NREMT EMT Glossary
Key terms and definitions for the Emergency Medical Technician exam.
BSI (Body Substance Isolation)
Standard precautions including gloves, masks, and eye protection to prevent exposure to blood and body fluids.
MOI (Mechanism of Injury)
The force or forces that caused a traumatic injury, used to predict injury patterns and severity.
NOI (Nature of Illness)
The medical condition or complaint that prompted the EMS call for a medical (non-trauma) patient.
GCS (Glasgow Coma Scale)
A neurological scale that measures eye opening, verbal response, and motor response to assess level of consciousness. Scores range from 3 to 15.
AVPU
A rapid assessment scale for level of consciousness: Alert, responds to Verbal stimuli, responds to Pain, Unresponsive.
BVM (Bag-Valve Mask)
A manual resuscitation device used to provide positive-pressure ventilation to patients who are not breathing adequately.
OPA (Oropharyngeal Airway)
A rigid airway adjunct inserted into the mouth to prevent the tongue from obstructing the airway. Used only in unconscious patients with no gag reflex.
NPA (Nasopharyngeal Airway)
A flexible airway adjunct inserted through the nostril to maintain an open airway. Tolerated by patients with an intact gag reflex.
AED (Automated External Defibrillator)
A portable device that analyzes heart rhythms and delivers an electrical shock to restore a normal rhythm in cardiac arrest.
SAMPLE
A mnemonic for patient history: Signs/Symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Past medical history, Last oral intake, Events leading up to the incident.
OPQRST
A mnemonic for pain assessment: Onset, Provocation/Palliation, Quality, Region/Radiation, Severity, Time.
SpO2 (Oxygen Saturation)
The percentage of hemoglobin molecules carrying oxygen, measured by pulse oximetry. Normal is 94% to 100%.
Tidal Volume
The amount of air moved in and out of the lungs during a normal breath, approximately 500 mL in adults.
Perfusion
The circulation of blood through tissues, delivering oxygen and nutrients and removing waste products.
Cyanosis
A bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes caused by inadequate oxygenation of the blood.
Tachycardia
A heart rate faster than 100 beats per minute in adults.
Bradycardia
A heart rate slower than 60 beats per minute in adults.
Hypoglycemia
Abnormally low blood glucose level, typically below 60 mg/dL, causing altered mental status, diaphoresis, and weakness.
Anaphylaxis
A severe, life-threatening allergic reaction causing airway swelling, hypotension, and potentially cardiac arrest.
START Triage
Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment, a system for rapidly categorizing patients during mass casualty incidents by ability to walk, respirations, perfusion, and mental status.