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| EMS System | Emergency Medical Services system. |
| EMT-Basic | emergency medical technician trained to the basic level. |
| EMT-Intermediate | emergency medical technician trained to the intermediate level. |
| First Responder | a person typically trained to the first-responder level who is likely to be the first person on the scene with emergency care training. |
| Advanced Emergency Medical Technician | under the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 2005 National EMS scope of practice model, designation of the level of EMS practitioner that will replace the existing EMT-Intermediate level with the addition of the use of advanced airway devices, monitoring of blood glucose levels, initiation of intravenous and intraosseous infusions, and administration of a select number of medications. |
| Emergency Medical Responder | under the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 2005 National EMS Scope of Practice Model, designation of the level of EMS practitioner that will replace the existing first-responder level. |
| Emergency Medical Technician | under the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 2005 National EMS Scope of Practice Model, designation of the level of EMS practitioner that will replace the existing EMT-Basic level with the addition of advanced oxygen therapy and ventilation equipment, pulse oximetry, use of automatic blood pressure monitoring equipment, and limited medical administration. |
| EMT-Paramedic | emergency medical technician trained to the paramedic level. |
| Paramedic | under the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 2005 National EMS Scope of Practice Model, designation of the level of EMS practitioner that will replace the existing EMT Paramedic level to provide the highest level of prehospital care, including advanced assessments, formation of a field impression, and invasive and drug interventions. |
| prehospital care | emergency medical treatment given to patients before they are transported to a hospital or other facility. Also called out-of-hospital care. |
| Americans with Disabilities Act | a federal law passed in 1990 that protect individuals with a documented disability from being denied initial or continued employment based on their disability |
| medical direction | medical policies, procedures, and practices that are available to EMS providers either off-line or on-line. |
| medical director | physician who is legally responsible for the clinical and patient care aspects of an EMS system. |
| medical oversight | the medical director's broad responsibilities, including all clinical and administrative functions and activities necessary to exercise ultimate responsibility for the emergency care provided by individual personnel and the entire emergency medical services (EMS) system. |
| off-line medical direction | medical policies, procedures, and practices that medical direction has established in written guidelines. |
| on-line medical direction | direct orders from a physician to a prehospital care provider given by radio or telephone. |
| protocols | the policies and procedures for all components of an EMS system. Also called orders or standing orders. |
| standing orders | preauthorized treatment procedures; a type of treatment protocol. See also off-line medical direction, protocols. |
| quality improvement | a system of internal and external reviews and audits of an EMS system to ensure a high quality of care. Also known as continuous quality improvement (CQI). |
| burnout | a condition resulting from chronic job stress, characterized by a state of irritability and fatigue that can markedly decrease effectiveness |
| critical incident | any situation that causes unusually strong emotions that interfere with the ability to function |
| critical incident stress debriefing | a session usually held within 24 to 72 hours of a critical incident, where a team of peer counselors and mental health professionals help emergency service personnel work through the emotions that normally follow a critical incident. |
| defusing | a session held prior to a critical incident stress debriefing (CISD) for emergency service personnel most directly involved to provide an opportunity to vent emotions and get information before the CISD |
| pathogens | microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses that cause disease |
| body substance isolation | a method of preventing infection y disease organisms based on the premise that all blood and body fluids are infections. Formerly called body substance isolation. |
| personal protective equipment | equipment worn to protect against injury and spreading infectious disease |
| standard precautions | a method of preventing infection y disease organisms based on the premise that all blood and body fluids are infections. Formerly called body substance isolation. |
| cleaning | the process of washing a soiled object with soap and water |
| disinfecting | in addition to cleaning, this process involves using a disinfectant such as alcohol or bleach to kill many of the microorganisms that may be present on the surface of an object |
| purified protein derivative tuberculin test | a test to determine the presence of a tuberculosis infection based on a person's positive reaction to tuberculin, a substance prepared from the tubercle bacillus. |
| sterilization | the process by which an object is subject to certain chemical or physical substances *typically, superheated steam in an autoclave) that kill all microorganisms on the surface of an object. |
| duty to act | the obligation to care for a patient who requires it. |
| scope of practice | the actions and care that are legally allowed to be provided by an EMT. |
| standard of care | emergency care that would be expected to be given to a patient by any trained EMT under similar circumstanced. |
| good Samaritan law | a law that provides immunity from liability for acts performed in good faith to assist at the scene of a medical emergency unless those acts constitute gross negligence. |
| advance directive | instructions, written in advance, such as a living will or do not resuscitate (DNR) order. |
| do not resuscitate order | a legal document, usually signed by the patient and his physician, that indicates to medical personnel which, if any, life-sustaining measures should be taken when the patient's heart and respiratory functions have ceased. |
| expressed consent | permission that must be obtained from every conscious, mentally competent adult before emergency treatment may be provided. |
| implied consent | the assumption that, in a true emergency where a patient who is unresponsive or unable to make a rational decision is at significant risk of death, disability, or deterioration of condition, that patient would agree to emergency treatment. |
| informed consent | consent for treatment that is given by a competent patient based on full disclosure of possible risks and consequences. |
| minor consent | permission obtained from a parent or legal guardian for emergency treatment of a minor or a mentally incompetent adult. |
| intentional tort | a wrongful act, injury, or damage that is committed knowingly. |
| negligence | the act of deviating form an accepted standard of care through carelessness, inattention, disregard, inadvertence, or oversight, which results in further injury to the patient. Simple negligence is a failure to perform care or commission of an error in care. Gross negligence is willful, wanton, or extremely reckless patient care that goes far beyond simple negligence or carelessness and that can be construed as being dangerous to the patient. |
| proximate cause | the act of deviating from an accepted standard of care through carelessness, inattention, disregard, inadvertence, or oversight, which results in further injury to the patient. |
| tort | a wrongful act, injury, or damage. See also intentional tort. |
| abandonment | the act of discontinuing emergency care without ensuring that another health care professional with equivalent or better training will take over. |
| assault | a willful threat to inflict harm on a person. |
| battery | the act of touching a person unlawfully without his consent. |
| defamation | an intentional false communication that injures another person's reputation or good name. |
| false imprisonment | the intentional and unjustifiable detention of a person without his consent or other legal authority. |
| libel | the act of injuring a person's reputation or good name in writing or through the mass media with malicious intent or reckless disregard for the falsity of those statements. |
| consolidated omnibus budget reconciliation act | a federal regulation that ensures the public's access to emergency health care regardless of ability to pay. |
| emergency medical treatment and active labor act | a federal regulation that ensures the public's access to emergency health care regardless of ability to pay. Also known as the "anti-patient dumping statute" forbidding turning a patient away at the door or sending him to a public hospital because of in ability to pay. |
| health insurance portability and accountability act | a federal law enacted in 1996 that protects the privacy of patient health care information and gives the patient control over how the information is distributed and used. |
| anatomical position | a position in which the patient is standing erect, facing forward, with arms down at the sides and palms forward |
| anatomy | the study of the structure of the body and the relationship of its parts to each other |
| lateral recumbent | a position in which the patient is lying on the left or right side. also called recovery position |
| physiology | the study of the function of the living body and its parts. |
| prone | lying face down. |
| supine | lying face up. |
| Fowler's position | a position in which the patient is lying on the back with upper body elevated at a 45 degree to 60 degree angle. semi-Fowler's position is when the upper body is at an angle less than 45 degrees. |
| Trendelenburg position | lying on the back with the lower part of the body elevated higher than the head on an inclined plane. |
| anatomical planes | imaginary divisions of the body |
| anterior plane | the front, or abdominal side of the body. |
| frontal plane | a vertical plane drawn side to side through the body from the midaxillary line on one side to the midaxillary line on the opposite side, which divides the body into anterior and posterior planes. |
| left plane | everything to the left of the midline |
| midaxillary line | an imaginary line that divides the body into anterior and posterior planes; the imaginary line form the middle of the armpit to the ankle |
| midline | an imaginary line drawn vertically through the middle of the patient's body, dividing it into right and left planes. |
| posterior plane | the back or dorsal side of the body. |
| right plane | everything to the right of the midline. |
| sagittal plane | a vertical plane drawn front to back through the body at the midline, dividing the body into right and left planes. |
| shock position | elevation of the legs of a supine patient approximately 12 inches; an alternative to the Trendelenburg position. |
| anterior | toward the front. Opposite of posterior. |
| bilateral | on both sides |
| distal | distant, or far from the point of reference. Opposite of proximal. |
| dorsal | toward the back or spine. Opposite of ventral |
| inferior plane | everything below the transverse line (below the waist). Opposite to superior plane. |
| inferior | beneath, lower, or toward the feet. opposite to superior |
| lateral | refers to the left or right of the midline, or away from the midline, or to the side of the body. See also medial |
| left | refers to the patient's left |
| medial | toward the midline or center of the body. see also lateral. |
| midaxillary | refers to the center of the armpit (axilla) |
| midclavicular | refers to the center of the collarbone (clavicle). |
| midclavicular line | the imaginary line from the center of either clavicle down the anterior thorax. |
| palmar | relates to the palm of the hand. |
| plantar | refers to the sole of the foot. |
| posterior | toward the back. opposite of anterior. |
| proximal | near the point of reference. Opposite of distal. |
| right | refers to the patient's right |
| superior | above; toward the head. Opposite to inferior |
| superior plane | everything above the transverse line (above the waist). Opposite to inferior plane. |
| transverse line | an imaginary line drawn horizontally through the waist. |
| transverse plane | an imaginary line drawn horizontally through the waist, front to back, which divides the body into superior and inferior planes. |
| ventral | toward the front, or toward the anterior portion of the body. Opposite of dorsal. |
| abdominal quadrants | the four parts of the abdomen as divided by imaginary horizontal and vertical lines through the umbilicus |
| cranium | the bones that form the top, back, and sides of the skull plus the forehead. |
| musculoskeletal system | the system of bones and muscle plus connective tissue that provides support and protection to the body and permits motion |
| skull | the bony structure at the top of the spinal column that houses and protects the brain. The skull has two parts, the cranium and the face. |
| cervical spine | the first seven vertebrae, or the neck |
| coccyx | the last four vertebrae, or tailbone. |
| face | the area of the skull between toe brow and the chin |
| lumbar spine | the five vertebrae that form the lower back, located between the sacral and the thoracic spine. |
| mandible | the lower jaw. |
| maxillae | the fused bones of the upper jaw. |
| nasal bones | the bones that form the bed of the nose. |
| orbits | the eye sockets |
| sacral spine | five vertebrae that are fused together to form the rigid part of the posterior side of the pelvis. Also called the sacrum. |
| spinal column | the column of vertebrae that encloses the spinal cord. |
| sternum | the column of vertebrae that encloses the spinal cord. |
| sternum | the breastbone. |
| thoracic spine | the upper back, or the 12 thoracic vertebrae directly inferior to the cervical spine. |
| thorax | the chest, or that part of the body between the base of the neck and the diaphragm. |
| vertebrae | the 33 bony segments of the spinal column. pl of vertebra. |
| zygomatic bones | the cheek bones. |
| acetabulum | the rounded cavity or socket on the external surface of the pelvis that receives the head of the femur |
| calcaneus | the heel bone |
| clavicle | the collarbone, attached to the superior portion of the sternum. |
| extremities | the limbs of the body. the lower extremities include the hips, thighs, legs, ankles, and feet. the upper extremities include the shoulder, arm, forearm, wrist, and hand. |
| femur | the thigh bone |
| fibula | the lateral, smaller long bone of the lower leg |
| iliac crest | the upper margin of the bones of the pelvis. |
| ischium | the posterior and inferior portion of the pelvis |
| malleolus | the knobby surface landmark of the ankle. There is a medial malleolus and a lateral malleolus. |
| manubrium | the superior portion of the sternum where the clavicle is attached. |
| patella | the kneecap |
| pelvis | the bones that form the floor of the abdominal cavity: the sacrum and coccyx of the spine, the iliac crests, the pubis, and the ischium. |
| pubis | bone of the groin. |
| tarsals | the bones of the ankle, hind foot, and midfoot. |
| tibia | the medial, larger bone of the lower leg; the shinbone. |
| xiphoid process | inferior portion of the sternum. |
| acromiun | the lateral triangular projection of the scapula that forms the point of the shoulder |
| carpals | the eight bones that form the wrist. |
| humerus | the largest bone in the upper extremity, located in the proximal portion of the upper arm |
| joint | a place where one bone meets another |
| metacarpals | the bones of the hand |
| metatarsals | the bones that form the arch of the foot. |
| olecranon | the part of the ulna that forms the bony prominence of the elbow. |
| phalanges | bones of the fingers, thumbs, and toes. pl of phalanx. |
| radius | the lateral bone of the forearm. |
| scapula | the shoulder blade. |
| ulna | the medial bone of the forearm |
| cardiac muscle | a kind of involuntary muscle found only in the walls of the hearts. Cardiac muscle has automaticity, the ability to generate an impulse on its own, separately from the central nervous system. |
| involuntary muscle | muscle that carries out the automatic muscular functions of the body. also called smooth muscle. |
| voluntary muscle | any muscle that can be consciously controlled by the individual. also called skeletal muscle. |
| Adam's apple | the lowermost cartilage of the larynx. |
| cricoid cartilage | the lowermost cartilage of the larynx. |
| epiglottis | a small, leaf shaped flap of tissue located immediately posterior to the root of the tongue, that covers the entrance of the larynx to keep food and liquid from entering the trachea and lungs |
| esophagus | a passageway at the lower end of the pharynx that leads to the stomach |
| larynx | structure that houses the vocal cords and is located inferior to the pharynx and superior to the trachea |
| nasopharynx | nasal portion of the pharynx situated above the soft palate. |
| oropharynx | the central portion of the pharynx lying between the soft palate and the epiglottis with the mouth as the opening. |
| oxygenation | the form of respiration in which oxygen molecules move across a membrane from an area of high oxygen concentration to an area of low oxygen concentration, as when oxygen moves out of a blood vessel into a cell. |
| pharynx | the throat, or passageway for air from the nasal cavity to the larynx and passageway for food from the mouth to the esophagus. |
| respiration | the process of moving oxygen and carbon dioxide across membranes, in and out of alveoli, capillaries, and cells; gas exchange |
| respiratory system | the organs involved in the exchange of gases between an organism and the atmosphere |
| thyroid cartilage | the Adam's apple; the anterior cartilage that covers the larynx. |
| trachea | the windpipe. |
| ventilation | the mechanical process by which air is moved in and out of the lungs, primarily caused by changes in pressure inside the chest. |
| alveoli | the air sacs of the lungs. pl of alveolus |
| bronchi | the two main branches leading from the trachea to the lungs, providing the passageway for air movement. pl of bronchus. |
| bronchioles | small branches of the bronchi |
| diaphragm | a powerful dome-shaped muscle essential to respiration that also separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity. |
| intercostal muscles | the muscles between the ribs |
| lungs | the principal organs of respiration |
| atria | the two upper chambers of the heart. pl of atrium. |
| cardiovascular system | the body system that transports blood to all parts of the body. Includes the heart, blood vessels, and blood. Also called the cardiovascular system. |
| circulatory system | the body system that transports blood to all parts of the body. Includes the heart, blood vessels, and blood. Also called the cardiovascular system. |
| heart | the muscular organ that contracts to force blood into circulation through the body |
| valves | structures within the heart and circulatory system that keep blood flowing in one direction and prevent backflow. |
| ventricles | the two lower chambers of the heart. |
| aorta | the major artery from the heart. |
| arteriole | the smallest branch of an artery, which at its distal end leads into a capillary |
| artery | a blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart |
| brachial artery | the major artery of the upper arm |
| bundle of His | a band of cardiac muscle fibers that originates in the atrioventricular node and passes through the atriuventricular junction and carries the electrical impulse from the atria and, by connecting to the Purkinje fibers, to the ventricles |
| capillary | a tiny blood vessel that connects an arteriole to a venule |
| carotid artery | one of two major arteries of the neck, which supply the brain and head with blood. |
| coronary arteries | blood vessels that supply the heart with blood |
| dorsalis pedis artery | an artery of the foot, which can be felt on the top surface of the foot |
| femoral artery | the major artery of the thigh that supplies the groin and leg with blood |
| posterior tibial artery | a major artery that travels from the calf to the foot and that can be felt on the medial surface of the ankle bone. |
| pulmonary artery | artery that leads from the right ventricle of the heart to the lungs. |
| pulmonary vein | vein that drains the lungs and returns the blood to the left atrium of the heart. |
| radial artery | a major artery of the arm, distal to the elbow joint. |
| vein | a blood vessel that carries blood back to the heart. |
| venae cavae | the principal veins that carry deoxygenated blood to the heart. pl of vena cava. the superior vena cava carries blood from the upper body; the inferior vena cava carries blood from the lower body. |
| venule | the smallest branch of a vein. |
| blood pressure | the force exerted by the blood on the interior walls of the blood vessels |
| diastolic blood pressure | the pressure exerted against the walls of the arteries when the left ventricle is at rest. See also systolic blood pressure. |
| edema | swelling caused by fluid accumulating in the tissues. |
| hydrostatic pressure | the blood pressure or force exerted against the inside of vessel walls. |
| perfusion | the delivery of oxygen and other nutrients to the cells of all organ systems, which results from the constant adequate circulation of blood through the capillaries. |
| plasma | the liquid part of the blood. |
| platelets | components of blood that are essential to the formation of blood clots. |
| pulse | the wave of blood propelled through the arteries as a result of the contraction of the left ventricle. |
| red blood cells | part of the blood that gives it its color, carries oxygen to body cells, and carries carbon dioxide away from body cells. |
| systolic blood pressure | the pressure exerted against the walls of the arteries when the ventricle contracts. see also diastolic blood pressure. |
| white blood cells | the part of the blood that helps the body's immune system defend against infection. |
| hypoperfusion | the insufficient delivery of oxygen and other nutrients to some of the body's cells and inadequate elimination of carbon dioxide and other wastes that results from inadequate circulation of blood. also called shock |
| shock | the insufficient delivery of oxygen and other nutrients to some of the body's cells and inadequate elimination of carbon dioxide and other wastes that results from inadequate circulation of blood. also called shock |
| aerobic metabolism | chemical and physical changes that take places within the cells in the presence of oxygen |
| anaerobic metabolism | chemical and physical changes that take place within the cells without the presence of oxygen |
| central nervous system | the brain and the spinal cord. abbrev CNS |
| nervous system | the body system including the brain, spinal cord, and nerves that controls the voluntary and involuntary activity of the human body. |
| endocrine system | a system ductless glands that produce hormones that regulate body functions |
| peripheral nervous system | that portion of the nervous system located outside the brain and spinal cord. abbr. PNS. |
| dermis | the second layer of the skin. See also epidermis, subcutaneous layer. |
| epidermis | the outermost layer of the skin. See also dermis, subcutaneous layer |
| subcutaneous layer | a layer of fatty tissue just below the dermis. See also dermis, epidermis. |
| combining form | word part that carries the word's essential meaning |
