PHECC EMT key terms

An airway that is open and unobstructed, allowing air to move freely between the lungs and the outside environment. EMTs assess and maintain patency using positioning, suctioning, and airway adjuncts.

A curved plastic device inserted into the mouth to hold the tongue away from the back of the throat in an unresponsive patient who has no gag reflex. It prevents soft-tissue obstruction.

A soft rubber or plastic tube inserted into a nostril to keep the upper airway open when a patient cannot tolerate an oral airway or has jaw clenching. It is used in patients who are breathing spontaneously.

Using negative pressure to remove blood, vomit, secretions, or other material from the airway so that ventilation and oxygenation can occur. It is a brief intervention repeated as needed.

The volume of air moved into or out of the lungs during one normal breath. Inadequate tidal volume, rather than rate alone, can cause poor ventilation.

The total volume of air breathed in one minute, calculated as tidal volume multiplied by respiratory rate. It reflects overall alveolar ventilation better than rate alone.

The physical movement of air into and out of the lungs. It is distinct from oxygenation, which is the transfer of oxygen into the bloodstream.

The process by which oxygen moves from the lungs into the blood and is carried to tissues. A patient can be ventilating adequately yet still be poorly oxygenated.

A non-invasive measurement of haemoglobin oxygen saturation using a probe on a finger or earlobe. Readings can be unreliable in poor perfusion, cold extremities, or carbon monoxide exposure.

A hand-held self-inflating device with a mask used to deliver positive-pressure breaths to a patient who is not breathing adequately. Effective use requires a good mask seal and two-person technique where possible.

A lateral side-lying position used for an unresponsive patient who is breathing normally and has no suspected spinal injury. It helps keep the airway clear and reduces aspiration risk.

Irregular, gasping, and ineffective breaths sometimes seen in the first minutes after cardiac arrest. It is not normal breathing and should be treated as cardiac arrest.

The sudden cessation of effective heart pumping, resulting in no circulation of blood. It is recognised by unresponsiveness and absent or abnormal breathing and requires immediate CPR and defibrillation.

The sequence of actions that improves survival from cardiac arrest: early recognition and call for help, early CPR, early defibrillation, advanced care, and post-resuscitation care. Each link depends on the one before it.

Delivery of an electrical shock to the heart to stop chaotic electrical activity and allow a normal rhythm to resume. It is indicated for ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia.

A portable device that analyses the heart rhythm and advises or delivers a shock when a shockable rhythm is detected. It guides the operator with voice prompts and is safe for trained lay and professional responders.

A chaotic, disorganised electrical rhythm of the ventricles that produces no effective pumping. It is a shockable rhythm and a common cause of sudden cardiac arrest.

A flatline rhythm indicating no electrical activity in the heart. It is not shockable and is managed with high-quality CPR, treating reversible causes, and adrenaline per protocol.

An organised electrical rhythm on the monitor that does not produce a palpable pulse. It is managed by CPR and correction of reversible causes such as hypovolaemia or hypoxia.

Chest pain or discomfort caused by temporary inadequate blood flow to heart muscle, often triggered by exertion and relieved by rest. It is a warning sign of coronary artery disease.

A spectrum of conditions caused by sudden reduced blood flow to the heart, including unstable angina and myocardial infarction. It is a time-critical emergency requiring urgent assessment and transport.

Death of heart muscle caused by prolonged blockage of a coronary artery. It presents with chest pain or pressure, sweating, nausea, and sometimes atypical symptoms, especially in women and older adults.

Correct positioning of defibrillation pads on the chest, typically one below the right collarbone and one on the lower left side. Correct placement ensures current passes through the heart.

A life-threatening state in which blood flow and oxygen delivery to tissues are inadequate for cellular needs. Signs include rapid pulse, pale clammy skin, altered mental state, and low blood pressure.

A reduced volume of circulating blood, most often from bleeding, burns, or severe dehydration. It is a common cause of shock and requires volume replacement and control of losses.

Techniques used to stop or reduce bleeding, including direct pressure, elevation, pressure dressings, and tourniquets. Prompt control limits blood loss and reduces the risk of shock.

A break or crack in a bone caused by trauma or disease. Signs include deformity, pain, swelling, and loss of function; a fracture may also cause internal bleeding or nerve injury.

Complete displacement of a bone end out of its normal joint position. It causes severe pain, deformity, and loss of movement and should be immobilised in the position found.

Applying a rigid or semi-rigid support to an injured limb to reduce movement, pain, and further tissue damage. It should immobilise the joints above and below the injury.

Measures used to limit movement of the spine in a patient with suspected spinal injury, such as manual stabilisation, a collar, and careful handling. It aims to prevent further neurological damage.

A rapid, structured assessment of life-threatening problems using the ABCDE approach: airway, breathing, circulation, disability, and exposure. It is performed before a more detailed secondary assessment.

A head-to-toe examination and history-taking performed after the primary survey and initial stabilisation. It identifies injuries and conditions not found in the initial rapid assessment.

A structured patient history covering signs and symptoms, allergies, medications, past medical history, last oral intake, and events leading to the illness or injury. It guides treatment and transport decisions.

A scoring tool from 3 to 15 that assesses level of consciousness by eye opening, verbal response, and motor response. Lower scores indicate a greater degree of neurological impairment.

A severe, rapidly developing allergic reaction that can compromise the airway and cause shock. It is treated with adrenaline and urgent supportive care.

Abnormally low blood glucose, which can cause confusion, sweating, shakiness, seizures, or unconsciousness. It is a common and reversible cause of altered mental status.

Sudden loss of brain function caused by a blocked or ruptured blood vessel in the brain. Signs include facial droop, arm weakness, and speech difficulty, and it is time-critical.

A patient's voluntary agreement to assessment and treatment after being given information to make that decision. It may be expressed or implied and must be obtained before care.

A patient's ability to understand information about a decision and appreciate its consequences. When capacity is absent, care may proceed under the relevant legal and ethical framework.

The duty to keep patient information private and share it only with those who need it for care or as required by law. It supports trust and respects patient privacy.

The legal and ethical obligation to act in the patient's best interests and to a reasonable standard. It includes avoiding harm and providing appropriate treatment and transport.

The structured transfer of patient information and responsibility to another clinician or receiving facility. A clear handover improves continuity and patient safety.