| A | B |
|---|
| abruptio placenta | early separation of the placenta from the uterus |
| acidosis | a condition caused by accumulation of acid or loss of base from the body |
| adventitia | the layer of loose connective tissue forming the outermose coating of an organ |
| aerobic | requiring oxygen |
| air bag | a passive restraint system in automobiles and other vehicles |
| alkalosis | a pathological condition resulting from accumulation of base or loss of acid in the body |
| anoxia | lacking oxygen |
| aphyxia | a condition due to lack of oxygen; suffocation |
| aspirate | taking foreign matter into the lungs during inhalation |
| assessment | to evaluate the condition of a patient |
| ATV | all-terrain vehicle |
| AVPU | a description of the level of consciousness, AVPU stands for A- alert, V- responds to verbal stimuli, P - responds to pain, U - unresponsive |
| avulsion | an injury in which a piece of a structure is torn away |
| axial loading | compression forces applied along th long axis of the body. Exampes: a fall which a victim lands on his feet and force is transferred up his legs to his back, causing a compression fracture of a lumbar vertebra |
| bag-valve mask | a system of artifical ventilation in which the oxygen inflow fills a bag that is atttached to a mask by a one-way valve |
| Battle's sing | swelling and discoloration behind the ear caused by a fracture of the base of the skull |
| BIADs | blind insertion airway devices, such as the esophageal tracheal Combitube |
| BLS | burns, lacerations, swelling. Can also mean basic life support |
| bronchospasm | contraction of the smooth muscle of the bronchi |
| Broselow tape | a tape used to estimate the weight of a child by measuring their length |
| BSI | body substance isolation. A procedure used to prevent being contaminated by a patient's body fluids. This usually entails gloves and possibly a gown and face shield |
| BVM (bag-valve mask) | a system of artificial ventilation in which the oxygen inflow fills a bag that is attached to a mask by a one-way valve. |
| capillary blanch or refill | test for impairment of circulation: pressure on tip of the nail will cause the bed to turn white, if it does not turn pink again by the time it takes to say "capillary refill", the circulation is imparied. the test has been found to be unreliable for early shock |
| carbonaceous sputum | sputum that is "sooth" or black |
| carina | the lower part of the trachea, where the trachea divides to form the two mainstem bronchi |
| catecholamines | a group of chemicals of similar structure that act to increase heart rate and blood pressure |
| C-collar (cervical collar) | a device to limit movement of the neck |
| central cord syndrome | an injury to the spinal cord that produces more loss of sensory nd motor function in the arms that in the legs |
| cerebral perfusion | blood flow to the brain |
| C.N.S | central nervous system; the brain and spinal cord |
| compliance | the "give" or elasticity of the lungs and chest wall. This influences how easy it is for the batient to breath |
| concussion | a jarring injury to the brain resulting in disturbances of brain function |
| contracoup | an injury to the brain on the opposite side of the original blow |
| contalateral | situated or affecting the opposite side |
| contusion | bruising; the reaction of soft tissue to a direct blow |
| constricted | to shrink or contract |
| COPD | chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The end result of asthma, chronic bronchitis, or emphysema |
| copious | large amount |
| coup | an injury to the brain on the same side as the original blow |
| crepitation | feeling of crackling; the sensation of fragments of broken bones rubbing together |
| CSIC | cervical spinal immobilization collar |
| Cushing's reflex | a reflex whereby the body reacts to increased pressure on the brain by raising the blood pressure |
| DCAP | deformities, contusions, abrasions, penetrations |
| DCAP-BTLS | deformities, contusions, abrasions, penetrations, burns, tenderness, lacerations, swelling |
| DCAPP | deformities, contusions, abrasions, penetrations, paradoxical movement |
| deceleration | to come to a sudden stop, decreasing speed |
| decubent position | the position assumed when lying down |
| delivered volume | the amount of air that you actually deliver to teh lungs with each breath when you perform artifical or assisted ventilation |
| denatured | to destroy the usual nature of a substance |
| dermis | the inner layer of the skin, containing hair follicles, sweat glands, sebaceous glands, nerve endings, and blood vessels |
| detailed exam | a comprehensive head-to-toe exam to find additional injuries that may have been miseed in the bried Primary Survey |
| diaphoresis | to perspire profusely |
| diuretic | an agent that promotes the excretion of urine |
| doll's eyes | oculocephalic reflex; a test of brain stem function that is never performed in the prehospital setting |
| dura | the tough firbous membrane forming the outermost of the three coverings of the brain |
| EGTA | esophageal gastric tube airway; an improved esophageal obturator airway |
| EMS | emergency medical services |
| endotracheal intubation | the insertion of a tube into the trachea to assist or control ventilation |
| EOA | esophageal obturator airway |
| epidermis | the outermost layer of skin |
| epidural | outside the dura; between the dura and the skull |
| ETA | estimated time of arrival. An estimation of when you will arrive at the receiving hospital |
| etiology | the cause of a particular disease |
| ET tube | endotracheal tube |
| evisceration | the protruding of internal organs through a wound |
| expeditious | quick, speedy |
| exsanguinate | to bleed to death |
| extrication | removal of a patient from a dangerous position or situation |
| FROPVD | flow-restricted, oxygen-powered, ventilation device. An artifical ventilation device that provides 100% oxygen at a flow rate of 40 L/min at a maximum pressure of 50 +- 5 cm water |
| full-thickness burn | third degree burn |
| gastric insufflation | the filling of the stomach by air when performing positive pressure ventilation |
| genioglossus muscle | the muscle that pulls the tongue out of the mouth |
| grunting | a deep, guttural noise made in breathing; a sign of respiratory distress in small children |
| GSC (Glasgow Coma Score) | A method to measure the severity of injury of a head-injury patient |
| Hare splint | a type of traction splint |
| Heimlich maneuver | a method of dislodging food or other material from the throat of a choking victim |
| hemiparesis | partial paralysis affecting one side of the body |
| hemoptysis | to spit up blood or blood-stained sputum |
| hemothorax | the presence of blood in the chest cavity within the pleural space, outside the lung |
| hypercarbia | high blood carbon dioxide level |
| hyperresonant | giving an increased vibrant sound or percussion; tympanic |
| hypertympany | hyperresonant |
| hyperventilation | increased amount of air entering the lungs, >24 breaths per minute for an adult |
| hypoventilation | decreased amount of air entering the lungs <12 breaths per minute or breathing that is too shallow |
| hypovolemic shock | hemorrhagic shock; shock caused by insufficent blood or fluid within the body |
| hypoxia | a deficiency of oxygen reaching the tissues of teh body |
| ICP | intracranial pressure. The pressure inside the skull |
| impaled object | a penetrating object that is still in place in a patient's body |
| Initial Assessment | part of the Primary Survey. This is a rapid exam of airway, breathing, and circulation. It is performed on all patients |
| intra-abdominal | within the abdomen |
| intracranial | within the skull |
| intrathoratic | within the chest |
| ipsilateral | situated on or affecting the same side |
| JVD | jugular vein distention. Distended jugular veins in the neck |
| kinematics | the phase of mechanics that deals with possible motions of the body |
| labial angle | corner of the mouth |
| laryngeal mask airway (LMA) | An invasive airway device to assist ventilation |
| lesion | an injury or abnormal condition of a part |
| LMA | laryngeal mask airway. An invasive airway device to assist ventilation |
| LOC | level of consciousness |
| MAP | mean arterial blood pressure |
| MAST | military antishock trousers. Also called pneumatic antishock garment (PASG). A device that applies circumgerential pressure to the legs and abdomen to raise the blood pressure in hypotensive patients |
| MCI | multiple casualty incident. An emergency situation in which there are multiple injured patients |
| mean arterial blood pressure | diatolic blood pressure 1/3 (systolic minus the diatolic blood pressure) |
| medial | toward the middle |
| minute volume | the volume of air breathed in and out in 1 minute. This varies from 5 to 12 liters per minute |
| mortality | frequency of death or death rate |
| MVC | motor vehicle collision |
| nasopharyngeal airway | an artificial airway positioned in the nasal cavity |
| necrosis | the death of tissue |
| neonate | newborn infant |
| nonrebreather mask | an oxygen mask that allows the patient to breath oxygen at a concentration close to 100% |
| NP airway | nasopharyngeal airway. An artificial airway positioned in the nasal cavity |
| occult injuries | injuries hidden or concealed from view |
| oropharyngeal airway | an artificial airway positioned in the oral cavity to keep the tongue from occluding the airway |
| ostemyelitis | inflammation or infection of a bone or bones |
| pallor | paleness, absence of skin color |
| palpate | to examine by touch |
| paradoxical motion | the motion of the injured segment of a flail chest, opposite to the normal motion of the chest wall |
| parenchymal | the essential elements of an organ |
| paresis | slight or incomplete paralysis |
| paresthesia | abnormal sensation; a "tingling" sensation |
| partial-thickness burn | a burn that does not injure the full thickness of the skin. A first degree burn invloves only the epidermal layer. A second degree burn involves the epidermis and part of the dermis |
| PASG | pneumatic antishock garment. Also called military antishock trousers (MAST). A device that applies circumgerential pressure to the legs and abdomen to raise the blood pressure in hypotensive patients |
| patent | open |
| pathophysiology | the basic process of the disease |
| perfusion | the passage of blood or fluid through the vessels of an organ |
| personal watercraft (PWC) | a small motorized watercraft that one or two persons can ride. Much like a motorcycle except it travels on water |
| pia mater | innermost of the three layers of tissue that envelop the brain |
| placenta previa | an abnormal location of the placenta, so that it covers the opening of the uterus (cervical os) |
| PMS | pulse, motor, sensory. Description of the exam of an injured extremity |
| pneumothorax | the presence of air within the shect cavity in the pleural space, but outside the lung (collapsed lung) |
| pocket mask | a small face mask for performing assisted ventilation. It is made to be carried in the rescuer's pocket |
| potential space | a space that does not exist except under abnormal circumstances. Example: Normally the lungs completely fill the chest cavity so that the plural space (between the lungs and the chest wall) is only a potential space. If the pleural space contains blood it is a hemothorax |
| PPE | personal protection equipment such as gloves, face shields, and impervious gowns |
| primary survey | a brief exam to find immediately life-threatening conditions. It is made up of the Initial Assessment and either the Rapid Trauma Survey or the Focused Exam |
| pulse oximeter | a noninvasive device for measureing the aterial oxygen saturation in the perpheral circulation |
| pulse pressure | the sensation given by the heart contration to the palpating finger on an artery |
| raccon's eyes | swelling and discoloration around both eyes; a late sign of basilar skull fracture |
| respiratory reserve | lung tissue over and above the body's need to provide oxygenation fo rthe body |
| RTSS | radio telephone switch station; a type of radio that access the telephone lines |
| Sager splint | a type of traction splint |
| SAMPLE history | the least amount of information needed on a trauma patient. S-symptoms, A-allergies, M-medications, P-past medical history, L-last oral intake (last meal), E-events preceding the injury. |
| scaphoid | shaped like a boat. When used to describe the abdomen, scaphoid means sunken in |
| scuba diver | a diver who is able to remain under water by breathing compressed air from a breathing apparatus needing no connection with the surface. SCUBA stands for self-contained underwater breathing apparatus |
| Sellick maneuver | a maneuver (posterior pressure on the cricoid cartilage) to prevent gastric insufflation and vomiting |
| sheering forces | forces that occur in such a direction to cause tearing of an organ |
| sibling | brother or sister |
| skin diver | a diver who holds his breath when swimming under water. He uses no artifical breathing methods |
| snoring | to breathe in a hoarse, rough noise, usually with the mouth open |
| snorkeler | a diver who uses a short tube (snorkle) in order to flat on the surface and observe underwater life. when diving, a snorkeler must hold their breath |
| spontaneous pnemothorax | collapsed lung caused by the rupture of a congenitally weak area on the surface of the lung |
| stridor | breathing that has a high-pitched, harsh noise; a sign of impending airway obstruction |
| stroke volume | the amount of blood pumped by the heart in one beat |
| subcutaneous emphysema | the presence of air in soft tissues, giving a very characteristic crackling sensation on palpation; the Rice Krispies feeling |
| tachypnea | adult respiratory rate of 24 or more breaths per minute |
| tamponade | compression of a part of the anatomy, as the compression of the heart by pericardial fluid |
| tenison pneumothorax | a condition in which air continuously leaks out of the lungs into the pleural space, increasing pressue within the space with every breath the patient takes |
| Thomas' splint | a type of traction splint |
| TIC | Tenderness, Instability, Crepitation. An acronym for the description of the exam of a bony area |
| tidal volume | the amount of air that is inspired and expired during one respiratory cycle |
| traction | the action of drawing or pulling on an object |
| trajectory | the direction a missile takes in flight or after stricking a body |
| transected | to cut transversely |
| Trendelenburg position | patient supine with lower body elevated about 30 degrees |
| vallecula | the space between the base of the tongue and the epiglottis |
| vasomotor | affecting the size of blood vessel |
| venous pressure | pressure of the blood in the veins |
| viscera | any large interior organ in any one of the three great cavities of the body, especially the abdomen |
| volatile | a substance that evaporates rapidly at room temperature when exposed to air |
| wheezing | whistling sounds made in breathing; a sign of spasm or narrowing of the bronchi |
