Download ABCD- Airway, Breathing, Circulation, and Defibrillation

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EMS TERMINOLOGY
ABCD- Airway, Breathing, Circulation, and Defibrillation
AED- Automated External Defibrillator
Agonal respirations- reflex breaths, occasional shallow gasps
ALS- Advance Life Support
Airway obstruction- blockage of the airway
BLS- Basic Life Support (CPR)- a combination of compressions and breaths given for the purpose providing
artificial circulation of blood and oxygen to the organs
Brachial artery- pulse site in the arm
Bradycardia- a slow heart rate (less than 60 beats per minute)
Cardiac Arrest- when the heart stops beating. death.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)- a combination of compressions and breaths given for the purpose
providing artificial circulation of blood and oxygen to the organs
Carotid artery- pulse site in the neck
Chain of Survival- Four stages of emergency care for cardiac arrest: Early access, Early CPR, Early
Defibrillation, Early Advanced Care)
Defibrillation- shocking the heart to stop fibrillation
Emergency Medical Services (EMS)- A rapid response system that responds to emergencies by providing
emergency care and transport
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)- An entry-level EMS worker trained to provide basic emergency
care and transportation
Fibrillation- chaotic unorganized heart rhythm resulting in no circulation of blood
Heart Attack- blockage of one or more of the coronary arteries resulting in damage to the heart muscle.
Death of heart muscle.
Myocardial Infarction- blockage of one or more of the coronary arteries resulting in damage to the heart
muscle. Death of heart muscle.
Paramedic- an advanced-level Emergency Medical Technician. Paramedics are trained to provide critical
care procedures such as EKG monitoring, defibrillation, endotracheal intubation, and administer intravenous
medications.
Pulseless Electrical Activity (PEA)- when there is a rhythm on the monitor but the patient is in arrest
Respiratory Arrest- when a person stops breathing, but there heart is still beating
Stroke- blockage or rupture of one or more of the cerebral arteries (in the brain) often resulting in damage to
the involved tissue
Tachycardia- a rapid heart rate (more than 100 beats per minute)
Ventricular Tachycardia (V-tac)- a rapid heart rate originating in the ventricles
Ventricular Fibrillation (V-fib)- a chaotic unorganized quivering of the heart resulting in no circulation