An acute allergic reaction to an antigen (e.g. a bee sting) to which the body has become hypersensitive. Symptoms of anaphylaxis include: Skin reactions, including hives, itching, and skin that becomes flushed or changes color. Swelling of the face, eyes, lips or throat. Narrowing of the airways, leading to wheezing and trouble breathing or swallowing.
Example: The first line of treatment for anaphylaxis is a medicine called epinephrine.
fr: Anaphylaxie
Anisocoria
noun
Anisocoria is a condition characterized by an unequal size of the eyes' pupils. Affecting up to 20% of the population, anisocoria is often entirely harmless, but can be a sign of more serious medical problems (such as a stroke or a brain bleeding).
Example: Bowie suffered from anisocoria which meant his left pupil was constantly dilated - making his eyes look different colours.
fr: anisocorie
Bradycardic
noun
Bradycardia is a type of abnormal heart rhythm, or arrhythmia. It occurs when the heart beats very slowly — less than 60 beats per minute.
Example: His heart's back to sinus rhythm, but it's bradycardic.
fr: bradycardique
cervical collar
noun
A cervical collar, also known as a neck brace, is a medical device used to support and immobilize a person's neck.
Example: A man in a hospital bed wearing a cervical collar following a suspected spinal cord injury.
fr: collet cervical
combitube
noun
A blind insertion airway device used in the pre-hospital and emergency setting. It is designed to provide an airway to facilitate the mechanical ventilation of a patient in respiratory distress.
Example: He preferred Combitube as the device of choice for the intubation.
fr: combitube
cyanosis
noun
A bluish discoloration of the skin resulting from poor circulation or inadequate oxygenation of the blood. It is most easily seen where the skin is thin, such as the lips, mouth, earlobes, and fingernails.
Example: On admission, she was extremely ill with a high fever and peripheral cyanosis
fr: cyanose
diaphoresis
noun
Diaphoresis is the medical definition of excessive sweating due to an underlying health condition or a medication.
Example: Frequent moving between sleep stages occurs, with awakenings due to headaches and diaphoresis.
fr: diaphorèse
dyspnea
noun
Difficult or labored breathing.
Example: Respiratory tract involvement is characterized by pharyngitis with sore throat, cough, dyspnea, and hiccups.
fr: dyspnée
edema
noun
Edema refers to swelling due to fluid buildup in bodily tissues. It is common in the skin but can affect the brain, lungs, and other organs.
Example: As the heart fails, pulmonary edema, or fluid in the lungs, can cause a cough.
fr: œdème
epistaxis
noun
Bleeding from the nose.
Example: Patients undergoing nasal surgery should be warned of the potential for epistaxis.
fr: épistaxis
fibrillation
noun
Very rapid irregular contractions of the muscle fibers of the heart resulting in a lack of synchronism between heartbeat and pulse.
Example: The shock of the chilled blood may cause ventricular fibrillation leading to a heart attack and death.
fr: fibrillation
hemorrhage
noun
An escape of blood from a ruptured blood vessel, especially when profuse.
Example: The patient suffered a cerebral hemorrhage.
fr: hémorragie
hypothermia
noun
Having an abnormally low body temperature, typically one that is dangerously low.
Example: She fell into the cold water and nearly died from hypothermia.
fr: hypothermie
kendrick extraction device
noun
A Kendrick extrication device is a device used in extrication of victims of traffic collisions from motor vehicles.
Example: They used the Kendrick extraction device to remove the victim from her car.
fr: dispositif d'extraction Kendrick
nitroglycerin
noun
Nitroglycerin, is a vasodilator used for heart failure, hypertension, anal fissures, painful periods, and to treat and prevent chest pain caused by decreased blood flow to the heart (angina) or due to the recreational use of cocaine. This includes chest pain from a heart attack. In prehospital it is a spray that is taken by mouth, under the tongue.
Example: Mayor Giuliani takes medication for his heart condition and carries nitroglycerin with him at all times.
fr: nitroglycérine
oropharyngeal cannula
noun
It is a medical device used in airway management to maintain or open a patient's airway. It does this by preventing the tongue from covering the epiglottis, which could prevent the person from breathing. When a person becomes unconscious, the muscles in their jaw relax and allow the tongue to obstruct the airway.
Example: They inserted an oropharyngeal cannula in the unconscious patient's mouth to protect his airways.
fr: canule oropharyngée
sphygmomanometer
noun
A device used to measure blood pressure, composed of an inflatable cuff to collapse and then release the artery under the cuff in a controlled manner.
Example: The patient had an abnormal blood pressure, so I took it manually with my sphygmomanometer.
fr: sphygmomanomètre
tourniquet
noun
A device for stopping the flow of blood through a vein or artery, typically by compressing a limb with a cord or tight bandage.
Example: Do you know how to apply a tourniquet to a limb?
fr: tourniquet
twinge
noun
A sudden, sharp localized pain.
Example: I felt a twinge of pain in my back.
fr: pincement
vacuum mattress
noun
It is a medical device used for the immobilisation of patients, especially in case of a vertebra, pelvis or limb trauma (especially for femur trauma). It is also used for manual transportation of patients for short distances.
Example: After a pelvic fracture, she was immobilized in a vacuum mattress.
fr: matelas sous-vide or matelas immobilisateur
wheezing
adjective
Breathing with a whistling or rattling sound in the chest.
Example: He had had to run to catch the bus and was wheezing and panting.
