ABG: arterial blood gas

Alco: Alameda County

agonal respirations: a gasping, irregular breathing pattern that usually indicates death is imminent

Ambubag: a proprietary name for a manual breathing apparatus (see bagging)

arterial blood gas: a test to measure the levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide, pH and bicarbonate in a blood sample taken from an artery

aspiration pneumonia: a potentially fatal complication of pneumonia caused when food or fluid is inhaled into the lungs

asystole: no cardiac activity; indicated by a flat line on a cardiac monitor

BA: blood alcohol

backboard: a rigid body-length board with straps used to immobilize a patient during transport

bagging: manually assisting a patient’s breathing using a polyvinyl bag connected to an oxygen source. A mask is attached and placed over the patient’s mouth and nose to achieve a seal. The bag is then squeezed to force a breath in, and released to allow the patient to exhale.

BP: blood pressure

CDF: California Division of Forestry

cervical spine: the neck

CHP: California Highway Patrol

code: a cardiac arrest (in full, code blue); also refers to the sequence of procedures used to resuscitate a patient (“running the code”); also used as a verb (“the patient coded”)

Code 2 traffic: a routine patient transfer

Code 3 traffic: transport of a seriously ill patient

CPR: cardiopulmonary resuscitation

cric: cricothyrotomy

cricoid pressure: pressure applied to the larynx on the front of the neck; it is applied during rapid sequence induction to prevent reflux or vomiting by the patient, which can cause aspiration pneumonia

cricothyrotomy: a procedure for establishing an emergency airway by making an incision in the cricothyroid membrane of the trachea and inserting an endotracheal tube

C-spine: cervical spine; the neck

diaphoretic: sweaty; one of the skin signs of shock

DIC: disseminated intravascular coagulation; a life-threatening condition caused by an abnormality in the blood’s clotting factors

EKG: electrocardiogram

EMS: emergency medical services

endotracheal tube: a polyvinyl tube inserted via the mouth into the trachea to assist a patient’s breathing

ETA: estimated time of arrival

ETCO2: endotracheal carbon dioxide monitor; it detects CO2 from each expiration and is used to ensure that an endo-
tracheal tube has been properly placed in the trachea rather than the esophagus

ETOH: alcohol

ETT: endotracheal tube

FFP: fresh frozen plasma; a blood component that contains clotting factors

flail chest: an injury in which one or more ribs are fractured in two places, causing a floating rib segment, which compromises the integrity of the chest wall

GSW: gunshot wound

hypotensive: having a low blood pressure

IC: incident commander

ICU: intensive care unit

incident commander: a firefighter or police officer who is responsible for coordinating EMS activity at an accident scene

intubate: to insert a tube into the trachea in order to assist breathing

intraosseous line: a rigid needle inserted into bone to deliver emergency medications or fluids; used when unable to obtain an intravenous line in children up to six years of age.

IO: intraosseous

IV: intravenous

large-bore IV: an intravenous line with a large diameter, used to administer blood or fluid rapidly

laryngoscope: a lighted instrument used to aid the insertion of an endotracheal tube

LZ: landing zone

MCA: motorcycle accident

MI: myocardial infarction (heart attack)

MVA: motor vehicle accident

nasotracheal tube: a polyvinyl tube inserted via the nose into the trachea to assist a patient’s breathing

OB/GYN: obstetrician/gynecologist

package: to prepare for transfer by placing the patient on a backboard, with a collar to immobilize the head and cervical spine; prevents aggravating any spinal injury and allows the patient to be moved in a controlled manner

perfusion: the flow of blood through the body

PICU: pediatric intensive care unit

RSI: rapid sequence induction

pleural decompression: the insertion of a needle into the chest wall to allow re-inflation of a collapsed lung

posturing: a grave clinical finding that indicates pressure is building in the brain; the body goes rigid and the extremities are contorted

rapid sequence induction (RSI): a technique used to overcome airway reflexes (coughing, gagging, etc.) and prevent aspiration when intubating a conscious or semi-conscious patient. It consists of preoxygenation, application of cricoid pressure and the administering of drugs that paralyze the muscles so there is no resistance to the laryngoscope.

shock: a critical condition brought on by inadequate blood flow to the vital organs

septic shock: shock caused by infection

SICU: surgical intensive care unit

Thermadrape: an aluminum-covered blanket that is placed over a patient to retain body heat

trauma bag: the backpack carried by a flight nurse to scene calls; it contains the equipment necessary for immediate care of the patient, including emergency airway supplies, cricothyrotomy kit, pleural decompression kit, IV supplies, bandaging and blood pressure cuffs