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Medical terminology can get a little tricky. With all the 3 letter acronyms used, how can you know what they stand for? And not to mention all the fancy medical procedures or diseases discussed. Well, now you don't have to worry. If you hear it mentioned in the show, you can check back here to the Trauma Medical Dictionary and read the definition or learn the acronym.

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ALS Bag

Advanced Life Support Bag

OPA

Oropharyngeal Airway

GSW

Gunshot Wound

Triage

The sorting of and allocation of treatment to patients and especially battle and disaster victims according to a system of priorities designed to maximize the number of survivors.

Black Triage Tag

Expectant, unconscious and not breathing.

Yellow Triage Tag

Delayed, entails non-life threatening injuries.

Red Triage Tag

Immediate, entails life-threatening injuries.

Green Triage Tag

Minor, entails minor injuries.

Compound Fracture

A bone fracture resulting in an open wound through which bone fragments usually protrude.

IV

An apparatus used to administer a fluid (medication, blood, or nutrients) intravenously.

CPR

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

BP

Blood Pressure

Thoracostomy

Surgical opening of the chest.

EEG

Electroencephalogram

NPA

Nasal Pharyngeal Airway

CSM

Command Sergeant Major

5150

Involuntary Psychiatric Hold

EMT

A specially trained medical technician certified to provide basic emergency services (such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation) before and during transportation to a hospital.

Paramedic

A specially trained medical technician licensed to provide a wide range of emergency services (such as defibrillation and the intravenous administration of drugs) before or during transportation to a hospital.

Cardioversion

Application of an electric shock in order to restore normal heartbeat.

PVC

Premature Ventricular Contraction

First Degree Burns

A mild burn characterized by heat, pain, and reddening of the burned surface but not exhibiting blistering or charring of tissues.

Second Degree Burns

A burn marked by pain, blistering, and superficial destruction of dermis with edema and hyperemia of the tissues beneath the burn.

Third Degree Burns

A severe burn characterized by destruction of the skin through the depth of the dermis and possibly into underlying tissues, loss of fluid, and sometimes shock.

PTSD

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Laparotomy

Surgical section of the abdominal wall

Ligation

The surgical process of tying up an anatomical channel, such as a blood vessel.

Alcohol Poisoning

A condition in which a toxic amount of alcohol (ethanol, ethyl alcohol) has been drunk, usually in a short period of time. The toxicity is related to the blood level of the alcohol.

Phosphorous Acid

A deliquescent crystalline acid H3PO3 used especially as a reducing agent and in making phosphites.

Organ Failure

The failure of an essential system in the body. Multiple organ failure is the failure of two or more systems, such as the cardiovascular and renal systems, and is a common consequence of sepsis (the presence of bacteria in the blood) and of shock (very low blood pressure).

PPD

Purified Protein Derivative

ETOH

Alcohol, ETOH intake history is often recorded as part of a patient history.

Cyanide Poisoning

Poisoning with cyanide, a rapidly acting, potentially deadly chemical that can exist as a colorless gas, such as hydrogen cyanide (HCN) or cyanogen chloride (CNCl), or a crystal form such as sodium cyanide (NaCN) or potassium cyanide (KCN).

Sodium Thiosulfate

A hygroscopic crystalline salt Na2O3S2 that is used as a fixing agent in photography, as a reducing and bleaching agent, in chemical analysis for the titration of iodine, and in medicine as an antidote in poisoning especially by cyanides and as an antifungal agent -- called also hypo, sodium hyposulfite.

Amyl Nitrite

A pale yellow pungent flammable liquid ester C5H11NO2 of commercial amyl alcohol and nitrous acid that is used chiefly in medicine as a vasodilator, especially in treating angina pectoris, and used illicitly as an aphrodisiac.

Bradycardia

Relatively slow heart action, whether physiological or pathological.

Hypertension

Abnormally high arterial blood pressure that is usually indicated by an adult systolic blood pressure of 140 mm Hg or greater or a diastolic blood pressure of 90 mm Hg or greater, is chiefly of unknown cause but may be attributable to a pre-existing condition (such as a renal or endocrine disorder), that typically results in a thickening and inelasticity of arterial walls and hypertrophy of the left heart ventricle, and that is a risk factor for various pathological conditions or events (such as heart attack, heart failure, stroke, end-stage renal disease, or retinal hemorrhage).

Epidural Hematoma

A hematoma between the cranium (skull) and the brain's tissue-like covering, which is known as the dura. Epidural hematoma is usually caused by a full-on blow to the head, and is often associated with a skull fracture. Diagnosis is usually by CAT scan. Treatment is by trepanation: drilling through the skull to drain the excess blood.

Bypass

A surgically established shunt of blood from the right atrium to the aorta. Also a surgical procedure for the establishment of a shunt.

ERAS

Electronic Residency Application Service, a service that transmits applications, letters of recommendation, Medical Student Performance Evaluations, and other supporting credentials from you to medical program directors using the Internet.

Clavicle Fracture

The breakage of the clavicle, an oblong bone that connects the shoulder girdle to the trunk. The clavicle provides support and mobility for upper extremity function.

BVM

Bag valve mask, or Ambu bag. A hand-held device used to provide positive pressure ventilation to a patient who is not breathing or who is breathing inadequately.

Spinal Paresis

Incomplete paralysis of the spine.

Diaphoretic

Perspiring profusely

Parenchyma

The key elements of an organ essential to its functioning, as distinct from the capsule that encompasses it and other supporting structures.

Transfusion

The transfer of blood or blood products from one person (the donor) into the bloodstream of another person (the recipient). In most situations, this is done as a lifesaving maneuver to replace blood cells or blood products lost through severe bleeding.

Spleen

A highly vascular ductless abdominal organ of vertebrates that resembles a gland in organization but is closely associated with the circulatory system. It plays a role in the final destruction of red blood cells, filtration and storage of blood, and production of lymphocytes.

Adhesion

The union of two opposing tissue surfaces (often in reference to the sides of a wound). Also refers to scar tissue strands that can form in the area of a previous operation.

Parietal Peritoneum

The layers of tissue that line the abdominal wall and the pelvic cavity.

CISD

Critical incident stress debriefing. The process in which teams of professional and peer counselors provide emotional and psychological support to incident personnel who are or have been involved in a critical or highly stressful incident.

Hemostasis

The stoppage of blood flow through a blood vessel or organ of the body.

ICP

Intracranial pressure, a very important way of monitoring the health and outcome of the brain after an injury.

TBI

Traumatic brain injury.

Uncal Herniation

A brain herniation when brain tissue, cerebrospinal fluid, and blood vessels are moved or pressed away from their usual position in the head.

Posey Restraints

Medical devices used to restrain, hold back, or control a person's body.

Orthopedic Residency

Post-medical school requirement where physicians receive training in a specialized area, in this case, the branch of medicine that deals with the prevention or correction of injuries or disorders of the skeletal system and associated muscles, joints, and ligaments.

Needle Cricothyrotomy

Also known as emergency airway puncture. An emergency insertion of a hollow needle into the airway used to treat life-threatening choking.

Shingles

A skin rash caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. After an individual has chickenpox, the virus lives in the nervous system and is never fully cleared from the body.

Diabetes

A polygenic disease characterized by abnormally high glucose levels in the blood.

PERL

Pupils equal and responsive to light.

Gorked

Medical slang used to describe a terminal patient whose brain is nonfunctional and the rest of whose body can be kept functioning only by the extensive use of mechanical devices and nutrient solutions.

Insulin Shock

Hypoglycemia (lower than normal level of blood sugar) produced by excessive insulin in the system causing a coma.

Lethargic

Drowsy or sluggish.

MI

A Myocardial Infraction or more commonly known as a heart attack.

Adenosine

A white, odorless, crystalline powder obtained from the hydrolysis of yeast nucleic acid. A nucleoside consisting of adenine and sugar.

Orbital Fracture

A break in one of the six bones that make up the orbit (the bony cavity in which the eyeball sits together with its associated muscles, blood vessels, and nerves.)

Distal Radius

The radius is the larger of the two bones in the forearm and the distal end is the end closest to the wrist.

Hypothermia

Having a body core temperature of less than 35 degrees Celsius or 95 degrees Fahrenheit.

Supine Hypertension

A fall in blood pressure that occurs when a pregnant woman is lying on her back that is caused by impaired venous return that results from pressure of the gravid uterus on the vena cava.

Pulse Oximetry

A non-invasive method used to measure the amount of oxygen in the blood.

NICU

Newborn, or Neonatal, Intensive Car Unit

Apgar Score

A method for assessing a newborn infants heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, skin color, and reflex. A perfect Apgar score of 10 means an infant is in the best possible condition. An infant with an Apgar score of 0-3 needs immediate resuscitation.

Bilaterally

Relating to or affecting the right and left sides of the body or the right and left members of paired organs.

MVA

Motor Vehicle Accident

GCS

Glasgow Coma Scale, a scale that is used to assess the severity of a brain injury. It consists of values from 3 to 15 obtained by summing the ratings assigned to three variables depending on whether and how the patient responds to certain standard stimuli by opening the eyes, giving a verbal response, and giving a motor response. A low score (3 to 5) indicates a poor chance of recovery and a high score (8 to 15) indicates a good chance of recovery.

Decerebrate Posturing

Abnormal body posture that involves the arms and legs being held straight out, the toes being pointed downward, and the head and neck being arched backwards. The muscles are tightened and held rigidly. This type of posturing usually means there has been sever damage to the brain.

Aortic Transection

Laceration or rupture of aorta. Also known as an Aortic rupture, Aortic laceration, or Aortic tear.

Burns

Burns are injuries to the tissue of the body. Burns are classified according to the amount of tissue they affect and how deep they are.1st Degree: Least serious type of burn because it injures only the top layers of skin, called the epidermis.2nd Degree: Injures the top layers of the skin, the epidermis, and extends down to the deeper layers of the skin called the dermis.3rd Degree: The most serious because it destroys all the layers of the skin.

Valium

In a group of drugs called benzodiazepines. It affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause anxiety. It is used in the management of anxiety disorders. It may also be used to treat agitation, shakiness, and hallucinations during alcohol withdrawal and to relieve certain types of muscle pain.

Torsades de pointes

A type of bentricular tachycardia with a spiral-like appearance. Literally “twisting of the points” and complexes that at first look positive and then negative on an electrocariogram. It is precipitated by a long Q-T interval, which often is induced by drugs but which may be the result of hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, or profound bradycardia. The first line of treatment is IV magnesium sulfate, as well as a defibrillation if the patient is unstable.

Shock (in Shock)

Circulatory shock, commonly known as just shock, is a serious, life-threatening medical condition characterized by a decrease in tissue perfusion to a point at which it is inadequate to meet cellular metabolic needs. As the blood carries oxygen and nutrients around the body, reduced flow hinders the delivery of these components to the tissues, and can stop the tissues from functioning properly.

Prognosis

The prospect of recovery as anticipated from the usual course of disease or peculiarities of the case.

C-spine

In vertebrates, cervical vertebrae are those vertebrae immediatedly behind (posterior to) the skull.

Palpable Depression

An indentation that can be felt or touched. For example, a palpable tumor is one that can be felt.

Code Three

Response used to describe a mode of response for an emergency vehicle responding to a call. It is commonly used to mean "use lights and siren".

LeFort II Fracture

The fracture of the midfacial skeleton with the principle fracture lines meeting at an apex at or near the superior aspect of the nasal bones.

Intubate

The introduction of a tube into a hollow organ (as the trachea).

Bougie

A tapering cylindrical instrument for introduction into a tubular passage of the body.

Retrograde

Reverting to an earlier or inferior condition.

Asystole

Cardiac standstill with no cardiac output and no ventricular depolarization; it eventually occurs in all dying patients.

Nasal Narcan

A potent narcotic antagonist (trade name Narcan) especially effective with morphine used to counter the effects of opioid overdose. Use of a wedge device (nasal atomizer) attached to a syringe to create a mist delivering the drug to the nasal mucosa may be utilized.

CVA

Cerebrovascular accident. Aslo referred to as a stroke.

Albuterol

A bronchodilator that relaxes muscles in the airways and increased air flow in the lungs.

Nebulizer

A device that changes liquid medicine into fine droplets (in aerosol or mist form) that are inhaled through a mouthpiece or mask.

Pediatric

Of or relating to the medical care of children.

DWP

Department of Water and Power

Angulation

A term used to describe the presence of angular deformity to a fractured bone. Increasing angulation will require surgical manipulation to return the fractured bone fragments back to a normal anatomic position of healing.

Burst Fracture

Aka axial compression fracture. Fracture of a vertebra by excessive vertical force so that pieces of it move out in horizontal directions.

Tibia

Shin bone; the inner and larger bone of the leg below the knee. It articulates with the femur and head of the fibula above and with the talus below.

Fibula

The outer, narrower, and smaller of the two bones of the human lower leg, extending from the knee to the ankle, and articulating with the tibia above and the tibia talus below. Also called the calf bone.

Cavitation

The formation of cavities within the body, such as those formed in the lung by tuberculosis. In this case, cavities formed by a gunshot wound.

External Jugular Vein

A vein that passes down the side of the neck superficial to the sternocleidomastoid muscle and empties into the subclavian vein.

Hypotensive

Characterized by or causing diminished tension or pressure, as abnormally low blood pressure.

Tachycardic

Having a rapid heart rate, usually defined as greater than 100 beats per minute.

BVM

Bag valve mask.

Decompensated Shock

Stage II of shock where the systems of the body are unable to improve perfusion any longer, and the patient’s symptoms reflect that fact. Oxygen deprivation in the brain causes the patient to become confused and disoriented, while oxygen deprivation in the heard may cause chest pain. With quick and appropriate treatment, this stage of shock can be reversed.co

Intraperitoneal Hemorrhaging

Excessive bleeding within the peritoneal cavity, the area that contains the abdominal organs.

PSAG

Pelvic sonoangiography.

Crystalloid Fluid

Substance that in solution can pass through a semipermeable membrane.

Bradycardic

Slowness of the heart rate, usually fewer than 60 beats per minute in an adult human.

Neurogenic Shock

A state of bodily collapse or near collapse caused or affected by the nerves or nervous system.

Atropine

A poisonous alkaloid obtained from deadly nightshade, having an inhibitory action on the autonomic nervous system. It is used medicinally in pre-anaesthetic medication, to speed a slow heart rate, and as an emergency first-aid counter to exposure to chemical warfare nerve agents.

Phrenic Nerve

One of a pair of nerves that arises from cervical spinal roots and passes down the thorax to innervate the diaphragm and control breathing.

Stent

A tube of plastic or sprung metal mesh placed inside a hollow tube to reopen it or keep it open; uses in surgery include preventing a blood vessel from closing, especially after angioplasty, and assisting healing after an anastomosis.