Hi! My name is Rosalie and I've been studying in emergency care for a year and a half to become a paramedic.
I think that paramedics in Quebec are often being underrated. There is a lot of ignorance from the population when it comes to what paramedics really do. Mostly, when you ask someone, they'd say, "Oh, they're driving people to the hospital." But it's much more than that. I hope this Glossary will help you to see that paramedics are more than just drivers.
Acute myocardial infarction
noun
It is myocardial necrosis resulting from acute obstruction of a coronary artery. Symptoms include chest discomfort with or without dyspnea, nausea, and diaphoresis. Diagnosis is by ECG and the presence or absence of serologic markers.
Example: My monitor is telling me that you're having an acute myocardial infarction.
en: Infarctus aigu du myocarde
Ambulance
noun
An ambulance is a medically equipped vehicle which transports patients to treatment facilities, such as hospitals.
Example: Can you go get me medications in the ambulance, please?
en: Ambulance
Bag valve mask
noun
A hand-held device commonly used to provide positive pressure ventilation to patients who are not breathing or not breathing adequately.
Example: He is under ventilated, we need to ventilate him with the bag valve mask.
en: Ballon-masque
Canine peer helper
noun
The emergence of these dogs is quite recent. They are used to help the responders to ventilate after a hard call.
Example: Yesterday, I had a really bad call, so our supervisor came with the canine peer helper and it helped me get a smile back on my face.
en: Pair aidant canin
Cervical colar
noun
A cervical collar is used to support your neck and spinal cord, and to limit the movement of your neck and head to prevent any injury.
Example: This guy seems to have a cervical injury, we'll need the cervical colar to immobilize his neck.
en: Colet cervical
Combitube
noun
Non-sterile tube for safe intubation, for patients from 122 to 168 cm.
Example: He needs help breathing and he qualifies for the Combitube, so we'll intubate him.
en: Combitube
Epinephrine
noun
Epinephrine, also called adrenaline, hormone that is secreted mainly by the medulla of the adrenal glands and that functions primarily to treat anaphylaxis.
Example: The mom: My kid ate peanuts and it looks like he's having an anaphylaxis reaction!
Paramedic: Partner, go get me the epinephrine.
en: Épinéphrine
Hemorrhage
noun
An escape of blood from a ruptured blood vessel, especially when profuse.
Example: Don't pull out the pencil off his eye, or we'll have a hemorrhage that we can't control.
en: Hémorragie
Hypoxia
noun
Hypoxemia (low oxygen in your blood) can cause hypoxia (low oxygen in your tissues) when your blood doesn't carry enough oxygen to your tissues to meet your body's needs.
Example: The extremities turning blue is a sign of severe hypoxia.
en: Hypoxie
Military tourniquet
noun
A device (as a bandage twisted tight with a stick) to check bleeding or blood flow.
Example: The bleeding won't stop! We'll have to use the military tourniquet.
en: Tourniquet militaire
Non-rebreather
noun
This mask is called “non-rebreather” because, when you're using it, you're unable to inhale anything you exhale. It allows you to breathe only pure oxygen. A non-rebreather mask typically delivers 70 to 100 percent oxygen.
Example: She convulses, we have to give her 100% oxygen with the non-rebreather mask.
en: Masque à haute concentration
Oropharyngeal cannula
noun
Emergency medical device that keeps the airway open
Example: He's unconscious, and he can't protect his own airway, so we'll help him with an oropharyngeal cannula.
en: Canules oropharyngées
Oxygene tank
noun
The liquid air is condensed and heated until pure oxygen remains then distributed into the aluminum tanks.
Example: Good thing we brought the oxygen tank, that patient has emphysema.
en: Bombone d'oxygène
Oxylator
noun
The Oxylator from Primedic is a combination between a bag-valve mask and a portable ventilator. This device basically acts as a pressure-controlled ventilator, leaving EMS personnel with free hands to take care of other life-savings tasks.
Example: This patient is in hypoventilation, we need to force air into his lungs, prepare the Oxylator.
en: Oxylator
Semi-automatic defibrilator
noun
A Semi-Automated External Defibrillator is used in every call a paramedic gets. They are used to get vital signs, to get an ECG, to note the important information and, most importantly, to defibrillate a patient in case of a cardiac arrest.
Example: As a paramedic, I always bring my semi-automated external defibrillator.
en: Moniteur défibrilateur semi-automatique
Steel cap boots
noun
These are boots with steel in them to prevent injuries. These are important for the safety, because the work environment is uncontrolled and you never know when something is going to fall and break you foot
Example: My steel cap boots is part of my universal protection.
en: Bottes à cap d'acier
Stethoscope
noun
Stethoscope, medical instrument used in listening to sounds produced within the body, chiefly in the heart or lungs.
Example: My stethoscope is usually used to auscultate patients.
en: Stéthoscope
To faint
verb
To lose consciousness because of a temporary decrease in the oxygene supply to the brain.
Example: His breathing condition is causing him to faint.
en: Syncope
Trauma
noun
A traumatic event is an incident that causes physical, emotional, spiritual, or psychological harm.
Example: This broken arm is an interesting trauma case.
en: Traumatisme
Vacuum immobilisation mattress
noun
The vacuum immobilisation mattress is a medical device used to immobilise patients. Especially useful for cases where operators suspect vertebra, pelvis or limb trauma.
Example: It seems like this patient has a spinal injury, we need to immobilize him in the vacuum mattress.
