EMT-MOD 4 Key Terms

Pharmacology

The study of drugs, their sources, theur characteristics, abd their effects

Aspirin

A medication used to reduce the clotting ability of blood to prevent and treat clots associated with myocardial infarction

Oral glucose

A form of glucose given by mouth to treat an awake patient (who is able to swallow) with an altered mental status and a history of diabetes

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 him to be hypoxic, or low in oxygen

Inhaler

A spray device with a mouthpiece that contains an aerosol form of a medication that a patient can spray into his airway

Nitroglycerin

A drug that helps to dilate the coronary vessels that supply the heart muscle with blood

Epinephrine

A drug that helps to constrict the blood vessels and relax passages of the airway. It may be used to counter a severe allergic reaction

Atomizer

A device attached to the end of a syringe that atomizes medication (turns it into very fine droplets)

Naloxone

An antidote for narcotic overdoses

Indications

Specific signs or circumstances under which it is appropriate to administer a drug to a patient

Contraindications

Specific signs or circumstances under which it is not appropriate and may be harmful to administer a drug to a patient

Side effect

Any action of a drug other than the desired action

Untoward effect

An effect of a medication in addition to its desired effect that may be potentially harmful to the patient

Parenteral

Referring to a route of medication administration that does not use the gastrointestinal tract, such as an intravenous medication

Enteral

Referring to a route of medication administration that uses the gastrointestinal tract, such as swallowing a pill

Pharmacodynamics

The study of the effects of medications on the body

Inspiration (inhalation)

An active process in which the intercostal muscles and the diaphragm contract, expanding the size of the chest cavity and causing air to flow into the lungs

Expiration (exhalation)

A passive process in which the intercostal muscles and the diaphragm relax, causing the chest cavity to decrease in size and forcing air from the lungs

Continuous positive airway (CPAP)

A form of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) consisting of a mask and a means of blowing oxygen or air into the mask to prevent airway collapse or to help alleviate difficult breathing

Bronchoconstriction

Constriction, or blockage, of the bronchi that lead from the trachea to the lungs

Defibrillation

Delivery of an electrical shock to stop the fibrillation of heart muscles and restore a normal heart rhythm

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

Actions taken to revive a person by keeping the person's heart and lungs working

Cardiovascular system

The heart and the blood vessels

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS)

A blanket term used to represent any symptoms related to lack of oxygen (ischemia) in the heart muscle. Also called cardiac compromise

Dyspnea

Shortness of breath; labored or difficult breathing

Bradycardia

When the heart rate is slow, usually less than 60 beats per minute

Tachycardia

When the heart rate is fast, more than 100 beats per minute

Coronary artery disease (CAD)

Diseases that affect the arteries of the heart

Thrombus

A clot formed of blood and plaque attached to the inner wall of an artery or vein

Occlusion

Blockage, as of an artery, by fatty deposits

Embolism

Blockage of a vessel by a clot or foreign material brought to the site by the blood current

Aneurysm

The dilation, or ballooning, of a weakened section of the wall of an artery

Dysrhythmia

A disturbance in heart rate and rhythm

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

Nitroglycerin

A medication that dilates the blood vessels

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI)

The condition in which a portion of the myocardium dies as a result of oxygen starvation; often called a heart attack by laypersons

Sudden death

A cardiac arrest that occurs within 2 hours of the onset of symptoms. The patient may have no prior symptoms of coronary artery disease

Congestive heart failure (CHF)

The failure of the heart to pump efficiently, leading to excessive blood or fluids in the lungs, the body, or both

Edema

Swelling resulting from a buildup of fluid in the tissues

Pulmonary edema

Accumulation of fluid in the lungs

Pedal edema

Accumulation of fluid in the feet or ankles

Ventricular fibrillation (VF)

A condition in which the heart's electrical impulses are disorganized, preventing the heart muscle from contracting normally

Ventricular tachycardia (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 the beats to produce blood flow sufficient to meet the body's needs

Pulseless electrical activity (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

Asystole

A condition in which the heart has ceased generating electrical impulses (flatline)

Apnea

No breathing

Agonal breathing

Irregular, gasping breaths that precede apnea and death

Reticular activating system (RAS)

Series of neurologic circuits in the brain that control the functions of staying awake, paying attention, and sleeping

Glucose

A form of sugar, the body's basic source of energy

Insulin

A hormone produced by the pancreas or taken as a medication by many diabetics

Diabetes mellitus

Sugar diabetes" or just "diabetes," the condition brought about by decreased insulin production or the inability of the body cells to use insulin properly. The person with this condition is a diabetic

Hypoglycemia

Low blood sugar

Hyperglycemia

High blood sugar

Diabetic ketoacidosis

A condition that occurs as the result of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) characterized by dehydration, alerted mental status, and shock

Sepsis

Infection, especially a severe, systemwide response to infection

Seizure

A sudden change in sensation, behavior, or movement. The most severe form of seizures produces violent muscle contractions called convulsions

Partial seizure

A seizure that affects only one part or side of the brain

Generalized seizure

A seizure that affects both sides of the brain

Tonic-clinic seizure

A generalized seizure in which the patient loses consciousness and has jerking movements of paired muscle groups

Postictal phase

The period of time immediately following a tonic-clonic seizure in which the patient goes from full loss of consciousness to full mental status

Aura

A sensation experienced by a seizure patient right before the seizure, which might be a smell, sound, or general feeling

Epilepsy

A medical condition that causes seizures

Status epilepticus

A prolonged seizure or situation when a person suffers two or more convulsive seizures without regaining full consciousness

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. (Cerebrovascular accident- CVA)

Syncope

Fainting

Allergic reaction

An exaggerated immune response

Allergen

Something that causes an allergic reaction

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. (Anaphylactic shock)

Hives

Red, itchy, possibly raised blotches on the skin that often result from allergic reactions

Epinephrine

A hormone produced by the body. As a medication, it constructs blood vessels and dilates respiratory passages and is used to relieve severe allergic reactions

Poison

Any substance that can harm the body by altering cell structure or functions

Toxin

A poisonous substance secreted by bacteria, plants or animals

Ingested poisons

Poisons that are swallowed

Inhaled poisons

Poisons that are breathed in

Absorbed poisons

Poisons that are taken into the body through unbroken skin

Injected poisons

Poisons that are inserted through the skin, for example, by needle, snake fangs, or insect stinger

Activated charcoal

A substance that adsorbs many poisons and prevents them from being absorbed by the body

Dilution

Thinning down or weakening by mixing with something else. Ingested poisons are sometimes diluted by drinking water or milk

Antidote

A substance that will neutralize the poison or its effects

Withdrawal

Referring to alcohol or drug withdrawal in which the patient's body reacts severely when deprived of the abused substance

Delirium tremens (DTs)

A severe reaction that can be part of alcohol withdrawal, characterized by sweating, trembling, anxiety, and hallucinations. Severe alcohol withdrawal with DTs can lead to death if untreated

Uppers

Stimulants such as amphetamines that affect the central nervous system to excite the user

Downers

Depressants, such as barbiturates, that depress the central nervous system, which are often used to bring on a more relaxed state of mind

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

Hallucinogens

Mind-affecting or mind-altering drugs that act on the central nervous system to produce excitement and distortion of perceptions

Volatile chemicals

Vaporizing compounds, such as cleaning fluid, that are breathed in by the abuser to produce a "high

Peritoneum

The membrane that lines the abdominal cavity (the parietal peritoneum) and covers the organs within it ( the visceral peritoneum)

Retroperitoneal space

The area posterior to the peritoneum, between the peritoneum and the back. The organs are not technically part of the abdomen, include the kidneys, the pancreas, and the aorta

Visceral pain

A poorly localized, dull, or diffuse pain that arises from the abdominal organs, or viscera

Parietal pain

A localized, intense pain that arises from the parietal peritoneum, the lining of the abdominal cavity

Tearing pain

Sharp pain that feels as if body tissues are being torn apart

Referred pain

Pain that is felt in a location other than where the pain originates

Behavior

The manner in which a person acts

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

Exited delirium

Bizarre and/or aggressive behavior, shouting, paranoia, panic, violence towards others, insensitivity to pain, unexpected physical strength, and hyperthermia, usually associated with cocaine or amphetamine use. Also called agitated delirium.

Positional asphyxia

Inadequate breathing or respiratory arrest caused by a body position that restricts breathing

Coagulopathy

Loss of the normal ability to form a blood clot with internal or external bleeding

Anemia

Lack of a normal number of red blood cells in the circulation

Sickle cell anemia (SCA)

An inherited disease in which a genetic defect in the hemoglobin results in abnormal structure of the red blood cells

Pyelonephritis

An infection that begins in the urinary tract and ascends up the ureter into the kidney

Urinary catheter

A drainage tube placed into the urinary system to allow the flow of urine out of the body

Renal failure

Loss of the kidneys' ability to filter the blood and remove toxins and excess fluid from the body

End-stage renal disease (ESRD)

Irreversible renal failure to the extent that the kidneys can no longer provide adequate filtration and fluid balance to sustain life; survival with ESRD usually requires dialysis

Dialysis

The process by which toxins and excess fluid are removed from the body by a medical system independent of the kidneys

Thrill

A vibration felt on gentle palpation, such as that which typically occurs within an arterial-venous fistula

Exchange

One cycle of filling and draining the peritoneal cavity in peritoneal dialysis

Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD)

A gravity exchange process for peritoneal dialysis in which a bag of dialysis fluid is raised above the level of an abdominal catheter to fill the abdominal cavity and lowered below the level of the abdominal catheter to drain out the fluid

Continuous cycler-assisted peritoneal dialysis (CCPD)

A mechanical process for peritoneal dialysis in which a machine fills and empties the abdominal cavity of dialysis solution

Peritonitis

Bacterial infection within the peritoneal cavity