Becoming a Paramedic

20 Paramedic Glossary terms

To begin, my name is Léanne, I'm 18 years old, I'm going to be starting my program next September. My glossary is for people studying in this technique, to help them translate medical terms.

allergies
noun
A damaging immune response by the body to a substance, especially pollen, fur, a particular food, or dust, to which it has become hypersensitive.
Example: Baby Tommy had a bad reaction to the banana his mama gave him, he took a test and found out he has multiple dangerous ALLERGIES.
en: allergies
Genetic allergies diagram
ambulance
noun
A vehicle specially equipped for taking sick or injured people to and from the hospital, especially in emergencies.
Example: Nowadays, when people are in need of immediate care and aren't able to go to the hospital, they call an AMBULANCE.
en: ambulance
Emergency care vehicle of London.
anaphylactic shock
noun
A severe and sometimes life-threatening immune system reaction to an antigen that a person has been previously exposed to. The reaction may include itchy skin, edema, collapsed blood vessels, fainting, difficulty in breathing, and death.
Example: Nina got stung by a bee, before she went into ANAPHYLACTIC SHOCK, she stuck an epinephrine auto injector in her thigh to stop the allergic reaction from spreading.
en: choc anaphylactique
Patient
asthma
a respiratory condition marked by spasms in the bronchi of the lungs, causing difficulty in breathing. It usually results from an allergic reaction or other forms of hypersensitivity.
Example: Roger got an ASTHMA attack last Thursday, triggered by the pollen in the hair and the big exercise he did.
en: asthme
asthma
bandage
a strip of material used to bind a wound or to protect an injured part of the body.
Example: When little Zoe got a cut on her knee, her mother cleaned it and then put a BANDAGE on it to make sure it doesn't get infected.
en: bandage
ankle bandage
bradycardicia
Is a slow heart rate. The hearts of adults at rest usually beat between 60 and 100 times a minute. If you have bradycardia, your heart beats fewer than 60 times a minute.
Example: It was a really big surprise for Brady when he developed BRADYCARDIA, there was a problem with his natural heart's pacemaker even though he was in good physical shape.
en: bradycardie
heart rate..
bronchitis
Bronchitis is an infection of the main airways of the lungs (bronchi), causing them to become irritated and inflamed. The main symptom is a cough, which may bring up yellow-grey mucus (phlegm). Bronchitis may also cause a sore throat and wheezing.
Example: Even though Anne was incredibly uncomfortable the only thing she could do to get rid of her BRONCHITIS was to wait for her symptoms to go away which they eventually did about two weeks later.
en: bronchite
bronchit...
bruise
noun
an injury appearing as an area of discolored skin on the body, caused by a blow or impact rupturing underlying blood vessels.
Example: When Damian got punched by his bullied he did not suffer any brain damage, but instead he was left with a BRUISE around his eye.
en: bleu
bruise kinda old
cardiac arrest
Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops pumping. If this happens, blood stops flowing to the brain and other vital organs. Cardiac arrests are caused by certain types of arrhythmias that prevent the heart from pumping blood. Cardiac arrest is a medical emergency
Example: When Michel had a car accident, he lacked oxygen for a long time which caused a CARDIAC ARREST.
en: arrêt cardiaque
cardiac arrest
cardiac monitor
noun
A cardiac event monitor is a device that you control to record the electrical activity of your heart (ECG). This device is about the size of a pager. It records your heart rate and rhythm. Cardiac event monitors are used when you need long-term monitoring of symptoms that occur less than daily.
Example: When the paramedics arrived at his home after getting called, they had to use a CARDIAC MONITOR since Micheal had a life threatening arrhythmia.
en: moniteur cardiaque
monitor
catheter
noun
a flexible tube inserted through a narrow opening into a body cavity, particularly the bladder, for removing fluid
Example: After his surgery, John had to get a CATHETER inserted to make a chance for his bladder to rest.
en: cathéter
catheter
chest pain
noun
Chest pain is a pain in any area of your chest. It may spread to other areas, including down your arms, into your neck or jaw. Chest pain can be sharp or dull. You may feel tightness, achiness, or you may feel like your chest is being crushed or squeezed.
Example: Michel didn't want to go to the hospital, but after experiencing CHEST PAIN for a couple days his wife rushed him to the hospital to realize he was having a heart attack.
en: douleur thoracique
chest pain photo dude
concussion
noun
temporary unconsciousness or confusion caused by a blow on the head.
Example: After his car accident, Daniel had nausea, headache, confusion, dizziness and memory problems, he suffered a CONCUSSION.
en: commotion cérébrale
ow
constipation
noun
a condition in which there is difficulty in emptying the bowels, usually associated with hardened feces.
Example: Sasha was not eating enough fibre, such as fruit, vegetables and cereals for the past two weeks she was then experiencing CONSTIPATION which made her incredibly uncomfortable.
en: constipation
try to poop?
defibrillator
noun
an apparatus used to control heart fibrillation by application of an electric current to the chest wall or heart.
Example: When they arrived, the paramedics had to shock Anita's heart with a DEFIBRILLATOR to restore a normal heartbeat.
en: défibrillateur
drawing
depression
noun
Depression is a common mental disorder. Globally, it is estimated that 5% of adults suffer from the disorder. It is characterized by persistent sadness and a lack of interest or pleasure in previously rewarding or enjoyable activities. It can also disturb sleep and appetite. Tiredness and poor concentration are common.
Example: After the death of her two children, Lorie experienced a severe wave of DEPRESSION, she did not get out of bed for about 9 months.
en: dépression
depress
edema
noun
Edema is swelling caused by too much fluid trapped in the body's tissues. Edema can affect any part of the body. But it's more likely to show up in the legs and feet. Medicines and pregnancy can cause edema.
Example: After her pregnancy, Nancy got EDEMA which went away after a lot of water, a new diet and medicine.
en: œdème
image
fainting
verb
lose consciousness for a short time because of a temporarily insufficient supply of oxygen to the brain.
Example: Barb got shocking news, the oxygen to her brain was then lacking, and she FAINTED.
en: évanouissement
kinda fainting (kinda)
hypothermia
Hypothermia (abnormally low body temperature) is a dangerous condition that can happen when a person is exposed to extremely cold temperatures.
Example: She was exposed to really cold air for a lot time, she got HYPOTERMIA.
en: hypothermie
hyperthermia wrap
intubation
noun
the insertion of a tube into a patient's body, especially that of an artificial ventilation tube into the trachea.
Example: From all the smoke he inhaled, Steve's airway was blocked and damaged. When they arrive on the scene the paramedics quickly INTUBATED him.
en: intubation
patient intubation