Medical Terminology and Airway Management

Airway Management

• The purpose of airway management is to prevent the tongue from being pushed into the airway, prevent gag-reflex in semi-conscious patients, and prevent damaging the patient's teeth.

Medical Terminology

• Bradycardia refers to a pulse below 60.
• Oxygenated blood is carried to the myocardium by the coronary arteries.
• Hypovolemia is not indicated by constricted pupils.
• Narcotic abuse is indicated by constricted pupils.
• Cerebrovascular accident is not indicated by constricted pupils.

MOLST Form

• The MOLST form only precludes providing CPR and ventilations, but not other life-sustaining measures.
• A MOLST form is valid in the pre-hospital setting.

Triage

• In a multiple-casualty incident (MCI), the patient who should be treated first is the 35-year-old with severe chest pain, weak pulse, and shallow breathing.
• Triage should be performed before requesting additional resources.

Hazardous Materials

• When responding to a hazardous materials incident, the priority should be to triage all patients and request additional resources.

DNR

• If a patient has an active DNR, CPR should be stopped.

Pediatric Patients

• When treating a two-year-old patient with a high fever, muffled voice, and drooling, the first action should be to open and inspect the child's mouth and assess for swelling of the child's mouth and airway.

Medical Emergencies

• Administering glucose to a hyperglycemic patient will not eliminate their symptoms.
• Heat stroke is indicated by a flushed face and hot, dry skin.
• The first objective in the care of any burn is to stop the burning process.
• Amputation care involves wrapping the amputated part in a saline moistened dressing and covering the stump with a dry dressing.

Trauma

• When responding to a traumatic injury, the priority should be to assess and address life-threatening injuries on-scene and complete the secondary assessment and other treatments en-route.
• A late sign of shock includes altered mental status.

Obstetrics

• After a normal delivery, excessive bleeding from the birth canal can be controlled by elevating the mother's legs and massaging the uterine fundus.
• When responding to a traumatic injury, the priority should be to assess and address life-threatening injuries on-scene and complete the secondary assessment and other treatments en-route.

Medications

• According to NYS Protocol, it is acceptable to administer fluids by mouth to the conscious victims of heat exhaustion.
• Albuterol, glucose, and epinephrine can be administered as standing orders.

Stroke

• A late sign of stroke includes altered mental status.

Postictal Patients

• Postictal patients should be assessed for injuries sustained during the seizure and should receive oxygen whether or not they demonstrate signs and symptoms of hypoxia.
• Postictal patients are prone to anatomical airway obstructions.

Respiratory Resuscitation

• In an apneic neonate with an airway obstruction following delivery, the order of respiratory resuscitation should be suction, stimulate, positive pressure resuscitation.

Shock

• Hypovolemic shock is associated with a ruptured ectopic pregnancy.
• Septic shock is not associated with a ruptured ectopic pregnancy.

Seizures

• A seizure that involves only one part of the body is a focal seizure.

Electrical Therapy

• Immediately after providing a shock, the provider should provide two breaths.

Cardiac Arrest

• The recommended depth for adult chest compressions should be at least 2 inches.

Pediatrics

• When treating an 8-year-old child with a partial airway obstruction, the provider should place the child on a non-rebreather mask at 12-15 lpm.

Trauma Assessment

• In a traumatic injury, the provider should assess the patient's vital signs, including blood pressure, pulse, oxygen saturation, and lung sounds.

Chest Wounds

• When treating a patient with a sucking chest wound and frothy bright red blood at the mouth, the provider should lift the corner of the dressing if the patient's breathing difficulty becomes much worse after sealing the chest wall.

Test your knowledge of medical terminology and airway management concepts, including bradycardia, oxygenated blood, and more.