| Abandonment | terminating patient care without ensuring that care will continue at the same level or higher
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| Abdomen | the part of the body trunk below the ribs and above the pelvis
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| Abdominal cavity | the body cavity located below the diaphragm and above the pelvis; contains the stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and spleen
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| Abnormal behavior | a manner of acting or conducting oneself that is not consistent with society's norms and expectations, interferes with the individual's well-being and ability to function, or is harmful to the individual or others
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| Abortion | the delivery of the products of conception early in pregnancy
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| Abrasion | a superficial wound caused by rubbing or scraping, resulting in partial loss of the skin surface
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| Abruptio placenta | the condition that occurs when a normally implanted placenta separates prematurely from the wall of the uterus during the last trimester of pregnancy
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| Accessory muscles | the muscles between the ribs, above the collarbones, or in the abdomen used during inhalation or exhalation to assist breathing
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| Acrocyanosis | blueness of the hands and feet
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| Active rewarming | adding heat directly to the surface of the patient's body
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| Advance directives | legal documents that specify healthcare wishes when people become unable to make decisions for themselves
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| Airborne diseases | infections spread by droplets produced by coughing or sneezing
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| Air embolism | bubbles of air in the bloodstream
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| Airway adjuncts | devices used to help keep a patient's airway open
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| Altered mental status | a change in a patient's level of awareness
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| Alveoli | grapelike sacs at the end of bronchioles where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged between the air and blood
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| Amniotic sac | the sac of fluid that surrounds the fetus inside the uterus
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| Amputation | the separation of a body part from the rest of the body
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| Anaphylactic shock | shock due to a severe allergic reaction
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| Anatomical position | a person standing, arms to the sides with the palms turned forward, feet close together, the head pointed forward, and with the eyes open
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| Anatomy | the study of the structure of an organism (such as the human body)
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| Angulation | the abnormal position of an extremity
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| Anterior | the front portion of the body or body part
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| Anxiety | a state of worry and agitation that is usually triggered by a vague or an imagined situation
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| Anxiety disorder | a more intense state of worry and agitation than normal anxiety
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| Aorta | the largest artery in the body
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| Appendicular skeleton | the upper and lower extremities (arms and legs), the shoulder girdle, and the pelvic girdle
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| Arteries | blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart to the rest of the body
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| Arterioles | the smallest branches of arteries leading to the capillaries
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| Arthritis | inflammation of a joint
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| Aspiration | the breathing of a foreign substance into the lungs
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| Assault | threatening, attempting, or causing fear of offensive physical contact with a patient or another individual
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| Atria | the two upper chambers of the heart (singular = atrium)
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| Auscultate | the process of listening to body sounds with the aid of a stethoscope
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| Automated external defibrillator (AED) | a machine that analyzes the heart's rhythm for any abnormalities and, if necessary, directs the rescuer to deliver an electrical shock
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| AVPU scale | a memory aid used to identify a patient's mental status. Each letter of the scale refers to a level of awareness. A - alert, V - responds to verbal stimuli, P - responds to painful stimuli, U - unresponsive. A patient who is oriented to person, place, time, and event is said to be "alert and oriented x ('times') 4" or "A and O x 4."
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| Avulsion | the tearing off or tearing away of a patch of skin or other tissue from the body
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| Axial skeleton | the part of the skeleton that includes the skull, spinal column, sternum, and ribs
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| Bacteria | germs that can live outside the human body and do not depend on other organisms to live and grow
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| Bandage | material that holds a dressing in place over a wound
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| Baseline vital signs | an initial set of vital sign measurements against which later measurements can be compared
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| Battery | the unlawful touching of another person without consent
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| Battle's sign | a bluish discoloration behind the ear that is a sign of a possible skull fracture
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| Behavior | the manner in which a person acts or performs
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| Behavioral emergency | a situation in which the patient displays abnormal behavior that is unacceptable or intolerable to the patient, family members, or the community
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| Bilateral | pertaining to both sides
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| Bipolar disorder | a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in a person's mood, energy, and ability to function
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| Birth canal | the vagina and lower part of the uterus
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| Bloodborne diseases | infections spread by contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected person
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| Blood pressure | the force exerted by the blood on the walls of the arteries
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| Blood volume | the total amount of blood circulating within the body
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| Bloody show | mucus and blood that may come out of the vagina as labor begins
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| Blunt trauma | any mechanism of injury that occurs without actual penetration of the body
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| Body | the main part of a skeletal muscle
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| Body cavity | a hollow space in the body that contains internal organs
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| Body mass index (BMI) | a mathematical formula that expresses the relationship of weight to height
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| Body mechanics | the way we move our bodies when lifting and moving
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| Body substance isolation (BSI) precautions | self-protection against all body fluids and substances (blood, urine, semen, feces, vaginal secretions, tears, saliva, cerebrospinal fluid, etc.); also referred to as standard precautions, universal precautions
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| Body temperature | the balance between the heat produced by the body and the heat lost from the body
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| Brainstem | the portion of the brain that consists of the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata
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| Breathing | the mechanical process of moving air into and out of the lungs
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| Breech delivery | a delivery in which the presenting part of the infant is the buttocks or feet instead of the head
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| Bronchioles | small, thin-walled branches of a bronchus
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| Bronchus | large passageway for air to and from the alveoli
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| Bruise | a collection of blood under the skin due to bleeding capillaries
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| Capillaries | the very thin blood vessels that connect arteries and veins
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| Cardiac arrest | the temporary or permanent cessation of the heartbeat
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| Cardiac muscle | involuntary muscle found only in the heart
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| Cardiogenic shock | shock that occurs when the heart muscle fails to generate enough force to pump oxygenated blood effectively to all parts of the body
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| Cardiopulmonary failure | respiratory failure that occurs with shock
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| Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) | a combination of rescue breathing and external chest compressions to oxygenate and circulate blood when the patient is in cardiac arrest
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| Carpals | wrist bones
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| Cells | the basic building blocks of the body
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| Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) | the agency of the U.S. government that promotes health and quality of life by preventing and controlling disease, injury, and disability
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| Central nervous system | the brain and spinal cord
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| Central pulse | a pulse found close to the trunk of the body
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| Cephalic (head) delivery | a delivery in which an infant emerges head first from the birth canal
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| Cerebellum | the second largest part of the human brain; responsible for the precise control of muscle movements and the maintenance of posture and equilibrium
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| Cerebral palsy | a neuromuscular disorder that affects the body's ability to control voluntary muscles
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| Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) | a clear liquid that acts as a shock absorber for the brain and spinal cord and provides a means for the exchange of nutrients and wastes among the blood, brain, and spinal cord
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| Cerebrum | the largest part of the brain, made up of two hemispheres
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| Certification | a designation as having met predetermined requirements to perform a particular activity
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| Cervix | the narrow opening at the lower end of the uterus; connects the uterus to the vagina
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| Chief complaint | the reason EMS has been called, usually in the patient's own words
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| Childbirth | the emergence of an infant from its mother's uterus
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| Child maltreatment | an act or a failure to act by a parent, a caregiver, or another person as defined by state law that results in physical abuse, neglect, medical neglect, sexual abuse, and/or emotional abuse; an act or a failure to act that presents an impending risk of serious harm to a child
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| Circulatory system | the cardiovascular and lymphatic systems
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| Clavicle | collarbone
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| Cleaning | the process of washing a contaminated object with soap and water
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| Closed wound | an injury in which damage occurs to the soft tissues under the skin, but the surface of the skin is not broken; also called a closed soft-tissue injury
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| Communicable disease | a disease that can be spread from one person or animal to another, either directly or indirectly
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| Competence | the patient's ability to understand the questions you ask and understand the implications of the decisions he or she makes concerning his or her care
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| Concussion | a temporary loss of function in part or all of the brain
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| Conduction | the transfer of heat between objects that are in direct contact
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| Consent | permission
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| Contusion | a wound in which the epidermis remains intact, but the cells and blood vessels in the dermis are injured; a bruise
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| Convection | the transfer of heat by the movement of air or water current
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| Cranial cavity | the body cavity located in the head that contains the brain
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| Cranium | the skull
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| Crepitation (crepitus) | a crackling sensation heard and felt beneath the skin; caused by bone ends grating against each other or air trapped between layers of tissue
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| Critical incident | events that interfere, or have the potential to interfere, with an individual's psychological ability to cope
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| Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) | a group meeting led by a mental health professional and peer support personnel to allow rescuers to share thoughts, emotions, and other reactions to a critical incident
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| Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) | a comprehensive program developed to assist emergency workers in coping with stressful situations and to accelerate the normal recovery process after experiencing a critical incident
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| Crowning | the stage of birth when the presenting part of the infant remains visible at the vaginal opening
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| Cumulative stress | repeated exposure to smaller stressors that accumulate over time; burnout, occupational stress
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| Cyanosis | blue skin
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| Cystic fibrosis | a disease in which a defective gene causes the body to produce abnormally thick, sticky mucus that affects multiple organs
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| Defibrillation | the delivery of an electrical shock to the heart
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| Defusing | a shorter, less formal version of a debriefing for rescuers, held immediately or within a few hours after a critical event
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| Delivery | the birth of the baby at the end of the second stage of labor
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| Delusions | false beliefs that a person believes are true, despite facts to the contrary
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| Denial | a stage of the grief process in which the patient or a family member does not believe what is happening related to the patient's illness or injury
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| Dependent lividity | a sign of the settling of blood in dependent areas (those areas on which the body has been resting)
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| Depression | a state of mind characterized by feelings of sadness, worthlessness, and discouragement
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| Diaphragm | the dome-shaped muscle below the lungs; the primary muscle of respiration
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| Diastolic blood pressure | the pressure in the arteries when the heart is at rest
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| Diencephalon | the part of the brain between the cerebrum and the brainstem; contains the thalamus and hypothalamus
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| Dilate | widen
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| Direct ground lift | a non-urgent move used to lift and carry a patient with no suspected spine injury from the ground to a bed or stretcher
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| Direct pressure | firm pressure applied to a bleeding site with gloved hands or bandages to control bleeding
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| Disentanglement | the moving or removal of material that is trapping a victim
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| Disinfecting | cleaning with chemical solutions such as alcohol or chlorine
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| Dislocation | the displacement of the ends of bones from their normal positions in a joint
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| Distal | farthest away from the midline, or center area, of the body
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| Do Not Resuscitate order | a written physician order that instructs medical professionals not to provide medical care to a patient who has experienced a cardiopulmonary arrest
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| Down syndrome | a genetic condition that causes mild to severe mental retardation and delays in physical development
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| Draw sheet | a narrow sheet placed crosswise on a bed under a patient; used to assist in moving a patient or in changing soiled bed sheets
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| Dressing | absorbent material placed directly over a wound
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| Duty to act | a formal contractual or an implied legal obligation to provide care to a patient requesting services
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| Eclampsia | a condition of pregnancy characterized by high blood pressure, swelling, protein in the urine, and seizures
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| Emergency Medical Responder | a person who has the basic knowledge and skills necessary to provide lifesaving emergency care while awaiting the arrival of additional EMS help
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| Emergency Medical Services (EMS) System | a coordinated network of resources that provides emergency care and transportation to victims of sudden illness and injury
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| Emergency move | a move used because there is an immediate danger to the patient or rescuer
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| Emergency transportation | the process of moving a patient from the scene of an emergency to an appropriate receiving facility
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| Empathy | understanding, being aware of, and being sensitive to the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another
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| Enhanced 9-1-1 | a 9-1-1 telephone system that indicates the telephone number and location of 9-1-1 calls
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| Epiglottis | a flap of cartilage that covers the trachea when swallowing, so that food and liquids do not enter the lungs
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| Erect | standing upright
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| Esophagus | the muscular tube about 9 inches long (in adults) that is a passageway for food
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| Ethics | principles of right and wrong, good and bad, and the consequences of human actions; what a person ought to do
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| Evaporation | a loss of heat by vaporization of moisture on the body surface
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| Evisceration | the protrusion of an organ through an open wound
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| Exhalation (expiration) | the process of breathing out and moving air out of the lungs
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| Exposure | contact with infected blood, body fluids, tissues, or airborne droplets, either directly or indirectly
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| Expressed consent | a type of consent in which a patient gives express authorization for the provision of care and transport
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| External bleeding | bleeding that you can see
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| Extrication | a means of freeing a trapped or otherwise inaccessible patient and getting him or her to a treatment area
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| Fallopian tubes | a pair of tubes that receive and transport the egg from the ovary to the uterus after ovulation
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| False ribs | rib pairs 8 through 10; these ribs attach to the cartilage of the seventh ribs
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| Femur | the thigh bone; extends from the hip to the knee
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| Fibula | the bone that lies next to the tibia along the outer side of the lower leg
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| First responder | an individual with medical training who is the first to arrive at the scene of an emergency, such as a motor vehicle crash, life-threatening medical situation, or disaster
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| Flail chest | a condition in which three or more adjacent ribs are fractured in two or more places or when the sternum is detached. The section of the chest wall between the fractured ribs becomes free-floating because it is no longer in continuity with the thorax. This free-floating section of the chest wall is called the flail segment.
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| Floating ribs | ribs that have no attachment to the sternum (rib pairs 11 and 12)
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| Foodborne diseases | infections spread by the improper handling of food or by poor personal hygiene
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| Foramen magnum | the large opening in the base of the skull through which the spinal cord passes
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| Fowler's position | lying on the back with the upper body elevated at a 45 to 60 degree angle
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| Fracture | a break in a bone
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| Glottis | the space between the vocal cords
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| Grief | intense sadness caused by the loss of someone or something that had great meaning to the individual
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| Grieving | a response that helps people cope with the loss of someone or something that had great meaning to them
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| Growth plate | an area of growing tissue near each end of a long bone in children and adolescents
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| Gurgling | bubbling noise
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| Hallucinations | false sensory perceptions
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| Hazardous material | a substance (solid, liquid, or gas) that, when released, is capable of creating harm to people, the environment, and property
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| Healthcare system | a network of people, facilities, and equipment designed to provide for the general medical needs of the population; also referred to as healthcare delivery system
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| Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) | a law passed by Congress in 1996 to ensure the confidentiality of a person's health information
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| Hematoma | a localized collection of blood beneath the skin due to a tear in a blood vessel
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| Hemoglobin | the iron-containing protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the tissues
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| Hemophilia | a disorder in which the blood does not clot normally
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| Hemorrhage (major bleeding) | an excessive loss of blood from a blood vessel; may be internal or external
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| Hemorrhagic shock | shock caused by severe bleeding
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| High-Fowler's position | patient sitting upright at a 90-degree angle
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| Homeostasis | the property of an organism to regulate its internal processes to maintain a constant internal environment; steady state
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| Host | a plant, a person, or an animal capable of harboring and providing nourishment for another organism
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| Humerus | the upper arm bone
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| Hypothermia | a core body temperature of less than 95°F (35°C)
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| Hypovolemic shock | shock caused by a loss of plasma, blood, or another body fluid
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| Impaled object | an object embedded in an open wound
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| Implied consent | consent assumed from a patient requiring emergency intervention who is mentally, physically, or emotionally unable to provide expressed consent
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| Incendiary materials | substances that burn with a hot flame for a specific period
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| Incident Command System (ICS) | a standardized system developed to assist with the control, direction, and coordination of emergency response resources
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| Incompetent | a patient's inability to understand the questions asked of him or her or to understand the implications of the decisions he or she makes regarding his or her care
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| Infection | the invasion and growth of germs in a host, with or without detectable signs of illness
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| Infectious disease | a communicable disease caused by microorganisms, such as bacteria
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| Inferior | in a position lower than another
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| Informed consent | consent in which the patient understands the risks and benefits of care
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| Inhalation (inspiration) | the process of breathing in and moving air into the lungs
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| In-line stabilization | a technique used to minimize movement of the head and neck
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| Insertion | the movable attachment to a bone
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| Internal bleeding | bleeding that occurs inside body tissues and cavities
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| Joint | a place where two bones come together
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| Kinematics | the science of analyzing the mechanism of injury and predicting injury patterns
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| Kinetic energy | the energy of motion; the amount of kinetic energy an object has depends on the mass of the object and the speed (velocity) of the object
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| Labor | the time and process beginning with the first uterine muscle contraction until delivery of the placenta
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| Laceration | a cut or tear in the skin of any length, shape, and depth
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| Larynx | the voice box
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| Lateral | toward the side of the body
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| Lateral recumbent position | lying on the side; left side - left lateral recumbent position, right side - right lateral recumbent position
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| Licensure | the granting of a written authorization by an official or legal authority to perform medical acts and procedures not permitted by persons without such authorization
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| Ligament | the connective tissue that joins the end of one bone with another
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| Limb presentation | a delivery in which the presenting part of the infant is an arm or a leg instead of the head
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| Log roll | a technique used to move a patient from a face down to a face up position while maintaining the head and neck in line with the rest of the body
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| Low vision | visual impairment, not correctable by standard glasses, contact lenses, medicine, or surgery, that interferes with a person's ability to perform everyday activities
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| Lungs | spongy, air-filled organs that bring air into contact with the blood so that oxygen and carbon dioxide can be exchanged in the alveoli
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| Major bleeding | life-threatening bleeding
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| Manubrium | the uppermost portion of the breastbone; connects with the clavicle and first rib
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| Mechanism of injury | the manner in which an injury occurs and the forces involved in producing the injury
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| Medial | toward the midline of the body
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| Mediastinum | the part of the thoracic cavity between the lungs that contains the heart, major vessels, esophagus, trachea, and nerves
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| Medical director | a physician who provides medical oversight and is responsible for ensuring that actions taken on behalf of ill or injured people are medically appropriate
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| Medical neglect | a type of maltreatment caused by a caregiver's failure to provide for the appropriate healthcare of a child although financially able to do so
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| Medical oversight | the process by which a physician directs the emergency care provided by EMS personnel to an ill or injured patient; also referred to as medical control or medical direction
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| Medical patient | a patient whose condition is caused by an illness
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| Medical practice acts | state laws that grant authority to provide medical care to patients and determine the scope of practice for healthcare professionals
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| Menstruation | the periodic discharge of blood and tissue from the uterus
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| Mental illness | a disorder that interferes with a person's thinking, feeling, moods, and ability to relate to others
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| Metacarpals | the bones that form the support for the palm of the hand
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| Metatarsals | the bones that form the part of the foot to which the toes attach
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| Microorganism | an organism too small to be seen with the unaided eye; bacteria, some fungi, and protozoa are microorganisms
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| Midline | an imaginary line drawn through the middle of the body from the nose to the umbilicus (navel) that divides the body into right and left halves
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| Mottling | an irregular or a patchy discoloration of the skin that is usually a mixture of blue and white; usually seen in patients in shock or cardiac arrest
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| Multiple sclerosis | a disease of the central nervous system in which the message-transmitting fibers in the brain and spinal cord are progressively destroyed
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| Muscle tone | the constant tension produced by muscles of the body over long periods
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| Muscular dystrophy | a group of inherited muscle disorders of unknown cause in which there is slow but progressive degeneration of muscle fibers
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| Myasthenia gravis | a disorder in which muscles become weak and tire easily
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| Nasal flaring | excessive widening of the nostrils with respiration
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| Nasal septum | a wall of tissue that separates the right and left nostrils
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| Nasopharyngeal airway | a soft, rubbery device that is inserted into the nose of an unresponsive or semi-responsive patient to help keep the airway open
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| Nature of the illness (NOI) | the medical condition that resulted in the patient's call to 9-1-1
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| Neglect | the failure to provide for a child's basic needs
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| Negligence | deviation from the accepted standard of care, resulting in further injury to the patient
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| Non-urgent move | a patient move used when no immediate threat to life exists and the patient's safety, and that of the prehospital crew, are the primary concerns
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| Obesity | an excess amount of body fat
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| Obstetric emergency | an emergency related to pregnancy or childbirth
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| Occlusive | airtight
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| Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) | the branch of the federal government responsible for safety in the workplace
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| Off-line medical direction | medical supervision of EMS personnel through the use of policies, protocols, standing orders, education, and quality management review; also called indirect, retrospective, or prospective medical direction
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| On-line medical direction | direct communication with a physician (or his or her designee) by radio or telephone, or face to face communication at the scene, before performing a skill or administering care
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| Open (compound) fracture | a broken bone that penetrates the skin
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| Open soft-tissue injury | an injury in which the skin surface is broken
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| Open wound | an injury in which the skin surface is broken
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| Organ | at least two different types of tissue that work together to perform a particular function; examples include the brain, stomach, and liver
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| Organ system | tissues and organs that work together to provide a common function; examples of organ systems include the respiratory system and nervous system
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| Origin | the stationary attachment of a muscle to a bone
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| Oropharyngeal airway (OPA) | a curved device made of rigid plastic that is inserted in the mouth of an unresponsive patient without a gag reflex to help keep the airway open
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| Osteoporosis | a skeletal disorder that develops when the rate of old bone removal occurs too quickly or if old bone replacement occurs too slowly
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| Ovaries | paired, almond-shaped organs in a woman's body that produce eggs; located on each side of the uterus in the pelvic cavity
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| Ovulation | the release of an egg from an ovary
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| Palpate | to feel
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| Panic attack | an intense fear that occurs for no apparent reason
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| Paranoia | a mental disorder characterized by excessive suspiciousness or delusions
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| Paraplegia | the loss of movement and sensation in the body from the waist down
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| Passive rewarming | warming a patient without the use of additional heat sources beyond the patient's own heat production; methods include placing the patient in a warm environment
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| Patella | the flat, triangular, movable bone that forms the anterior part of the knee; kneecap
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| Patent | open
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| Pathogens | germs capable of producing disease
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| Pathophysiology | the study of changes in the body caused by disease
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| Patient assessment | the process of evaluating a person for signs of illness or injury
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| Patient history | the part of the patient assessment during which facts are obtained about the patient's medical history
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| Pelvic cavity | the body cavity below the abdominal cavity; contains the urinary bladder, part of the large intestine, and reproductive organs
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| Pelvic girdle | the bones that enclose and protect the organs of the pelvic cavity; provides a point of attachment for the lower extremities and major muscles of the trunk and supports the weight of the upper body
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| Pelvis | the bony ring formed by three separate bones that fuse to become one in an adult
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| Penetrating trauma | any mechanism of injury that causes a cut or piercing of the skin
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| Perfusion | the flow of blood through an organ or a part of the body
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| Pericardial cavity | the body cavity containing the heart
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| Perineum | the area between the vaginal opening and the anus
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| Personal protective equipment (PPE) | specialized clothing or equipment worn by an individual for protection against a hazard; general work clothes (e.g., uniforms, pants, shirts, or blouses) not intended to function as protection against a hazard are not considered personal protective equipment
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| Personal space | the invisible area immediately around each of us that we declare as our own
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| Phalanges | the bones of the fingers and toes
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| Pharynx | the throat
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| Phobia | an irrational and constant fear of a specific activity, object, or situation
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| Physical abuse | physical acts that have caused or could have caused physical injury to a child
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| Physiology | the study of the normal functions of an organism (such as the human body)
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| Placenta | a specialized organ through which the fetus exchanges nourishment and waste products during pregnancy
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| Placenta previa | the condition that occurs when part or all of the placenta implants in the lower part of the uterus, covering the opening of the cervix
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| Plasma | the liquid portion of the blood
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| Pleurae | serous (oily), double-walled membranes that enclose each lung
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| Pleural cavities | body cavities that contain the lungs; the right lung is located in the right pleural cavity; the left lung is located in the left pleural cavity
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| Pleural space | a space between the visceral and parietal pleura, filled with a small amount of oily fluid, which allows the lungs to glide easily against each other
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| Position of function | the natural position of the hand or foot at rest
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| Posterior | the back side of the body or body part
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| Postictal phase | the recovery period after a seizure
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| Power grip (underhand grip, supinated grip) | a method of placing your hands on an object that is designed to take full advantage of the strength of your hands and forearms
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| Power lift | a technique used to lift a heavy object
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| Preeclampsia | a condition of high blood pressure and swelling that occurs in some women, usually during the third trimester of pregnancy
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| Presenting part | the part of an infant that emerges from the birth canal first during delivery
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| Pressure bandage | material, such as roller gauze, that is applied snugly to create pressure on a wound and hold a dressing in place over it
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| Prone | face down
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| Prospective medical direction | activities performed by a physician before an emergency call, such as the development of treatment protocols and standing orders
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| Protected Health Information (PHI) | information that relates to a person's physical or mental health, treatment, or payment that identifies the person or gives a reason to believe that the individual can be identified or is transmitted or maintained in any form
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| Protocols | written instructions to provide emergency care for specific health-related conditions
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| Proximal | closer to the midline or center area of the body
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| Psychological maltreatment | a pattern of caregiver behavior that conveys to children that they are worthless, flawed, unloved, unwanted, endangered, or only valued in meeting another's needs
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| Pulse | the rhythmic contraction and expansion of the arteries with each beat of the heart
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| Putrefaction | the decomposition of organic matter, such as body tissues
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| Quadriplegia | a loss of movement and sensation in both arms, both legs, and the parts of the body below an area of injury to the spinal cord
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| Quality management | a system of internal and external reviews and audits of all aspects of an EMS system to identify those aspects needing improvement to ensure that the public receives the highest quality of prehospital care
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| Raccoon eyes | the bluish discoloration around the eyes that suggests a possible skull fracture
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| Radiation | the transfer of heat, as infrared heat rays, from the surface of one object to the surface of another without contact between the two objects
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| Radius | the bone on the thumb (lateral) side of the forearm
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| Rapid trauma assessment | a quick, head-to-toe examination performed on a trauma patient with significant mechanism of injury to determine life-threatening injuries
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| Recovery position | the position an unresponsive patient who is breathing and in no need of CPR (and in whom trauma is not suspected) is placed--on his or her side to help keep his or her airway open
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| Regression | a return to an earlier developmental state
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| Respiration | the act of breathing air into the lungs (inhalation) and out of the lungs (exhalation); the exchange of gases between a living organism and its environment
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| Respiratory arrest | absent breathing
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| Respiratory distress | an increased work of breathing (respiratory effort)
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| Respiratory failure | a condition in which there is an inadequate amount of oxygen in the blood and/or ventilation to meet the demands of body tissues
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| Retrospective medical direction | activities performed by a physician after an emergency call, such as reviewing the documentation pertaining to an emergency call
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| Rigor mortis | the rigidity of body muscles that occurs after death
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| Scapula | one of a pair of large, essentially flat, triangular bones on the back of the chest; shoulder blade
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| Scene safety | an assessment of the scene and surroundings to ensure the well-being of the first responder, other rescuers, the patient(s), and bystanders
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| Scene size-up | the first phase of patient assessment that includes taking body substance isolation precautions, evaluating scene safety, determining the mechanism of injury or nature of the patient's illness, determining the total number of patients, and determining the need for additional resources
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| Schizophrenia | a group of mental disorders
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| Scope of care (scope of practice) | the specific medical procedures and functions that can be performed by a licensed or certified healthcare professional
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| Seizure | a temporary change in behavior or consciousness caused by abnormal electrical activity of one or more groups of brain cells
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| Self-splint (anatomic splint) | using a part of the body as a rigid support
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| Semi-Fowler's position | patient sitting up with his head at a 45-degree angle and legs out straight
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| Septic shock | shock due to a severe infection
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| Septum | a wall of tissue
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| Sequence of survival | the ideal sequence of events that should take place immediately following the recognition of an injury or the onset of sudden illness
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| Sexual abuse | inappropriate adolescent or adult sexual behavior with a child
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| Sexually transmitted diseases | infections spread by either blood or sexual contact
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| Shock | the inadequate flow of blood through an organ or a part of the body
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| Shock position | lying on the back, with the feet elevated approximately 8 to 12 inches
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| Shoulder girdle | the bony arch formed by the collarbones (clavicles) and shoulder blades (scapulae)
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| Sign | any medical or trauma condition displayed by the patient that can be seen, heard, smelled, measured, or felt
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| Skeletal muscles | voluntary muscles; most skeletal muscles are attached to bones
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| Smooth muscle | involuntary muscle found in many internal organs (except the heart)
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| Snoring | noisy breathing through the mouth and nose during sleep
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| Soft tissues | the layers of the skin and the fat and muscle beneath them
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| Sphygmomanometer | a blood pressure cuff
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| Spina bifida | a congenital defect in which part of one or more vertebrae fail to develop
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| Spinal cavity | the body cavity that extends from the bottom of the skull to the lower back and contains the spinal cord
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| Spinal precautions | precautions made to stabilize the head, neck, and back in a neutral position to prevent movement that could cause injury to the spinal cord
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| Splint | a device used to limit the movement of an injured arm or leg to reduce pain and further injury
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| Spontaneous abortion | the loss of a fetus due to natural causes, usually before the 20th week of pregnancy
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| Sprain | the stretching or tearing of a ligament, the connective tissue that joins the end of one bone with another
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| Stage | to wait a safe distance away from the patient until the scene has been made safe for you to enter
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| Standard of care | the minimum level of care expected of similarly trained healthcare professionals; based on education, experience, laws, and protocols
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| Standing orders | written instructions that authorize EMS personnel to perform certain medical interventions before establishing direct communication with a physician
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| Status epilepticus | a seizure that lasts longer than 30 minutes or a series of seizures occurring over a 30-minute period in which the patient remains unresponsive between seizures
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| Statutes | laws established by Congress, the legislative branch of the federal government, and state legislatures
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| Sterilizing | a process that uses boiling water, radiation, gas, chemicals, or superheated steam to destroy all of the germs on an object
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| Sternum | the breastbone; the flat bone that joins the clavicles (collarbones) and the first seven pairs of ribs
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| Stethoscope | an instrument used to hear sounds within the body, such as respirations; also used to measure blood pressure
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| Stoma | a surgical opening in the neck
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| Strain | a twist, pull, or tear of a muscle or tendon
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| Stridor | a high-pitched sound that is usually heard on inhalation; a sign of upper airway obstruction
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| Stress | a chemical, physical, or emotional factor that causes bodily or mental tension
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| Stressor | any event or condition that has the potential to cause bodily or mental tension
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| Subluxation | a dislocation that fully or partially returns to its normal alignment without intervention
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| Suctioning | a procedure used to remove vomitus, saliva, blood, food particles, and other material from a patient's airway
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| Sudden cardiac death | the unexpected loss of life occurring either immediately or within one hour of the onset of cardiac symptoms
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| Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) | the sudden and unexpected death of an infant that remains unexplained after a thorough case investigation, including performance of a complete autopsy, examination of the death scene, and review of the clinical history
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| Suicide | any willful act designed to end one's own life
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| Superior | above or in a higher position than another portion of the body
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| Supine | lying face up
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| Surfactant | a thin substance that coats each alveolus and prevents the alveoli from collapsing
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| Swathe | a piece of soft material used to secure an injured extremity to the body
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| Symptom | any condition described by the patient, such as shortness of breath, nausea, and dizziness
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| Systolic blood pressure | the pressure in the arteries when the heart is pumping blood
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| Tarsals | the bones of the heel and back part of the foot
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| Tendons | strong cords of connective tissue that stretch across joints; when muscles contract, they create a pull between bones
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| Terminal illness | an illness or injury for which there is no reasonable expectation of recovery
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| Thoracic (chest) cavity | the body cavity located below the neck and above the diaphragm; contains the heart, major blood vessels, and lungs
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| Tibia | shinbone; the larger of the two bones of the lower leg
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| Tissues | a group of similar cells that cluster together to perform a specialized function
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| Torso | the back and trunk; the trunk includes the chest and abdomen
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| Tourniquet | a tight bandage that surrounds an arm or a leg that is used to stop the flow of blood in the extremity
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| Trachea | the windpipe; the tube through which air passes to and from the lungs; extends down the front of the neck from the larynx and divides in two to form the mainstem bronchi
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| Traction | maintaining a continuous, steady pull on a bone or extremity to relieve spasm, pain, or pressure or align parts
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| Traction splint | a device used to immobilize a closed fracture of the femur (thighbone)
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| Trauma patient | a patient who has experienced an injury from an external force
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| Treatment protocol | a list of steps to be followed when providing emergency care to an ill or injured patient
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| Trendelenburg position | lying on the back, with the head of the bed lowered and the feet raised in a straight incline
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| Triage | sorting patients by the severity of their illness or injury
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| True ribs | rib pairs 1-7 attached anteriorly to the sternum by cartilage
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| Ulna | the bone on the medial side of the forearm
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| Umbilical cord | an extension of the placenta, through which the fetus receives nourishment while in the uterus
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| Uterus (womb) | a hollow, muscular organ of the female reproductive system where a fertilized egg implants and develops into a fetus
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| Uvula | the small piece of tissue that looks like a punching bag and that hangs down in the back of the throat
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| Vagina (birth canal) | a muscular tube that serves as a passageway between the uterus and the outside of the body
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| Vasoconstriction | the narrowing of a blood vessel
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| Vasodilation | the widening of a blood vessel
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| Veins | blood vessels that return blood to the heart
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| Ventricles | the two lower chambers of the heart
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| Ventricular fibrillation (VF) | an abnormal heart rhythm that prevents effective heart contractions
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| Venules | the smallest branches of veins leading to the capillaries
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| Virus | a type of infectious agent that depends on other organisms to live and grow
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| Vital organs | the organs essential for life, such as the brain, heart, and lungs
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| Vital signs | assessments of breathing, pulse, skin, pupils, and blood pressure
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| Weapons of mass destruction | materials used by terrorists that have the potential to cause great harm over a large area
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| Wheezing | a high-pitched whistling sound heard during breathing caused by air moving through narrowed airway passages
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| Womb | the hollow, muscular organ of the female reproductive system, in which a fertilized egg implants and develops into a fetus; also called the uterus
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| Wound | an injury to the soft tissues
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| Xiphoid process | a piece of cartilage that makes up the inferior portion of the breastbone
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