The EMT Lingo Quiz

By: Robin Tyler
Estimated Completion Time
5 min
The EMT Lingo Quiz
Image: Zero Creatives/Cultura/Getty Images

About This Quiz

There is no denying that the world of an emergency medical technician is fast-paced, full of action and without a doubt, very stressful. Every day, these women and men serve their communities, helping patients in various levels of distress.

It could be the kid from down the street who has scraped his knee falling off his bike, or the teen with a broken leg thanks due to a skateboard accident. Or perhaps its the elderly neighbor that has suffered a heart attack or stroke.  In those serious situations, the emergency medical technician has to make some crucial decisions, often in the spur of the moment. And they need to get it right because lives are at stake.

In this fast-paced world, communication between emergency medical technicians is key. They certainly don't have the time to have long conversations when under pressure and so they have developed their own lingo. This not only comprises acronyms but slang words as well. Some are used in the heat of the moment while others are used in general chit chat between EMT's. 

So how many examples of EMT lingo do you think you would be able to identify?

Go ahead and take the quiz and let's find out!

In the world of medical emergencies, what does "ALS" mean?
Advanced Life Support
All Leg Support
Air, Lungs, Spine
None of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Advanced Life Support is the care given to a patient by paramedics prior to transporting them to the hospital. This is different from basic or intermediate life support as ALS paramedics are able to administer drugs where needed.

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If an EMT says someone is a "code yellow", what does this slang term mean?
A patient has jaundice
A patient has lost control of their bladder
A patient is having a heart attack
The patient is dead on arrival
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A code yellow is a patient who has lost control of his or her bladder. Sadly, when accidents or trauma is involved, this can be a reaction, especially if the patient is in shock.

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When a patient is referred to as a "beemer" what are they?
Old
Cold
Obese
Missing
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Beemer" is slang for an obese patient. The name comes from BMI (body mass index), which measures body fat based on height and weight.

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Normally found on patient forms, what does "LOC" mean?
Limbs or Chest
Lungs Okay Cleared
Loss of Colon
Loss of Consciousness
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"LOC" refers to two phrases in general in the EMT world. These are either loss of consciousness or level of consciousness. This is usually written on forms to describe a patient’s condition.

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EMTs might call a certain patient a "pita". What does that mean in EMT slang?
Pain in the ass
Patient in trauma/accident
Patient ingested treatment accidentally
None of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A "pita" is simply a pain in the ass. This is a slang word used by medical professionals to describe a patient or relative who is difficult to deal with.

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A person said to be "DRT" is described by which of these EMT slang terms below?
Dense Rib Trauma
Dead Right There
Deflected Right Tibia
None of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

“Dead Right There”, a slang description for a dead person who has been left in the position in which they were found. Often, in the case of homicide, the body will be left this way until police forensics are done with the scene.

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Which of these below would "crackardia" be most applicable to?
A person with cracked ribs
A person needing an emergency heart operation
A patient with a raised heart rate from ingesting crack
None of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Crackacardia" is EMT lingo for a condition when a patient has ingested large amounts of crack cocaine, causing their heart rate to increase. They need to get to the hospital fast!

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A patient said to have "Googlechondria" has done what?
Self-diagnosed using Google
Ordered their medicine online using Google search
Fallen sick at the Google office
None of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It's relatively easy to work out what "Googlechondria" is. Simply put, it's a condition named by EMT where patients self-diagnose their condition, signs and symptoms using Google before seeking medical assistance.

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If an EMT was "bagging" a patient, what would they be doing?
Putting them in a body bag
Giving them meds
Using a Bag Valve Mask on a patient
None of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Bagging" is using a “Bag Valve Mask” to provide positive pressure ventilation to patients who are not breathing adequately. This is to ensure they have enough oxygen in their system.

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In the world of medical emergencies, what does "BLS" mean?
Bed Lift Support
Basic Life Support
Bone Leg Support
None of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Basic Life Support it the care that can be provided to victims of illnesses or injuries by EMTs until they can be attended to at a hospital.

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From the options below, which best describes an "MVA" as a way a patient may have been injured?
Motor Vascular Amnesia
Mountain Valley Allergy
Motor Vehicle Accident
None of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Helping patients injured in an accident is just part of an EMT's every day duties. They would describe the patient as have been in an "MVA" or motor vehicle accident. This is also sometimes called a "MVC" or motor vehicle collision.

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When an EMT refers to a "C-Spine" what are they talking about?
The neck
A flat wooden board
A single bone in the back
None of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The "C-Spine" refers to the cervical spine (or neck), which comprises the seven vertebrae C1 – C7. It also houses the spinal cord. It is not only strong but flexible as well.

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A "Frequent Flyer" is a term often used by EMT's. Who does it refer to?
The pilot of the medical helicopter
Someone who travels often
Someone who calls the emergency services often
None of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A "Frequent Flyer" is a person who often calls for emergency medical assistance. This could be someone who abuses the system or someone with a persistent condition that requires regular assistance.

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When talking about a "MICU" in the world of emergency medicine, what are we referring to?
A motorcycle ambulance
Mobile Intensive Care Unit
A military ambulance
None of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"MUCUs" or Mobile Intensive Care Unit are vehicle fitted out with apparatus able to offer advanced life support to patients en route to the hospital. This offers critically injured patients a greater chance of survival.

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An "AED" is a crucial piece of emergency equipment. What is it?
Automated External Defibrillator
Auto Emergency Deflabber
After Exercise Defibrillator
None of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

An "AED" or Automated External Defibrillator is a portable device used to check heart rhythm and treat sudden cardiac arrest. This piece of equipment is nothing short of a life-saver.

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If an EMT says someone is a "code brown", what does this slang term mean?
The patient doesn't need to go to the hospital
An unexpected bowel movement
The patient would need a check-up in a week
None of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A "Code Brown" is used to describe fecal incontinence and is often used by medical staff when asking for help in cleaning up an unexpected bowel movement that a patient might have had.

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What is a "donorcycle" in EMT lingo?
A powerful motorbike
A bicycle
A monster truck
A racing car
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A "donorcycle" is an overpowered motorcycle that could turn its rider into an organ donor. Motorcycle accidents largely result in head trauma and less damage to the body, making the victim a good candidate for organ donation.

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If EMT's mention the world "liver mortis", what do they mean?
A patient told to stop drinking alcohol
A patient with liver cirrhosis
Pooling of blood in the lower half of the body near the liver
None of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Liver mortis" is a term used to describe blood pooling in the lower half of the body, causing a red discoloration. It can be a sign that the patient cannot be revived.

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EMT's might mention a latin sounding term, "dyscopia". What do you think it means?
A failure to cope
Tooth pain
A broken toe
None of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Dyscopia is a mock-Latin term meaning failure to cope. It refers to patients or relatives who have a hard time emotionally. It could even apply to EMT's struggling emotionally.

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Someone suffering from "NPS" is probably a ______?
New parent
Regular hospital goer
Elderly person
None of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"NPS" or New Parent Syndrome is a code that medical professionals use to describe new parents who are overly concerned with their baby’s health.

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When a patient is described as a "failure to fly", what does it mean in terms of EMT lingo?
The patient is not well enough to be discharged
The patient thinks he is Superman
The patient is a child
None of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Failure to Fly" describes a patient who is not well enough to be discharged from hospital. Sometimes it is also a macabre reference to a suicide attempt.

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"FTD" is an abbreviation often used by EMT's. What does it mean?
Fibula Taken Down
Failure To Die
Foreign Transit Deposit
None of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"FTD" or "Failure to Die" is normally used when EMTs are talking about patients who should be dead due to their injuries but are not. It can also be used to describe elderly patients hanging onto life.

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The EMT abbreviation "POPTA" stands for?
Patient cried prior to arrival
Patient passed out prior to arrival
Patient slept prior to arrival
None of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"POPTA is simply an abbreviation for patient passed out prior to arrival at the medical facility. Keeping records of everything that happens to a patient while they are transported to a medical facility is very important.

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EMT's often say "TKO" when dealing with a patient with an IV line. What does it mean?
Technical Knockout
Taped Knee Outline
To Keep Open
None of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If patients are seriously injured, EMT's might setup an IV line directly into one of their veins. This is then the easiest way to administer drugs to a patient and certainly the quickest.

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When an EMT calls for a "C-Collar", what do they want?
A collar that stabilizes a patients neck
A leg brace
A jacket because they are cold
None of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A "C-Collar" or cervical collar is a piece of equipment that is used to stabilize the neck of a patient. It is used when patients have suspected c-spine injuries.

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A patient described as "A&O X 3" is which of the following?
Dead on arrival
Alert and orientated times three
Awake and operated on
None of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"A&O X 3" means alert and oriented times three. This says the patient is alert and oriented around person, place and time and means they know who they are, where they are and the time period.

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Can you please tell us what a "Code 99" is?
Patient requiring resuscitation
EMT on a lunch break
EMT shift over
None of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In EMT lingo, a "Code 99" is serious business. If issued it means a medical emergency is taking place with a patient requiring resuscitation. In many cases, they may be the victim of a heart attack.

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What is a "doctart"?
Female patient or nurse attracted to doctors
A pie given to a doctors by a grateful patient
A student doctor
None of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A little controversial but some people love doctors! A "Doctart" is said to be a female patient or nurse who are attracted to doctors. It seems EMT's have a word for just about anything.

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In EMT lingo terms, what does "ETOH" refer to?
Energy to other hemisphere
Ethyl Alcohol
It describes a brand of stethoscope
None of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"ETOH" is an acronym for Ethyl Alcohol (also referred to as Ethanol), the type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages. So if a EMT says "we have an ETOH" then it means the person is most likely drunk.

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Any idea what the EMT acronym "PERRLA" means?
Patient eats restrictive rations literally anytime
Pupils are Equal, Round and Reactive to Light and Accommodation
Patient enters restricted reality like always
None of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"PERRLA" is an acronym for Pupils are Equal, Round and Reactive to Light and Accommodation. It helps medical staff remember what to check for when examining pupils. It also give a sense of if the patient knows what is going on around them.

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EMTs who say they need to "Treat and Street" a patient will be doing what to them?
Take them to a special unit in the hospital
Take them to the nearest hospital
Treat and discharge them
None of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The term "Treat and Street" means the patient does not have serious injuries, can be treated on scene and then discharged without needing to go to a hospital. For example, someone might have fallen and badly scraped their knee. It requires a dressing but not a hospital visit.

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If an EMT is called a "Paragod" by others, which of these best describes him or her?
Religious
Has a big ego and think they know everything
Paraglides in their free time and is really good at it
None of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

. A "Paragod" is a paramedic who thinks they know everything or is more concerned with his/her ego than patients.

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A patient said to be "status dramaticus" is ______?
Overbearing and overly dramatic
Unconscious
Unruly
None of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A patient that is "status dramaticus" is saddled with a supposed illness which makes them overbearing and overly dramatic.

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Which EMT vehicle is known as a "box"?
Motorcycle
Helicopter
Mobile Intensive Care Unit
None of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"MUCUs" or Mobile Intensive Care Unit are vehicles fitted with apparatus able to offer advanced life support to patients. Because of their shape, they are often just referred to as a "box".

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When EMT's place multiple patients in a "triage" order, what does that mean?
They are dealt with according to the severeness of their injury
They are treated alphabetically according to their name
They are treated in terms of age with oldest treated first
None of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When multiple patients are involved, for instance at a massive pile-up on the highway, they are assessed and placed in a triage order. Those with life-threatening injuries (called red patients in triage) are dealt with first while those with scrapes and bruises (called green patients) are dealt with last.

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