| A | B |
|---|
| abandonment | Failure to provide continuing care for the patient once it has been initiated. |
| abdominal quadrants | Sections of the abdomen: right upper, left upper, right lower, left lower. |
| abortion | Expulsion of an embryo or fetus from the uterus before the twentieth week; can occur spontaneously or through a medical procedure |
| abrasion | Damage to the epidermis and dermis from shearing forces; commonly referred to as a scrape |
| abruptio placentae | Sudden separation of the placenta from the wall of the uterus; signs and symptoms include sudden severe low abdominal pain with or without vaginal bleeding |
| abscess | Localized collection of pus (white cells, bacteria, and debris) usually contained within a fibrous cac |
| absence | Seizure characterized by a sudden, momentary loss of consciousness; also known as a petit mal seizure. |
| absorption | Uptake of mediations into tissues |
| accessory muscles | Muscles located primarily in the neck that contract to increase tidal volume during respiratory distress |
| acidosis | Abnormal increase in hydrogen ion concentation in the body; blood pH below 7.40 (normal blood pH 7.5) |
| acromion | lateral edge of the shoulder |
| action | Desirable effect of a drug (.eg.; the action of oral glucose is to raise the blood surgar level). |
| action circle | "Clear zone" established early on an extrication scene, 10 to 15 feet in all directions from the vehicles involved in an accident |
| activated charcoal | Form of charcoal with a high surface area that is specially formulated to bind to substances; used to prevent absorption of swallowed substances from the intestine |
| active rewarming | Process of rapidly rewarming the body |
| activities of daily living (ADLs) | Activities usually accomplished during a normal day (e.g., eating, dressing, washing). |
| acute | Injury or disease characterized by rapid onset, severe symptoms, and a short course. |
| acute care | Short-term medical treatment for an injury or disease with rapid onset, severe symptoms, and short duration, such as injuries resulting from an automobile collision. |
| advance directives | Legally binding document prepared and signed by an individual that clearly states his or her personal wishes regarding implementation of lifesaving techniques in the event that the individual is severely injured or terminally ill and cannot make decisions at that time. |
| advanced life support (ALS) | Care provided to patients with use of drugs, advanced invasive airway procedures using cardiac monitor defibrillators, and advanced knowledge and judgment. These skills are generally reserved for pre-hospital care providers trained above the EMT-Basic level. |
| advanced life support intercept | Arranged rendezvous with paramedics while en route to the hospital when the patient is in need of an advanced level of care not available at the scene |
| advocate | Person who assists another person in carrying out desired wishes; an EMT should function as a patient's advocate in all aspects of prehospital care. |
| aerobic | In the presence of oxygen |
| aging | Set of expected, inevitable changes in biologic and psychologic functions, some of which are detrimental, that occur with the passage of time. |
| agonal ventilations | Occasional, gasping breaths that occur just before death |
| airborne pathogens | Microorganisms, present in the air, that cause disease |
| air chisel | Metal-cutting hand tool adapted from industry for use on the extrication scene. It is a system comprised of an air chisel gun, compressed air hose, regulator, and compressed air supply |
| air rescue bag | Extrication tool, consisting of air sacs or bags, filler hoses, air regulator, control valves, and a supply of compressed air. Also referred to as air lifting bags |
| air restraint bag | Part of the passive passenger restraint system of a passenger care. It consists of a deflated air bag, which fills quickly with a gas when either electrically or mechanically activated on impact of the vehicle. This bag system affords extra protection of the front seat occupants during a vehicle accident. |
| airway adjuncts | Devices such as oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal airways that are designed to prevent airway obstruction by the tongue |
| allergen | Substance that can produce a hypersensitive reaction in the body; not always harmful (e.g., pollen, dust, animal dander, feathers, and various foods). |
| allergic reaction | Response of the body's immune system when challenged by a foreign substance either on the surface or into the body |
| alveolar/capillary exchange | Gas exchange that occurs in the lungs; oxygen enters the capillaries and is transported by the blood, and carbon dioxide enters the alveoli and is exhaled. |
| alveoli | Small air sacs in the lungs where the exchange of gas takes place |
| ambient temperature | Outside or environmental air temperature that surrounds the body |
| amniotic fluid | Clear to straw-colored fluid in the amniotic sac that acts as a shock absorber and maintains a uniform pressure and temperature for the fetus. |
| amniotic sac | Fibrous sac filled with a clear to straw-colored fluid called amniotic fluid; protecte the fetus; also called bag of water. |
| amputation | Injury or surgical procedure in which a limb or other body part is removed completely from the body. |
| amylase | Class of enzymes that split or hydrolyze starch. |
| anaerobic | In the absence of oxygen |
| anaphylactic reaction | Extreme allergic reaction that is caused by the release of histamine from the cells |
| anaphylaxis | Exaggerated, life-threatening hypersensitivity reaction to a previosuly encountered antigen |
| anatomic position | Patient facing foward, arms at the sides, with the palms facing forward |
| anatomic splinting | Splinting the body by completely immobilizing it on and fully securing the patient to a long spine board. |
| anatomy | Sturcture of the body and relationship of the parts to one another |
| aneurysm | Balloned-out area of a blood vessel |
| angina pectoris | Chest pain or pressure frequently brought on by exercise and relived by rest; casued by ischemia in the heart and often treated with nitroglycerin |
| angular-impact collision | Off-center impact |
| anoxia | Deficiency of oxygen |
| anterior | Toward the front |
| anterior axillary line | Line that extends directly caudad from the pectoralis major skin fold and the skin of the arm to the anterior superior iliac spine. |
| anterior flail chest | Tow or more adjacent ribs fractured in tow or more places, resulting in an unstable or potentially unstable segment of the chest wall. |
| antibodies | Complex system of circulating protective proteins used to fight off foreign material in the body. |
| antidote | Agent that directly blocks or reverses the effect of a poison. |
| antigen | Substance, usually a protein, that causes the formation of an antibody and reacts specifically with that antibody; antigens are usually found on the surfaces of microorganisms. |
| aorta | Largest artery in the body, extending from the left ventricle through the thorax and abdomen to the navel, where it divides into the iliace arteries; carries blood from the heart to the body. |
| aortic insufficiency | Incompetent aortic valve |
| apex | Rounded tip of an organ (elgl, bottom of the heart, top of the lung). |
| APGAR score | Scoring system used to evaluate the condition of the infant after 1 and 5 minutes of life; scores of 0, 1, or 2 are given for Apperance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, and Respiration. Most newborns have a calculated APGAR score of 8 to 10 one minute after birth. |
| apical pulse | Pulse that is heard over the apex of the heart using a stethoscope; beats heard per minute at this location |
| apnea | Complete lack of respirations |
| apnea monitor | Technological aid used to warn of cessation of breathing in a premature infant; also may warn of bradycardia and tachycardia. |
| appendicitis | Inflammation of the appendix usually seen in young patients between 15 and 25 years of age. In adults, it is more common in males than in females. It can be acute, subacute, or chronic and usually requires surgical removal |
| appropriate facility | Hospital equipped and staffed to immediately handle the patient's specific injuries. |
| arachnoid membrane | Second membrane of the meninges; a transparent, spiderlike membrance interlaced wiht fibers. |
| Arnold-Chiara malformation | Complicaton of spina bifida in which the brainstem and cerebellus extend down through the foramen magnum into the cervical portion of the vertebrae. |
| arrhythmia | Abnormality in the conduction system of the heart (e.g., ventricular fibrillation). |
| arteries | Vessels that carry blood away from the heart to the body under pressure. |
| arteriole | Smallest branch of an artery; supplies capillaries with oxygenated blood |
| arytenoid cartilage | Small structures that serve as the posterior attachments for the vocal cords; located behing the blottic opening on each side of the larynx. |
| ascent injury | Injury that can occur to a scuba diver upon ascent to the water surface at the end of the dive. |
| aspiration | Accidental inhalation of fluid or other particles into the lower airway |
| assault | Creation of immediate fear of harm in another individual |
| assessment | Process that includes an oral interview an a physical examination. Assessment allows the EMT to gather information or clues that are useful in deciding wheihc emergency medical interentsion will be used. The results of the assessment are communicated to the medical personnel at the receiving hospital |
| asthma | Respiratory disorder characterized by recurring episodes of sudden onset of breathing difficulty, wheezing on expiration and inspiration as a result of contriction of the bronchi, coughing, and thich mucous bronchial secretions; also known as reactive airways disease. |
| atelectasis | Collapsed alveoli in the lung. These sections are not ventilated and contribute to lack of oxygenation of hte red blood cells and can lead to pneumonia |
| atherosclerosis | Disease in which arteries are narrowed by collections of cholesterol and cellular debris; increases the risk for angina pectorix and myocardial infarction. |
| atonic | Weak; lacking normal tone, as in the case of a flaccid muscle. |
| atria | Upper chamber of the heart; the right atrium receives blood from the superior and inferior venea cavae; the left atrium receives blood from the pulmonary veins. |
| aura | Period immediately preceding a seizure |
| auscultate | Listen through a stethoscope |
| auscultation | Listening to sound of the body with a stethoscope or blood pressure cuff; listening to the blood pressure. |
| automated external defibrillator (AED) | Device used in cardiac arrest to perform a computer anaylsis of the patient's cardiac rhythm and deliver defibrillatory shocks when indicated. |
| automated transport ventilator (ATV) | Oxygen-powered device with settings for tidal volume and respiratory frequency designed to provide artificial ventilations form intubated patients. |
| automaticity | Ability of an organ, such as the heart, to generate an electrical impulse |
| autonomic | Having the ability to perform independently without outside influence; pertaining to the autonomic nervous system |
| autonomic nervous system | Part of the nervous system that regulates involuntary vital functions, including the activity of the cardiac muscle, smooth muscles, and glands; divided into the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system. |
| availability | Amount of drug that is absorbed from the site of administration |
| AVPU | Acronym for Alert, Verbal, Painful, and Unresponsive; used to describe patient's responsiveness |
| avulsion | Injury in which flaps of skin or tissue are torn either partially or completely off the body. |
| axial skeleton | Division of the skeletal system comprised of the head and trunk of the body |
| axillary region | "Armpit" region of the body |
| ball-and-socket joint | Joint that moves freely in all directions, such as the shoulder |
| bandage | Material that holds a dressing in place over a wound |
| barotrauma | Term used to identify injury occurring as a result of greater presure on the external body than within body cavities. Often referred to as a squeeze. |
| base | Flat end of an organ (e.g., top of the heart, bottom of the lung). |
| base plate | Metal support provided in some powered hydraulic rescue tool systems. It is used to strengthen the push-off point of a powered hydraulic ram. |
| base station | Radio tht is operated at a fixed site such as a dispatch center, hospital, or some other location that does not move; usually runs off the community electrical power (as opposed to battery power) and transmits at a much higher power than do smaller portable radios. |
| battery | Touching another person without his or her consent. |
| battle's sign | Discoloraton behind the ears found in basilar or occipital skul fractures. |
| behavior | How a person functions or acts. |
| bent-arm drag | Type of inline drap useing the patient's arms in a bend position to provide leverage from dragging the patient away from immediate danger |
| bicuspid valve | Two-flap valve that covers the opening between the left atrium and the left ventricle. |
| bilateral | Pertaining to both sides |
| bioethical considerations | Term tht relates to living tissues and the moral principles or values concerning the lief and/or death of that living tissue; the prnciples of conduct governing an individual or professional group. |
| biological warfare agents (BWAs) | True biological agents, biological vectors, toxins, and bioregulators. |
| birth canal | Structure located between the anus and the urethral orifice; also known as the vagina |
| blanch (blanching) | Skin's ability to change from a lghter color to a normal color after slight presure in applied to the area; indication of adequate circulation. |
| blanket drag | Type of inline drag using a blanket placed under the patient to pull him or her away from immediate danger. |
| blood | Fluid consisting of blood cells and plasma that carries nutrients to the tissues and removes waste. |
| bloodborne pathogens | Microroganisms present in the blood that cause disease. |
| blood pressure | Pressure that blood exerts on the walls of arteries; measured with a sphygmomanometer. |
| blood vessels | Vessels that carry blood throughout the body. |
| blunt trauma | Injury that is not immediately evident to the human eye. |
| body fluids/substances | Any matter excreted or emitted by the body that may contain infectious microorganisms |
| body position | General term applied to the positioining of the rescuer's body away from dangerous areas near rescue tools while they are in operation under force. |
| body substance isolation (BSI) | Isolation of substances that are excreted from the body to prevent the spread of communitcable diseases. |
| body surface area (BSA) | Measured area of the body involved, usually dealing with thermal burns. |
| bolt cutter | Hand tool that is used to cut steel on chains, locks, or other items. |
| bounding pulse | Strong pulse that is easily palpated. |
| box crib | This is an arrangement of 4" x 4" or 2" x 4" wood cribbing where it is stacked in parallel pairs at right angles to the parallel pair immediately below. |
| brachial artery | Artery located on the inside of teh elbow on the same side as the small finger; extends from the elbow to the armpit. |
| brachial pulse | Pulse palpated at the brachial artery of the arm, found on the inner aspect of the upper arm. |
| bradycardia | Heart rate less than 60 beats per minute; a patient with bradycardia may or may not have symptoms. |
| brain edema | Swelling in the brain. |
| brain stem herniation | Occurs when the portion of the brain that contains the medulla oblongata, pons, and mesencephalon is forced down through the foramen magnum when pressure inside the cranium is increased |
| braxton hicks contractions | Contractions that occur at irregular intervals but do not increase in pain intensity; also known as false contractions. |
| breech birth | Birth in which the presenting part of the fetus is either the buttocks, foot, or leg. |
| bronchi | Two branches of hte trachea. Also known as bronchial tubes. |
| bronchiole | Small airway of the respiratory system extending from the bronchi into the lobes of the lungs. |
| bronchiolitis | Acute viral infection of the lower respiratory tract that occurs primarily in infants uner 18 months of age; characterized by expiratory wheezing, respiratory distress, inflammation, and obstruction at the level of the bronchioles. |
| bronchodilators | Medications that relax constricted airways, making airflow easier; commonly used in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma. |
| bronchospasm | Condition seen in patients with asthma in which airways constrict tightly in response to irritants, cold air, exercise, or unknown factors. |
| bronchus (plural, bronchi) | One of several large air passages in the lungs through which inspired air and exhaled waste gases pass. |
| bruit | Sound made ("whoosh") when blood flows through a narrowed blood vessel or through a ballooned-out area in a blood vessel. |
| capillaries | Smallest blood vessels in the body; in the tissues, capillaries surround the cells, allowing gas and nutrient exchange to take palce. |
| capillary refill | Time it takes for a patient's skin color to return to normal after the skin or m=nailbed has been pressed or blanched; normal time is less than 2 seconds; assesses perfusion. |
| capitation | Payment scheme within the managed care industry in which payments are made to health care providers for a specified menu of services to a specified patient population. Payments are made on a cost per member per month basis. This method shifts the insurance risk from the payer to the provider. |
| cardiac arrest | Condition in which the heart no longer generates blood flow, casuing pulselessness and apnea; two of the many casues are arrhythmias and myocardial infarction. |
| cardiac contusion | Bruise to the heart. |
| cardiac muscle | Made up of three layers- epicardium (external layer), myocardium (middle layer), and endocardium (internal layer). |
| cardiac muscle cell | Specialized muscle cell that is present only in the heart. Its internal makeup and function are different from those of other muscle cells in the body. |
| cardiac output | Total amount of blood pumped by the heart in 1 minute; usually 5 liters. |
| cardinal | Key, critical, common sign |
| cardiogenic shock | Condition in which the heart's output is not strong enough to meet the body's needs, causing widespread hypoperfusion |
| cardioversion | Restoration of normal cardiac function and rhythm to the heart using electrical energy. |
| cargo compartment | Rear (or front area on vehicles with a rear engine) compartment area of a passenger vehicle that is used to store or carry items. |
| cargo strap | Tool used to secure objects together. It consists of a strap and a wratcheting device to tighten the strap. |
| carina | Division of the lower end of the trachea into the two mainstem bronchi. |
| carotid arteries | Major arteries of the neck, supplying the face, head, and brain with oxygenated blood. |
| carotid pulse | Pulse palpated at the carotid artery of the neck, on either side of the neck beside the larynx. |
| carpals | Wrist bones |
| carryout | Removing the patient from the scene to the transport vehicle. |
| cartilage | Form of connective tissue that is more leastic than bone and is considered part of the skeleton. |
| case review | Method of quality assurance that involves reviewing actual cases with EMTs to review the quality of care delivered byt he EMS system. |
| CASEVAC | Combat casualty evacuation care |
| cavitation | Open area in an organ or tissue |
| cellular/capillary exchange | Exchange of oxygen that occurs in the body tissues; oxygen enters the cells to be metabolized, and carbon dioxide enters capillaries to be carried to the lungs. |
| Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) | Division of the United States Public Health Service that is responsible for activities related to control and prevention of disease processes. |
| central nervous system | Part of the nervous system comprising the brain and spinal cord. |
| cerebellum | Portion of the brain located beneath the cerebrum and surroounding the brain stem; coordinates movement. |
| cerebral edema | Accumulation of fluid in the brain tissues. Becasue the skull cannot expand to accommodate the increase in pressure, the brain is compressed; early symptoms are changes in level of consciousness, sluggish to dilated pupils, and a gradual loss of consciousness; can be fatal. |
| cerebral palsy | Neuromuscular condition in which the patient has difficulty controlling the voluntary muscles because of damage to a portion of the brain. |
| cerebrospinal fluid | Fluid that circulates around the brain and spinal cord; acts as a cushion to protect the brainl allowing the brain to literally float; also helps remove byproducts of brain metabolism. |
| cerebrum | Portion of the brain divided into left and right hemispheres and further divided into several lobes, each of which has a unique responsibility in the control of specific intellectual, sensory, and/or motor functions. |
| certification | Act of certifying or state of being certified. In the legal sense, certification is analogous to licensure. |
| cervical collar | Device used to provide partial C-spine immobilization; only 50% in the three major motions of anterior/posterior, lateral bending, and rotation. It is applied to the neck area of an injured patient suspected of having a cervical spine injury. |
| cervical immobilization | Reduction of motion of the spine by immobilization of the bones above and below the cervical spine (head and thoracic spine). |
| cervical spinal immobilizaiton | Important procedure of initial patient care whenre the cervical area of the spine is controlled by the rescuer with a little movement as possible of this area to prevent further injury to the cervical spine. |
| cervical vertebrae | First seven vertebrae |
| cervix | Opening to the uterus |
| chain of survival | Critical interventions needed to improve survival from prehospital cardiac arrest, including early access, early cardiopulmonary resuscitation, early defibrillation, and early advanced cardiac life support. |
| Cheyne-Stokes breathing | Specific breathing pattern characterized by a period of slow and shallow breathing, a period of deep ventilation, a period of slow breathing, and a period of apnea. |
| chief complaint | Description of the patient's reason for seeking medicla attention; should be stated in the patient's words if possible; abbreviated CC or C/C. |
| cholecystitis | Inflammation of the gallbladder, which may be acute or chronic. Pain is increased by ingestion of fatty foods. |
| chronic | Long, drawn out; applied to a disease that is not acute. |
| chronic bronchitis | Form of chronic obstruction pulmonaryu disease commonly seen in smokers, characterized by a chronic productive cough and obstructive airway symptoms. |
| chronic care | Health care provided for a persistent injury or disease with little change or slow progression, such as Alzheimer's disease; typically this care is provided in an extended-care facility. |
| chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) | Condition characterized by diminished inspiratory and expiratory capacity of the lungs |
| circle survey | Method for rescue personel to conduct a thorough survey of the accident scene, which includes walking in a 360 degree circle of the entire scene |
| civil (tort) law | Part of the law that deals with noncriminal matters such as contract disputes, divorce, and medical malpractice |
| cavicle | Bone running from the manubrium to the shoulder |
| closed fracture | Fracture in which the skin integrity has not been compromised. |
| closed head injury | Injury to the brain or skull that does not penetrate the skin |
| closed injury | Blunt trauma that has no break in the integrity of the skin. |
| closed soft-tissue injury | Damage to the skin and underlying tissue layers in which the skin remains intact (see contusion, hematoma, and crush injury). |
| clothing drag | Type of inline drag using the pateint's clothing to [pull him or her away from immediate danger. |
| coccyx vertebrae | Last four vertebrae afte the cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacral vertebrae. |
| cold load | Loading a patient on an aircraft after the rotor system has completely stopped turning. |
| collision bar | Reinforced part of the interior of a modern automobile dorr. It is designed to add strength to the vehicle and provide some protection to the occupants from side impacts. |
| colon | Portion of the large intestine that is divided into three parts--ascending colon, transerve colon, and descending colon. |
| colostomy | Incision in the colon for the purpose of making a more or less permanent opening between the bowel and the abdominal wall. |
| combat lifesaver program | U.S. military program that provides nonmedical personnel education beyond basic first aid. |
| combination tool | Powered hydraulic tool that consists of spreader arms with cutting edges on the indise of the arms. They can spread metal and cut it. |
| come along | Lifting or pulling tool. This is a portable hand-operated winch. It includes an operating handle, cable s[pindle and sasing, cables, and hooks. It is designed to be used with rescue chains or rescue chain sling devices. |
| command | Term used to describe the person in control of an emergency scene or to denote the action of controlling an emergency scene. |
| common duct | Duct that carries bile to the duodenum and receives it from the cystic duct of the gallbladder and the hepatic ducts. The distal portion runs through the head of the pancreas. Also known as the common bile duct. |
| communicable disease | Disease that can be transmitted from one person to another through body fluids, air ingestion, or skin contact. |
| communication | Ability to send and receive information. |
| compartment syndrome | Condition commonly casued by crush injuries or prolonged lace of blood flow to an extermity. Muscle tissue dies, causing swelling, which ncreases pressure in the muscle compartment, which decreases blood low, which kills more muscle, leading to more swelling, ect. It can result in complete death of the extremity if not stopped by surgical intervention. |
| complete fracture | Fracture in which the bone ends separate. |
| compliance | When used to sescribe the lungs, this term refers to the relative stiffness of teh lungs. As compliance decreases, the lungs become more stiff and difficult to artifically ventilate. |
| compression | Squeezed together |
| compression fracture | Fracture of a bone resulting from a force from above and below the bone. |
| computer-aided dispatch (CAD) | Computerized dispatch communications program. |
| computer-based report | One format for a patient care report. A computer-based report is completed using an electronic clipboard or mobile data terminal in whicht he information is entered by a special instrument or keyboard. The information then can be downloaded or printed at the hospital or ambulance base. |
| concurrent evaluation | Evaluating the quality of care as it is being given (e.g., physician ride-along with the EMT). |
| conduction | Direct heat exchange that occurs when tow or more surfaces come into contact with one another; movement of heat will be from the surface of higher temperature to the surface of lower temperature. A patient will ost body heat when lying on the cold ground as a result to conduction. |
| confidentiality | Privacy that is afforded to patient-related information. |
| confusion | Inability to understand the situation |
| congestive heart failure | Condition in whicht he heart is an inadequate pump, casuing fluid to build up in the lungs (pulmonary edema) and venous system (distended neck veins). |
| consent | Doctrine that states that before a health care provider may render medical treatment, the patient must express consent. |
| constrict | Make smaller or narrower, as in pupils reacting to light. |
| continuing education | Ongoing educational experiences provided to EMS personnel; an essential part of any quality assurance program in which EMTs can maintain and improve their skills. |
| continuous quality improvement (CQI) | Method of continuously evaluating and improving the care delivered in the EMS system |
| contraction | Tightening and hardening of the uterus, which expels the fetus. |
| contraindications | Conditions or situations in which a drug should not be given (e.g., lack of consciousness is a contraindication to giving oral medications). |
| controlled glass removal | Dislodging of vehicle glass that is obstructing toll applicatio or patient access in avehicle crash entrapment situation. Glass is removed in a safe and controlled action. |
| contusion | Minor damage in the dermal layer of the skin, causing discoloration from blood leaking into surrounding tissue; a bruise. |
| convection | Heat exchange that occurs when air currents move across an exposed surface. |
| convulsive | Producing motor activity, as in a seizure. |
| core | Central part; the heart and lungs of the human body. |
| core area | Area of the body containing the major organs (head, thorax, and abdomen). |
| core temperature | Temperature in the center, or core, of the body. |
| coronary arteries | First branches off the aorta, which supply the heart with blood. If occluded, a myocardial infarction often occurs. |
| costovertebral angle | Angle of hte junction of the lower ribs and the spine. The kidneys lie jsut beneath this area. Pain produced by percussion of this area is usually associated with kidney conditions. |
| countershock | Electrical termination of atrial fibrillation. |
| court system | State and federal forum in which legal issues and disputes are resolved. |
| crackles | Low-pitched bubbling sounds produced by fluid in the lower airways; often described as either fine or coarse. |
| cranial cavity | Cavity that houses the brain. |
| cranium | Portion of the skull that encloses the brain, consisting of the frontal, occipital, sphenoid, and ethmoid bones. |
| crash | Impact between vehicles or people. |
| crepitus | Cracking sensation that canb e felt when air escapes from the lungs and gets into surrounding tissue. Similar in feel to pressing on "bubble packs." The sound and the feeling bones can make when they are fractured, caused by the rubbing together of loose bone ends. |
| cribbing | Generally refers to the specially cut and/or assembled pieces of wood used to support raised objects (e.g., a care). |
| cricoid cartilage | Complete ring of cartilage at the lower end of the larynx that marks the beginning of the lower airway; compressed during the Sellick maneuver. |
| crime scene | Location where the crime occurred. Everything present in and around the scene is a potential clue or evidence and should not be disturbed.. |
| criminal law | Part of the law that deals with crime and punishment. |
| criteria-based dispatch (CBD) | Type of dispatch based on the recognition that the level of care at either the EMT-Basic or EMt-Paramedic level required for pateints and the urgencyu of that prehospital care can be identified by established medical criteria. |
| critical incident | Event or circumstance that overwhelms one or more of the people present. |
| critical incident stress debriefing (CISD) | Confidential meeting in which a team consisting of mental health professionals and police, fire, and EMS disaster management personnel meet with prehospital providers to discuss a critical incident for the purpose of debriefing and alleviating stress. |
| critiquing | Discussion of the rescue effort during postincident phase in order to learn from the rescue effort. |
| croup | Viral infection seen in children, characterized by a "barking" cough and moderate to severe ventilatory distress. |
| crowd control | Safe and efficient removal of unnecessary people from in and around the vehicles involved in an accident. This can be accomplished by initially arriving rescuers and law enforcement personnel. |
| crowning | Buldging of the perineum when birth is imminent. |
| crush injury | Damage that results from a body part being compressed between two surfaces; deep damage to muscle and compartment syndrome may result. |
| c-spine | Neck area; common term in vehicle extrication trauma patient care; short for cervical spine. |
| curriculum | Description of an education program; usually includes learning objectives for the students and guidelines or rules for conducting the program (e.g., number of hours, number of lessons, etc.). |
| cushing's triad | Phenomenon seen with increased crainial pressure, distinguished by a rise in blood pressure, change in respirations, and decrease in pulse. |
| cutter | Powered hydraulic tool that is used for cutting metal and other wreckage on the extrication scene. |
| cyanosis | Slightly bluish, grayish, slatelike, or dark purple discoloration of the skin caused by a deficiency of oxygen and excess of carbon dioxide in the blood. |
| cyanotic | Bluish color of skin associated with unoxygenated hemoglobin. |
