NREMT AEMT flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Adult BVM rate

Deliver one breath every 5 to 6 seconds, about 10 to 12 breaths per minute, with just enough volume to produce visible chest rise and avoid gastric insufflation.

OPA sizing

Measure an oropharyngeal airway from the corner of the patient's mouth to the angle of the mandible; an incorrectly sized airway can obstruct the airway or cause trauma.

NPA contraindication

Avoid a nasopharyngeal airway when signs of basilar skull fracture are present, such as clear or bloody cerebrospinal fluid from the nose or ears, or severe midface trauma.

Adult ETT depth

In adults, secure the endotracheal tube at about 21 to 23 centimeters at the incisors and confirm placement with continuous waveform capnography plus bilateral breath sounds.

Adult suction limit

Limit suctioning to 15 seconds or less in adults, 10 seconds in children, and 5 seconds in infants; preoxygenate when possible and monitor oxygen saturation throughout.

Nonrebreather flow

A nonrebreather mask delivers high-concentration oxygen at 10 to 15 liters per minute and can provide up to about 90 percent inspired oxygen when properly sealed.

Decompression sites

Needle decompression for tension pneumothorax is performed at the second intercostal space midclavicular line or the fourth to fifth intercostal space anterior axillary line.

Adult compression depth

Compress the adult chest at least 2 inches but no more than 2.4 inches, about 5 to 6 centimeters, allowing full recoil between compressions.

Adult CPR ratio

For a single rescuer or two rescuers on an adult, provide 30 compressions followed by 2 ventilations at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute.

Post-shock AED action

Immediately after an AED delivers a shock, resume chest compressions without checking a pulse or rhythm; the AED will prompt the next rhythm analysis after two minutes.

Cardiac arrest epinephrine

Give epinephrine 1 milligram of a 1:10,000 concentration intravenously or intraosseously every 3 to 5 minutes during cardiac arrest.

Amiodarone arrest dosing

For refractory ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia, give amiodarone 300 milligrams IV/IO as the first dose, then 150 milligrams as the second dose.

Adenosine SVT dosing

For stable supraventricular tachycardia, give adenosine 6 milligrams rapid IV push followed by a flush; if unresolved, give 12 milligrams once.

Nitroglycerin hold

Withhold nitroglycerin when systolic blood pressure is below 90 mm Hg or the patient has taken a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor such as sildenafil within 24 to 48 hours.

Tourniquet placement

Place a tourniquet 2 to 3 inches proximal to the bleeding wound, avoid joints, tighten until bleeding stops, and record the application time.

Pelvic binder level

Apply a pelvic binder at the level of the greater trochanters, not the iliac crests, to stabilize a suspected unstable pelvic fracture and reduce internal bleeding.

Rule of nines leg

In the adult rule of nines, each entire leg represents 18 percent of total body surface area; each arm is 9 percent and the head is 9 percent.

Parkland formula

For burns, give 4 milliliters of lactated Ringer solution per kilogram per percent total body surface area in the first 24 hours, with half given in the first 8 hours from injury.

Tension pneumothorax signs

Unilateral absent breath sounds, distended neck veins, hypotension, and worsening respiratory distress suggest tension pneumothorax; tracheal deviation is a late and unreliable sign.

GCS 8 airway

A Glasgow Coma Scale score of 8 or less indicates severe brain injury and generally requires definitive airway management with advanced airway and ventilation.

Anaphylaxis epinephrine

Give epinephrine 0.3 milligrams intramuscularly of 1:1,000 concentration for an adult with anaphylaxis, injecting the lateral thigh and repeating every 5 to 15 minutes as needed.

Naloxone dosing

Give naloxone 0.4 milligrams IV/IM or 4 milligrams intranasally for suspected opioid overdose, titrating to adequate respirations rather than full awakening.

Hypoglycemia D50

For symptomatic hypoglycemia with IV access, give 25 grams of dextrose as 50 percent solution; if no IV access, give glucagon 1 milligram intramuscularly.

Albuterol nebulized dose

Give albuterol 2.5 milligrams by nebulizer for bronchospasm; ipratropium 0.5 milligrams may be added for severe asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation.

Activated charcoal use

Give activated charcoal 1 gram per kilogram, up to 50 grams, within one hour of certain poisonings only if the airway is protected; avoid with caustics and hydrocarbons.

CHF CPAP use

For suspected cardiogenic pulmonary edema with hypertension and severe respiratory distress, apply CPAP with nitroglycerin if blood pressure allows, and monitor for improvement or deterioration.

Organophosphate antidote

Organophosphate poisoning causes cholinergic symptoms such as salivation, lacrimation, urination, diarrhea, and bronchoconstriction; treat with atropine and pralidoxime plus thorough decontamination.

START green tag

In START triage, green means minor: patients who can walk are tagged green and directed to a safe area away from the immediate hazard.

START red criteria

In START triage, red means immediate and includes patients with respiratory rate above 30, capillary refill over 2 seconds, or inability to follow simple commands.

Landing zone size

A helicopter landing zone should be at least 100 by 100 feet, clear of debris and power lines, with corners marked and no personnel near the tail rotor.

Hazmat decontamination

Remove patients from the hot zone, decontaminate in the warm zone before transport, and treat in the cold zone; responders wear appropriate personal protective equipment.

Refusal documentation

A valid refusal requires patient capacity, informed consent explaining risks, and a signed refusal form; document the patient's statement, vital signs, and witnesses.