1. remove an obstruction in the throat
   stabilize the spine
2. resuscitate the patient
   apply pressure to a wound

CPR stands for "cardiopulmonary rescucitation." EMTs will apply hand pressure on the chest and blow into the patient's mouth in hopes of resuscitating them.

1. There are a lot of patients.
   A child accidentally consumed poison.
2. The patient eyes won't focus.
   The ambulance's engine won't start.

In large-scale incidents, there are too many patients and not enough EMTs and doctors. So EMTs use triage to categorize the seriousness of each patient's injuries in order to save as many people as possible.

1. basic life support
   bad leg symptoms
2. bring light stretchers
   be a life saver

BLS stands for "basic life support." With BLS, EMTs can perform many vital medical tasks, from simple first aid to life-saving procedures.

1. resections
   prehospital care
2. eye exams
   prescriptions

EMTs ride to the rescue during medical emergencies. They provide "prehospital care," lifesaving care that keeps patients alive until they reach an emergency room.

1. brain damage
   heavy bleeding
2. spinal injuries
   heart issues

When patients' hearts begin to fail, EMTs come to the rescue with AEDs, or automatic external defibrillators. These devices (hopefullly) shock the heart back into rhythm.

1. circulation
   airways
2. breathing
   aneurysm

A doesn’t stand for "aneurysm." ABC is "airway, breathing, circulation," and it's a reminder for three critical variables an EMT must check during a call.

1. a car accident
   a bomb threat
2. a shooting
   a bar fight

EMTs must often deal with the carnage of MVAs, or motor vehicle accidents. These wrecks produce some of the worst injuries that EMTs see.

1. create a sense of well being
   train them for large emergencies
2. cause emotional distress
   expose the EMT to deadly viruses

EMTs are people, too. When they respond to "critical incidents," they've been exposed to situations that may have an emotional impact on their lives. Some EMTs need help recovering from critical incidents.

1. The patient is severely blistered.
   It refers to brain problems.
2. It stands for blood pressure.
   It's a bronchial failure.

BP, or blood pressure, is one of the first vital signs that EMTs check when they reach a patient. Very high or very low BP can mean a patient is having serious heart problems.

1. Roll him on the ambulance.
   Put him in a body bag.
2. Place him in the intensive care unit.
   Apply a respiratory mask.

In other arenas, "bag him" might refer to a body bag. But EMTs often use this term when referring to bag valve masks, which may help the patient breathe more easily.

1. to reduce burn potential
   to heal wounds
2. to protect people from all sorts of hazards
   to remove hazardous waste from a crash site

PPE is personal protective equipment. It refers to a range of gear, from gloves, to biohazard suits, to face masks, all of which are meant to protect the wearer from harm.

1. perforated optical nerve
   poor oxygen absorbtion
2. pretended to be a transient
   passed out prior to our arrival

Any number of medical issues may result in a loss of consciousness. When EMTs mention "POPTA," it means the patient passed out prior to our arrival.

1. Patients are placed into plastic bags.
   EMTs embalm patients.
2. Bleach is sprayed on every surface.
   All bodily fluids are contained to prevent the spread of infection.

With body substance isolation, EMTs treat all bodily fluids as if they were carrying serious infections. It helps to protect the EMT and everyone around them.

1. stop bleeding
   administer medicine
2. drive quickly
   protect the spine

Many situations result in potential neck injuries. EMTs will put on a C-collar to prevent injuries from worsening before an X-ray can be administered.

1. ambulance driver
   hospital CEO
2. medical director
   EMTs direct themselves.

Medical directors are head doctors in charge of EMT crews. They delegate many tasks to the EMTs, who then go about the business of saving patients.

1. The patient is strapped to a stretcher.
   The patient is not responsive.
2. There is sickness or injury.
   The patient is dead.

Morbity is a common term among EMTs and doctors. It simply means that the patient is sick or injured in some way.

1. head wounds
   ER hounds
2. frequent fliers
   psychos-somatic

Most EMTs deal with "frequent fliers," patients who regularly call 911. Some of these people don't really need medical care, others have chronic, life-threatening issues.

1. lockjaw
   leukemia
2. flu
   hepatitis

Hepatitis is a common occupational hazard for EMTs. Often spread through viruses, hepatitis can become a life-altering liver condition.

1. They stopped breathing.
   They haven't eaten in days.
2. They have no pulse.
   They are severely dehydrated.

Patients who stop breathing have only a few minutes to live. EMTs may intubate them by pushing a tube down the patient's throat in order to get respiration going again.

1. toenails
   eyes
2. nose
   heart

Patients often exhibit anisocoria. This is when their pupils are different sizes, and may indicate a number of physical problems.

1. The patient is breathing out.
   The patient is hyperventilating.
2. The patient is unconscious.
   The patient has died.

Respiration is clearly an important part of human biology. "Expiration" refers to the fact that the patient is breathing out.

1. They make a mess.
   They result in heavy, life-threatening bleeding.
2. They mean near instantaneous death.
   They always spread diseases.

Because arteries carry so much blood, any nicks or cuts result in very heavy bleeding. EMTs must stop arterial bleeding right or risk losing a patient.

1. 1st-degree burn
   2nd-degree burn
2. 3rd-degree burn
   They are all equivalent.

EMTs often help patients who've suffered burns. Third-degree burns are the most serious, impacting all layers of skin. In these burns, the skin looks charred.

1. blunt trauma
   leukemia
2. lacerations
   shock

Shock is a serious condition that often occurs after car accidents and other violent events. EMTs must recognize and treat shock immediately to keep patients safe.

1. find a face mask
   create a sterilized syringe
2. apply pressure to the chest
   receive expressed consent

When EMTs arrive to find adults in need of care, they must ask for expressed consent before proceeding with treatment. This step, of course, is not necessary if the person is young or incapacited in some way.

1. no ventricles
   nausea and vomiting
2. non-responseive and no vision
   noisy and violent

EMTs deal with all manner of human health issues. Noting "N/V" means that the patient has both nausea and vomiting.

1. vision problems
   lack of bowel control
2. cardiac issues
   basic motor skills

ACLS stands for advanced cardiac life support. EMTs employ these advanced procedures for patients who are exhibiting major heart problems.

1. He left a patient without ensuring that another health professional was in position to continue care.
   He inserted an IV needle improperly.
2. He crashed the ambulance.
   He didn't finish his medical training.

EMTs have a duty to follow through on the care that they provide. If they leave the scene before making sure a qualified person is taking over, they've committed abandonment.

1. heart
   lungs
2. feet
   eyes

Asystole means that the patient's heart is no longer pumping. This situation is almost always irreversible and results in death.

1. lymph nodes
   skin
2. feet
   circulatory system

When obstructions of some sort move through the circultory system, you're dealing with an embolus. In some situations, embolus can cause life-threatening blockages.

1. for detoxification
   a crutch
2. creating a cast
   starting an IV

The antecubital portion of the arm is the front side of the elbow. It's where EMTs typically insert a needle for an IV.

1. in shock
   hyperventilating
2. in stasis
   clinically dead

You need a pulse, for obvious reasons. Zero pulse and no blood pressure mean the patient is clinically dead, and in most cases, that's irreversible.

1. children
   the elderly
2. females
   pets

PALS is an acronym for pediatric advanced life support. It specially addresses the emergency needs for newborns and children.

1. sadcycle
   scooter
2. donorcycle
   bicycle

Because motorcycles have no metal cage protecting riders, accidents often result in serious injuries. Some EMTs call them "donorcycles," as these fatal wrecks may result in the riders becoming organ donors.

1. a severe laceration
   bruising
2. red marks
   abrasions

Blunt trauma means a blunt object caused the injury. There are no breaks in the skin in instances of blunt trauma.