The EMT Lingo Quiz

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.

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.

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

"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.

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.

“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.

"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!

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.

"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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

"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.

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.

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.

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.

"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.

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.

"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.

"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.

"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.

"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.

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.

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.

"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.

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.

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.

"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.

"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.

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.

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

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

"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".

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.