Crepitus
‘Grating’ or other sound made by fractured bone rubbing together.
CSF
Cerebro-spinal fluid.
CVA
Cerebral vascular accident.
Cyanosis
Cyanosis refers to the blue coloration that occurs when the bloodstream is low on oxygen. Cyanosis is usually seen in areas of the body where blood flows close to the surface -- the lips and fingernails are the most common.
D
Debilitating
A condition of strength loss, weakness.
Defibrillation
Delivery of a precise electric shock to the heart by an automated external defibrillator in an attempt to restore normal heart rhythm.
Defibrillator
A device used to monitor heart rhythm and administer an electric shock to cardiac arrest casualties in an attempt to restore normal heart rhythm.
Dehydration
The loss of fluid or moisture.
Diabetes
Disease caused by the inadequate production of insulin in the pancreas.
Diaphoresis
Profuse sweating caused by the body's response to stress. Diaphoresis can come from pain, lack of oxygen or sugar in the bloodstream, or from fear.
Diaphragm
A large muscle dividing the chest from the abdomen, which assists in breathing.
Dilated
Large, expanded.
Direct Pressure
Pressure applied to a wound in order to stop bleeding.
Dislocation
Where a joint has been pulled apart or displaced.
Disorientation
To be confused in direction and having an inability to function normally.
Distal
Remote, furthest from point of reference.
E
Elastic Bandage
Elastic bandages are stretchy wraps that provide gentle compression to minor injuries. Elastic bandages should only be used during the first two days following an injury along with rest, ice and elevation.
Embolism
Blocking of an artery by a clot or bubble of gas.
Emergency
A situation requiring immediate action from a bystander.
Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
Any part of a system designed to respond to medical emergencies and provide prehospital or in-hospital treatment. Often refers to ambulances and first responders, though emergency medical services (EMS) include all services necessary to help ill or injured people return to the state of health they enjoyed before their emergencies.
Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT)
A certified healthcare provider who is trained to treat and transport casualties of emergencies. Emergency medical technicians (EMT) provide basic life support to casualties. Emergency medical technicians may work in the emergency department, fire department, public gatherings and factories, but most importantly the certification is aimed at providing care in an ambulance.
Endocrine
The body’s system which involves chemical-secreting glands.
EpiPen
A device for self-administering adrenaline in anaphylaxis.
Epistaxis
Nosebleed.
Epiglottis
Flap of cartilage situated above the glottis (opening of the larynx). When swallowing, the epiglottis closes over the larynx to prevent food and fluids from entering the trachea.
Epilepsy
A group of neurological disorders in which there is an electrical disturbance in the brain, often causing a seizure.
Exhale
The process of breathing out.
Extremities
The fingers, toes, nose or ear lobes.
F
Faeces
Waste discharged from the bowel.
Fainting
Momentary loss of consciousness caused by insufficient blood supply to the brain.
Febrile
Fever, feverish.
Fever
Body temperature above the normal range of 36.5 – 37.1 Celsius.
Fibrillation
Irregular twitching of individual muscle cells (fibres) or small groups of muscle fibres preventing effective action by an organ or muscle (such as the heart).
Fight or Flight Response
The fight or flight response is a catch-all phrase describing the body's response to stress. Fight or flight refers to the two choices our ancestors had when facing a dangerous animal or enemy. In that moment of stress (fear) the body prepares itself to be injured and to expend energy in the large muscle groups of the arms, legs and shoulders that we use to either fight or run (flight).
Finger sweep
A technique used to remove foreign material from a casualty’s mouth.
First Aid
Immediate care given to a casualty suffering an injury or sudden illness until more advanced care can be provided.
First Responder
Often, first responder is used as a general term for all emergency service personnel who are expected to respond to medical emergencies or large-scale disasters. A public safety official -- such as a police or fire officer -- certified to provide basic life support skills.
Flail Chest
Refers to a section of the rib cage that has broken away from the surrounding ribs. Usually, more than one rib is involved, and they are broken in at least two places. Flail chest typically is the result of blunt chest trauma and is more common in the elderly. These segments of broken ribs got the name flail chest because the segments flail back and forth opposite from the rest of the chest wall. In other words, as the rest of the chest expands to suck in a breath of air, the flail chest segment sucks in. During exhalation, when the rest of the chest contracts, the flail chest segment bulges out. Often, a grinding sound or feeling called crepitus goes with the flailing segment.
Flammable
Easily set on fire.
Foetal (position)
In a lateral position with knees drawn up to the body and arms folded.
Foetus
Unborn baby.
Fracture
A fracture is any broken bone, whether it's just a crack or shattered into a hundred pieces.
G
Gall bladder
An organ in the upper abdomen that stores bile.
Genitals
The external organs of reproduction.
Gland
Any organ or group of cells that secrete specific substances.
Grand mal
Epileptic seizure involving uncontrolled spasms of the muscles.
Guarding
Act of a casualty putting hands over the injury site.
H
Haemorrhage
Bleeding.
Heart
A fist-sized muscular organ that pumps blood throughout the body.
Heart attack
Damage which occurs to the heart muscle when blood supply in the coronary arteries is blocked and heart tissue does not receive enough oxygen-rich blood; also called myocardial infarction.
Heat stroke
A condition caused by overheating of the body to a level that endangers life.
History
Information of the incident gathered to identify how the injury or illness occurred.
Hot pack
A pad used for warming parts of the body in order to manage pain and loosen muscles.
Hyperglycaemia
Higher than normal levels of sugar in the blood.
Hyperthermia
Higher than normal body temperature.
Hypoglycaemia
Lower than normal levels of sugar in the blood.
Hypothermia
Lower than normal body temperature.
I
Immobilise
To stop movement.
Incision
A wound caused by a sharp edge.
Incontinence
Inability to control passing of urine or faeces.
Infarction
Death of muscle tissue.
Infection
Illness caused by the invasion into the body of pathogenic micro-organisms.
Inflammation
Swelling and redness of tissues as they react to infection, irritation or injury.
Inhal
e
The process of breathing in.
Insulin
A hormone released by the pancreas to assist cells to utilise sugar.
Intercostals (muscles)
Between the ribs.
Intestine
Portion of the digestive system extending from the stomach to the anus.
Irrigate
To flush with a continual flow of fluid; usually water or saline.
Ischaemia
Damage caused by deficiency of blood to the tissues.
J
Jaw support/jaw thrust
Method used to open a casualty’s airway.
L
Larynx
The structure in the throat that contains the vocal cords, at the top of the trachea.
Lateral
On the side.
Lesion
Cut or separation of the skin, organs, or spinal cod. Also a sore or ulcer.
Ligament
Tissues connecting bones, especially at joints.
Liver
An organ in the upper right hand side of the abdomen which assists in digestion and maintains normal blood sugar levels.
Local Reaction
An inflammation of body tissues that usually affects only one organ or organ system.
Log roll
The method of turning a casualty into the side position without bending the body – the movement requires at least three rescuers to complete the move.
Lung
s
Two organs in the chest where oxygen is absorbed into the blood and carbon dioxide is removed from the body during breathing.
Lymph
Fluid which drains from the tissues.
M
Mechanism of Injury
Refers to the way damage to skin, muscles, organs and bones happen. Healthcare providers use mechanism of injury to help determine how likely it is that a serious injury has occurred.
Medical Condition
A condition is a medical problem that needs to be treated or managed. Many medical conditions indicate more complicated diseases or illnesses.
Meninges
Protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. There are three layers: dura mater, arachnoid and pia mater. These membranes provide a cushion from injury and bathe the brain and spinal cord with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). An infection of the meninges is known as meningitis and can be life-threatening.
Metabolism
Physical and chemical processes which maintain life.
Mucous membrane
The tissue that lines the respiratory and alimentary tracts.
Mucus
A slippery and sticky secretion from mucous membranes that lubricates and protects some parts of the body.
Muscles
Tissues which perform movement by contracting and relaxing.
Musculoskeletal
The body’s system involving the muscles and bones.
N
Nasopharyngeal Airway
A tube inserted through a nostril, across the floor of the nose, and through the nasopharynx so that the tongue does not block air flow in an unconscious person.
Nausea
A feeling of the need to vomit.
Necrosis
Necrosis is body tissue death caused by trauma or a medical condition.
Nerves
Bundles of fibres interconnecting the nervous system with the organs and other parts of the body.
Normal breathing
The rate, depth and quality of breathing a person should achieve relating to their age, health and normal activity.
O
Occlusion
Blockage.
Oesophagus
The part of the digestive tract, that extends from the pharynx to the stomach and carries food and fluids for digestion.
Open Fracture
The term used when the broken bone penetrates the skin. There will be an open, bleeding wound (which has a high risk of infection and requires immediate treatment).
Organ
A relatively independent part of the body that carries out one or more special functions.
Organ System
A group of organs that work together to perform a complex function.
Oropharyngeal Airway
A tube inserted through the mouth and pharynx so that the tongue does not block air flow in an unconscious person.
Over the Counte
r
Medications available for purchase without a prescription.
Oxygen
A colourless, odourless, tasteless gas essential to life, comprising approximately 21% of the air inhaled into the lungs during respiration.
P
Palpate
To examine by touch.
Pancreas
A gland in the upper portion of the abdomen that produces insulin and other digestive juices.
Paradoxical (movement)
Opposite normal movement.
Paramedic
Paramedics provide advanced life support to casualties in an emergency situation.
Pelvis
The bones that support and protect the pelvic organs.
Peripheral
Situated away from the centre.
Petit mal
Epileptic seizures usually manifesting as attention lapse.
Pharynx
The muscular tube at the back of the mouth and nose which joins the oesophagus. Air passes here on the way to the larynx and food passes here on the way to the oesophagus.
Physiology
Study of the function of the body.
Pistol grip
A position of the hand on the casualty’s jaw that lifts and supports the jaw while the head is tilted backwards during CPR.
Placenta
Afterbirth, an organ which provides nutrients from the mother to foetus.
Plasma
The fluid medium of the blood.
Pneumothorax
The abnormal presence of air between the lung and the wall of the chest (pleural cavity), resulting in collapse of the lung.
Posterior
Back of the body.
Prehospital
The type of medical care provided at the scene of an emergency prior to the arrival at hospital.
Prescription
Prescription medications are not available without authorisation from a doctor.
Pressure Immobilisation (Bandaging) Technique (P.I.T.)
The application of a pressure bandage to delay entry of venom into the general circulation.
Psychosis
Mental illness when casualty loses touch with reality.
Pulmonary
Referring to the lungs.
Pulse
Expansion and contraction of an artery felt through the skin as the heart pumps blood.
Pupil
The small black opening in the centre of the coloured part of the eye.
R
Raccoon eyes
Swollen eyes associated with head injury.
Recovery position
The safe and stable position for a breathing but unconscious victim.
Regurgitation
The silent and passive emptying of the stomach in an unconscious casualty into the oesophagus and mouth, has serious risks to the airway unless the casualty is on their side.
Reliever
Inhaler, puffer – Airomier, Asmol, Bricanyl, Epaq or Ventolin.
Rescue Breathing
Blowing air from one person into the mouth or nose of another to inflate the recipient's lungs. Rescue breathing is often used as a compliment to chest compressions during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Respiration
Movement of air in and out of the lungs by inhaling and exhaling; during breathing.
Respiratory Arrest
The absence or cessation of breathing. In most cases, casualties of respiratory arrest are also suffering from cardiac arrest, and should receive CPR. Respiratory arrest also can be caused by drug overdose, severe asthma, choking, and more. Respiratory arrest casualties can sometimes have slow, gasping breaths known as agonal (painful) respirations. These breaths do not provide enough oxygen to support life.
Response
The act of responding; reply or reaction, required to identify if a casualty is conscious.
Resuscitation
Any effort to artificially restore or provide normal heart and/or lung function.
Rescue breathing
The technique of ventilating the lungs of a non-breathing casualty (also called mouth-to-mouth resuscitation).
Resuscitation
The preservation or restoration of life by the establishment and/or maintenance of airway, breathing and circulation.
S
Scope of Practice
Skills that licensed healthcare providers are trained to do. Scope of practice is defined by the government that issues the license, usually a state. Every healthcare provider has a scope of practice, except physicians. Physicians have the ability to develop new skills as necessary. For example it is in the paramedic scope of practice to give injections through muscle, under skin or directly into a vein. Paramedics are not usually licensed to suture wounds.
Seizure (convulsion, fit)
Uncontrolled and unconscious muscle spasms.
Shock
Life-threatening condition (usually) due to collapse of the circulatory system. In first aid, the term "shock" has three distinct definitions.
A medical condition consisting of too little blood flow to the brain and other vital organs. Shock has many causes and in the later stages will usually result in a decreasing blood pressure. Shock is a severe condition that can be fatal.
An emotional state of mind, usually following a traumatic event such as a car accident or the loss of a loved one. This is probably the most common usage of the term.
To deliver an electrical charge. In certain types of cardiac arrest, shocking the casualty can allow the heart to restart and beat normally.
Side Effect
The unintended effects of treatment other than the desired effect. Every treatment (medication, splinting, bandaging, surgery, etc.) affects the body. Most treatments have more than one effect. The effect you're looking for is the desired effect. Anything else the treatment does is a side effect. Some side effects have medical benefits and are often alternative uses for the treatment.
SIDS
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
Sign
The obvious indications of a casualty’s injuries or illness e.g. skin colour, bruising, swelling, bleeding.
Signs of Life
There are four Signs of Life that a first aider should check to determine the conscious state of a casualty; unconscious, unresponsive, not moving, not breathing normally.
Situ
In place.
Skeleton
The bony structure of the body that protects and supports the soft organs and tissues.
Skull
The bones of the head that surround and protect the brain.
Spasm
Abnormal, sudden and continuous muscle contraction.
Spinal cord
The nervous tissue contained within the spinal bones (vertebra) which carries messages to and from the brain.
Spleen
The organ in the left upper abdomen that stores blood and destroys old blood cells.
Splint
Device used to immobilise a fractured limb until it can be assessed by a physician.
Sprain
An injury caused by over-stretching of the ligaments at a joint.
Sputum
Mucus which is expelled from the mouth.
Sterile
Containing no living micro-organisms.
Sternum (breastbone)
The bone (and cartilage) extending down the centre of the chest to which the ribs are attached.
Stimuli
Something that rouses to activity of feeling e.g. pain, sound.
Stoma
A surgically created opening, often in the windpipe or intestines.
Stomach<
br /> The organ of the abdomen that receives and breaks down food material.
Stridor
Shrill, harsh sound associated with airway obstruction.
Stroke (brain attack)
Damage to the brain tissue caused by a blocked vessel or bleeding.
Suffocation
To die from lack of air.
Supine
Lying on back with face upward.
Symptom
Are what the casualty tells the first aider i.e. nausea, pain, blurred vision. Only the casualty can feel a symptom; it can't be seen, heard or felt by someone else.
Syndrome
Group of symptoms commonly occurring to make up a distinct illness or condition.
Systemic Reaction
When an inflammation spreads from a limited area of one organ (like the skin) to other organ systems in the body.
T
Tendon
A fibrous band of tissue that attaches muscle to bone.
TIA
Transient Ischaemic Attack, a minor brain attack (stroke) with temporary signs and symptoms.
Tissues
A group of similar cells connected to each other that perform a special function e.g. the lining of the mouth.
Torso
That part of the body containing the chest, abdomen and pelvis.
Toxin (ic)
To be poisonous.
Trachea
The tube extending from the voice box to its division into the main bronchi, also known as the windpipe, conducts air to the lungs.
Traction
Gentle pulling on a fractured limb to align and relieve pressure.
Transient
Temporary, not permanent.
Trauma
A physical or psychological injury, usually due to external force.
Triage
The process of assessing multiple casualties to determine the priorities of care.
U
Unconscious
State of being insensible or without conscious experiences. A condition in which the casualty fails to respond to the spoken word or a touch.
Urine
A waste fluid filtered from the blood by the kidneys.
V
Vein
A vessel that carries blood toward the heart.
Venom (ous)
Poison derived from animals, fish or insects.
Ventricular Fibrillation
Ventricular fibrillation occurs when the heart muscle begins to quiver erratically, leading to a loss of blood flow through the heart (cardiac arrest). The treatment for ventricular fibrillation includes defibrillation and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Ventricular Tachycardia
Ventricular tachycardia is a recurring loop in the conduction pathways of the heart leading to rapid contractions of the ventricles. This causes the loss of blood flow from the inability of the ventricles to adequately fill with blood between contractions. The worst cases of ventricular tachycardia lead to cardiac arrest.
Vertebra (pl. Vertebrae)
The bones that comprise the spinal column.
Vital organs
Organs whose functions are essential to life, including the brain, heart and lungs.
Vomiting
The forceful ejection of stomach contents through the mouth in a conscious person.
Vomitus
Vomit, result of ejection of stomach contents.
W
Wheezing
Wheezing is the whistling sound of air moving through inflamed airways in the lungs. Most of the time, wheezing is only heard with a stethoscope placed on the chest. In severe cases, wheezing can be heard without a stethoscope.
Windpipe
The air passage between the larynx (voice box) and the main bronchi in the lungs.
Wound
An injury that involves a break in the skin.
X
Xiphoid (process)
The bony prominence at the lower end of the sternum.
