ems term #658

syncope: a brief period of unresponsiveness caused by a lack of blood flow to the brain; fainting.

ems term #655

diabetes mellitus - a disease of altered relationships between glucose and insulin

ems assessment tip #650

a typical faint or syncopal episode may be preceded by the patient yawning, sweating,  and complaining of dizziness and nausea. if the patient was a sudden syncopal episode during exertion, it may be an indication that a cardiac rhythm disturbance caused the syncope and not a more typical mechanism for fainting.

ems assessment tip #650

the teem "complex" with regard to partial seizures typically refers to that which results in an alteration in mental status.

ems term #649

postictal state - the recovery period that follows the clonic phase of a generalized seizure. in a postictal state the patient commonly appears weak, exhausted, and disoriented and progressively improves.

ems assessment tip #649

the term "simple" with regard to partial seizures typically refers to a seizure during which the patient retains consciousness.

ems term #627

ischemic stroke - a stroke caused by obstruction to a vessel in the brain, calleed a thrombotic stroke if caused by a clot or an embolic stoke if called by plaque or other material carried to the brain.

ems assessment tip #626

the time of onset of a stroke is commonly defined as the last rime the patient was seen neurologically intact, meaning without any neurological deficit such as numbness, weakness, paralysis, slurred or stuttering speech, or cognitive problems.

ems term #624

coma - an unconscious state in which a person does not respond to any stimulus, including pain.

ems assessment tip #623

even though the patient may still have a gag or cough reflex, he may not be able to maintain his own airway if he has an altered mental status.

ems term #623

reticular activating system - nerve cells within the brainstem that control consciousness.

ems assessment tip #611

an increased respiratory rate and heart rate in the acute coronary syndrome patient may be an indication of hypoxia or may be only a response to the chest pain or discomfort.

ems term #594

cardiac compromise - reduced heart function caused by any condition, disease, or injury affecting the heart.

ems assessment tip #604

a systolic blood pressure of 90 mmHg or a systolic pressure that is 30 mmHg less than the patient's baseline systolic pressure is a contraindication to the administration of any additional nitroglycerin.

ems term #585

automaticity - the ability of cells within the cardiac conduction system to generate a cardiac impulse on their own.

ems assessment tip #570

the severity of shortness of breath does not directly correlate with the level of hypoxia. a severely hypoxic patient may not complain of extreme shortness of breath. pay close attention to your assessment findings.

ems term #586

cardiac conduction system - contractile and conductive tissue of the heart that generates electrical impulses and causes the heart to beat.

ems assessment tip #559

respiratory distress may be produced by both medical illness and traumatic injuries. do not assume that a patient in respiratory distress is usffering a medical illness, but expose the patient and inspect for any evidence of traumatic injuries, especially in the patient with a sudden onset of symptoms.

ems assessment tip #568

subcutaneous emphysema can be felt much more easily than it can be seen on inspection..

ems term #564

tripod position - a position in which the patient sits upright, leans slightly forward, and supports the body with the arms in front and elbows locked. this is a position commonly found in respiratory distress.