paramedic
Terms
undefined, object
copy deck
- 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG)
- chemical in the red blood cells that affects hemoglobin's affinity for oxygen.
- abandonment
- termination of the paramedic-patient relationship without assurance that an equal or greater level of care will continue.
- ABCs
- airway, breathing, and circulation.
- abduction
- movement of a body part away from the midline.
- aberrant conduction
- conduction of the electrical impulse through the heart's conductive system in an abnormal fashion.
- ABO blood group
- two antigens known as A and B. A person may have either (type A or type B), both (type AB), or neither (type O).
- abortion
- termination of pregnancy before the 20th week of gestation. The term "abortion" refers to both miscarriage and induced abortion.
- abrasion
- scraping or abrading away of the superficial layers of the skin.
- abruptio placentae
- a condition in which the placenta separates from the uterine wall.
- absence seizure
- type of generalized seizure with sudden onset, characterized by a brief loss of awareness and rapid recovery.
- absolute refractory period
- the period of the cardiac cycle when the myocardial cells have not completely repolarized and stimulation will not produce any depolarization whatever.
- absorption
- see surface absorption.
- acceleration
- the rate at which speed or velocity increases.
- acclimatization
- the reversible changes in body structure and function by which the body becomes adjusted to a change in environment.
- acetylcholinesterase (AChE)
- enzyme that stops the action of acetylocholine, a neurotransmitter.
- acid
- a substance that liberates hydrogen ions (H1) when in solution.
- acidosis
- a high concentration of hydrogen ions; a pH below 7.35.
- ACLS
- advanced cardiac life support.
- acquired immunity
- protection from infection or disease that is (a) developed by the body after exposure to an antigen (active acquired immunity) or (b) transferred to the person from an outside source such as from the mother through the placenta or as a serum (passive acquired immunity).
- acrocyanosis
-
cyanosis of the extremities.
action potential
the stimulation of myocardial cells, as evidenced by a change in the membrane electrical charge, that subsequently spreads across the myocardium. - activated charcoal
- a powder, usually pre-mixed with water, that will adsorb (bind) some poisons and help prevent them from being absorbed by the body.
- active immunity
- acquired immunity that occurs following exposure to an antigen and results in the production of antibodies specific for the antigen; immunity developed after birth as a result of a direct exposure to an antigen or disease.
- active listening
- the process of responding to your patient's statements with words or gestures that demonstrate your understanding.
- active rescue zone
- area where special rescue teams operate; also known as the hot zone or inner circle.
- active transport
- movement of a substance through a cell membrane against the osmotic gradient; that is, from an area of lesser concentration to an area of greater concentration, opposite to the normal direction of diffusion; requires the use of energy.
- acuity
-
the severity or acuteness of your patient's condition.
acute arterial occlusion
the sudden occlusion of arterial blood flow - acute effects
- signs and/or symptoms rapidly displayed upon exposure to a toxic substance.
- acute gastroenteritis
- sudden onset of inflammation of the stomach and intestines.
- actual damages
- refers to compensable physical, psychological, or financial harm.
- acute pulminary inbolism
- blockage that occurs when a blood clot or other particle lodges in a pulmonary artery.
- acute renal failure (ARF)
-
the sudden-onset of severely decreased urine production.
acute respiratory distress - syndrome (ARDS)
- respiratory insufficiency marked by progressive hypoxemia, due to severe inflammatory damage and fluid accumulation in the alveoli of the lungs. Also called adult respiratory distress syndrome.
- acute retinal artery occlusion
-
a non-traumatic occlusion of the retinal artery resulting in a sudden, painless loss of vision in one eye.
acute tubular necrosis
a particular syndrome characterized by the sudden death of renal tubular cells. - addendum
- addition or supplement to an original report.
- addiction
- compulsive and overwhelming dependence on a drug; an addiction may be physiological, psychological, or both.
- Addison's disease
- endocrine disorder characterized by adrenocortical insufficiency. Symptoms may include weakness, fatigue, weight loss, and hyperpigmentation of skin and mucous membranes.
- Addisonian crisis
- form of shock associated with adrenocortical insufficiency and characterized by profound hypotension and electrolyte imbalances.
- adduction
-
movement of a body part toward the midline.
adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
a high-energy compound present in all cells, especially muscle cells; when split by enzyme action it yields energy. - adhesion
-
union of normally separate tissue surfaces by a fibrous band of new tissue.
adjunct medication
agent that enhances the effects of other drugs. - administration tubing
- flexible, clear plastic tubing that connects the solution bag to the IV cannula.
- administrative
- law that is enacted by governmental agencies at either the federal or state law level. Also called regulatory law.
- adrenergic
- pertaining to the neurotransmitter norepinephrine.
-
adrenocorticotropic hormone
hormone - secreted by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland that is essential to the function of the adrenal cortex, including production of glucocorticoids.
- advance directive
- a document created to ensure that certain treatment choices are honored when a patient is unable to express his choice of treatment.
- advanced life support (ALS)
- advanced life-saving procedures such as intravenous therapy, drug therapy, intubation, and defibrillation.