AMLS: ADVANCED MEDICAL LIFE
SUPPORT
abscess (peritonsillar) - ANS -An abscess in which a superficial soft-tissue infection
progresses to create pockets of purulence in the submucosal space adjacent to the
tonsils. This abscess and its accompanying inflammation cause the uvula to deviate to
the opposing side.
acidosis - ANS -An abnormal increase in the hydrogen ion concentration in the blood,
resulting from an accumulation of an acid or the loss of a base, indicated by a blood pH
below the normal range
acute coronary syndrome (ACS) - ANS -An umbrella term that covers any group of
clinical symptoms consistent with acute myocardial ischemia (chest pain due to
insufficient blood supply to the heart muscle that results from coronary artery disease).
ACS covers clinical conditions ranging from unstable angina to ST-segment elevated
myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-ST-segment elevated myocardial infarction
(NSTEMI).
acute myocardial infarction (AMI) - ANS -Commonly known as a heart attack, AMI
occurs when the blood supply to part of the heart is interrupted, causing heart cells to
die. This is most commonly due to blockage of a coronary artery following the rupture of
plaque within the wall of an artery. The resulting ischemia and decreased supply of
oxygen, if left untreated, can cause damage and/or death of heart muscle tissue.
Addison's disease - ANS -An endocrine disease caused by a deficiency of corticosteroid
hormones produced by the adrenal cortex. The disease is characterized by nausea,
vomiting, abdominal pain, and tanning of the skin.
adrenal crisis - ANS -An endocrine emergency caused by a deficiency of corticosteroid
hormones produced by the adrenal cortex. The disease is characterized by nausea,
vomiting, abdominal pain, hypotension, hyperkalemia, and hyponatremia.
Advanced Medical Life Support (AMLS) Assessment Pathway - ANS -A dependable
framework to support the reduction of morbidity and mortality by using an
, assessment-based approach to determine a differential diagnosis and effectively
manage a broad range of medical emergencies
aerobic metabolism - ANS -The process in which glucose is converted into energy in the
presence of oxygen
afterload - ANS -The force resisting shortening after the muscle is stimulated to
contract. In the intact heart, it's the pressure against which the ventricle ejects blood, as
measured by the stress acting on the ventricular wall following the onset of contraction.
Afterload is determined largely by the peripheral vascular resistance and by the physical
characteristics of and blood volume in the arterial system. It's often estimated by
determining systolic arterial pressure.
ALI/ARDS - ANS -Acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome. a systemic
disease that causes lung failure
altered mental status - ANS -Any behavior that departs from what's normal for a given
patient
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) - ANS -A disease characterized by degeneration of
the upper and lower motor neurons; causes voluntary muscles to weaken or atrophy
anaerobic metabolism - ANS -A process in which when denied oxygen, cells can
generate small amounts of energy but release excessive acids as byproducts, especially
lactic and carbonic acids
analeptic - ANS -A substance that quickens the activity of the central nervous system by
increasing the rate of neuronal discharge or blocking an inhibitory neurotransmitter
angina, stable - ANS -Symptoms of chest pain, shortness of breath, or other equivalent
symptom, that occurs predictably with exertion then resolves with rest. This suggests the
presence of a fixed coronary lesion that prevents adequate perfusion with increased
demand.
angioedema - ANS -A disorder characterized by a sudden swelling, usually of a head or
neck structure such as the lip (especially the lower lip), earlobes, tongue, or uvula
antibodies - ANS -Immunoglobulins produced by lymphocytes in response to bacteria,
viruses, or other antigenic substances
SUPPORT
abscess (peritonsillar) - ANS -An abscess in which a superficial soft-tissue infection
progresses to create pockets of purulence in the submucosal space adjacent to the
tonsils. This abscess and its accompanying inflammation cause the uvula to deviate to
the opposing side.
acidosis - ANS -An abnormal increase in the hydrogen ion concentration in the blood,
resulting from an accumulation of an acid or the loss of a base, indicated by a blood pH
below the normal range
acute coronary syndrome (ACS) - ANS -An umbrella term that covers any group of
clinical symptoms consistent with acute myocardial ischemia (chest pain due to
insufficient blood supply to the heart muscle that results from coronary artery disease).
ACS covers clinical conditions ranging from unstable angina to ST-segment elevated
myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-ST-segment elevated myocardial infarction
(NSTEMI).
acute myocardial infarction (AMI) - ANS -Commonly known as a heart attack, AMI
occurs when the blood supply to part of the heart is interrupted, causing heart cells to
die. This is most commonly due to blockage of a coronary artery following the rupture of
plaque within the wall of an artery. The resulting ischemia and decreased supply of
oxygen, if left untreated, can cause damage and/or death of heart muscle tissue.
Addison's disease - ANS -An endocrine disease caused by a deficiency of corticosteroid
hormones produced by the adrenal cortex. The disease is characterized by nausea,
vomiting, abdominal pain, and tanning of the skin.
adrenal crisis - ANS -An endocrine emergency caused by a deficiency of corticosteroid
hormones produced by the adrenal cortex. The disease is characterized by nausea,
vomiting, abdominal pain, hypotension, hyperkalemia, and hyponatremia.
Advanced Medical Life Support (AMLS) Assessment Pathway - ANS -A dependable
framework to support the reduction of morbidity and mortality by using an
, assessment-based approach to determine a differential diagnosis and effectively
manage a broad range of medical emergencies
aerobic metabolism - ANS -The process in which glucose is converted into energy in the
presence of oxygen
afterload - ANS -The force resisting shortening after the muscle is stimulated to
contract. In the intact heart, it's the pressure against which the ventricle ejects blood, as
measured by the stress acting on the ventricular wall following the onset of contraction.
Afterload is determined largely by the peripheral vascular resistance and by the physical
characteristics of and blood volume in the arterial system. It's often estimated by
determining systolic arterial pressure.
ALI/ARDS - ANS -Acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome. a systemic
disease that causes lung failure
altered mental status - ANS -Any behavior that departs from what's normal for a given
patient
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) - ANS -A disease characterized by degeneration of
the upper and lower motor neurons; causes voluntary muscles to weaken or atrophy
anaerobic metabolism - ANS -A process in which when denied oxygen, cells can
generate small amounts of energy but release excessive acids as byproducts, especially
lactic and carbonic acids
analeptic - ANS -A substance that quickens the activity of the central nervous system by
increasing the rate of neuronal discharge or blocking an inhibitory neurotransmitter
angina, stable - ANS -Symptoms of chest pain, shortness of breath, or other equivalent
symptom, that occurs predictably with exertion then resolves with rest. This suggests the
presence of a fixed coronary lesion that prevents adequate perfusion with increased
demand.
angioedema - ANS -A disorder characterized by a sudden swelling, usually of a head or
neck structure such as the lip (especially the lower lip), earlobes, tongue, or uvula
antibodies - ANS -Immunoglobulins produced by lymphocytes in response to bacteria,
viruses, or other antigenic substances
