CNA Emergency Nursing (ENC(C)) key terms

A five-level ranking system that assigns each emergency patient a priority based on how urgently they need care, so that the sickest are treated first when demand exceeds resources.

A commonly used five-level triage tool that sorts patients by how many resources they are expected to need and how unstable their vital signs appear at arrival.

Assigning a patient a lower acuity level than their condition warrants, which delays care and raises the risk of deterioration or death while waiting.

A brief structured first look at airway, breathing, circulation, and mental status performed within minutes of arrival to identify threats that need immediate intervention.

The initial sequential trauma evaluation of airway with cervical spine protection, breathing, circulation with hemorrhage control, disability, and exposure, done before any detailed history.

A head-to-toe examination with complete history performed after the primary survey and resuscitation, intended to find injuries not immediately life-threatening.

Chest compressions at a rate of 100 to 120 per minute, at least 5 cm deep, with full recoil, minimal interruptions, and avoidance of excessive ventilation.

Delivery of an unsynchronized electrical shock to terminate ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia and allow a normal rhythm to resume.

Restoration of a palpable pulse and effective perfusion after cardiac arrest, which triggers post-arrest care such as blood pressure support and targeted temperature management.

The linked steps from recognition and early CPR through defibrillation, advanced care, and post-resuscitation recovery that together determine survival after cardiac arrest.

A heart attack caused by complete coronary artery occlusion, identified by ST-segment elevation on electrocardiogram and treated with urgent reperfusion by angioplasty or fibrinolysis.

A spectrum of myocardial ischemia ranging from unstable angina to infarction, usually presenting with chest pressure, diaphoresis, and nausea requiring immediate electrocardiogram and troponin testing.

The interval from a heart attack patient's arrival at the emergency department to inflation of a balloon catheter during percutaneous coronary intervention, a key quality measure.

Severe inflammatory lung injury producing bilateral infiltrates and low oxygen levels that are not fully explained by cardiac failure, often requiring mechanical ventilation with lung-protective settings.

Delivery of assisted breaths through a tight-fitting mask, such as bilevel positive airway pressure, to support patients with respiratory failure while avoiding endotracheal intubation.

Administration of a sedative and a paralytic in quick succession to secure an airway, with preoxygenation and preparation for immediate bag-mask rescue if the attempt fails.

Air trapped in the pleural space under pressure that collapses a lung and impairs venous return, causing hypotension and distended neck veins and requiring immediate needle decompression.

A noninvasive sensor estimate of arterial oxygen saturation using light absorption, which can be inaccurate in poor perfusion, motion, or carbon monoxide exposure.

A score from 3 to 15 combining eye opening, verbal response, and motor response that quantifies level of consciousness and tracks neurological change over time.

Brain injury from blocked cerebral blood flow, potentially treatable with clot-dissolving drugs or clot retrieval when the patient arrives within the treatment window and bleeding is excluded.

The time limit after symptom onset during which clot-dissolving medication may be given for ischemic stroke, commonly up to 4.5 hours in eligible patients.

The moment a stroke patient was last observed to be at their neurological baseline, used to determine eligibility for reperfusion therapy when onset is unwitnessed.

Rising pressure within a closed muscle compartment that compromises blood flow, producing pain out of proportion, tense swelling, and pallor, and requiring urgent surgical fasciotomy.

An event producing more casualties than available resources can manage conventionally, requiring a switch to triage-based allocation that prioritizes patients most likely to survive.

The ability to expand staff, space, supplies, and equipment rapidly to meet a sudden increase in patient volume during disasters or epidemics.

A grouped set of time-sensitive actions for suspected infection, including cultures, broad-spectrum antibiotics, fluid resuscitation, and lactate measurement, delivered within specified hours.

Sepsis with persisting low blood pressure despite adequate fluid resuscitation, requiring vasopressor support and reflecting a high risk of death.

The average arterial pressure during one cardiac cycle, estimated as one-third of systolic plus two-thirds of diastolic pressure, used to judge organ perfusion.

Implantation of a fertilized egg outside the uterine cavity, most often in a fallopian tube, which can rupture and cause life-threatening internal bleeding in early pregnancy.

A blood test measuring human chorionic gonadotropin concentration, used to confirm pregnancy and to interpret results alongside pelvic ultrasound in suspected ectopic pregnancy.

A pregnancy disorder marked by new high blood pressure and protein in the urine or organ dysfunction after 20 weeks, which can progress to seizures and requires urgent obstetric evaluation.

A calculated difference between measured cations and anions used to classify metabolic acidosis and identify causes such as ketoacidosis, lactic acidosis, or toxic ingestion.

Intentional or accidental swallowing of a harmful substance, managed with airway protection, decontamination when appropriate, antidotes, and monitoring for delayed effects.

A recognizable pattern of vital signs, pupils, skin, and mental status that points to a specific class of poisoning and guides empiric antidote and supportive treatment.

A legal mechanism allowing temporary involuntary detention and evaluation of a person who appears to pose a danger to self or others because of mental illness.

Holding admitted patients in the emergency department because inpatient beds are unavailable, which prolongs stays, delays care for new arrivals, and worsens outcomes.

A structured transfer of patient information and responsibility between clinicians, using a consistent format to reduce omissions and prevent harm during transitions of care.

The range of duties and decisions a clinician is authorized to perform under licensure, employer policy, and governing law, which varies by role and jurisdiction.