| A | B |
|---|
| quality improvement (QI) | Component of an EMS system that identifies the program's strengths and weaknesses and quarantees that the public receives the highest caliber of prehospital care |
| radial artery | Major artery of the forearm |
| radial pulse | The flow of blood through the radial artery; palpated on the anterior lateral surface of the wrist, proximal to the thumb |
| radiation | Heat released by an object into the surrounding air as waves of infrared radiation |
| radius | Bone forming the lateral side of the forearm |
| rapid extrication | Specialized techniques for quickly removing a patient from a vehicle without compromising the cervical spine |
| rapid medical assessment | A physical exam designed to quickely determine the nature and severity of an illness and identify necessary interventions |
| rapid trauma assessment | A physical exam designed to quickly identify critical injuries and emergency interventions |
| recovery position | Standard transportation position for a patient without spinal injury; patient is rolled onto one side, usually the left |
| red blood cells | Components of blood that contains hemoglobin; transport oxygen to the body's cells and remove carbon dioxide |
| repeater | Communications devices that receive a low-power transmission and rebroadcast the signal at higher power |
| respiration | Breathing; process through which air enters and leaves the lungs |
| respiratory | Breathng rate; measured in breaths per minute |
| respiratory distress | Difficulty breathing; increased effort necessary to breathe due to impaired respiratory function |
| respiratory failure | When the respiratory system cannot deliver an adequate supply of oxygen to meet the body's current demand |
| retraction | Depression in the neck, above the shoulder blades, between and below the ribs; indicates extensive muscle use during breathing due to respiratory distress |
| right mainstem intubation | Placement of an endotracheal tube beyond the carina and into the right mainstem bronchus; results in ventilation of the right lung only |
| rigid suction catheter | Nonflexible catheter used to suction an unresponsive patient |
| route of administration | pathway by which a medication is administered; sublingual, oral, ingestion, injection, inhalation, etc |
| respiratory arrrest | A complete lack of respiratory drive or pulmonary function |
