Medical Emergencies
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ABDOMINAL AORTA:

THE DESCENDING PORTION OF THE AORTA, WHICH BRANCHES OFF INTO SPECIFIC ORGAN’S MAIN ARTERY SYSTEMS AND EVENTUALLY BRANCHES INTO THE TWO FEMORAL ARTERIES

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ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSM (AAA):

A WEAKENED, BALLOONED, AND ENLARGED AREA OF THE WALL OF THE ABDOMINAL AORTA; A TRUE LIFE-THREATENING EMERGENCY; MOST COMMON IN MEN OVER THE AGE OF 60; SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS INCLUDE: ABDOMINAL PAIN (COULD BE SLOW ONSET OR ACUTE, MAY RADIATE TO THE LOWER BACK), “TEARING” PAIN, POSSIBLE NAUSEA AND VOMITING, ABSENT OR DECREASED FEMORAL PULSES, CYANOSIS IN THE LEGS, BUT NOT THE REST OF THE BODY. NOTE: A PATIENT OVER 60 WITH SUDDEN ONSET OF NON-TRAUMATIC ABDOMINAL PAIN HAS AN AAA UNTIL PROVEN OTHERWISE.

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ABSENCE SEIZURE:

MOST COMMON IN CHILDREN AND ARE CHARACTERIZED BY A BLANK STARE, BEGINNING AND ENDING ABRUPTLY, AND LASTING ONLY A FEW SECONDS. ALSO KNOWN AS A PETIT MAL SEIZURE.

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ABSORBED TOXIN:

A TOXIN THAT ENTERS THE BODY THROUGH THE SKIN

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ACTIVE REWARMING:

THE TECHNIQUE OF APPLYING EXTERNAL HEAT SOURCES TO A PATIENT TO REWARM THE BODY

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ACUTE ABDOMEN:

A RAPID ONSET OF SHARP, SEVERE ABDOMINAL PAIN; A NUMBER OF CAUSES CAN LEAD TO AN ACUTE ABDOMEN

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ADRENALINE:

EPINEPHRINE

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AGITATED DELIRIUM:

A MENTAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL STATE OF AROUSAL, USUALLY CHARACTERIZED BY EXTREME STRENGTH AND ENDURANCE, TOLERANCE TO PAIN, HOSTILITY, AND HYPERACTIVE BEHAVIOR; ALSO TERMED “EXCITED DELIRIUM”

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ALLERGEN:

SUBSTANCE THAT CAUSES AN ALLERGIC RESPONSE

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ANAPHYLAXIS:

A SEVERE ALLERGIC REACTION

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ANTIDOTE:

A SUBSTANCE THAT NEUTRALIZES THE EFFECTS OF A POISON OR A TOXIC SUBSTANCE

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ANTIGEN:

A FOREIGN SUBSTANCE WITHIN THE BODY. SOME CAN CAUSE ALLERGIC REACTIONS AND THOSE ARE CALLED ALLERGENS

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ANXIETY:

A STATE OF PAINFUL UNEASINESS; CAN BE CALLED A PANIC ATTACK; SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS: HYPERVENTILATION, DIZZINESS, TINGLING IN THE MOUTH OR FINGERS, AND SPASMS OF THE HANDS AND FEET

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APPENDICITIS:

INFLAMMATION OF THE APPENDIX, USUALLY FROM BLOCKAGE; COMMON SYMPTOMS ARE CRAMPING AND SHARP PAIN IN THE LOWER RIGHT HAND QUADRANT OF THE ABDOMEN

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AURA:

AN UNUSUAL SENSATION THAT MAY PRECEDE A SEIZURE EPISODE BY HOURS OR ONLY A FEW SECONDS

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BIPOLAR DISORDER:

A MENTAL DISORDER IN WHICH A PERSON HAS EXTREME MOOD SWINGS; ALSO TERMED MANIC-DEPRESSION; WIDE SWINGS BETWEEN DEPRESSION AND ELATION; ALSO KNOWN AS MANIC DEPRESSIVE DISORDER

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CAUSES OF ALTERED MENTAL STATUS:

LOW BLOOD SUGAR, SEIZURE, POISONING, INTOXICATION, INFECTION, TRAUMA, HYPOPERFUSION, AND HYPO/HYPERTHERMIA.

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CAUSES OF SEIZURES:

FEVER, INFECTIONS, POISONING, INTOXICATION, HYPOGLYCEMIA, TRAUMA, HYPOPERFUSION, AND EPILEPSY.

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CHOLECYSTITIS:

INFLAMMATION OF THE GALLBLADDER; USUALLY, SYMPTOMS INCLUDE SEVERE PAIN LOCATED FROM THE MIDDLE OF THE UPPER QUADRANTS TO THE RIGHT UPPER QUADRANT AREA; FREQUENTLY THE RESULT OF A GALL STONE

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CLONIC PHASE OF A SEIZURE:

MUSCLE SPASMS ALTERNATE WITH RELAXATION, PRODUCING THE TYPICAL VIOLENT AND JERKY SEIZURE ACTIVITY OF THE CLONIC PHASE

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CNS DEPRESSANTS:

SUBSTANCES THAT INHIBIT OR DECREASE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM FUNCTIONS; ALSO CALLED “DOWNERS”. EXAMPLES: HEROINE, ALCOHOL, ANTIHISTAMINES, METHADONE, OPIUM

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CNS STIMULANTS:

SUBSTANCES THAT EXCITE OR INCREASE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM FUNCTIONS; CAN BE CALLED “UPPERS”. EXAMPLES: EPHEDRINE, NICOTINE, METH, AMPHETAMINES, AND COCAINE

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COMA:

AN UNCONSCIOUS STATE IN WHICH A PERSON CANNOT RESPOND TO ANY STIMULUS, INCLUDING PAIN

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COMPLEX PARTIAL SEIZURE:

THE PATIENT WILL REMAIN AWAKE; HOWEVER, HE WILL NOT BE AWARE OF HIS SURROUNDINGS. SYMPTOMS CAN INVOLVE A BLANK STARE, LIP SMACKING, OR CHEWING; LASTS ONLY 1 TO 2 MINUTES; ALSO KNOWN AS A PSYCHOMOTOR OR TEMPORAL LOBE SEIZURE.

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CONDUCTION:

THE TRANSFER OF HEAT DIRECTLY FROM ONE OBJECT TO ANOTHER.

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CONVECTION:

THE TRANSFER OF HEAT TO MOVING AIR OR LIQUID

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CONVULSIONS:

SUDDEN JERKY MUSCLE MOVEMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH A SEIZURE

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CRITERIA FOR ADMINISTERING AN AUTO INJECTOR:

ASSESSMENT FINDINGS INDICATE THAT THE PATIENT IS HAVING A SEVERE ALLERGIC REACTION. THE MEDICATION HAS BEEN PRESCRIBED TO THE PATIENT. MEDICAL DIRECTION AUTHORIZES ITS USE.

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DEPRESSION:

A DEEP FEELING OF DISCOURAGEMENT, SADNESS, AND WORTHLESSNESS

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DIABETES MELLITUS (DM):

THE DISEASE OF ALTERED RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GLUCOSE AND INSULIN IN THE BODY, CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE PANCREAS

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DIABETES MELLITUS:

A CONDITION IN WHICH THE BODY DOES NOT PRODUCE ENOUGH INSULIN, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO BREAK DOWN SUGAR INTO USABLE FORMS OF ENERGY

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DIABETIC KETOACIDOSIS (DKA):

HYPERGLYCEMIA WITH LOW-TO-ABSENT INSULIN LEVEL, RESULTING IN DEHYDRATION AND A BUILDUP OF ACID

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DIALYSATE:

A SPECIAL FLUID USED FOR DIALYSIS

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DIALYSIS:

AN ARTIFICIAL PROCESS USED TO REMOVE WATER AND WASTE SUBSTANCES FROM THE BLOOD; USED FOR PEOPLE WITH KIDNEY DYSFUNCTION OR FAILURE

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DOSE OF ACTIVATED CHARCOAL:

1 GRAM

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DYSBARISM:

THE MEDICAL CONDITION THAT RESULTS FROM PRESSURE CHANGES THAT OCCUR WHEN A PERSON DESCENDS IN WATER OR ASCENDS IN ALTITUDE

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DYSMENORRHEA:

SEVERE PAIN OR CRAMPS DURING MENSTRUATION

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EMBOLIC STROKE:

AN ISCHEMIC STROKE CAUSED BY THE BLOCKAGE OF A BLOOD VESSEL FROM A FOREIGN PARTICLE OF FAT, CLOT, PLAQUE, OR AIR BUBBLE

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ENDOMETRIOSIS:

A MEDICAL CONDITION WHERE THE ENDOMETRIAL TISSUE GROWS OUTSIDE OF THE UTERUS

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ENDOMETRITIS:

INFLAMMATION OF THE ENDOMETRIUM; SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS INCLUDE: ABDOMINOPELVIC PAIN, DYSMENORRHEA, AND VAGINAL BLEEDING

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EPILEPSY:

A MEDICAL DISORDER CHARACTERIZED BY RECURRENT SEIZURES

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ESOPHAGEAL VARICES:

BULGING, ENGORGEMENT OR WEAKENING OF THE BLOOD VESSELS IN THE LINING OF THE LOWER ESOPHAGUS; FREQUENTLY FOUND IN ALCOHOLICS; IF A VESSEL RUPTURES, WILL RESULT IN CATASTROPHIC BLEEDING AND MOST LIKELY DEATH

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EVAPORATION:

THE TRANSFER OF HEAT THAT OCCURS WHEN A LIQUID CHANGES INTO A GAS

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FOCAL MOTOR SEIZURE:

A TYPE OF SEIZURE THAT INVOLVES ONLY ONE CEREBRAL HEMISPHERE, WHICH CAN CAUSE MOTOR DEFICITS OR CONVULSIONS IN ONLY ONE SIDE OF THE BODY OR IN ONE PART OF THE BODY. SINCE THE RETICULAR ACTIVATING SYSTEM IS STILL FUNCTIONING, THE PATIENT REMAINS AWARE; HOWEVER, FOCAL MOTOR SEIZURES CAN SPREAD TO FULL BODY SEIZURES. CAN ALSO BE CALLED A SIMPLE PARTIAL SEIZURE.

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FOUR WAYS OF TOXINS ENTERING THE BODY:

ABSORBED, INGESTED, INHALED, AND INJECTED.

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GASTROENTERITIS:

INFLAMMATION OF THE STOMACH OR SMALL INTESTINES; SIGNS ARE FREQUENTLY NAUSEA, VOMITING, CRAMPING

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GENERALIZED HYPOTHERMIA:

WHEN THE BODY CORE TEMPERATURE HAS DROPPED AND IS AFFECTING THE ENTIRE BODY; TYPICALLY, THIS CONDITION OCCURS WHEN THE BODY TEMP IS BELOW 95 DEGREES, AT WHICH POINT THE BODY LOSES THE ABILITY TO REGULATE ITS OWN TEMPERATURE

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GENERALIZED TONIC-CLONIC SEIZURE:

CAN ALSO BE KNOWN AS A GRAND MAL SEIZURE; A COMMON TYPE OF SEIZURE THAT PRODUCES UNRESPONSIVENESS AND A GENERALIZED JERKY MUSCLES ACTIVITY

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GENITOURINARY SYSTEM:

MALE ORGAN SYSTEM THAT INCLUDES BOTH THE REPRODUCTIVE AND URINARY STRUCTURES

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GLUCAGON:

A HORMONE THAT THE BODY USES TO STIMULATE THE LIVER TO CONVERT STORED GLYCOGEN AND OTHER SUBSTANCES INTO GLUCOSE

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GLYCOGEN:

THE STORED FORM OF GLUCOSE. THE LIVER CONVERTS EXCESS GLUCOSE TO GLYCOGEN FOR LATER USE BY THE BODY

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GRAND MAL SEIZURE:

CAN ALSO BE KNOWN AS A GENERALIZED TONIC-CLONIC SEIZURE; A COMMON TYPE OF SEIZURE THAT PRODUCES UNRESPONSIVENESS AND GENERALIZED JERKY MUSCLES ACTIVITY

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HALLUCINOGENS:

SUBSTANCES THAT CAUSE HALLUCINATIONS OR FALSE PERCEPTIONS. EXAMPLES: LSD, PCP, MESCALINE

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HEMATEMESIS:

VOMITING OF BLOOD; BRIGHT RED USUALLY INDICATES AN UPPER GI BLEED; DARK RED AND COFFEE GROUNDS INDICATES PARTIAL DIGESTION OF BLOOD AND A SIGN OF LOWER GI BLEED

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HEMATOCHEZIA:

BRIGHT RED BLOOD IN THE STOOL, INDICATES A LOWER GI BLEED OF QUICK ONSET

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HEMATURIA:

BLOOD IN THE URINE

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HEMORRHAGIC STROKE:

A STROKE CAUSED BY RUPTURE OF A BLOOD VESSEL IN THE BRAIN, WHICH RESULTS IN PRESSURE BUILD-UP AND EVENTUAL CELL DEATH DUE TO LACK OF OXYGEN AND NUTRIENTS

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HERNIA:

AN INTRUSION OF THE INTESTINES THROUGH AN OPENING IN THE ABDOMINAL WALL; SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS INCLUDE: RAPID ONSET OF ABDOMINAL PAIN, TENDER MASS AT POINT OF HERNIA

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HISTAMINE:

A CHEMICAL MEDIATOR THAT IS RELEASED FROM MAST CELLS IN AN ANAPHYLACTIC REACTION

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HIVES:

RAISED RED BLOTCHES ALL OVER THE SKIN

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HYPERGLYCEMIA:

HIGH BLOOD SUGAR; TYPICALLY, A LEVEL OF 120 ML/DL OR MORE

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HYPERGLYCEMIA:

HIGH BLOOD SUGAR

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HYPERGLYCEMIC HYPEROSMOLAR NONKETOTIC SYNDROME (HHNS):

HYPERGLYCEMIA WITH SOME INSULIN, CAUSING DEHYDRATION BUT NO ACID BUILDUP

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HYPERSENSITIVITY:

ALTERED REACTIVITY TO AN ALLERGEN THAT CAUSES AN ALLERGIC REACTION; OCCURS AFTER THE FIRST EXPOSURE WHERE SENSITIZATION OCCURS

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HYPOGLYCEMIA:

LOW BLOOD SUGAR; TYPICALLY, A LEVEL OF 60 ML/DL OR LESS.

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INGESTED TOXIN:

A TOXIN THAT IS CONSUMED ORALLY

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INHALED TOXIN:

A TOXIN THAT IS BREATHED INTO THE LUNGS

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INJECTED TOXIN:

A TOXIN THAT IS FORCED UNDER THE SKIN WITH A STINGER, A SYRINGE, OR ANY OTHER FOREIGN BODY

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INSULIN:

HORMONE RELEASED BY THE PANCREAS THAT HAS THREE MAIN FUNCTIONS: 1.) INCREASES THE MOVEMENT OF GLUCOSE OUT OF THE BLOOD INTO THE CELLS, 2.) CAUSES THE LIVER TO TAKE UP GLUCOSE OUT THE BLOOD AND COVERT IT INTO GLYCOGEN (THE STORED FORM OF GLUCOSE), 3. DECREASES THE BLOOD GLUCOSE LEVEL BY THE ACTIONS LISTED IN 1 AND 2

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INTESTINAL OBSTRUCTION:

A BLOCKAGE THAT INTERRUPTS THE NORMAL FLOW OF INTESTINAL CONTENTS; SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS INCLUDE: ABDOMINAL PAIN, SEVERE CONSTIPATION, DISTENTION, AND TENDERNESS

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ISCHEMIC STROKE:

A STROKE CAUSED BY OBSTRUCTION TO A VESSEL IN THE BRAIN; COULD EITHER BE THROMBOLYTIC (CAUSED BY A CLOT) OR EMBOLIC (PLAQUE, FAT, OR AIR PARTICLE) IN NATURE

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LOCAL COLD INJURY:

DAMAGE TO A SPECIFIC BODY PART FROM CONTACT WITH COLD

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MALAISE:

GENERAL FEELING OF WEAKNESS OR ILLNESS

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MAMMALIAN DIVING REFLEX:

THE BODY’S NATURAL RESPONSE TO SUBMERSION IN COLD WATER IN WHICH BREATHING IS INHIBITED, THE HEART RATE SLOWS DOWN, AND BLOOD VESSELS CONSTRICT IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN CEREBRAL AND CARDIAC BLOOD FLOW

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MARKLE TEST:

A TEST DEVELOPED FOR PERITONITIS IN WHICH A PATIENT STANDS ON HIS TOES, KNEES STRAIGHT, THEN DROPS TO HIS HEELS. THE MOVEMENT OF THE TORSO WILL ELICIT PAIN WHEN THE PERITONEAL LININGS ARE INFLAMED. CAN ALSO BE ACCOMPLISHED FOR A SUPINE PATIENT BY STRIKING THE BOTTOMS OF THE HEELS OR KNOCKING THEM TOGETHER.

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MELENA:

A DARK TARRY STOOL CONTAINING DECOMPOSING AND PARTIALLY DIGESTED BLOOD, NORMALLY FROM THE UPPER GI TRACT THAT HAS PASSED THROUGH THE GI SYSTEM

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MENARCHE:

ONSET OF THE MENSES: THE PORTION OF THE MENSTRUAL PERIOD WHERE THE ENDOMETRIUM IS SLOUGHED OFF

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MENSES:

PORTION OF THE MENSTRUAL PERIOD WHERE THE ENDOMETRIUM IS SLOUGHED OFF

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MITTELSCHMERZ:

ABDOMINOPELVIC PAIN DURING THE MIDDLE OF A MENSTRUAL CYCLE

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MYXEDEMA COMA:

A COMA INDUCED IN PATIENTS WHO ARE SUBJECT TO HYPOTHYROIDISM; MANIFESTED WHEN THE PATIENT BECOMES HYPOTHERMIC; TYPICALLY FOUND IN ELDERLY WOMEN; SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS INCLUDE SEIZURES, RESPIRATORY DEPRESSION, AND SLOW REFLEXES

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NARCOTICS:

A CNS DEPRESSANT DERIVED FROM THE OPIUM PLANT OR OPIOIDS. EXAMPLES: MORPHINE, CODEINE, FENTANYL, HEROIN

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PANCREATITIS:

INFLAMMATION OF THE PANCREAS; PRIMARY SYMPTOM IS SEVERE, SHARP PAIN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE UPPER QUADRANTS OF THE ABDOMEN; SOMETIMES RADIATES TO THE BACK

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PARANOIA:

A HIGHLY EXAGGERATED OR UNWARRANTED MISTRUST OR SUSPICION

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PARIETAL PAIN

SHARP, LOCALIZED, INTENSE, CONSTANT PAIN ASSOCIATED WITH IRRITATION OF THE PERITONEUM; CAN ALSO BE CALLED SOMATIC PAIN

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PASSIVE REWARMING:

ALLOWING THE PATIENT’S OWN HEAT MECHANISMS AND HEAT CONSERVATION TO REWARM THE PATIENT

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PELVIC INFLAMMATORY DISEASE (PID):

INFLAMMATION OF THE FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE TRACT; SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS INCLUDE: ABDOMINOPELVIC PAIN, VAGINAL DISCHARGE, FEVER OR CHILLS, NAUSEA OR VOMITING, IRREGULAR VAGINAL BLEEDING, OR CRAMPING

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PERITONEUM:

THE LINING OF THE ABDOMINAL CAVITY; COMPOSED OF AN INNER LAYER (THE VISCERAL PERITONEUM) AND THE OUTER LAYER (THE PARIETAL PERITONEUM)

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PERITONITIS:

INFLAMMATION AND IRRITATION OF THE PERITONEUM; USUALLY CAUSED WHEN BLOOD, PUS, BACTERIA, OR CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES LEAK INTO THE PERITONEUM

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PETIT MAL SEIZURE:

MOST COMMON IN CHILDREN AND ARE CHARACTERIZED BY A BLANK STARE, BEGINNING AND ENDING ABRUPTLY, AND LASTING ONLY A FEW SECONDS. ALSO KNOWN AS AN ABSENCE SEIZURE.

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POISON:

ANY SUBSTANCE THAT IMPAIRS THE HEALTH OF THE AFFECTED PERSON OR CAUSES DEATH BY ITS CHEMICAL ACTION. NOTE: ALMOST ANY SUBSTANCE COULD BE A POISON IN THE CORRECT DOSAGE.

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POSSIBLE CAUSES OF ANAPHYLACTIC REACTIONS:

VENOM FROM INSECT STINGS, SNAKES, OR SPIDERS; FOODS: INCLUDING PEANUTS, MILK, EGGS, SHELLFISH; POLLENS; MEDICATIONS; LATEX: EVEN LATEX GLOVES FOUND ON SOME AMBULANCES; EXERCISE; OTHER: COULD BE GLUES, CHEMICALS, OR ANY NUMBER OF THINGS.

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POSTICTAL STATE:

THE RECOVERY PERIOD THAT FOLLOWS THE CLONIC PHASE OF A GENERALIZED/GRAND MAL SEIZURE. IN A POSTICTAL STATE, THE PATIENT IS USUALLY WEAK, EXHAUSTED, DISORIENTED, AND PROGRESSIVELY IMPROVES. THE PATIENT CAN BECOME COMBATIVE AND FREQUENTLY IS CONFUSED.

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PSYCHOSIS:

A STATE OF DELUSION, IN WHICH A PERSON IS NOT IN TOUCH WITH REALITY

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RENAL CALCULI:

MEDICAL NAME FOR KIDNEY STONES; SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS INCLUDE ABDOMINOPELVIC PAIN, FLANK OR BACK PAIN, DIFFICULTY URINATING, NAUSEA OR VOMITING, UNABLE TO HOLD STILL PAIN

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RETROPERITONEAL SPACE:

THE AREA WHERE CERTAIN ORGANS ARE LOCATED OUTSIDE OF THE PERITONEAL SPACE; THESE ORGANS ARE THE KIDNEYS, URETERS, PANCREAS, AND ABDOMINAL AORTA

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RISK FACTORS FOR SUICIDE:

OVER 40 YEARS OLD, WIDOWED OR DIVORCED, ALCOHOLIC, DEPRESSED, HAS SPOKEN OF TAKEN ONE'S OWN LIFE, PREVIOUS HISTORY OF SELF-DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOR, RECENTLY DIAGNOSED WITH A SERIOUS ILLNESS, RECENTLY LOST A LOVED ONE, RECENT JOB LOSS, AND RECENTLY ARRESTED OR IMPRISONED.

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SCHIZOPHRENIA:

A MENTAL DISORDER IN WHICH A PERSON MIGHT EXPERIENCE HALLUCINATIONS, DELUSIONS, AND DISORGANIZED THINKING

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SEIZURE:

A SUDDEN AND TEMPORARY ALTERATION IN MENTAL STATUS CAUSED BY MASSIVE ELECTRICAL DISCHARGE IN A GROUP OF NERVE CELLS IN THE BRAIN

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SENSITIZATION:

THE FIRST EXPOSURE TO AN ANTIGEN IN WHICH THE BODY OVER-PREPARES FOR THE NEXT EXPOSURE

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SIMPLE PARTIAL SEIZURE:

A TYPE OF SEIZURE THAT INVOLVES ONLY ONE CEREBRAL HEMISPHERE, WHICH CAN CAUSE MOTOR DEFICITS OR CONVULSIONS IN ONLY ONE SIDE OF THE BODY OR IN ONE PART OF THE BODY. SINCE THE RETICULAR ACTIVATING SYSTEM IS STILL FUNCTIONING, THE PATIENT REMAINS AWARE; HOWEVER, SIMPLE PARTIAL SEIZURES CAN SPREAD TO FULL BODY SEIZURES. CAN ALSO BE CALLED A FOCAL MOTOR SEIZURE.

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SOMATIC PAIN:

SHARP, LOCALIZED, INTENSE, CONSTANT PAIN ASSOCIATED WITH IRRITATION OF THE PERITONEUM; CAN ALSO BE CALLED PARIETAL PAIN

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STATUS EPILEPTICUS:

A SEIZURE LASTING LONGER THAN 5 MINUTES OR CONSECUTIVE SEIZURES WITH NO PERIOD OF RESPONSIVENESS BETWEEN THEM

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STROKE:

A SUDDEN DISRUPTION IN BLOOD FLOW TO THE BRAIN THAT RESULTS IN BRAIN CELL DAMAGE

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SURFACTANT:

THE SUBSTANCE THAT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTAINING THE SURFACE TENSION IN THE ALVEOLI

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SYNCOPE:

A BRIEF PERIOD OF UNRESPONSIVENESS CAUSED BY A LACK OF BLOOD FLOW TO THE BRAIN, WHICH RESULTS IN FAINTING. TRUE SYNCOPE RESOLVES ONCE THE PATIENT IS SUPINE. THE PATIENT MAY EXHIBIT SOME MUSCLE TWITCHING AND CAN BE CONFUSED WITH SEIZURE ACTIVITY.

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THERMORECEPTORS:

THE SENSORY NERVE ENDING THAT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR SENDING NERVE IMPULSES TO THE HYPOTHALAMUS, INDICATING THE TEMPERATURE OF THE BODY

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THROMBOTIC STROKE:

AN ISCHEMIC STROKE CAUSED BY THE FORMATION OF A BLOOD CLOT WITHIN A CEREBRAL ARTERY

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TONIC PHASE OF A SEIZURE:

THE PATIENT’S MUSCLES BECOME CONTRACTED AND TENSE, AND THE PATIENT EXHIBITS EXTREME MUSCULAR RIGIDITY

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TOXICOLOGY:

THE STUDY OF TOXINS, ANTIDOTES, AND THE EFFECTS OF TOXINS ON THE BODY

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TOXIN:

ANY SUBSTANCE THAT PRODUCES ADVERSE EFFECTS WHEN IT ENTERS THE BODY

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TRANSIENT ISCHEMIC ATTACK (TIA):

A BRIEF INTERMITTENT EPISODE WITH STROKE LIKE SYMPTOMS THAT DISAPPEAR WITHIN 24 HOURS. TIAS ARE CAUSED BY AN OXYGEN DEFICIT IN THE BRAIN TISSUE, USUALLY ISCHEMIC, AND CAN SOMETIMES BE A PRECURSOR TO A FULL STROKE.

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TYPE I DIABETES:

REMEMBER: I IS YOUNGER THAN II, SO TYPE I USUALLY STARTS IN CHILDREN AND MEANS THAT THE PANCREAS IS NOT CAPABLE OF PRODUCING INSULIN; THE PATIENT IS INSULIN DEPENDENT

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TYPE II DIABETES:

REMEMBER: I IS YOUNGER THAN II, SO TYPE II USUALLY STARTS IN ADULTS (NOT CHILDREN) AND MEANS THAT THE PATIENT’S PANCREAS DOES PRODUCE INSULIN; THE PATIENT IS NON-INSULIN DEPENDENT

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ULCERS:

OPEN WOUNDS OR SORES FOUND WITHIN THE INTESTINAL SYSTEM; SIGNS INCLUDE NAUSEA, VOMITING, PAIN, AND BLOOD IN THE STOOL OR VOMIT

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URBAN HYPOTHERMIA:

NOT CLEARLY DEFINED, BUT TYPICALLY REFERS TO INDIVIDUALS WHO POSSESS A PREDISPOSING ILLNESS THAT MAKES THEM SUSCEPTIBLE TO TEMPERATURE-RELATED ILLNESSES, EVEN THOUGH THEY COULD BE INDOORS

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VISCERAL PAIN:

A DULL, CRAMPY, POORLY LOCALIZED, INTERMITTENT, OR ACHING PAIN ASSOCIATED WITH ISCHEMIA OR DISTENTION OF AN ORGAN

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VOLATILE INHALANTS:

SUBSTANCES THAT ARE EASILY VAPORIZED AND INHALABLE; CAN BE ANYTHING FROM HAIR SPRAY TO PAINT THINNER

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WITHDRAWAL:

A SYNDROME THAT OCCURS AFTER A PERSON WHO HAS BECOME ACCUSTOMED TO A PARTICULAR SUBSTANCE GOES WITHOUT THAT SUBSTANCE FOR A PERIOD OF TIME; SYMPTOMS TYPICALLY INVOLVE SHAKING, CHILLS, ANXIETY, AND EVEN SEIZURES THAT RESULT IN DEATH.

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ACTION:

THE EFFECT THAT A MEDICATION HAS ON THE BODY

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ACTIVATED CHARCOAL:

A FINE, BLACK POWDER THAT IS DESIGNED TO ADSORB OR BIND AN INGESTED POISON TO THE CHARCOAL; USUALLY ONLY EFFECTIVE IF ADMINISTERED WITHIN 1 HOUR OF INGESTION; TYPICALLY ADMINISTERED IN 50 GRAM DOSES

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ADMINISTRATION ROUTE:

THE WAY MEDICATION IS ADMINISTERED TO THE PATIENT

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ASPIRIN:

CAUSES THE BODY’S CLOTTING MECHANISM TO BE SLOWED DOWN BY NOT ALLOWING PLATELETS TO AGGREGATE; TYPICALLY GIVEN TO PATIENTS WITH NON-TRAUMATIC CHEST PAIN

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CHEMICAL NAME:

THE CHEMICAL NAME DESCRIBES THE DRUG’S CHEMICAL STRUCTURE; USUALLY, THE FIRST NAME ASSOCIATED WITH THE DRUG

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CONTRAINDICATION:

A SITUATION IN WHICH A MEDICATION SHOULD NOT BE USED

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DOSE:

THE AMOUNT OF MEDICATION THAT SHOULD BE ADMINISTERED

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DRUG:

ANY SUBSTANCE THAT ALTERS THE BODY’S FUNCTION WHEN TAKEN INTO THE BODY

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EPINEPHRINE:

A HORMONE THAT IS FOUND IN THE BODY, BUT CAN BE INJECTED INTO A PATIENT WHO IS EXPERIENCING SEVERE ANAPHYLAXIS; THE DRUG WILL CAUSE THE PATIENT’S HEART TO RACE, BLOOD PRESSURE TO RISE, BRONCHIOLES TO OPEN UP, AND DECREASED CAPILLARY PERMEABILITY

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GENERIC NAME:

THE NAME OF A MEDICATION LISTED IN THE U.S. PHARMACOPOEIA; THE OFFICIAL NAME ASSIGNED TO THE MEDICATION; THE GENERIC NAME IS USUALLY A SIMPLE FORM OF THE CHEMICAL NAME

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INDICATION:

THE CONDITION FOR WHICH A MEDICATION MAY BE USED

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INHALATION:

A ROUTE OF ADMINISTRATION FOR MEDICATIONS IN THE FORM OF A FINE MIST OR A GAS THAT ARE ABSORBED BY THE CAPILLARIES OF THE LUNGS

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INJECTION:

A ROUTE OF ADMINISTRATION THAT IS PLACED DIRECTLY IN THE FAT, MUSCLE OR UNDERNEATH THE SKIN OF A PATIENT; NOT AN EMT-B SKILL, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE AUTO INJECTOR, EPI-PEN

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INTRAMUSCULAR:

DIRECTLY INTO THE MUSCLE

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MECHANISM OF ACTION:

HOW A MEDICATION AFFECTS THE BODY

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MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION “FIVE RIGHTS”:

RIGHT PATIENT: IS THE MEDICATION PRESCRIBED TO THE PATIENT, AND DOES THIS PATIENT WARRANT ADMINISTRATION OF THIS MEDICATION? RIGHT MEDICATION: MAKE SURE THAT THE CORRECT MEDICATION WAS SELECTED. RIGHT ROUTE: ENSURE THAT YOU UNDERSTAND HOW EACH MEDICATION SHOULD BE ADMINISTERED. RIGHT DOSE: UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ADULTS AND PEDIATRICS, AND HOW MUCH A PATIENT SHOULD BE ADMINISTERED. RIGHT DATE: MAKE SURE THAT THE MEDICATION IS NOT EXPIRED.

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METERED DOSE INHALER:

DEVICE CONSISTING OF A PLASTIC CONTAINER AND A CANISTER OF MEDICATION, USED TO INHALE AN AEROSOLIZED MEDICATION; CAN BE GIVEN TO PATIENTS WITH ASTHMA OR COPD

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NITROGLYCERIN:

A MEDICATION THAT IS USED TO TREAT CARDIAC PATIENTS WITH DISEASE OF THE CORONARY ARTERIES THAT DELIVER BLOOD TO THE HEART; A MAJOR SIDE EFFECT IS HYPOTENSION; MAJOR CONTRAINDICATIONS ARE ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION DRUGS, WHICH ARE ALSO VASODILATORS; A POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECT COULD BE HYPOTENSION, WHICH CAN LEAD TO DEATH

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OFFICIAL NAME:

DRUGS MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE U.S. PHARMACOPOEIA OR NATIONAL FORMULARY ARE GIVEN AN OFFICIAL NAME; USUALLY, THE OFFICIAL NAME IS THE GENERIC NAME, FOLLOWED BY THE INITIALS U.S.P. OR N.F.

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ORAL GLUCOSE:

SIMPLE SUGAR USED IN THE BODY AS THE PRIMARY ENERGY FOR CELLS; WITHOUT IT, THE BRAIN CANNOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. ORAL GLUCOSE IS TAKEN ORALLY BY A PATIENT; THE PATIENT MUST BE AWAKE AND ABLE TO SWALLOW TO TAKE IT. THERE ARE NO OTHER CONTRAINDICATIONS.

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OXYGEN:

ODORLESS, TASTELESS, GAS THAT IS FOUND IN AMBIENT ATMOSPHERE; EMT CAN ADMINISTER TO PATIENTS VIA NON-REBREATHER, OR NASAL CANNULA; THERE ARE NO CONTRAINDICATIONS FOR OXYGEN ADMINISTRATION

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PHARMACOLOGY:

THE SCIENCE OF DRUGS AND STUDY OF THEIR ORIGIN, INGREDIENTS, USES, AND ACTIONS ON THE BODY

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SMALL-VOLUME NEBULIZER:

DEVICE USED TO CREATE A FINE VAPOR OR MIST CONTAINING A BETA2-SPECIFIC MEDICATION FOR INHALATION; TYPICALLY, OXYGEN IS USED TO AEROSOLIZE THE MEDICATION AS A PATIENT BREATHES IT THROUGH A T-SHAPED TUBE

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SUBLINGUAL:

UNDER THE TONGUE

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TRADE NAME OF A DRUG:

THE NAME ASSIGNED BY THE COMPANY THAT SELLS A MEDICATION; TRADE NAMES ARE COPYRIGHTED AND CARRY THE COPYRIGHT SYMBOL

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ALTERED MENTAL STATUS:

A STATE CHARACTERIZED BY A DECREASE IN THE PATIENT'S ALERTNESS AND RESPONSIVENESS TO HIS SURROUNDINGS

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ANAPHYLACTIC SHOCK:

SEVERE ALLERGY

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BEHAVIORAL EMERGENCY:

A SITUATION IN WHICH AN INDIVIDUAL EXHIBITS ABNORMAL BEHAVIOR THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE OR INTOLERABLE TO THE PATIENT, FAMILY, OR COMMUNITY

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CEREBRAL EMBOLISM:

STROKE: CLOT OR FOREIGN BODY FORMS AND TRAVELS TO BRAIN

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CEREBRAL HEMORRHAGE:

STROKE: BLOOD VESSELS IN BRAIN RUPTURES

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CEREBRAL THROMBOSIS:

STROKE: BLOOD CLOT FORMS IN THE BRAIN

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CINCINNATI STROKE SCALE:

1. FACIAL DROOP 2. ARM DRIFT 3. SPEECH

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CONVULSIONS:

UNCONTROLLED MUSCULAR CONTRACTIONS

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DIABETES:

USUALLY REFERS TO DIABETES MELLITUS, A DISEASE THAT PREVENTS INDIVIDUALS FROM PRODUCING ENOUGH INSULIN OR FROM USING INSULIN APPROPRIATELY

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DYSPNEA:

SOB- SHORTNESS OF BREATH

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EPILEPSY:

A DISORDER OF THE BRAIN THAT CAUSES SEIZURES

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FEBRILE:

RELATING TO A FEVER

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GENERALIZED SEIZURE:

A TYPE OF SEIZURE CHARACTERIZED BY A LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS AND FULL-BODY MUSCLE CONTRACTIONS

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HEMODIALYSIS:

THE PROCESS OF MECHANICALLY FILTERING THE BLOOD TO REMOVE WASTES AND EXCESS FLUID

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HEMORRHAGIC SHOCK:

BLOOD LOSS

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HEMOTHORAX:

PLEURA SPACE FILLS WITH BLOOD

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HYPERGLYCEMIA:

AN ABNORMALLY HIGH BLOOD-SUGAR LEVEL; TOO MUCH SUGAR IN BLOOD>GRADUAL ONSET< CAUSES INFECTION, STRESS, MEDICATION ERRORS, TOO MUCH FOOD. FLUSHED, WARM, DRY SKIN.

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OVERDOSE:

AN INCIDENT THAT OCCURS WHEN A PERSON TAKES IN MORE OF A MEDICATION THAN IS NORMAL

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PAROXYSMAL NOCTURNAL DYSPNEA:

LAZY BOY PEOPLE CAN'T LAY DOWN OR WILL HAVE SOB

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PARTIAL SEIZURE:

A SEIZURE CHARACTERIZED BY A TEMPORARY LOSS OF AWARENESS WITH NO DRAMATIC BODY MOVEMENTS

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PNEUMOTHORAX:

COLLAPSE LUNG (SUCKING CHEST WOUND)

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SEPSIS:

A WIDESPREAD INFECTION OF THE BODY

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STATUS EPILEPTICUS:

>2 SEIZURES WITHOUT CONSCIOUS (LIFE THREATENING)

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STROKE (BRAIN ATTACK):

A CONDITION THAT OCCURS WHEN AN AREA OF THE BRAIN DOES NOT RECEIVE AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF BLOOD

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SYNCOPE:

FAINTING - CAUSED BY BLOOD IN THE BRAIN

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TRAUMATIC ASPHYXIA:

BLUNT TRAUMA TO CHEST

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