EMT Emergency AAOS Eleventh Edition
glossary Exam Questions and Answers
abdomen - Answer -The body cavity that contains the major organs of digestion and
excretion. It is located below the diaphragm and above the pelvis.
abandonment - Answer -Unilateral termination of care by the EMT without the patient's
consent and without making the provisions for transferring care to another medial
professional with the skills and training necessary to meet the needs of the patient.
abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) - Answer -A rapidly fatal condition in which the walls
of the aorta in the abdomen weaken and blood leaks into the layers of the vessel,
causing it to bulge.
abdominal-thrust maneuver - Answer -The preferred method to dislodge a sever airway
obstruction in adults and children; also called the Heimlich maneuver.
abduction - Answer -Motion of a limb away from the midline.
abrasion - Answer -Loss or damage of the superficial layer of skins as a result of a body
part rubbing or scraping across a rough or hard surface.
abruptio placenta - Answer -Premature separation of the placenta from the walls of the
uterus.
absorption - Answer -The process by which medications travel through body tissues
until they reach the bloodstream.
access - Answer -Gaining entry to an enclosed area and reaching a patient.
accessory muscles - Answer -The secondary muscles of respiration. They include the
neck muscles (sternocleidomastoids), the chest pectoralis major muscles, and the
abdominal muscles.
acetabulum - Answer -The depression on the lateral pelvis where its three component
bones join, in which the femoral head fits snugly.
,acidosis - Answer -A pathologic condition that results from the accumulation of acids in
the blood and body tissues.
acromioclavicular (AC) joint - Answer -A simple joint where the bony projections of the
scapula an the clavicle meet at the top of the shoulder.
action - Answer -The therapeutic effect of a medication on the body.
activated charcoal - Answer -An oral medication that binds and adsorbs ingested toxins
in the gastrointestinal tract for treatment of some poisonings and medication overdoses.
It is ground into a very fine powder that provides the greatest possible surface area for
binding medications that have been taken by mouth; it is carried on the EMS unit.
active compression-decompression CPR - Answer -A technique that involves
compressing the chest and then actively pulling it back up to its neutral position or
beyond (decompression); may increase the amount of blood that returns to the heart,
and thus, the amount of blood ejected from the heart during the compression phase.
activities of daily living - Answer -The basic activities a person usually accomplishes
during a normal day, such as eating, dressing and bathing.
acute abdomen - Answer -A condition of sudden onset of pain within the abdomen,
usually indicating peritonitis immediate medical or surgical treatment is necessary.
acute coronary syndrome - Answer -A group of symptoms caused by myocardial
ischemia; includes angina and myocardial infarction.
acute myocardial infarction (AMI) - Answer -A heart attack; death of heart muscle
following obstruction of blood flow to it; in this context the attack is "new" or "happening
right now."
acute stress reactions - Answer -Reactions to stress that occur during a stressful
situation.
Adam's apple - Answer -A firm prominence of cartilage that forms the upper part of the
larynx. It is more prominent in men than in women. Also called the thyroid cartilage.
addiction - Answer -A state of overwhelming obsession or physical need to continue the
use of a substance.
adduction - Answer -Motion of a limb toward the midline.
adenosine triphosphate (ATP) - Answer -The nucleotide involved in energy metabolism;
used to store energy.
adolescents - Answer -Children between ages 12 to 18 years.
,adrenal glands - Answer -Endocrine glands located on top of the kidneys that release
adrenaline when simulated by the sympathetic nervous system.
adrenergic - Answer -Pertaining to nerves that release the neurotransmitter
norepinephrine, or noradrenaline (such as adrenergic nerves, adrenergic response);
also pertains to the receptors acted on by norepinephrine.
adsorption - Answer -The process of binding or sticking to a surface.
advance directive - Answer -Written documentation that specifies medical treatment for
a competent patient should the patient be unable to make decisions, also called a living
will or health care directive.
advanced EMT (AEMT) - Answer -An individual who has training in specific aspects of
advanced life support, such as intravenous therapy, and the administration of certain
emergency medications.
advanced life support (ALS) - Answer -Advanced lifesaving procedures, including
cardiac monitoring, administration of intravenous fluids and medications, and the use of
advanced airway adjuncts. EMTs may be trained in some of these areas.
adventitious breath sounds - Answer -Abnormal breath sounds such as wheezing,
stridor, rhonchi, and crackles.
aerobic metabolism - Answer -Metabolism that can proceed only in the presence of
oxygen.
afterload - Answer -The force or resistance against which the heart pumps.
aging - Answer -The process by which the temporary bond between the
organophsophate and acetylcholinesterase undergoes hydrolysis, results in a
permanent covalent bond.
agonal gasps - Answer -Occasional, gasping breaths that occur after the heart has
stopped; seen in dying patients.
agonist - Answer -A medication that causes stimulation of receptors.
air ambulances - Answer -Fixed-wing and rotary-wing (known as helicopters) aircrafts
that have been modified for medical care; use to evacuate and transport patients with
life-threatening injuries to treatment facilities.
air embolism - Answer -The presence of air in the veins, which can lead to cardiac
arrest if it enters the heart.
, airborne transmission - Answer -The spread of an organism via droplets or dust.
airway - Answer -The upper airway tract or the passage above the larynx, which
includes the nose, mouth and throat.
alkalosis - Answer -The buildup of excess base (lack of acids) in the body fluids.
allergen - Answer -A substance that causes an allergic reaction
allergic reaction - Answer -The body's exaggerated immune response to an internal or
surface agent.
alpha - Answer -A type of energy that is emitted from a strong radiologic source; it is the
least harmful penetrating type of radiation and cannot travel more than a few inches or
penetrate most objects.
alpha-adrenergic receptors - Answer -Portions of the nervous system that, when
stimulated, can cause constriction of blood vessels.
altered mental status - Answer -Any deviation from alert and oriented to person, place,
time, and event, or any deviation from a patient's normal baseline mental status; may
signal disease in the central nervous system or elsewhere in the body.
alveolar minute volume - Answer -The volume of air moved through the lungs in 1
minute minus the dead space; calculated by multiplying tidal volume (minus dead
space) and respiratory rate.
alveolar ventilation - Answer -The volume of air that reaches the alveoli. It is determined
by subtracting the amount of dead space air from the tidal volume.
alveoli - Answer -The air sacs of the lungs in which the exchange of oxygen and carbon
dioxide takes place.
ambient temperature - Answer -The temperature of the surrounding environment.
ambulance - Answer -A specialized vehicle for treating and transporting sick and injured
patients.
American Standard Safety Systems - Answer -A safety system for large oxygen
cylinders, designed to prevent the accidental attachment of a regulator to a cylinder
containing the wrong type of gas.
Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) - Answer -Comprehensive legislation that is
designed to protect people with disabilities against discrimination.
amniotic sac - Answer -The fluid-filled, baglike membrane in which the fetus develops.
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