West Coast EMT Final Exam Study Guide 2023

AMI AMI (Heart attack): Death of heart muscle following obstruction of blood flow to it; in this context the attack is "new" or "happening right now." A heart attack is a medical emergency. A heart attack usually occurs when a blood clot blocks blood flow to the heart. Without blood, tissue loses oxygen and dies. Symptoms include tightness or pain in the chest, neck, back, or arms, as well as fatigue, lightheadedness, abnormal heartbeat, and anxiety. Women are more likely to have atypical symptoms than men. Treatment ranges from lifestyle changes and cardiac rehabilitation to medications, stents, and bypass surgery. Oxygenation Oxygenation: The process of delivering oxygen to the blood by diffusion form the alveoli following inhalation into the lungs patient care report (PCR) Patient Care Report (PCR): The legal document used to record all patient care activities. This report has direct patient care functions, but also administrative and quality control functions. Also known as prehospital care reports. Respiration Respiration: The physiologic process of exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide, or, in the context of environmental emergencies, the loss of body heat as warm air in the lungs is exhaled into the atmosphere and cooler air is inhaled. Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT) Supraventricular Tachycardia: A faster than normal heart rate beginning above the heart's two lower chambers. Supraventricular tachycardia is a rapid heartbeat that develops when the normal electrical impulses of the heart are disrupted. There may be symptoms like heart palpitations, or there may be no symptoms at all. Ventilation Ventilation: Exchange of air between the lungs and the environment, spontaneously by the patient or with assistance from another person, such as an EMT.Perfusion Perfusion: The circulation of oxygenated blood through body tissues and vessels. Aspiration Aspiration: In the context of airway, the introduction of vomitus or other foreign material into the lungs. Intracranial Pressure (ICP) Intracranial Pressure (ICP): The pressure within the cranial vault. Exerted by fluids such as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) inside the skull and on the brain tissue. Brain injury or another medical condition can cause growing pressure inside your skull. automated external defibrillator (AED) Automated External Defibrillator (AED): A device that detects treatable lifethreatening cardiac arrythmias (ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia) and delivers the appropriate shock to the patient. Thrombus/Thrombosis Thrombus/Thrombosis: A blood clot, either in the arterial or venous system. When the clot occurs in a cerebral artery, it may result in the interruption of cerebral blood flow and subsequent stroke. aneursym Aneurysm: An abnormal enlargement of the wall of a blood vessel that results from weakening of the vessel wall. Aneurysms often occur in the aorta, brain, back of the knee, intestine, or spleen. A ruptured aneurysm can result in internal bleeding, stroke, and can sometimes be fatal. Aneurysms often have no symptoms until they rupture. Treatment varies from watchful waiting to emergency surgery. The choice depends on the location, size, and condition of the aneurysm. Embolism/ Embolus Embolism/Embolus: A blood clot or other substance in the circulatory system that travels to a blood vessel where it causes a blockage. AtherosclerosisAtherosclerosis: A disorder in which cholesterol and calcium build up inside the walls of blood vessels, forming plaque, eventually leading to a partial or complete blockage of blood flow. Hypoglycemia Hypoglycemia: An abnormally low blood glucose level. 80mg/dL hyperglycemia Hyperglycemia: An abnormally high blood glucose level. 120mg/dL Functional (behavioral) disorder Functional (behavioral) Disorder: A physiologic disorder that impairs bodily function when the body seems to be structurally normal. Something has gone wrong, but the root cause cannot be identified. Schizophrenia, anxiety conditions, and depression are good examples of functional disorders. organic brain syndrome(disorder) Organic Brain syndrome(disorder): A temporary or permanent dysfunction of the brain caused by a disturbance in the physical or physiologic functioning of brain tissue. Causes of organic brain syndrome include sudden illness; traumatic brain injury; seizure disorders; drug and alcohol abuse, overdose, or withdrawal; and diseases of the brain, such as Alzheimer dementia or meningitis. Contusion Contusion: A bruise from an injury that causes bleeding beneath the skin without breaking the skin BSA BSA: Body surface area. Commonly used in classifying burns. Ecchymosis Ecchymosis: A buildup of blood beneath the skin that produces a characteristic blue or black discoloration as the result of an injury. hemoptysis Hemoptysis: The coughing up of blood. Hematemesisvomiting blood recovery position (lateral recumbent position) Recovery position: A side-lying position used to maintain a clear airway in unconscious patients who are breathing adequately and do not have suspected injuries to the spine, hips, or pelvis. defibrillate/defibrillation Defibrillate/Defibrillation: To shock a fibrillating (chaotically beating) heart with specialized electric current in an attempt to restore a normal, rhythmic beat. Medical Director Medical Director: The physician who authorizes or delegates to the EMT the authority to provide medical care in the field. Air-reactive solids Air Reactive solids: Dangerous when exposed to air. class 9 material. 1000lb rule for labels or placards. Flammable Liquids Flammable liquids: liquids that can easily ignite. class 9 material. 1000lb rule for labels or placards. water reactive solids Water-reactive solids: extremely hazardous; reactive to water; any amount of material being shipped requires the use of placards or labels. Nonflammable gasses Nonflammable gases: class 9 material. 1000lb rule for labels or placards. Cardiac Output (CO) Cardiac output (CO): A measure of the volume of blood circulated by the heart in 1 minute, calculated by multiplying the stroke volume by the heart rate. SVxHR=CO