NREMT EMT 7: Medical Quizzes and Glossary - Medical Terminology, Root Words, Prefixes, Suffixes, Abbreviations

What This Is: Medical Terminology

Medical terminology is like a secret code used by healthcare professionals to communicate quickly and accurately. It's essential to understand the basics of medical terminology to provide effective care in emergency situations. Think of it like a map – without a map, you might get lost in a foreign country. Medical terminology helps us navigate the complex world of healthcare.

Key Steps / Core Facts:

• Root Words: The core of a word that gives its meaning (e.g., "cardio" means heart). Example: "cardiopulmonary" means heart and lungs.
  • Why it matters: Helps you understand the word's meaning.
  • Example: "Cardiopulmonary resuscitation" (CPR) is a lifesaving technique.
• Prefixes: Words that come before the root word and change its meaning (e.g., "hyper" means high). Example: "Hypertension" means high blood pressure.
  • Why it matters: Helps you understand the word's meaning and severity.
  • Example: "Hypertension" is a serious condition that requires medical attention.
• Suffixes: Words that come after the root word and change its meaning (e.g., "-itis" means inflammation). Example: "Arthritis" means joint inflammation.
  • Why it matters: Helps you understand the word's meaning and location.
  • Example: "Arthritis" affects the joints.
• Abbreviations: Shortened words or phrases used for convenience (e.g., "BP" means blood pressure). Example: "BP" is used to quickly check blood pressure.
  • Why it matters: Saves time and reduces errors.
  • Example: "BP" is checked before administering medication.
• Medical Mnemonics: Memory aids to help you remember key information (e.g., "AVPU" stands for Alert, Verbal, Pain, Unresponsive). Example: "AVPU" helps you assess a patient's level of consciousness.
  • Why it matters: Helps you remember critical information.
  • Example: "AVPU" is used to assess a patient's level of consciousness.
• OPQRSTI: A mnemonic to help you assess a patient's pain (O – Onset, P – Provocation, Q – Quality, R – Region, S – Severity, T – Time, I – Intensity). Example: "OPQRSTI" helps you understand the patient's pain.
  • Why it matters: Helps you understand the patient's pain and provide effective care.
  • Example: "OPQRSTI" is used to assess a patient's pain.
• SAMPLE: A mnemonic to help you assess a patient's airway, breathing, and circulation (S – Scene, A – Airway, M – Movement, P – Pulse, L – Level of consciousness, E – Exposure). Example: "SAMPLE" helps you assess a patient's airway, breathing, and circulation.
  • Why it matters: Helps you assess a patient's vital signs and provide effective care.
  • Example: "SAMPLE" is used to assess a patient's airway, breathing, and circulation.
• CPR Compression Depth: At least 2 inches (5 cm) – like pushing down a soda can. Example: "CPR compression depth" is critical for effective CPR.
  • Why it matters: Helps you provide effective CPR.
  • Example: "CPR compression depth" is at least 2 inches.
• CPR Rate: 100-120 compressions per minute (cpm) – like a metronome. Example: "CPR rate" is critical for effective CPR.
  • Why it matters: Helps you provide effective CPR.
  • Example: "CPR rate" is 100-120 cpm.
• Normal Blood Pressure: 90-120/60-80 mmHg – like a normal tire pressure. Example: "Normal blood pressure" is critical for health.
  • Why it matters: Helps you understand normal vital signs.
  • Example: "Normal blood pressure" is 90-120/60-80 mmHg.
• Normal Heart Rate: 60-100 beats per minute (bpm) – like a normal clock tick. Example: "Normal heart rate" is critical for health.
  • Why it matters: Helps you understand normal vital signs.
  • Example: "Normal heart rate" is 60-100 bpm.

What Laypeople Can Do:

• If someone collapses, first check for danger (oncoming traffic, fire). Then shout and tap their shoulder.
• If someone is choking, encourage them to cough or try the Heimlich maneuver (back blows).
• If someone is bleeding, apply pressure with a clean cloth or bandage.
• If someone is having a seizure, keep them safe and turn them onto their side.
• If someone is having a heart attack, call 911 and provide basic life support (CPR).

Common Mistakes:

• Mistake: Confusing "hypertension" with "hypotension" (low blood pressure).
  • Fix: Remember that "hyper" means high, and "hypo" means low.
• Mistake: Not using the correct medical terminology when communicating with healthcare professionals.
  • Fix: Use the correct medical terminology to ensure clear communication.
• Mistake: Not understanding the importance of medical abbreviations.
  • Fix: Learn common medical abbreviations to reduce errors and improve communication.
• Mistake: Not using medical mnemonics to remember key information.
  • Fix: Use medical mnemonics to help you remember critical information.
• Mistake: Not assessing a patient's pain using the OPQRSTI mnemonic.
  • Fix: Use the OPQRSTI mnemonic to assess a patient's pain and provide effective care.

Quick Practice Scenarios:

1. A patient is experiencing chest pain and shortness of breath. What should you do first?

Answer: Call 911 and provide basic life support (CPR).

1. A patient is having a seizure. What should you do first?

Answer: Keep them safe and turn them onto their side.

1. A patient is bleeding from a cut. What should you do first?

Answer: Apply pressure with a clean cloth or bandage.

Last-Minute Exam Cram:

• Normal blood pressure: 90-120/60-80 mmHg
• Normal heart rate: 60-100 beats per minute (bpm)
• CPR compression depth: at least 2 inches (5 cm)
• CPR rate: 100-120 compressions per minute (cpm)
• OPQRSTI: a mnemonic to assess a patient's pain (O – Onset, P – Provocation, Q – Quality, R – Region, S – Severity, T – Time, I – Intensity)
• SAMPLE: a mnemonic to assess a patient's airway, breathing, and circulation (S – Scene, A – Airway, M – Movement, P – Pulse, L – Level of consciousness, E – Exposure)
• Agonal breathing is NOT normal breathing – start CPR
• Hypertension is a serious condition that requires medical attention
• Normal body temperature is 98.6°F (37°C)
• Normal oxygen saturation is 95-100%