Advanced EMT definitions (Complete
With Answers)
abandonment -
Unilateral termination of care by the AEMT without the patient's consent and without
making provisions for transferring care to another health care professional with skills at
the same level or higher.
abortion -
Any pregnancy that ends without a live birth. Typically prior to 20 weeks. Spontaneous
abortion is called a miscarriage.
absence seizures
The seizures that may be characterized by a brief lapse of attention in which the patient
may stare and does not respond; formerly known as a petit mal seizure.
acetabulum
The depression on the lateral pelvis where its three component bones join, in which the
femoral head fits snugly.
acidosis
A pathologic condition resulting from the accumulation of acids in the body.
acquired Immunity
- The immunity the body develops as part of exposure to an antigen.
acrocyanosis
Blue hands or feet in an infant younger than 2 months.
acromion process
- The tip of the shoulder and the site of attachment for both the clavicle and various
shoulder muscles.
active transport
A method used to move compounds across a cell membrane to create or maintain an
imbalance of charges.
adduction
movement of a limb toward the midline of the body
adrenergic
Pertaining to nerves that release the neurotransmitter norepinephrine or noradrenaline;
also pertains to the receptors acted on by norepinephrine.
adsorption
The accumulation of gases, liquids, or solutes on the surface of a solid or liquid.
adventitious breath sounds
abnormal auscultated breath sounds such as crackles, rhonchi, wheezes and pleural
friction rub.
afterload
The pressure in the aorta against which the left ventricle must pump blood.
agitated delirium
A condition of disorientation, confusion, and possible hallucinations coupled with
purposeless, restless physical activity.
,agranulocytes
Leukocytes that lack granules.
alkalosis
- A pathologic condition resulting from the accumulation of bases in the body.
allergen
- A substance that causes an allergic reaction; also referred to as an antigen.
alveoli
The air sacs of the lungs in which the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes
place.
amniotic fluid
The fluid produced by the filtration of maternal and fetal blood through blood vessels in
the placenta and by excretion of fetal urine into the amniotic sac.
anaphylaxis
An extreme, possibly life-threatening systemic allergic reaction that may include shock
and respiratory failure.
anatomy
The study of the structure of an organism and its parts.
aneurysm
A swelling or enlargement of a part of an artery, resulting from weakening of the arterial
wall.
angina pectoris
- Transient (short-lived) chest discomfort caused by partial or temporary blockage of
blood flow to the heart muscle.
antecubital
The anterior aspect of the elbow.
antibodies
Proteins within plasma that react with antigens.
anticholinergic
Of or pertaining to blockage of acetylcholine receptors, resulting in inhibition of
transmission of parasympathetic nerve impulses.
anuria
A complete stop in the production of urine.
aorta
The main artery that receives blood from the left ventricle and delivers it to all the other
arteries that carry blood to the tissues of the body.
articulation
The surfaces of long bones that come in contact with other bones.
ascites
The accumulation of serous fluid in the peritoneal cavity.
asystole
Complete absence of heart electrical activity.
atelectasis
Collapse of the alveoli; prevents the use of that portion of the lung for ventilation and
oxygenation.
atherosclerosis
, A disorder in which cholesterol and calcium build up inside the walls of blood vessels,
forming plaque, which eventually leads to partial or complete blockage of blood flow; a
plaque can become a site where blood clots can form, detach, and travel elsewhere in
the circulatory system (embolize).
auscultation
Using a stethoscope to listen to sounds within an organ.
automaticity .
The ability of cardiac cells to generate an impulse to contract even when there is no
external nervous stimulus.
avulsion
An injury in which soft tissue is torn completely loose or is hanging as a flap.
basophils
White blood cells that work to produce chemical mediators during an immune response.
Battle's sign
Bruising behind an ear over the mastoid process that may indicate a skull fracture.
Beck's Triad
narrowing pule pressure, JVD, and muffled heart tones; characteristic of cardiac
compression.
benzodiazepines
Sedative-hypnotic drugs that provide muscle relaxation and mild sedation; includes
drugs such as diazepam (Valium) and midazolam (Versed).
bicuspid valve
mitral valve, that between the left atrium and left ventricle, usually having two cusps
(anterior and posterior).
bloodborne pathogens
Pathogenic microorganisms that are present in human blood and can cause disease in
humans. These pathogens include, but are not limited to, hepatitis B virus and human
immunodeficiency virus
Braxton-Hicks contractions
Intermittent uterine contractions that may occur every 10 to 20 minutes, usually seen in
the third trimester of the pregnancy, but which are not indicative of labor beginning or
occurring; also known as false labor.
breech presentation
A type of abnormal delivery in which the buttocks emerge first.
bronchioles
Fine subdivisions of the bronchi that give rise to the alveolar ducts.
bruit
An abnormal "whooshing-like" sound indicating turbulent blood flow within a blood
vessel.
bursa
A small fluid-filled sac located between a tendon and a bone that cushions and protects
the joint.
capnography
A noninvasive method that can quickly and efficiently provide information on a patient's
ventilatory status, circulation, and metabolism.
cardiac output - (CO)
With Answers)
abandonment -
Unilateral termination of care by the AEMT without the patient's consent and without
making provisions for transferring care to another health care professional with skills at
the same level or higher.
abortion -
Any pregnancy that ends without a live birth. Typically prior to 20 weeks. Spontaneous
abortion is called a miscarriage.
absence seizures
The seizures that may be characterized by a brief lapse of attention in which the patient
may stare and does not respond; formerly known as a petit mal seizure.
acetabulum
The depression on the lateral pelvis where its three component bones join, in which the
femoral head fits snugly.
acidosis
A pathologic condition resulting from the accumulation of acids in the body.
acquired Immunity
- The immunity the body develops as part of exposure to an antigen.
acrocyanosis
Blue hands or feet in an infant younger than 2 months.
acromion process
- The tip of the shoulder and the site of attachment for both the clavicle and various
shoulder muscles.
active transport
A method used to move compounds across a cell membrane to create or maintain an
imbalance of charges.
adduction
movement of a limb toward the midline of the body
adrenergic
Pertaining to nerves that release the neurotransmitter norepinephrine or noradrenaline;
also pertains to the receptors acted on by norepinephrine.
adsorption
The accumulation of gases, liquids, or solutes on the surface of a solid or liquid.
adventitious breath sounds
abnormal auscultated breath sounds such as crackles, rhonchi, wheezes and pleural
friction rub.
afterload
The pressure in the aorta against which the left ventricle must pump blood.
agitated delirium
A condition of disorientation, confusion, and possible hallucinations coupled with
purposeless, restless physical activity.
,agranulocytes
Leukocytes that lack granules.
alkalosis
- A pathologic condition resulting from the accumulation of bases in the body.
allergen
- A substance that causes an allergic reaction; also referred to as an antigen.
alveoli
The air sacs of the lungs in which the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes
place.
amniotic fluid
The fluid produced by the filtration of maternal and fetal blood through blood vessels in
the placenta and by excretion of fetal urine into the amniotic sac.
anaphylaxis
An extreme, possibly life-threatening systemic allergic reaction that may include shock
and respiratory failure.
anatomy
The study of the structure of an organism and its parts.
aneurysm
A swelling or enlargement of a part of an artery, resulting from weakening of the arterial
wall.
angina pectoris
- Transient (short-lived) chest discomfort caused by partial or temporary blockage of
blood flow to the heart muscle.
antecubital
The anterior aspect of the elbow.
antibodies
Proteins within plasma that react with antigens.
anticholinergic
Of or pertaining to blockage of acetylcholine receptors, resulting in inhibition of
transmission of parasympathetic nerve impulses.
anuria
A complete stop in the production of urine.
aorta
The main artery that receives blood from the left ventricle and delivers it to all the other
arteries that carry blood to the tissues of the body.
articulation
The surfaces of long bones that come in contact with other bones.
ascites
The accumulation of serous fluid in the peritoneal cavity.
asystole
Complete absence of heart electrical activity.
atelectasis
Collapse of the alveoli; prevents the use of that portion of the lung for ventilation and
oxygenation.
atherosclerosis
, A disorder in which cholesterol and calcium build up inside the walls of blood vessels,
forming plaque, which eventually leads to partial or complete blockage of blood flow; a
plaque can become a site where blood clots can form, detach, and travel elsewhere in
the circulatory system (embolize).
auscultation
Using a stethoscope to listen to sounds within an organ.
automaticity .
The ability of cardiac cells to generate an impulse to contract even when there is no
external nervous stimulus.
avulsion
An injury in which soft tissue is torn completely loose or is hanging as a flap.
basophils
White blood cells that work to produce chemical mediators during an immune response.
Battle's sign
Bruising behind an ear over the mastoid process that may indicate a skull fracture.
Beck's Triad
narrowing pule pressure, JVD, and muffled heart tones; characteristic of cardiac
compression.
benzodiazepines
Sedative-hypnotic drugs that provide muscle relaxation and mild sedation; includes
drugs such as diazepam (Valium) and midazolam (Versed).
bicuspid valve
mitral valve, that between the left atrium and left ventricle, usually having two cusps
(anterior and posterior).
bloodborne pathogens
Pathogenic microorganisms that are present in human blood and can cause disease in
humans. These pathogens include, but are not limited to, hepatitis B virus and human
immunodeficiency virus
Braxton-Hicks contractions
Intermittent uterine contractions that may occur every 10 to 20 minutes, usually seen in
the third trimester of the pregnancy, but which are not indicative of labor beginning or
occurring; also known as false labor.
breech presentation
A type of abnormal delivery in which the buttocks emerge first.
bronchioles
Fine subdivisions of the bronchi that give rise to the alveolar ducts.
bruit
An abnormal "whooshing-like" sound indicating turbulent blood flow within a blood
vessel.
bursa
A small fluid-filled sac located between a tendon and a bone that cushions and protects
the joint.
capnography
A noninvasive method that can quickly and efficiently provide information on a patient's
ventilatory status, circulation, and metabolism.
cardiac output - (CO)
