Hello, this glossary is meant to provide definitions of certain words that may seem complicated in relation to my field of study in Prehospital Emergency Care. Enjoy!
adrenaline
noun
A hormone secreted by the adrenal glands, especially in conditions of stress, increasing rates of blood circulation, breathing, and carbohydrate metabolism and preparing muscles for exertion.
Example: The paramedic felt a surge of ADRENALINE as the ambulance doors flew open, and she rushed to save the patient's life.
en: adrénaline
ambulance
noun
A vehicle specially equipped for taking sick or injured people to and from the hospital, especially in emergencies.
Example: The AMBULANCE sped through traffic with its sirens blaring.
en: Ambulance
bandage
noun
A strip of material used to bind a wound or to protect an injured part of the body.
Example: She carefully wrapped a clean BANDAGE around her scraped knee after falling off her bike.
en: Bandage
cardiac monitor
noun
A medical device that records the heart's electrical activity (ECG/EKG), rate, and rhythm over time to diagnose arrhythmias or symptoms like fainting.
Example: The paramedic kept a close eye on the CARDIAC MONITOR to make sure the patient's heart rate stayed stable.
en: moniteur cardiaque
chest pain
noun
Discomfort or pain in your chest.
Example: She had bad CHEST PAIN.
en: douleur thoracique
CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation)
noun
An emergency, life-saving procedure performed when the heart stops beating (cardiac arrest) or breathing ceases.
Example: She learned how to perform CPR to help someone whose heart had stopped.
en: RCP (réanimation cardiopulmonaire)
defibrillator
noun
A medical device that delivers a high-energy electric shock to the heart to restore a normal rhythm during life-threatening emergencies.
Example: The paramedic quickly grabbed the DEFIBRILLATOR to deliver a life-saving shock to the patient in a cardiac arrest.
en: défibrillateur
drug kit
noun
Package containing six drugs paramedics can administer.
Example: The paramedic grabbed the DRUG KIT to treat the patient.
en: trousse à médicaments
ECG
noun
An electrocardiogram that measures heart activity.
Example: The paramedic hooked the patient up to an ECG to check their heart rhythm.
en: ECG
Emergency
noun
A serious, unexpected, and often dangerous situation requiring immediate action.
Example: The hospital staff responded quickly to the EMERGENCY to ensure everyone stayed safe.
en: Urgence
glove
noun
A covering for the hand worn for protection against cold or dirt and typically having separate parts for each finger and the thumb.
Example: The paramedic wore GLOVES with every patient.
en: gant
injection
noun
Injection (medicine), insertion of liquid into the body with a syringe.
Example: The paramedics prepared a quick INJECTION to stabilize the patient.
en: injection
Intervention
noun
The action or process of intervening.
Example: Early INTERVENTION saved the patient's life.
en: Intervention
oxygen mask
noun
A mask placed over the nose and mouth and connected to a supply of oxygen.
Example: She placed a MASK to deliver OXYGEN to the struggling patient.
en: masque à oxygène
paramedic
noun
A person trained to give emergency medical care to people who are injured or ill, typically in a setting outside of a hospital.
Example: The PARAMEDIC drive an ambulance.
en: paramédic
patient
noun
A person receiving or registered to receive medical treatment.
Example: Many PATIENTS in the hospital were more ill than she was.
en: patient(e)
pulse
noun
A rhythmical throbbing of the arteries as blood are propelled through them, typically as felt in the wrists or neck.
Example: His PULSE was weak but steady.
en: impulsion
sirens
noun
A device that makes a loud prolonged sound as a signal or warning.
Example: The SIRENS blared as the paramedic rushed in.
en: sirènes
stethoscope
noun
A medical instrument for listening to the action of someone's heart or breathing.
Example: The paramedic used a STETHOSCOPE to check the patient's heartbeat.
en: stéthoscope
uniform
noun
The distinctive clothing worn by members of the same organization.
Example: The paramedic's UNIFORM was marked with reflective stripes for safety.
