|
|
Medical Terminology
Medical terminology can be a confusing thing. In this section we'll attempt to list some basic terms, though by no means should this ever be considered a complete list. It's just an overview of common terms.
- AED
- Automated External Defibrillator.
- Angina
- Chest pain.
- Apnea
- Absence of breathing.
- Apneic
- Not breathing.
- Arrhythmia
- A deadly heart rhythm.
- Bradycardia
- Slow heart rate.
- Bradypnea
- Slow breath rate.
- BVM (Ambubag)
- A bag, sometimes with an oxygen reservoir, used to ventilate a patient using a mask. It can also be attached to the tube used to intubate a patient.
- Cardioversion
- A timed electric shock to the heart to reset a dangerously fast rate.
- CPR
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.
- Defibrillation
- An electric shock to the heart intended to make it beat again.
- Dysrhythmia
- A dangerous or dysfunctional heart rhythm.
- EMD
- Emergency Medical Dispatch(er).
- EMS
- Emergency Medical Services.
- Hyperglycemia
- High blood sugar.
- Hypertension
- High blood pressure
- Hypoglycemia
- Low blood sugar.
- Hypotension
- Low blood pressure.
- Hypovolemia
- A condition in which the patient has had significant blood loss.
- Intraosseous
- Similar to an IV, but placed into a specific bone.
- Intravenous(IV)
- Placement of a catheter into a vein for the purpose of giving fluid and/or medication.
- Intubation
- Placement of a tube directly into the trachea for the purpose of securing an airway.
- Nasopharyngeal (Nasal) Airway
- A short, flexible tube inserted through the nose to keep the tongue from blocking the patient's airway.
- Oropharyngeal (Oral) Airway
- A short, rigid tube inserted in the mouth to keep the tongue from blocking the patient's airway.
- Tachycardia
- A fast heart rate.
- Tachypnea
- A fast breath rate.
- Transcutaneous Pacing (TCP)
- The application of specialized pads attached to a cardiac monitor that use controlled electric impulses to make the heart maintain a set rate.
|
