when deprived of the abused substance" Why is this important? []
xiphoid process: "the inferior portion of the sternum" Why is this important? []
zygomatic bones: "the cheekbones" Why is this important? [] |
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This site's been around since March 3, 2000.
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