EMT-B Chapter 5

auscultation

a method of listening to sounds w/n an organ w/ a stethoscope

AVPU scale

A method of assessing level of consciousness by determining whether the PT is awake & alert, responsive to verbal stimuli or pain, or unresponsive; used principally early in the assessment

blood pressure
BP

the pressure of circulating blood against the walls of the arteries

bradycardia

slow heart rate >60 beats/min

capillary refill

the ability of the circulatory system to restore blood to the capillary system; evaluated by using a simple test

chief complaint

the reason a PT called for help. Also, the PT's response to questions such as "What's wrong?" or "What happened?"

conjunctiva

the delicate membrane lining the eyelids & covering the exposed surface of the eye

cyanosis

a bluish-gray skin color that is caused by reduced levels of oxygen in the blood

diaphoretic

characterized by profuse sweating

diastolic pressure

the pressure that remains in the arteries during the relaxing phase of the heart's cycle (diastole) when the left ventricle is @ rest

hypertension

blood pressure that is higher than the normal range

hypotension

blood pressure that is lower than the normal range

jaundice

a yellow skin or sclera color that is caused by liver disease or dynsfunction

labored breathing

breathing that requires visibly increased effort; characterized by grunting, stridor, & use of accessory muscles

OPQRST

An abbreviation for key terms used in evaluating a PT's signs & symptoms:
-Onset
-Provocation or Palliation
-Quality
-Region/Radiation
-Severity
-Timing
of pain

perfusion

circulation of blood w/n an organ or tissue

pulse

the pressure wave that occurs as each heartbeat causes a surge in blood circulating through the arteries

pulse oximetry

an assessment tool that measures oxygen saturation of hemoglobin in the capillary beds

SAMPLE History

A brief history of a PT's condition to determine
-Signs & Symptoms
-Allergies
-Medications
-Pertinent Past history
-Last oral intake
-Events leading to injury/illness

sclera

the white portion of the eye

signs

objective findings that can be seen, heard, felt, smelled or measured

sniffing position

an unusually upright position in which the PT's head & chin are thrust slightly forward

spontaneous respirations

breathing in a PT that occurs w/ no assistance

stridor

a harsh, high0pitched, crowing inspiratory sounds, such as the sound often heard in acute laryngeal (upper airway) obstruction

symptoms

subjective findings that the PT feels but that can be identified only by the PT

systolic pressure

the increased pressure along an artery w/ each contraction (systole) of the ventricles

tachycardia

rapid heart rhythm, <100 beats/min

tidal volume

the amount of air that is exchanged w/ each breath

tripod position

an upright position in which the PT leans forward onto 2 arms stretched forward & thrusts the head & chin forward

vasoconstriction

narrowing of a blood vessel

vital signs

the key signs that are used to evaluate the PT's overall condition, including respirations, pulse, BP, level of consiousness & skin characteristics