Word Power: Test Your Knowledge of These First Aid Terms

Distal

A: Left of the heart
B: Remotely activated
C: Away from where a limb attaches to the body

Answer: C—Away from where a limb attaches to the body

As in, “To ensure Mira’s leg bandage wasn’t too tight, Ali checked her distal circulation.”

Here are the specific items that you should stock in first-aid kits for your home, your car and the great outdoors.

Bystander effect

A: Accident-witness trauma
B: Belief that someone else will take action
C: When rubberneckers block paramedics’ access to the scene

Answer: B—Belief that someone else will take action

As in, “Most witnesses to the accident succumbed to the bystander effect, but Nandini intervened.”

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Ligament

A: Quiet place to lie down
B: Support bandage
C: Band of tissue that connects bones

Answer: C—Band of tissue that connects bones

As in, “A sprain is a stretching or tearing of ligaments.”

Naloxone

A: Opioid-antagonist drug
B: Optical thermometer
C: splint used to immobilize fractures

Answer: A—Opioid-antagonist drug

As in, “Naloxone can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.”

Learn why nobody is immune to opioid abuse.

Febrile

A: Suddenly feeble
B: With fever
C: Agitated

Answer: B—With fever

As in, “The baby was febrile, so Marcus removed the extra blankets.”

Recovery position

A: Head-down position that can prevent fainting
B: Recommended position for an unconscious yet breathing person
C: Legal defence for people who caused harm while trying to help

Answer: B—Recommended position for an unconscious yet breathing person

As in, “To keep the man’s airway open, Nadia rolled him into the recovery position.”

Hypoxia

A: Nausea from shock
B: Oxygen deficiency in bodily tissues
C: Racing heartbeat

Answer: B—Oxygen deficiency in bodily tissues

As in, “Seeing that Zoé was showing bluish skin and other signs of hypoxia, Kris called 911.”

Defibrillator

A: Carbon monoxide detector
B: Anti-anxiety medication
C: Apparatus for restoring an effective heart rhythm

Answer: C—Apparatus for restoring an effective heart rhythm

As in, “Defibrillators are often placed in public buildings in case of sudden cardiac arrest.”

Calamine

A: Medicated bandage
B: Mineral supplement
C: Powder used in soothing lotions

Answer: C—Powder used in soothing lotions

As in, “Calamine can reduce the itching caused by poison ivy.”

Check out these other home remedies for poison ivy.

Convulsion

A: Excessive blood loss
B: Abnormal, involuntary muscle contractions
C: Repulsion of a foreign object from a wound

Answer: B—Abnormal, involuntary muscle contractions

As in, “Izad protected Alberto from injury until his convulsions finally stopped.”

Crepitus

A: Grating noise caused by fractured bone friction
B: Reversible state of clinical death
C: Extreme loss of balance

Answer: A—Grating noise caused by fractured bone friction

As in, “When Alison heard the telltale crepitus, she knew she’d broken her arm.”

Septic

A: Infected
B: Poisonous
C: Foul-smelling

Answer: A—Infected

As in, “To lower the risk of a septic wound, wash the area, apply antibiotic cream and cover it.”

Hyperglycemia

A: Excess blood sugar
B: Excess insulin
C: Sugar craving

Answer: A—Excess blood sugar

As in, “Medical ID bracelets can help bystanders recognize hyperglycemia and other diabetic emergencies.”

Talk to your doctor if you notice these signs of diabetes.

Contusion

A: Bruise
B: Head injury
C: Mental confusion

Answer: A—Bruise

As in, “The acronym RICE (rest, immobilize, cool, elevate) is useful for treating contusions.”

Anaphylaxis

A: Seepage of fluid under the skin
B: Severe allergic reaction
C: Nasal blockage

Answer: B—Severe allergic reaction

As in, “Ji-Yoon went into anaphylaxis but fortunately had an EpiPen.”

Don’t dismiss these symptoms that could signal a serious disease.