Electrocardiogram. A recording of the electrical signal of the heartbeat. The morphology (shape) of the EKG wave is diagnostic of many dysrhythmias (misfires of the heart's conductivity). Dysrhythmias have effects on blood pressure, among other things, and must be corrected (often with drugs or electrotherapy) and may also be diagnostic as secondary effects of other disease or trauma.
(Definition provided by author.)
Pulse oxymetry; also Pulse ox, SpO2, or O2 Saturation. The use of laser light to measure the percentage of red blood cells in circulation carrying oxygen. A typical healthy SpO2 is 95% to 100%. Below 90% is considered pathological and requires treatment. Room air (RA) indicates that an SpO2 reading is based on a patient breathing local ambient atmospheric air, as opposed to patients breathing supplemental pure oxygen via a mask or other device.
(Definition provided by author.)
"Alert and oriented times four." The standard field test for mental alertness, comprised of four simple questions. If the patient can verbally state their name, their location, the day or date and accurately describe their situation, they are said to be alert and oriented times four. A score of less than 3 indicates some degree of disorientation and diminished awareness. A score less than 3 also legally constitutes “implied consent” for medical treatment, important in cases where patients are resistant to care, belligerent, confused or unconscious and informed consent to treatment cannot be obtained. This is a field test. Other scoring systems (such as the Glasgow Coma Scale) are considered definitive and are used for making treatment decisions.
(Definition provided by author.)
Blood pressure or "B/P," a measure of the heart's ability to perfuse the body with blood. Too high, and vessels can rupture; too low, and tissues can be starved of oxygenated blood. Critically low blood pressure is called shock, and indicates imminent brain damage and death. Critically high blood pressure can result in aneurysm (vessel rupture) and hemorrhagic stroke (aneurysm of brain vessels, causing brain damage with systemic effects in the body). In trauma situations, low blood pressure is usually a sign of bleeding, especially internal bleeding, or otherwise unseen bleeding, known as occult (hidden) bleeding. Occult blood is the most badass type of blood, and preferred for Satanic rituals.
(Definition provided by author.)
A six-foot long rigid plastic board designed originally to immobilize a patient's spine, used in combination with a c-collar and "head bed," a device that holds the patient’s head in place. The board is all plastic, in order to be X-ray transparent. In recent years, studies have shown that backboard use for spinal immobilization is ineffective at best. The device, however, is still frequently used for extrication: removing patients from cars, beds, floors, etc. It is also used to provide rigid support for patients during CPR.
(Definition provided by author.)
Cervical spine immobilization collar. The small bones that join the skull to the spinal cord are very delicate and vulnerable to trauma. After a major trauma, the cervical spine is immobilized as a priority to prevent paralysis.
(Definition provided by author.)
Crepitus is the name for crunchy, bone-on-bone grinding, indicative of fracture, often found during palpating (i.e., gaining information from touch, such as taking a pulse, feeling for rigidity, tenderness, swelling, fever, etc.)
(Definition provided by author.)
"Deformities, Contusions, Abrasions, Punctures, Burns, Tenderness, Lacerations, Swelling." An acronym for the litany of traumas. Originally a mnemonic for students, now used in the negative to communicate that no new injuries have been found, e.g., "No other DCAPBTLS noted."
(Definition provided by author.)
Ethyl alcohol.Official abbreviation for documenting alcohol intoxication, often used as a euphemism for communicating such in sensitive contexts.
(Definition provided by author.)
Use of high powered "heavy rescue" equipment to stabilize, cut, or otherwise displace material such as automobiles, industrial equipment, architecture, large animals or trees, etc., that have crushed or otherwise trapped a patient. Frequently used simply to mean removing a patient from a dangerous environment safely, with or without tools.
(Definition provided by author.)
Use of high powered "heavy rescue" equipment to stabilize, cut, or otherwise displace material such as automobiles, industrial equipment, architecture, large animals or trees, etc., that have crushed or otherwise trapped a patient. Frequently used simply to mean removing a patient from a dangerous environment safely, with or without tools.
(Definition provided by author.)
Translated: “Weighty openings and grand declarations often Have one or two purple patches tacked on, that gleam Far and wide.” Believed to be the origin of the term “Purple Prose.”
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“Left antecubital fossa." The antecubital fossa is the area at the bend of the elbow, which is a common location for IV cannulation due to large surface veins.
(Definition provided by author.)
Loss of consciousness — or level of consciousness, depending on context.
(Definition provided by author.)
Landing Zone
Narcs: Narcotics, but not strictly speaking pharmacologically narcotic agents, e.g., morphine or fentanyl, but any Schedule I drug that has a high potential for abuse and is strictly controlled. Currently I have authority to administer ketamine, Versed, Ativan, morphine and fentanyl — all of which must be keep under lock and key.
(Definition provided by author.)
Narcs: Narcotics, but not strictly speaking pharmacologically narcotic agents, e.g., morphine or fentanyl, but any Schedule I drug that has a high potential for abuse and is strictly controlled. Currently I have authority to administer ketamine, Versed, Ativan, morphine and fentanyl — all of which must be keep under lock and key.
(Definition provided by author.)
Pulses of the foot. The presence or absence of which, as well as the quality (strong, weak, slow, 'thready,' etc.), is very informative as to the integrity of the vessels of the leg. Absence of pedal pulses in the event of a leg fracture indicates severe injury and the possible need for amputation, as blood flow has stopped along some point of the extremity.
(Definition provided by author.)
Pulses of the foot. The presence or absence of which, as well as the quality (strong, weak, slow, 'thready,' etc.), is very informative as to the integrity of the vessels of the leg. Absence of pedal pulses in the event of a leg fracture indicates severe injury and the possible need for amputation, as blood flow has stopped along some point of the extremity.
(Definition provided by author.)
"Pupils equal, Round and Reactive to Light." Simple way to communicate that the eyes, sensitive indicators of nervous system function, are responding to light stimulus in normal ways. Deviance from the PERRL baseline is highly indicative of brain or nervous system damage.
(Definition provided by author.)
Pulse oxymetry; also Pulse ox, SpO2, or O2 Saturation. The use of laser light to measure the percentage of red blood cells in circulation carrying oxygen. A typical healthy SpO2 is 95% to 100%. Below 90% is considered pathological and requires treatment. Room air (RA) indicates that an SpO2 reading is based on a patient breathing local ambient atmospheric air, as opposed to patients breathing supplemental pure oxygen via a mask or other device.
(Definition provided by author.)
Medical scissors designed with a blunt leading edge and an angled grip intended for quickly cutting off clothes, bandages, seatbelts, etc. without risking cutting-edge contact with skin.
(Definition provided by author.)
Pulse oxymetry; also Pulse ox, SpO2, or O2 Saturation. The use of laser light to measure the percentage of red blood cells in circulation carrying oxygen. A typical healthy SpO2 is 95% to 100%. Below 90% is considered pathological and requires treatment. Room air (RA) indicates that an SpO2 reading is based on a patient breathing local ambient atmospheric air, as opposed to patients breathing supplemental pure oxygen via a mask or other device.
(Definition provided by author.)
"Tibia-fibula." A common fracture involving both bones of the lower leg. A "closed fracture" (formerly called a "simple fracture") indicates that no bone has protruded from the skin. This is in contrast to an "open fracture" (formerly "compound fracture"), where bone penetrates the skin. Open fractures are considered more serious due to the increased possibility of hemorrhage and partial amputation.
(Definition provided by author.)