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95 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
An injection directly into a vein; a medication delivery route
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Intravenous (IV) injection
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Medications that are distributed to patients only by pharmacists according to a physician's order.
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prescription medications
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An injection into a muscle; a medication delivery route.
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Intramuscular (IM) injection
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The process of binding or sticking to a surface.
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adsorption
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Through the rectum; a medication delivery route.
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per rectum (PR)
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Medications that are designed to be absorbed through the skin (transcutaneously).
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transdermal medications
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A miniature spray canister through which droplets or particles of medication may be inhaled.
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metered-dose inhaler (MDI)
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By mouth; a medication delivery route.
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Oral
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The process by which medications travel through body tissues until they reach the bloodstream.
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Absorption
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A mixture of ground particles that are distributed evenly throughout a liquid but do not dissolve.
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suspension
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The therapeutic uses for a specific medication.
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indications
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Conditions that make a particular medication or treatment inappropriate, for example, a condition in which a medication should not be given because it would not help or may actually harm a patient.
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contraindications
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A simple sugar that is readily absorbed by the bloodstream; it is carried on the EMS unit.
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oral glucose
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A medication that is an antipyretic (reduces fever), analgesic (reduces pain), anti-inflammatory (reduces inflammation), and potent inhibitor of platelet aggregation (clumping).
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aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid, or ASA)
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Lotions, creams, and ointments that are applied to the surface of the skin and affect only that area; a medication delivery route.
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topical medications
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A medication that increases cardiac perfusion by causing arteries to dilate; you may be allowed to help the patient self-administer the medication.
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nitroglycerin
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The therapeutic effect of a medication on the body.
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action
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A liquid mixture, of two or more substances, that cannot be separated by filtering or allowing the mixture to stand.
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solution
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under the tongue; a medication delivery route
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sublingual (SL)
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The use of multiple medications on a regular basis.
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polypharmacy
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Into the bone; a medication delivery route.
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Intraosseous (IO)
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The amount of medication given on the basis of the patient's size and age.
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dose
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The study of the properties and effects of medications.
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pharmacology
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A gas that all cells need for metabolism; the heart and brain, especially, cannot function without oxygen.
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Oxygen
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The brand name that a manufacturer gives a medication; the name is capitalized.
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Trade name
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The original chemical name of a medication (in contrast with one of its "trade names"); the name is not capitalized.
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Generic name
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Through the skin; a medication delivery route.
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transcutaneous
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A semiliquid substance that is administered orally in capsule form or through plastic tubes.
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gel
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An abnormally low blood glucose level.
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hypoglycemia
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A medication that increases heart rate and blood pressure but also eases breathing problems by decreasing muscle tone of the bronchiole tree; you may be allowed to help the patient self-administer the medication.
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epinephrine
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Injection into the tissue between the skin and muscle; a medication delivery route.
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subcutaneous (SC) injection
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Medications that may be purchased directly by a patient without a prescription.
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Over-the-counter (OTC) medications
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Breathing into the lungs; a medication delivery route.
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inhalation
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Through the mouth; a medication delivery route; same as oral.
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per os (PO)
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Any effects of a medication other than the desired ones.
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side effects
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An oral medication that binds and adsorbs ingested toxins in the gastrointestinal tract for treatment of some poisonings and medication overdoses. Charcoal is ground into a very fine powder that provides the greatest possible surface area for binding medications that have been taken by mouth; it is carried on the EMS unit.
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activated (Liquid) charcoal
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A harsh, high-pitched, barking inspiratory sound often heard in acute laryngeal (upper airway) obstruction.
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stridor
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A partial or complete accumulation of air in the pleural space.
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pneumothorax
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A condition in which the body's cells and tissues do not have enough oxygen.
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hypoxia
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A slow process of dilation and disruption of the airways and alveoli, caused by chronic bronchial obstruction.
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chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
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An infectious disease of the upper respiratory system that may cause partial airway obstruction and is characterized by a barking cough; usually seen in children.
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croup
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Irritation of the major lung passageways, from either infectious disease or irritants such as smoke.
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chronic bronchitis
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Coarse breath sounds heard in patients with chronic mucus in the airways.
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rhonchi
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An infectious disease in which the epiglottis becomes inflamed and enlarged and may cause upper airway obstruction.
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epiglottitis
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Crackling, rattling breath sounds signaling fluid in the air spaces of the lungs.
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crackles
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Rapid or deep breathing that lowers blood carbon dioxide levels below normal.
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hyperventilation
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Backup system to control respirations when oxygen levels fall.
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hypoxic drive
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A collection of fluid between the lung and chest wall that may compress the lung.
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pleural effusion
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A disease of the lungs in which muscle spasm in the small air passageways and the production of large amounts of mucus with swelling of the mucus lining of the respiratory passages result in airway obstruction.
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asthma
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An infectious disease of the lung that damages lung tissue.
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pneumonia
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A buildup of fluid in the lungs, usually as a result of congestive heart failure.
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pulmonary edema
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Sharp, stabbing pain in the chest that is worsened by a deep breath or other chest wall movement; often caused by inflammation or irritation of the pleura.
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pleuritic chest pain
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A viral infection usually associated with swollen nasal mucous membranes and the production of fluid from the sinuses and nose.
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common cold
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Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
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dyspnea
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A disease of the lungs in which there is extreme dilation and eventual destruction of pulmonary alveoli with poor exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide; it is one form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
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emphysema
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A blood clot that breaks off from a large vein and travels to the blood vessels of the lung, causing obstruction of blood flow.
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pulmonary embolism
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A high-pitched, whistling breath sound, characteristically heard on expiration in patients with asthma or COPD.
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wheezing
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A substance that causes an allergic reaction.
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allergen
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Potentially life-threatening viral infection that usually starts with flu-like symptoms.
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severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)
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An infectious disease in which a membrane forms, lining the pharynx; this lining can severely obstruct the passage of air into the larynx.
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diptheria
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A blood clot or other substance in the circulatory system that travels to a blood vessel where it causes blockage.
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embolus
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A condition characterized by a chronically high blood level of carbon dioxide in which the respiratory center no longer responds to high blood levels of carbon dioxide.
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carbon dioxide retention
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Death of a body tissue, usually caused by interruption of its blood supply.
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infarction
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A state in which not enough oxygen is delivered to the tissues of the body, caused by low output of blood from the heart. It can be a severe complication of a large acute myocardial infarction, as well as other conditions.
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cardiogenic shock
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A disorder in which cholesterol and calcium build up inside the walls of blood vessels, eventually leading to partial or complete blockage of blood flow.
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atherosclerosis
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The front surface of the body; the side facing you in the standard anatomic position.
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anterior
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The flow of blood through body tissues and vessels.
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perfusion
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Slow heart rate, less than 60 beats/min.
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bradycardia
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Blockage, usually of a tubular structure such as a blood vessel.
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occlusion
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Complete absence of heart electrical activity.
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asystole
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The part of the body, or any body part, nearer to the head.
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superior
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To shock a fibrillating (chaotically beating) heart with specialized electrical current in an attempt to restore a normal rhythmic beat.
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defibrillate
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Rapid heart rhythm in which the electrical impulse begins in the ventricle (instead of the atrium), which may result in inadequate blood flow and eventually deteriorate into cardiac arrest.
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ventricular tachycardia (VT)
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An irregular or abnormal heart rhythm.
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arrhythmia
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Fainting spell or transient loss of consciousness.
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syncope
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A disorder in which the heart loses part of its ability to effectively pump blood, usually as a result of damage to the heart muscle and usually resulting in a backup of fluid into the lungs.
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congestive heart failure (CHF)
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Swelling in the part of the body closest to the ground, caused by collection of fluid in the tissues; a possible sign of congestive heart failure (CHF).
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dependent edema
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Rapid heart rhythm, more than 100 beats/min.
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tachycardia
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The main artery, which receives blood from the left ventricle and delivers it to all the other arteries that carry blood to the tissues of the body.
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aorta
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A lack of oxygen that deprives tissues of necessary nutrients, resulting from partial or complete blockage of blood flow; potentially reversible because permanent injury has not yet occurred.
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ischemia
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A state in which the heart fails to generate an effective and detectable blood flow; pulses are not palpable in cardiac arrest, even if muscular and electrical activity continues in the heart.
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cardiac arrest
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One of two (right and left) lower chambers of the heart. The left ventricle receives blood from the left atrium (upper chamber) and delivers blood to the aorta. The right ventricle receives blood from the right atrium and pumps it into the pulmonary artery.
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ventricle
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One of two (right and left) upper chambers of the heart. The right atrium receives blood from the vena cava and delivers it to the right ventricle. The left atrium receives blood from pulmonary veins and delivers it to the left ventricle.
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atrium
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A blood vessel that carries blood and nutrients to the heart muscle.
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coronary artery
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Transient (short-lived) chest discomfort caused by partial or temporary blockage of blood flow to the heart muscle.
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angina pectoris
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The one-way valve that lies between the left ventricle and the aorta. It keeps blood from flowing back into the left ventricle after the left ventricle ejects its blood into the aorta. One of four heart valves.
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aortic valve
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The inside diameter of an artery or other hollow structure.
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lumen
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The part of the body, or any body part, nearer to the feet.
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inferior
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Widening of a tubular structure such as a coronary artery.
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dilation
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Heart attack; death of heart muscle following obstruction of blood flow to it. Acute in this context means "new" or "happening right now."
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acute myocardial infarction (AMI)
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Disorganized, ineffective twitching of the ventricles, resulting in no blood flow and a state of cardiac arrest.
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ventricular fibrillation
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heart muscle
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myocardium
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The back surface of the body; the side away from you in the standard anatomical position.
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posterior
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A lack of oxygen in the cells of the brain that cause them to not function properly.
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ischemia
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Convulsions that result from sudden high fevers, particularly in children.
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febrile seizures
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