Memoirs of an Emergency Nurse (12 page)

Suction

The act of removing fluid using a tube, usually to clear an airway or remove blood from an area

Suture/stitches

The closure of a wound by sewing

Tachycardia

An increase in the heart rate above normal

Tibia

The inner and larger shin bone of the lower leg

Tinnitus

Noise ringing in the ear

Trephine

Instrument used to remove a circular area of tissue or bone

Triage

To assess and prioritise casualties in accordance to the seriousness of their injuries

Unconscious

Unresponsive to external stimuli

Vacuum splint

An air filled rigid support to hold broken bones in place until healing can occur

Ventilator

A machine to provide mechanical breathing for a intubated patient

Ventricular tachycardia (VT)

A fast heart rate with electrical signal
originating an area of the heart called the ventricles

Ventricular fibrillation

An abnormal heart rate which can be life threatening

Voltarol tablets

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory