Common Terminology used in Medical Emergencies

1. Epistaxis – nose bleeding

2. Hemoptysis – coughing out blood
3. Hematemesis – vomiting blood
4. Melena – black, tarry stool due to digested blood
5. Airborne – infection transmitted through the air
6. Blood borne – infection transmitted through the blood
7. Symptom – chief complain
8. Signs – examination findings
9. Triage – prioritization of multiple ill or injured patients for care and transportation
10. Heart Attack (MI) – damage of a part of the myocardium
11. Cardiac Arrest – stoppage of the heart
12. Atherosclerosis – the process of cholesterol plaque formation within the arteries
13. Anaphylaxis – severe allergic reaction
14. Hemorrhage – severe bleeding in short time
15. Dressing – a sterile gauze that covers the wound
16. Bandage – holds the dressing in place
17. Burns – tissue injuries due to excessive heat, chemicals, or electricity
18. Bruise – bleeding under the skin
19. Concussion – unconsciousness due to head injury
20. Contusion – bruise to the brain due to injury ( Confusion in the brain )
21. Fracture – broken bone
22. Dislocation – separation of bone or bones from a joint
23. Sprain – injury to a ligament
24. Strain – injury to skeletal muscles
25. Cramp – uncontrolled muscle spasm
26. Tendinitis – inflammation of a tendon
27. Ligament – connective tissue that connects bone to bone
28. Tendon – connective tissue that connects a bone to muscles
29. Splint – any device used to stabilize fracture/ dislocation/ sprain
30. Sling – a device ( triangular bandage ) applied around the neck to support an injured
upper extremity
31. Tachycardia – fast heart bits
32. Bradycardia – slow heart bits
33. Tachypnea – fast breathing
34. Bradypnea – slow breathing
35. Dyspnea – trouble breathing
36. Apnea – absent breathing
37. Hypertension – high blood pressure
38. Hypotension – low blood pressure
39. Hyperglycemia – High blood sugar
40. Hypoglycemia- Low blood glucose
41. Hypothermia – Low body temperature
42. Poison – a chemical that is harmful to the body
43. Venom – Snake poison
44. Antivenom – Snake venom neutralizer ( antidote )
45. Antidote – poison neutralizer
46. Tinnitus – ringing in the ear
47. Hallucination – False belief of smell, vision, or hearing
48. Diaphoresis –heavy sweating
49. Hemiplegia – Paralysis of half of the body
50. Quadriplegia – Paralysis of the whole body