EMS Section 3, Chapter 8 Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What are accessory muscles?

Secondary muscles of respiration (correct)

Muscles used for relaxation

Muscles in the legs

Muscles that help in digestion

What does it mean to auscultate?

To listen to sounds within an organ with a stethoscope.

What is the AVPU scale?

A method of assessing the level of consciousness.

What does blood pressure (BP) measure?

The pressure of circulating blood against the walls of the arteries. Signup and view all the answers

What is bradycardia?

A slow heart rate, less than 60 bpm. Signup and view all the answers

What are breath sounds?

An indication of air movement in the lungs. Signup and view all the answers

What is capillary refill?

A test that evaluates distal circulatory system function. Signup and view all the answers

What does capnography measure?

A noninvasive method that provides information on a patient's ventilatory status. Signup and view all the answers

What is capnometry?

The use of a capnometer to measure expired carbon dioxide. Signup and view all the answers

What is carbon dioxide?

A component of air and a waste product exhaled by the respiratory system. Signup and view all the answers

What is a chief complaint?

The reason a patient called for help. Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean to coagulate?

To form a clot to stop bleeding. Signup and view all the answers

What are colorimetric devices?

Devices that detect the amount of carbon dioxide by changing colors. Signup and view all the answers

What is conjunctiva?

The delicate membrane that lines the eyelids. Signup and view all the answers

What is crepitus?

A grating sensation caused by fractured bone ends or joints rubbing together. Signup and view all the answers

What is cyanosis?

A bluish gray skin color caused by reduced oxygen levels in the blood. Signup and view all the answers

What does DCAP-BTLS stand for?

Deformities, Contusion, Abrasions, Punctures, Burns, Tenderness, Lacerations, and Swelling. Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean if someone is diaphoretic?

Characterized by profuse sweating. Signup and view all the answers

What is diastolic pressure?

The pressure in arteries during the heart's resting phase. Signup and view all the answers

What is end-tidal CO2?

The amount of carbon dioxide present in exhaled breath. Signup and view all the answers

What is focused assessment?

A physical assessment based on the chief complaint. Signup and view all the answers

What is frostbite?

Damage to tissues due to exposure to cold. Signup and view all the answers

What is a full-body scan?

A head-to-toe examination during secondary assessment. Signup and view all the answers

What is a general impression in patient assessment?

The overall initial impression determining priority for care. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Golden Period?

The time from injury to definitive care for shock treatment. Signup and view all the answers

What is guarding?

Involuntary muscle contractions protecting an inflamed abdomen. Signup and view all the answers

What is history taking in patient assessment?

It provides detail about the patient's chief complaint. Signup and view all the answers

What is hypertension?

Blood pressure that is higher than the normal range. Signup and view all the answers

What is hypotension?

Blood pressure that is lower than the normal range. Signup and view all the answers

What is hypothermia?

A condition with a body temperature below 95°F (35°C). Signup and view all the answers

What is the incident command system?

A system to manage disasters and multiple casualty incidents. Signup and view all the answers

What is jaundice?

Yellow skin or sclera caused by liver dysfunction. Signup and view all the answers

What is labored breathing?

Breathing that requires visibly increased effort. Signup and view all the answers

What does mechanism of injury (MOI) refer to?

The way in which traumatic injuries occur. Signup and view all the answers

What is nasal flaring?

Flaring of the nostrils indicating airway obstruction. Signup and view all the answers

What is nature of illness (NOI)?

The general type of illness a patient is experiencing. Signup and view all the answers

What are the key terms in evaluating pain using OPQRST?

Onset, Provocation, Quality, Region/radiation, Severity, Timing. Signup and view all the answers

What is orientation in patient assessment?

The mental status measured by memory of person, place, time, and event. Signup and view all the answers

What does palpate mean?

To examine by touch. Signup and view all the answers

What is paradoxical motion?

Motion of a chest wall section that is detached during breathing. Signup and view all the answers

What is perfusion?

Circulation of blood within an organ or tissue. Signup and view all the answers

What is personal protective equipment (PPE)?

Clothing or equipment that provides protection to the wearer. Signup and view all the answers

What are pertinent negatives?

Negative findings that warrant no care or intervention. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary assessment?

It identifies and initiates treatment of immediate life threats. Signup and view all the answers

What is pulse?

The pressure wave from a heartbeat circulating through arteries. Signup and view all the answers

What is pulse oximetry?

An assessment tool measuring oxygen saturation in capillary beds. Signup and view all the answers

What are rales?

Crackling breath sounds indicating fluid in the lungs. Signup and view all the answers

What is reassessment?

Performed at regular intervals to identify changes in a patient's condition. Signup and view all the answers

What are retractions?

Movements where skin pulls in around the ribs during inspiration. Signup and view all the answers

What are rhonchi?

Coarse, low-pitched breath sounds in patients with mucus. Signup and view all the answers

What is SAMPLE history?

A brief patient history determining signs and symptoms. Signup and view all the answers

What is scene size-up?

A quick assessment of the scene's safety and mechanism of injury. Signup and view all the answers

What is the sclera?

The white portion of the eye. Signup and view all the answers

What is secondary assessment?

A systematic physical examination of the patient. Signup and view all the answers

What are shallow respirations?

Breathing characterized by little chest wall movement. Signup and view all the answers

What are signs in patient assessment?

Objective findings observed by healthcare professionals. Signup and view all the answers

What is sniffing position?

An upright position keeping the airway open. Signup and view all the answers

What are spontaneous respirations?

Breathing that occurs without assistance. Signup and view all the answers

What are standard precautions?

Protective measures developed for exposure risks. Signup and view all the answers

What is stridor?

A harsh, high-pitched sound heard in laryngeal obstruction. Signup and view all the answers

What is subcutaneous emphysema?

The presence of air in soft tissues. Signup and view all the answers

What is a symptom?

Subjective findings that the patient feels. Signup and view all the answers

What is systolic pressure?

The increased pressure in arteries during heart contraction. Signup and view all the answers

What is tachycardia?

A rapid heart rate, more than 100 bpm. Signup and view all the answers

What is tidal volume?

The amount of air moved in or out of the lungs during one breath. Signup and view all the answers

What does triage mean?

The process of establishing treatment priorities based on severity. Signup and view all the answers

What is tripod position?

An upright position where the patient leans forward onto arms. Signup and view all the answers

What is two- to three-word dyspnea?

Severe breathing problems where the patient can speak only a few words. Signup and view all the answers

What is vasoconstriction?

Narrowing of a blood vessel. Signup and view all the answers

What are vital signs?

Key signs used to evaluate a patient's overall condition. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Patient Assessment Key Terms

Accessory Muscles: Secondary respiratory muscles including sternocleidomastoids, pectoralis major, and abdominal muscles that assist in breathing.
Auscultate: The practice of using a stethoscope to listen to internal sounds of organs.
AVPU Scale: A tool for evaluating consciousness based on patient alertness and responsiveness to stimuli.
Blood Pressure (BP): Measurement of pressure exerted by circulating blood against arterial walls.
Bradycardia: A condition characterized by a heart rate slower than 60 beats per minute.
Breath Sounds: Sounds produced by air movement in the lungs, assessed through auscultation.
Capillary Refill: A test measuring blood flow by applying pressure to a nail bed and observing the speed of color return.
Capnography: A noninvasive technique to monitor a patient’s ventilation, circulation, and metabolism via carbon dioxide levels.
Capnometry: Measurement of exhaled carbon dioxide using a specialized device.
Carbon Dioxide: A gas that constitutes about 0.3% of air at sea level and is exhaled as a waste product.
Chief Complaint: The primary reason a patient seeks medical assistance, typically summarized in their initial response.
Coagulate: The process of forming a clot to seal an injured blood vessel and prevent bleeding.
Colorimetric Devices: Equipment that detects carbon dioxide levels using a color change in response to chemical reactions.
Conjunctiva: The thin membrane lining the eyelids and covering the eye's surface.
Crepitus: A grating sensation or sound due to bone ends or air bubbles in tissue.
Cyanosis: A bluish-gray tint to the skin indicating low blood oxygen levels.
DCAP-BTLS: Mnemonic for examining injuries: Deformities, Contusion, Abrasions, Punctures, Burns, Tenderness, Lacerations, Swelling.
Diaphoretic: Describes excessive sweating, often as a physiological response.
Diastolic Pressure: Blood pressure during the relaxation phase of the heart cycle.
End-tidal CO2: Measurement of carbon dioxide levels in exhaled breath.
Focused Assessment: A targeted physical examination based on the chief complaint, typically for patients with low-risk injuries.
Frostbite: Tissue damage due to prolonged exposure to cold.
Full-body Scan: A comprehensive physical examination performed on critically injured or unconscious patients.
General Impression: Initial assessment influencing immediate patient care decisions based on environment and complaints.
Golden Period: The critical time following an injury during which treatment significantly impacts survival chances.
Guarding: Involuntary muscle tension in the abdomen indicating potential peritonitis.
History Taking: Gathering information about the patient's condition and history of current issues.
Hypertension: Blood pressure reading above the normal range.
Hypotension: Blood pressure reading below the normal range.
Hypothermia: Body temperature dropping below 95°F (35°C) due to cold exposure.
Incident Command System: Structure for managing multi-casualty incidents, assigning roles to streamline management.
Jaundice: Yellowing of the skin or eyes usually linked to liver dysfunction.
Labored Breathing: Respiratory effort evident through visible distress and use of accessory muscles.
Mechanism of Injury (MOI): The physical forces that result in trauma to a patient.
Nasal Flaring: Widening of nostrils indicative of respiratory distress.
Nature of Illness (NOI): General categorization of the patient's ailment.
OPQRST: Framework for assessing pain: Onset, Provocation, Quality, Region/Radiation, Severity, Timing.
Orientation: Mental evaluation based on a patient's awareness of self, location, time, and events.
Palpate: Physical examination technique involving touch.
Paradoxical Motion: Opposite movement of chest wall segments in cases of flail chest.
Perfusion: Blood circulation within organs and tissues.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Gear designed to protect against exposure to health hazards.
Pertinent Negatives: Absences of symptoms that help in decision making and intervention.
Primary Assessment: Initial identification of life threats and commencement of essential treatment.
Pulse: The wave of pressure from a heartbeat, indicating cardiovascular activity.
Pulse Oximetry: Tool for measuring oxygen saturation in the blood.
Rales: Abnormal lung sounds like crackles, indicating fluid presence.
Reassessment: Ongoing evaluation to track changes in a patient’s condition.
Retractions: Skin pulling in around ribs during inhalation, indicating respiratory distress.
Rhonchi: Low-pitched lung sounds that suggest mucus obstruction.
SAMPLE History: A succinct patient history covering Signs, Allergies, Medications, Past history, Last intake, Events leading to injury.
Scene Size-Up: Initial assessment of the emergency scene for safety and mechanism of injury.
Sclera: The white outer layer of the eyeball.
Secondary Assessment: Comprehensive examination method focusing on identifying specific injuries or conditions.
Shallow Respirations: Low-volume breathing characterized by limited chest movement.
Sign: Objective evidence of a condition observable by others.
Sniffing Position: A posture that aids in airway openness, with the patient’s head slightly forward.
Spontaneous Respirations: Breathing occurring naturally without assistance.
Standard Precautions: Health guidelines for interaction with potentially infectious materials.
Stridor: A harsh breathing sound, often signaling airway obstruction.
Subcutaneous Emphysema: Air trapped under the skin, detectable by a crackling sensation upon palpation.
Symptom: Subjective experiences reported by the patient regarding their health status.
Systolic Pressure: Arterial pressure during heart contractions.
Tachycardia: Heart rate exceeding 100 beats per minute.
Tidal Volume: Volume of air exchanged during a single breath.
Triage: Prioritization process for treatment based on injury severity and medical need.
Tripod Position: A position where a patient leans forward with arms extended to assist breathing.
Two- to Three-word Dyspnea: Severe difficulty in breathing, leading to the ability to speak only a few words.
Vasoconstriction: Narrowing of blood vessels, typically affecting blood flow.
Vital Signs: Indicators of a patient's health status including respirations, pulse, blood pressure, consciousness, and skin condition.

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Test your knowledge with these flashcards focused on patient assessment in emergency medical services. Each card provides essential terms and definitions to enhance your understanding of critical concepts. Perfect for students and practitioners in the field of EMS.