Glossary

A

• ACLS Algorithm

  A set of ACLS protocols used by healthcare professionals to manage patients experiencing cardiac arrest or other life-threatening conditions. It provides structured steps for interventions such as medication administration, defibrillation, airway management, and post-resuscitation care.

• Advanced Airway

  Methods like endotracheal intubation or a laryngeal mask airway (LMA) to secure the airway in advanced resuscitation.

• AED (Automated External Defibrillator)

  A portable device that analyzes the heart’s rhythm and delivers a shock to restore normal rhythm during cardiac arrest. AEDs are easy to use and provide voice instructions to guide rescuers through the process.

• Airway Management

  Techniques and devices used to ensure the airway is open and unobstructed, facilitating breathing.

• Asystole

  A flatline on the ECG, indicating no electrical activity in the heart, requiring immediate intervention.

B

• Bag-Valve-Mask (BVM)

  A device used to provide positive pressure ventilation to patients in respiratory distress or arrest. The Bag-Valve-Mask is commonly used in emergency settings to assist with breathing and oxygenation.

• BLS (Basic Life Support)

  Basic interventions are provided in emergency situations to maintain life, including chest compressions, rescue breathing, and the use of an AED. Basic Life Support is essential for stabilizing patients until advanced medical care is available.

• BLS Algorithm

  A flowchart used by healthcare providers to follow the correct steps for BLS (Basic Life Support), based on a victim’s condition. The BLS algorithm guides responders through assessing the situation and performing appropriate interventions like chest compressions, rescue breathing, and defibrillation.

• Bradycardia

  A slower-than-normal heart rate, typically below 60 beats per minute. Bradycardia can be caused by various factors, including heart conditions, medication side effects, or issues with the heart's electrical system

C

• Cardiac Arrest

  The sudden loss of heart function, where the heart stops pumping blood. This can result from various causes, such as a heart attack, arrhythmia, or trauma.

• Chain of Survival

  The sequence of steps that, when followed promptly, increases the chances of survival during a cardiac emergency. The Chain of Survival includes early recognition of cardiac arrest, immediate CPR, rapid defibrillation with an AED, advanced medical care, and post-resuscitation care.

• Chest Compressions

  Rhythmic, firm presses on the chest during CPR to help circulate blood to vital organs, particularly the brain and heart. Proper chest compressions are crucial for maintaining blood flow during cardiac arrest, and they should be delivered at a depth of at least 2 inches (5 cm) and a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute.

• CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation)

  A life-saving procedure consisting of chest compressions and rescue breaths to preserve brain function and restore circulation during cardiac arrest. CPR is crucial in maintaining the oxygen supply to vital organs, especially the brain and heart, until advanced medical help can take over.

• CPR Cycle

  A set of chest compressions followed by rescue breaths, commonly in a 30:2 ratio. The CPR cycle is repeated to maintain blood circulation and oxygenation during cardiac arrest. The 30 compressions ensure blood flow to vital organs, while the 2 rescue breaths help provide oxygen. This cycle continues until help arrives or the patient starts to show signs of life.

D

• Defibrillation

  The use of a shock to the heart to restore a normal rhythm in cases of certain arrhythmias, such as ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia.

• Disability

  Part of the primary survey in trauma care to assess a patient’s neurological status, often using the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS).

E

• Electrical Therapy

  Includes defibrillation or synchronized cardioversion to treat certain abnormal heart rhythms, such as ventricular fibrillation, pulseless ventricular tachycardia, or atrial fibrillation. Electrical therapy uses controlled electrical shocks to restore a normal rhythm in the heart.

• Endotracheal Tube (ETT)

  A tube inserted into the trachea to provide an airway for mechanical ventilation during resuscitation or anesthesia.

• Epinephrine (Epi)

  A medication used during resuscitation to stimulate the heart and improve blood flow during cardiac arrest.

F

• First Responder

  The person who is first to arrive at the scene of an emergency and provides initial care until professional help arrives.

• Foreign Body Airway Obstruction (FBAO)

  A blockage in the airway caused by an object, requiring specific actions like the Heimlich maneuver or CPR.

G

• Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)

  A tool used to assess a patient’s level of consciousness based on their eye, verbal, and motor responses.

• Good Samaritan Law

  A legal protection for individuals who assist in an emergency, shielding them from liability as long as they act in good faith and without gross negligence. The Good Samaritan Law encourages bystanders to help during emergencies, like cardiac arrest, without the fear of legal repercussions.

H

• Hyperventilation

  Rapid breathing, often a sign of distress or respiratory conditions, which may need to be controlled in emergency care.

• Hypoxia

  A deficiency in the amount of oxygen in the tissues, potentially leading to organ damage or failure.

I

• Intubation

  The process of inserting a tube into the airway to assist with breathing in patients who are not breathing on their own.

• Ischemia

  Reduced blood flow to organs, often causing heart damage or an increased risk of cardiac arrest.

J

• Junctional Rhythm

  A type of arrhythmia originating from the atrioventricular node, typically associated with slow heart rates.

K

• Kussmaul Breathing

  Deep, labored breathing associated with metabolic acidosis, commonly seen in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).

L

• Laryngeal Mask Airway (LMA)

  A device inserted into the airway to provide ventilation when intubation is difficult or unnecessary.

• Lethal Arrhythmias

  Heart rhythms, such as ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia, that can lead to death if not treated immediately.

M

• Magnesium Sulfate

  A medication used to treat life-threatening arrhythmias, including torsades de pointes, during ACLS.

• Monitored Resuscitation

  Continuous monitoring of vital signs and rhythm during advanced life support efforts to guide appropriate interventions.

N

• Naloxone

  Naloxone is a medication used to reverse opioid overdose, particularly in cases of respiratory depression. It rapidly restores normal breathing by blocking the effects of opioids on the brain. Naloxone is commonly used in emergencies, including resuscitation efforts, to save lives in opioid overdose situations.

• Non-shockable Rhythm

  Non-shockable Rhythm refers to heart rhythms that cannot be treated with defibrillation, including asystole (the absence of electrical activity in the heart) and PEA (Pulseless Electrical Activity).

O

• Overdose

  The intake of a substance in excessive amounts, which can result in respiratory or cardiac arrest, requiring immediate intervention.

• Oxygenation

  The process of delivering oxygen to tissues, which is a primary goal during CPR and resuscitation efforts.

P

• PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support)

  PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) involves life-saving techniques for infants and children experiencing cardiac or respiratory emergencies. It includes high-quality CPR, airway management, and the use of medications and defibrillation. PALS training is essential for healthcare providers working with pediatric patients in critical care settings.

• PEA (Pulseless Electrical Activity)

  PEA (Pulseless Electrical Activity) is a condition where the heart's electrical system is functioning, but the heart is not pumping blood. This results in no pulse or circulation, despite the presence of electrical activity. Immediate intervention, such as CPR, is necessary to attempt to restore proper heart function.

• Post-Resuscitation Care

  The care provided after achieving ROSC to stabilize the patient and minimize complications.

• Primary Survey

  The first step in trauma care, which includes evaluating airway, breathing, circulation, disability, and exposure to identify life-threatening issues.

Q

• Quality of Chest Compressions

  A measurement of how effectively chest compressions are performed, ensuring depth, rate, and full recoil of the chest.

R

• Rescue Breathing

  A technique used in CPR where air is blown into a patient’s lungs to provide oxygen in cases of respiratory arrest.

• Rescue Breathing (ACLS)

  Advanced techniques for providing breathing support, including advanced airway management and the use of medications.

• Return of Spontaneous Circulation (ROSC)

  The resumption of normal circulation after resuscitation, signaling that the heart is pumping effectively again. Achieving ROSC is a crucial goal in the management of cardiac arrest. It indicates that blood is once again circulating to vital organs, improving the chances of survival and reducing the risk of organ damage.

S

• Shockable Rhythm

  Shockable Rhythm refers to a type of heart rhythm that can be corrected by delivering a controlled electrical shock, such as ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia. These rhythms occur when the heart’s electrical system malfunctions, leading to ineffective pumping.

• Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA)

  The abrupt cessation of heart function, requiring immediate CPR and defibrillation.

• Synchronized Cardioversion

  A procedure in which a shock is delivered to the heart at a specific point in the rhythm cycle, used for certain arrhythmias during ACLS.

T

• Tachycardia

  An abnormally fast heart rate, typically over 100 beats per minute, which may need intervention to prevent complications.

• Trauma

  Physical injuries or conditions that may result in shock, respiratory failure, or cardiac arrest, requiring immediate BLS or ACLS intervention.

U

• Unresponsive

  A state where the patient is unresponsive to any stimuli, often indicating a life-threatening situation that requires immediate intervention.

• Urinary Output

  An important monitoring parameter during resuscitation, as it can provide insights into kidney function and overall perfusion.

V

• Ventricular Fibrillation (VF)

  A disorganized heart rhythm that can lead to cardiac arrest, which is often treated with defibrillation.

• Ventricular Tachycardia (VT)

  A rapid heart rhythm originating in the ventricles that can lead to cardiac arrest and may require defibrillation or antiarrhythmic drugs.

W

• Wide Complex Tachycardia

  A type of tachycardia with abnormal electrical activity that can be seen on an ECG, often requiring treatment with medications or synchronized cardioversion.

• Witnessed Arrest

  A cardiac arrest event that is observed immediately, allowing for faster response and higher chances of survival with timely defibrillation and CPR.

X

• Xenon Anesthesia

  A gas used as an anesthetic during certain surgeries that can affect cardiovascular stability and respiratory function.

Y

• Yankauer Suction

  A rigid suction device used to clear the airway of mucus or foreign material, especially during advanced life support.

• Young Responder

  A person with limited experience in emergency medical care who is trained in basic life-saving techniques like CPR.

Z

• Zoll Defibrillator

  A brand of defibrillator used in hospitals and by emergency responders, designed for high-quality resuscitation and monitoring during cardiac arrest.