Premergency First Aid, CPR and AED Manual

12 Glossary

cervical spine – The patient’s neck. cervix – The entrance to the uterus which dilates (opens) to allow the fetus to be born. chief complaint – The reason the patient needs help and the reason the first aider is there. One of the ways a first aider can determine what the chief complaint is by asking the patient “What’s wrong?” chemical burn – Can occur any time a toxic substance comes in contact with the body. choking – A foreign body airway obstruction that completely blocks the airway. circulation – The process of the heart pumping blood throughout the body. closed injury – Can be small contusions, bumps, and/ or bruises. More extensive closed injuries can have significant swelling and bleeding under the skin.

clotting process – When blood is exposed to air, it begins to thicken and harden. compression – Mild pressure a first aider applies over an injury to slow bleeding and decrease swelling. compression Injury – When pressure is put on the brain. This can be from a skull fracture, where the broken bones are pressing on the brain, or it can be due to fluid buildup inside the skull. concussion Injury – Blows to the head and neck can transmit enough energy to affect brain function. The more severe the blow, the greater the concussive force and resulting impairment to the brain can be. congestive heart failure – A condition where blood begins to back up and pool in the body when the heart is not functioning properly. consent – Permission.

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