EMT COMPLETE
A Comprehensive Worktext
SECOND EDITION
CHAPTER 4
Medical
Terminology
EMT Complete: A Comprehensive Worktext, 2nd Ed.
Copyright © 2014, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc.
Le Baudour | Batsie | Dickinson
Learning Readiness
• EMS Education Standards, text p. 73
• Objectives, text p. 73
• Key terms, text p. 73
EMT Complete: A Comprehensive Worktext, 2nd Ed.
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Setting the Stage
• Overview of Lesson Topics
Medical Terms
Body Structure
Body Systems
Terms of Location and Position
Effective Communication
Abbreviations and Acronyms
EMT Complete: A Comprehensive Worktext, 2nd Ed.
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EMERGENCY DISPATCH
• Chapter 4 Emergency Dispatch, p. 74
EMT Complete: A Comprehensive Worktext, 2nd Ed.
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EMERGENCY DISPATCH
• Discussion Questions
How do you predict that medical
terminology will come into play in the
assessment and care of this patient?
How will the use of medical terminology
change, based on with whom the EMTs
are communicating?
EMT Complete: A Comprehensive Worktext, 2nd Ed.
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Le Baudour | Batsie | Dickinson
Introduction
• Communication is essential to excellent
patient care
• Medical terminology allows precise,
efficient communication
• Medical terminology is important to
understanding EMT material and for
successful practice
EMT Complete: A Comprehensive Worktext, 2nd Ed.
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Le Baudour | Batsie | Dickinson
Roots of Medical Terminology
• Medical terms consist of
Root words/combining forms
• Artery: arterio-
• Bladder: cyst-
• Blood: hemat-
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Roots of Medical Terminology
Anatomical Root Words
continued on next slide
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Roots of Medical Terminology
Anatomical Root Words
EMT Complete: A Comprehensive Worktext, 2nd Ed.
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Le Baudour | Batsie | Dickinson
Roots of Medical Terminology
• Medical terms consist of
Prefixes
• Slow: brady-
• Heart: cardio-
Suffixes
• Pain: -algia
EMT Complete: A Comprehensive Worktext, 2nd Ed.
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Le Baudour | Batsie | Dickinson
Stop, Review, Remember
EMT Complete: A Comprehensive Worktext, 2nd Ed.
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Le Baudour | Batsie | Dickinson
Medical Terms
• Used to describe body structure and
systems
EMT Complete: A Comprehensive Worktext, 2nd Ed.
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Medical Terms
The anatomical position.
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Medical Terms
Anatomical planes of reference.
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Medical Terms
• Lines of reference
Midline
Midaxillary
Midclavicular
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Medical Terms
The abdominal quadrants.
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Body Systems
The regions and features of the body.
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Body Systems
The main body cavities.
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Terms of Location and Position
• Terms of location
Anatomic landmarks and references
• Superior/inferior
• Proximal/distal
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Terms of Location and Position
EMT Complete: A Comprehensive Worktext, 2nd Ed.
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Terms of Location and Position
Supine position.
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Terms of Location and Position
Prone position.
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Terms of Location and Position
Lateral recumbent (recovery) position.
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Terms of Location and Position
Semi-Fowler's position.
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Terms of Location and Position
Trendelenburg position.
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Terms of Location and Position
Shock position.
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Effective Communication
• Needed for documentation and
communication with health care
providers
• Conveys professionalism; allows
common understanding
• Use less-technical language for patients
• When in doubt, use plain language
EMT Complete: A Comprehensive Worktext, 2nd Ed.
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Abbreviations and Acronyms
• Can simplify complex terminology
• Also can be vague and misinterpreted
EMT Complete: A Comprehensive Worktext, 2nd Ed.
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Le Baudour | Batsie | Dickinson
Abbreviations and Acronyms
Common EMS Acronyms and Abbreviations
continued on next slide
EMT Complete: A Comprehensive Worktext, 2nd Ed.
Copyright © 2014, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc.
Le Baudour | Batsie | Dickinson
Abbreviations and Acronyms
Common EMS Acronyms and Abbreviations
EMT Complete: A Comprehensive Worktext, 2nd Ed.
Copyright © 2014, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc.
Le Baudour | Batsie | Dickinson
Stop, Review, Remember
EMT Complete: A Comprehensive Worktext, 2nd Ed.
Copyright © 2014, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc.
Le Baudour | Batsie | Dickinson
Lesson Summary
• Medical terminology is the professional
language of medicine
• Roots, suffixes, prefixes
• Many terms are relative to the
anatomical position
EMT Complete: A Comprehensive Worktext, 2nd Ed.
Copyright © 2014, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc.
Le Baudour | Batsie | Dickinson
Lesson Summary
• Anatomical position, planes, lines
• Terms of position and direction
• Use caution with abbreviations and
acronyms
EMT Complete: A Comprehensive Worktext, 2nd Ed.
Copyright © 2014, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc.
Le Baudour | Batsie | Dickinson
