Signs and Symptoms
The medical term for difficulty or shortness of breath.
What is dyspnea?
Narrowed, inflamed airways causing wheezing, often triggered by allergens or exercise.
What is asthma?
The bronchodilator commonly found in a prescribed rescue inhaler.
What is albuterol?
The clip-on device that measures oxygen saturation (SpO₂).
What is a pulse oximeter?
The chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart, often relieved by rest.
What is angina?
The bluish skin color that signals inadequate oxygenation.
What is cyanosis?
A "brain attack" caused by a clot or bleed interrupting blood flow to the brain.
What is a stroke?
The chewed, over-the-counter drug given for cardiac chest pain.
What is aspirin?
The device that analyzes rhythm and shocks a patient in cardiac arrest.
What is an AED?
Right-lower-quadrant abdominal pain classically caused by inflammation of this organ
What is the appendix?
Yellowing of the skin and eyes that can point to liver problems.
What is jaundice?
Death of heart muscle from a blocked coronary artery.
What is a myocardial infarction (heart attack)?
The sugary substance given to a conscious patient with low blood sugar.
What is oral glucose?
The oxygen mask with a reservoir bag delivering high concentrations at 10–15 L/min.
What is a non-rebreather mask (NRB)?
A prolonged or repeated seizure without regaining consciousness.
What is status epilepticus?
The upright, leaning forward posture a patient in respiratory distress often assumes.
What is the tripod position?
A blood clot that travels to the lungs, causing sudden shortness of breath and chest pain.
What is a pulmonary embolism?
The under-the-tongue medication an EMT may assist with for cardiac chest pain.
What is nitroglycerin?
The mnemonic A-E-I-O-U-TIPS helps identify causes of this.
What is altered mental status?
The rapid filling of the lungs with fluid. Common in patients with CHF and will often require the use of CPAP.
What is flash pulmonary edema?
Vomiting material that looks like coffee ground points to bleeding in this area.
What is the upper GI tract?
Very high blood sugar with fruity breath and deep, rapid breathing.
What is diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)?
This treatment delivers continuous positive airway pressure to help patients in respiratory distress
What is CPAP?
These are the two stroke assessments you are most likely to use in the field in South Carolina.
What is the Cincinnati Stroke Scale and RACE?
A patient reports shortness of breath with low a SpO2 and advised these feel 'tired of breathing.' They will progress to this condition if interventions are not performed.
What is respiratory arrest?