Nervous System
A patient who completely loses their sense of smell (anosmia) following a mild head injury likely has damaged this first, most anterior cranial nerve.
What is the Olfactory Nerve (CN I)?
If a patient presents with jaundice, pale stools, and sharp pain localized in the Right Upper Quadrant (RUQ) after a fatty meal, this pear-shaped, bile-storing organ is the most likely culprit.
What is the gallbladder?
If an EMT encounters an altered diabetic patient displaying pale, cool, clammy skin, a rapid heart rate, and shakiness, this acute metabolic emergency is the suspected cause.
What is hypoglycemia (or low blood sugar)?
(EMT Tip: "Cold and clammy, need some candy!")
Before checking responsiveness, establishing airway, or even stepping foot near the patient, the EMT must always state this single, critical 5-word phrase to ensure their own protection and survival.
What is "BSI (Body Substance Isolation) is my scene safe?"
(or "PPE and scene safety")
Because of its quick acquisition time and excellent sensitivity to bone pathology, this modality is the immediate go-to imaging test for a suspected extremity fracture.
What is an X-ray (Projectional Radiography)?
Innervating the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles, this nerve is clinically tested by asking a patient to shrug their shoulders and turn their head against resistance.
What is the Accessory Nerve (CN XI)?
Inflammation of this vestigial pouch typically begins as a dull, vague pain around the umbilicus (belly button) before migrating and sharping in the Right Lower Quadrant (RLQ).
What is the appendix (or appendicitis)?
In a patient presenting with respiratory distress, pink frothy sputum, and bilateral crackles, finding Jugular Venous Distension (JVD) is a classic sign indicating fluid is backing up due to this type of heart failure.
What is (Right-Sided) Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)?
(Note: Left-sided failure causes the pulmonary edema/crackles, while right-sided failure leads to the systemic backup seen as JVD.)
What does the P in AVPU stand for?
What is response to Painful stimulus?
Due to the powerful, always-on superconducting magnet of this modality, patients must be strictly screened for metallic implants, pacemakers, or loose iron-containing objects.
What is an MRI?
A lower motor neuron lesion of this cranial nerve leads to Bell’s palsy, characterized by a complete loss of muscle control on one side of the face, including the inability to frown or close the eye.
What is the Facial Nerve (CN VII)?
Located in the Left Upper Quadrant (LUQ) under protection of ribs 9 through 11, a traumatic rupture of this highly vascular lymphoid organ can lead to rapid hypovolemic shock.
What is the spleen?
An EMT managing a trauma patient with a chest injury notices worsening dyspnea, Jugular Vein Distension, tracheal deviation, and severely diminished breath sounds on the injured side, pointing to this life-threatening emergency.
What is a tension pneumothorax?
When applying a splint to stabilize a bone fracture or joint injury, an EMT must always make sure to secure the splint to the joints or bones located in these two directions (areas/locations) relative to the injury.
What are above and below the injury?
Utilizing rotating X-ray beams, this rapid imaging modality is favored in emergency departments to quickly evaluate acute head trauma, stroke, and internal bleeding.
What is a CT (Computed Tomography) scan?
Because the genioglossus muscle normally pushes the tongue forward and toward the opposite side, an injury to this cranial nerve causes the tongue to deviate toward the side of the lesion when protruded.
What is the Hypoglossal Nerve (CN XII)?
Because these twin, bean-shaped organs are retroperitoneal (located behind the abdominal cavity's lining), pathology in them often manifests as sharp loin-to-groin pain or "flank pain" felt primarily in the back.
What are the kidneys?
An EMT encounters a patient with profound hyperglycemia who is unresponsive with deep, rapid sighing respirations (Kussmaul breathing) and a sweet, fruity odor on their breath—signs indicative of this critical state.
What is Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)?
To quickly find and treat immediate life threats during the Primary Survey, EMTs use this four-letter alphabetical guide to check the patient's airway, breathing, circulation, and transport decision.
What are the ABCDs?
This is the premier modality used to visualize detailed soft tissue anatomy, such as brain structures, ligaments, and spinal cord injuries, without using ionizing radiation.
What is MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)?
An aneurysm of the posterior communicating artery can compress this nerve, presenting clinically as a "down and out" eye deviation, a droopy eyelid (ptosis), and a dilated, non-reactive pupil.
What is the Oculomotor Nerve (CN III)?
Located in the Left Lower Quadrant (LLQ), this S-shaped segment of the large intestine is the most common site for high-pressure herniations of the mucosa (diverticulosis) to form, which can become inflamed and mimic a "left-sided appendicitis.
What is the sigmoid colon?
Unlike hypovolemic shock, which presents with cold, pale skin, this distributive shock can initially present to an EMT with warm, flushed skin and a high fever due to systemic vasodilation caused by a massive immune response to infection.
What is septic shock?
Worth a combined total of 13 points on the grading sheet, these two classic clinical mnemonics must be fully integrated to assess the History of Present Illness (HPI) and Past Medical History (PMH).
What are OPQRST and SAMPLE?
On standard projectional radiography of the chest, this substance appears blackest on the final image due to its extremely low density, which allows the most X-ray photons to pass through to the detector.
What is air (or gas)?