Medical Terminology and Responsibilities of an EMT

EMT FINAL EXAM STUDY GUIDE Medical Terminology and Responsibilities of an EMT Roles and Responsibilities of an EMT  Duties and Ethical Obligations: Responding to calls EMTs respond to 911 calls for medical assistance, such as at the scene of an accident. Assessing patients EMTs assess a patient's condition and determine the appropriate treatment. Providing care EMTs provide basic first aid, life support care, and other medical interventions. Transporting patients EMTs transport patients to a hospital or other medical facility, either in an ambulance or by transferring them from one facility to another. Documenting care EMTs document the care they provide to patients and report their observations to medical professionals. Maintaining equipment EMTs maintain the ambulance, including restocking supplies, checking the vehicle's systems, and ensuring it's clean and orderly.         Types of Medical Direction  Forms of Medical Oversight:  Prospective medical oversight: The planning and preparation stage that involves education, training, and protocol development  Concurrent medical oversight: The in-the-field stage that involves online and offline medical control and on-scene response  Retrospective medical oversight: The stage that involves system-related research and run reviews  Direct control: Includes online direction, active participation in protocol and guideline development, and working alongside personnel as a prehospital provider  Indirect control: Includes offline direction and administrative responsibilities  Backstage oversight: Clinical oversight activities that trainees are not directly aware of, such as reviewing patients' laboratory test results on the computer  o Online Medical Direction: Real-time communication with a medical director. o Offline Medical Direction: Protocols and standing orders established by the medical director. Role of the Medical Director  Responsibilities: A medical director plays a crucial role in overseeing EMT operations  Evidence-Based Medicine  Importance: Learn the significance of utilizing research and data to inform medical decisions and practices. by establishing and enforcing medical protocols, providing clinical guidance to EMTs in the field, ensuring adherence to best practices, and actively monitoring the quality of patient care delivered by the EMS team, ultimately aiming to maintain the highest standard of prehospital emergency medicine. CPR and AED Use  CPR Guidelines: Memorize the specific numbers, rates, ratios, and depths for performing CPR on different ag Newborns: Use two fingers in the center of the chest, compressing about one-third of the chest depth, and perform rescue breaths with a seal over the baby's nose and mouth. Infants: Similar to newborns, use two fingers in the chest, compressing roughly one-third of the chest depth, and provide rescue breaths. Children: Use one or two hands depending on the child's size, compressing the chest to about 2 inches deep, and deliver rescue breaths. Adults: Place the heel of one hand on the center of the chest, compress at least 2 inches deep, and provide rescue breaths  For infants, CPR is performed using only two fingers in the center of the chest and giving 30 compressions at a rate of at least 100-120 per minute. For children and adults, CPR is performed using the heel of one hand in the center of the chest and giving 30 compressions at a rate of at least 100-120 per minute.       AED Use: check for responsiveness, call for emergency medical help, begin CPR if needed, turn on the AED, attach the electrode pads to the victim's bare chest, allow the AED to analyze the heart rhythm, and deliver a shock if advised by the device, then continue CPR until professional help arrives; always follow the specific instructions provided by the AED model you are using Infectious Diseases    Hepatitis and Tuberculosis: Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by bacteria that most often affects the lungs. It spreads through the air when people with TB cough, sneeze or spit. Tuberculosis is preventable and curable Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that is caused by a variety of infectious viruses and noninfectious agents leading to a range of health problems, some of which can be fatal. There are five main strains of the hepatitis virus, referred to as types A, B, C, D and E.   Recognize the signs, symptoms, and transmission methods of these infectious diseases. Psychological Aspects  o o o o o Stages of Grieving: Identify the five stages of grief: Anger Denial Bargaining Depression Acceptance Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)  Disposal of PPE:  Identify: Determine if the PPE is contaminated or can be reused. Segregate: Separate PPE waste from general waste to prevent cross-contamination. Contain: Place PPE in designated containers or bags that are labeled, color-coded, or marked according to the type and level of contamination. Dispose: Adhere to local regulations and guidelines, ensuring environmentally friendly treatment or disposal of items. Clean: Clean disposable, washable items with soap and water prior to disposal. Dispose of contaminated PPE: Dispose of contaminated PPE according to directions on the pesticide product label and all federal, state, and local regulations. Dispose of PPE immediately: Dispose of PPE immediately after use. Don't reuse or share: Do not reuse or share single-use PPE unless it has been cleaned and disinfected. Wash your hands: Wash your hands or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer after removing PPE.          Legal and Ethical Considerations  Components of Negligence: Understand the four elements that constitute negligence in medical practice:         Duty of care: A legal obligation to act in a way that avoids harming others. Breach of duty: When a person's actions don't meet the standard of care. Causation: Also known as cause in fact, this is the link between the defendant's negligence and the plaintiff's injury. Proximate cause: One of the five elements of negligence. Damages: The plaintiff must prove that the defendant's actions caused actual damages. Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Orders: Don’t Unless DNR Document is present. Types of Consent: Express consent Typically given in writing, this is when someone explicitly grants consent.  Implied consent This is when someone grants consent through their actions or conduct, rather than explicitly.  Informed consent This is when a patient gives their consent to participate in research or make decisions about their medical care.  Explicit consent This is when someone gives permission to use, disclose, or take a risk with something. For example, global privacy regulations require explicit consent when an organization processes a consumer's data.  o Consent for Minors  Natural parents, adoptive parents, legal custodians and legal guardians have the power to consent when minors need medical care. o  Slander vs. Libel:   Libel: A defamatory statement that is written or communicated through pictures, such as in a newspaper, blog, social media post, or other publication Slander: A defamatory statement that is spoken or communicated orally.  Communication   Verbal Report to Hospital:  Role of the FCC: A verbal report to the hospital, typically given by an EMS provider upon arrival with a patient, should include concise details about the patient's chief complaint, pertinent medical history, current vital signs, significant findings from the physical exam, treatments administered, and any critical interventions needed upon arrival, all delivered clearly and quickly to ensure the receiving medical team is fully informed about the patient's condition.  The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) plays a crucial role in emergency communications by setting standards and regulations to ensure reliable access to emergency services like 911, managing the Emergency Alert System (EAS), and overseeing the functionality of wireless emergency alerts, effectively guaranteeing that first responders and the public can communicate during critical situations across the country  Time and Mechanics  Military Time: Familiarize with the use of military time in medical settings for accurate timekeeping. Proper Lifting Mechanics: To safely lift and prevent injury, always: keep your back  straight, bend at the knees, get close to the object, lift with your legs, avoid twisting your body, and only lift what you can comfortably manage; assess the weight of the object before lifting, and consider asking for help if the load is too heavy; plan your path to avoid obstacles, and ensure a stable footing before lifting. Patient Transport  o o o o Transport Positions on the Stretcher: Know the different patient positions for transport: Fowler Semi-Fowler Supine Prone Narcotic Overdose   Common Narcotics: Includes dilaudid, codeine, and heroin. Treatment: Naloxone should be administered to anyone who presents with signs of opioid overdose or when opioid overdose is suspected. Overdose Management  Other Overdoses: General treatment protocols for various types of overdoses. Abdominal Pain  o o o o o o  Causes of Acute Abdominal Pain: Appendicitis Endometriosis Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Ectopic Pregnancy Kidney Stones Upper and Lower GI Bleed Signs and Symptoms: Sudden, severe pain in the abdomen, Pain that lasts more than 6 hours, Pain that worsens and prevents eating or movement , A swollen and tender abdomen, Inability to urinate, move the bowels, or pass gas, Signs of shock, such as rapid heart rate, low blood pressure, sweating, and confusion  Treatment: Pain relievers, fluids, anitbiotics Heat Loss Mechanisms Ways People Lose Heat: Convection o Conduction o Evaporation o Radiation  o Environmental Emergencies Types: Hypothermia o Frostbite o Heat Cramps o Heat Exhaustion  Cardiac Arrest in Hypothermia: Gently move the person out of the cold.Gently  o remove wet clothing. If further warming is needed, do so gradually and focus on the center of the body. Offer the person warm, sweet, nonalcoholic drinks. Begin CPR if the person shows no signs of life, such as breathing, coughing or movement.  Rewarming Techniques: Gradual warming by removing wet clothing, covering them with warm, dry blankets, applying warm compresses to the neck, chest, and groin, and providing warm fluids to drink; avoid rapid warming methods like immersing them in hot water Snake Bites    Venomous Snakes: Deaths from copperhead bites are extremely rare. Most can be treated by medical room visits, but copperheads are considered to be the most dangerous snake in many states because they're the most likely to bite or be found near human dwellings. You can recognize a copperhead by its namesake copper-colored head. Rattlesnakes are venomous snakes that form the genera Crotalus and Sistrurus of the subfamily Crotalinae. All rattlesnakes are vipers. Rattlesnakes are predators that live in a wide array of habitats, hunting small animals such as birds and rodents. Treatment: Move snake away, remove constricting items, clean the bite, bandage bite, Get to a hospital, Monitor bite 10-30 min. Spider Bites     Venomous Spiders: Brown recluse spiders are light to medium brown in color, with a dark violin-shaped marking on their upper body. They are usually between 1 and 1 1/2 inches long, but can grow larger. They have six eyes, with two in the front and two on each side of their head. Black Widows: Their deadly poison is said to be 15 times stronger than rattlesnake venom. Black widows use a silk-like substance to weave tangled-looking webs, typically close to the ground in covered or dark places, such as near drain pipes or under logs. Treatment: Clean the bite: Wash the area with soap and water. Apply a compress: Use an ice pack or a wet cloth to reduce pain and swelling. Apply the compress for 15 minutes every hour.     Take medication: Take an over-the-counter pain reliever like acetaminophen or ibuprofen. For itching, you can take an antihistamine like diphenhydramine or cetirizine. You can also try calamine lotion or a steroid cream. Apply ointment: Apply an antibiotic ointment three times a day to help prevent infection. Elevate the bite: Keep the bite area raised and still to prevent the venom from spreading. Seek medical attention: Seek immediate medical attention if you have severe symptoms, such as: You can't breathe, You break out in hives and are itching, and they seem to be spreading , You have a pocket of infection, or an abscess or blister forming. Lightning Strikes  Treatment:. immediate interventions should prioritize assessing and stabilizing their airway, breathing, and circulation, with immediate CPR if necessary, followed by further evaluation for potential injuries including cardiac monitoring, neurological assessment, and management of any secondary trauma Rhabdomyolysis Rhabdomyolysis is a potentially life-threatening condition where skeletal muscle tissue breaks down, releasing muscle proteins into the bloodstream, which can lead to complications like acute kidney injury, primarily caused by trauma, overexertion, certain medications, toxins, infections, electrolyte imbalances, or genetic disorders; clinically, it often presents with severe muscle pain, weakness, dark urine (tea-colored), and elevated creatine kinase (CK) levels on blood tests, with the most concerning sign being decreased urine output due to kidney damage.  Causes and Symptoms: Understanding the etiology and clinical presentation of rhabdomyolysis. Drowning  Treatment: immediately remove the victim from the water, assess their consciousness and breathing, and begin CPR if necessary, prioritizing airway management and rescue breaths, while simultaneously calling for emergency medical assistance; always ensure your own safety and consider spinal immobilization if suspected injury. Diving Emergencies Conditions: Arterial Gas Embolism o Decompression Sickness  Treatment:. When managing diving-related emergencies, the primary approach is  o to prioritize immediate life support by ensuring a clear airway, administering oxygen if available, and rapidly contacting emergency services, especially if there is a suspicion of decompression sickness, followed by prompt transport to a hyperbaric chamber for treatment if necessary; always maintain the diver in a stable position and provide information about the diving profile to medical personnel. Behavioral Trauma Treatment: . When addressing behavioral trauma as an EMT, key strategies include:  maintaining a calm and reassuring demeanor, using de-escalation techniques, establishing clear boundaries, actively listening to the patient, avoiding confrontation, assessing the situation for safety risks, and providing basic emotional support while ensuring appropriate medical care is delivered; if necessary, consider seeking additional support from mental health professionals or law enforcement depending on the severity of the situation. Vehicle Collisions Types of Collisions: Frontal Rear-end Rotational Rollover Lateral Anticipated Injuries:  o o o o o  Rear-end collisions: Most commonly associated with whiplash due to the sudden forceful movement of the head and neck backwards, along with potential neck and back injuries. Side-impact collisions: High risk of chest injuries, rib fractures, and internal organ damage due to the direct impact on the side of the body. Head-on collisions: Severe potential for head and facial injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord damage depending on the severity of the impact. Rollover collisions: Increased risk of multiple injuries including head trauma, spinal cord injuries, and internal injuries due to the body being thrown around inside the vehicle.  Gunshot Wounds       High Velocity vs. Low Velocity High: Treatment for a high velocity impact injury primarily focuses on immediate stabilization of the patient, including managing airway, breathing, and circulation, followed by surgical intervention to repair damaged tissue and organs, depending on the specific site and severity of the injury Low: Treatment for a low velocity impact typically involves cleaning and debriding the wound site, addressing any associated soft tissue damage, stabilizing fractures if present, and administering antibiotics if necessary, depending on the level of contamination; for a low velocity gunshot wound Key Concepts in Emergency Medical Care Metabolism and Physiology    Anaerobic Metabolism: A process that occurs when oxygen is not available, leading to the production of energy without oxygen. Perfusion Triangle: Comprises the pump (heart), blood (volume), and vessels (circulation) essential for effective blood flow. Carbonic Drive vs. Hypoxic Drive: Mechanisms that regulate breathing; carbonic drive is based on CO2 levels, while hypoxic drive is based on oxygen levels. Ventilation and Airway Management Tidal Volume: The amount of air inhaled or exhaled in a single breath. Minute Ventilation Calculation: Calculated as breathing rate x tidal volume.  Bag-Valve-Mask Ventilation: A method to provide positive pressure ventilation to patients who are not breathing adequately.  Airway Opening Techniques: o Head-Tilt-Chin Lift: Used for patients without suspected spinal injury. o Modified Jaw Thrust: Used for patients with suspected spinal injury.  Oropharyngeal Airway Insertion: A device used to maintain an open airway in unconscious patients.   Oxygen Administration Oxygen Delivery Devices: Nasal Cannula (NC): Low flow, typically delivers 24-44% oxygen. o Non-Rebreather Mask (NRBM): High flow, delivers up to 90-100% oxygen. o Bag-Valve-Mask (BVM): Delivers high concentrations of oxygen. o Simple Face Mask (SFM): Delivers 40-60% oxygen.  Ventilation through Tracheostomy Tube: Specific techniques for patients with tracheostomy.  CPAP Usage: Continuous Positive Airway Pressure is used for patients with respiratory distress, particularly in conditions like COPD.  o Patient Assessment and Vital Signs Pulse Assessment: Key areas to assess include the radial, carotid, and femoral pulses.  SAMPLED-OPQRST: A mnemonic for patient history and symptom assessment.  Normal Blood Pressure Ranges: o Adults: 90-120 systolic / 60-80 diastolic. o Children: Varies by age.  Capillary Refill: A quick test to assess peripheral perfusion.  Pulse Oximeter Assessment: Measures oxygen saturation in the blood.  Respiratory Conditions     Carbon Monoxide: A colorless, odorless gas that can affect SpO2 readings by falsely elevating them. Signs of Respiratory Distress: Increased work of breathing, use of accessory muscles, and altered mental status. Signs of Respiratory Failure: Inadequate ventilation leading to hypoxia or hypercapnia. Treatment of Respiratory Failure: May include supplemental oxygen, BVM ventilation, or intubation. Shock and Cardiac Emergencies  o o o o o o o  o o o Types of Shock: Distributive: Caused by vasodilation (e.g., septic shock). Obstructive: Due to physical obstruction (e.g., tension pneumothorax). Hypovolemic: Due to loss of blood volume (e.g., hemorrhage). Cardiogenic: Due to heart failure. Anaphylactic: Severe allergic reaction. Hemorrhagic: Significant blood loss. Septic: Infection leading to systemic inflammation. Cardiac Arrest Rhythms: Ventricular Fibrillation: Chaotic heart rhythm. Ventricular Tachycardia: Rapid heart rhythm. Asystole: No electrical activity in the heart. Neurological Emergencies   o o   o o Signs and Symptoms of Stroke: Sudden weakness, facial drooping, speech difficulties. Types of Stroke: Ischemic: Caused by blockage of blood flow. Hemorrhagic: Caused by bleeding in the brain. Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA): Temporary stroke-like symptoms that resolve quickly. Seizure Types: Petit Mal: Brief, generalized seizures. Clonic-Tonic: Characterized by convulsions. Endocrine Emergencies    Signs/Symptoms of Hypoglycemia: Confusion, sweating, tremors. Signs/Symptoms of Hyperglycemia: Increased thirst, frequent urination, fatigue. Long-term Complications of Diabetes: Neuropathy, retinopathy, cardiovascular disease. Toxicology  Routes of Poison Entry: Absorption, injection, ingestion, inhalation.    Types of Narcotics: Fentanyl, dilaudid, codeine, heroin. Treatment for Narcotic Overdose: Administration of naloxone. Treatment of Other Overdoses: Varies based on substance. Abdominal Emergencies   Causes of Acute Abdominal Pain: Appendicitis, endometriosis, urinary tract infection, ectopic pregnancy, kidney stones. Signs and Symptoms of Abdominal Conditions: Varies by condition, requiring specific assessment and treatment protocol Capabilities of Trauma Centers: Platinum 10 Minutes: Immediate care within 10 minutes of injury. o Golden Hour: Critical first hour post-injury for optimal outcomes.  o Bleeding Management Types of Bleeding: Arterial: Bright red, spurting blood. o Venous: Dark red, steady flow. o Capillary: Oozing blood from small vessels.  Signs and Symptoms of Shock: o Stages of Shock:  Compensated: Body compensates for blood loss.  Decompensated: Body can no longer compensate.  Irreversible: Permanent damage occurs.  o Specific Injuries and Treatments  o  o  o  o Epistaxis (Nosebleed): Treatment involves pinching the nose and leaning forward. Evisceration: Cover the exposed organs with a moist dressing. Amputation: Control bleeding and preserve the amputated part. Open Neck Injury: Apply a dressing and monitor for air embolism. Burns Categories of Burns: Superficial: Affects only the epidermis. o Partial Thickness: Involves the epidermis and part of the dermis. o Full Thickness: Extends through the dermis and affects deeper tissues.  Rule of Nines:  o Adults: Body is divided into sections, each representing 9% of total body surface area. o Babies: Adjusted percentages for head and limbs.  Rule of Palms: o Palm size represents approximately 1% of body surface area for burn assessment. o Musculoskeletal Injuries  o  o o o o  o o Ligaments, Tendons, Fascia, Joints: Understand their roles in movement and stability. Injury Types: Sprains: Ligament injuries. Strains: Muscle or tendon injuries. Fractures: Breaks in bones. Dislocations: Joints displaced from their normal position. Splinting Rules: Long Bones: Stabilize above and below the fracture. Joints: Immobilize the joint in the position found. Impaled Objects When to Remove: o Only if it obstructs airway or CPR is needed.  Treatment: o Stabilize the object and transport the patient.  Extremity Assessment Distal Sensory and Motor Function: Assess using the 6 Ps: Pain, Pallor, Pulse, Paresthesia, Paralysis, and Pressure.  Compartment Syndrome: o Increased pressure within a muscle compartment leading to muscle and nerve damage.  o Spinal Assessment  Vertebrae Count:        Cervical: 7 Thoracic: 12 Lumbar: 5 Sacral: 5 (fused) Coccygeal: 3-5 (fused) Spinal Motion Restriction: o Techniques to prevent further injury during transport. Obstetric Emergencies  o o  o  o  o  o  o Pregnancy Terms: Gravida: Number of pregnancies. Parity: Number of births. Stages of Labor: Understand the phases and signs of labor. Umbilical Cord Management: When and how to clamp and cut. Uterine Massage: Technique to prevent postpartum hemorrhage. Newborn Assessment: Calculate APGAR score for immediate health evaluation. Normal Vital Signs: Respiratory and pulse rates for newborns. Complications in Pregnancy Abnormal Birth Presentations: o Management of conditions like prolapsed cord, breech, and nuchal cord.  Abruptio Placenta vs. Placenta Previa:   Abruptio placenta" refers to when the placenta prematurely detaches from the uterine wall during pregnancy, causing bleeding, while "placenta previa" means the placenta is positioned low in the uterus, potentially covering the cervical opening, also causing bleeding, but without the placenta detaching from the uterine wall; essentially, abruptio placenta is a separation of the placenta, while placenta previa is a misplacement of the placenta.  Eclampsia and Pre-eclampsia:  Preeclampsia A condition that can occur between 20 weeks of pregnancy and the end of the first week after delivery. Symptoms include high blood pressure, swelling, and protein in the urine. Preeclampsia can be mild or severe, and it can lead to eclampsia if it affects brain function and causes seizures or coma.  Eclampsia A life-threatening emergency that occurs when a pregnant person with preeclampsia develops seizures or coma. Symptoms include high blood pressure, headaches, blurry vision, convulsions, and difficulty breathing.   Ectopic Pregnancy: An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus, usually in a fallopian tube. This is also known as a "tubal pregnancy". Pediatric and Geriatric Considerations  Febrile Seizures: Common in children; understand causes and management.  Common Respiratory Conditions in Children: o Conditions like croup, asthma, and RSV.  Elderly Respiratory Conditions: o Recognize pneumonia and pulmonary embolism as common issues. o Emergency Operations  o  o  o o Ambulance Operations: Understand intersection safety and school bus safety protocols. Hazmat Zones: Differentiate between cold, warm, and hot zones. Triage in Mass Casualty Incidents (MCI): Use RPM (Respirations, Perfusion, Mental status) for triage. Tag patients as Green, Yellow, Red, or Black based on urgency. Cardiac and Pulmonary Assessment Cystic Fibrosis: o Recognize assessment findings in patients with CHF and pulmonary edema. 