| cardiopulmonary resuscitation | <procedure> A life saving procedure that includes the timed external compression of the anterior chest wall (to stimulate blood flow) by pumping the heart, and alternating with mouth to mouth breathing to provide oxygen. Usually administered by one rescuer as 15 chest compressions to every 2 mouth-to-mouth breaths. In the case of an early heart attack, death can often be avoided if a bystander starts CPR promptly (within 5 minutes of the onset of ventricular fibrillation). When paramedics arrive, medications and/or electrical shock (cardioversion) to the heart can be administered to convert ventricular fibrillation to a normal heart rhythm. Therefore, prompt CPR and rapid paramedic respronse can improve the survival chances from a heart attack. Acronym: CPR (20 Jun 2000) |
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| resuscitation | <procedure> The restoration to life or consciousness of one apparently dead, it includes such measures as artificial respiration and cardiac massage. Origin: L. Resuscitare = to revive (18 Nov 1997) |
| resuscitation orders | Instructions issued by a physician pertaining to the institution, continuation, or withdrawal of life support measures. The concept includes policies, laws, statutes, decisions, guidelines, and discussions that may affect the issuance of such orders. (12 Dec 1998) |
| mouth-to-mouth resuscitation | Mouth-to-mouth respiration employed as part of emergency cardiopulmonary resuscitation. (05 Mar 2000) |
| allantoic fluid | The fluid within the allantoic cavity. (05 Mar 2000) |
| amniotic fluid | <anatomy, obstetrics> The fluid that surrounds the developing foetus within the amniotic sac. This environment cushions the baby from injury and plays an important role in foetal development. (05 Feb 1998) |
| amniotic fluid embolism | Obstruction and constriction of pulmonary blood vessels by amniotic fluid entering the maternal circulation, causing obstetric shock. See: amniotic fluid syndrome. (05 Mar 2000) |
| amniotic fluid syndrome | <syndrome> Pulmonary embolic phenomena thought to be due to infusion of amniotic fluid containing epithelial squames into maternal blood vessels; shock ensues and sudden death may occur. (05 Mar 2000) |
| ascitic fluid | The serous fluid which accumulates in the peritoneal cavity in ascites. (12 Dec 1998) |
| blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier | A barrier located at the tight junctions which surround and connect the cuboidal epithelial cells on the surface of the choroid plexus; capillaries and connective tissue stroma of the choroid do not represent a barrier to protein tracers or dyes. (05 Mar 2000) |
| body fluid compartments | The two phases between which water and other body fluids are distributed: extracellular and intracellular. (12 Dec 1998) |
| Brodie fluid | An aqueous salt solution used in manometers designed for testing gas evolution or uptake, as in cell respiration. (05 Mar 2000) |
| bronchoalveolar lavage fluid | Fluid obtained by washout of the alveolar compartment of the lung. It is used to assess biochemical and inflammatory changes in and effects of therapy on the interstitial lung tissue. (12 Dec 1998) |
| Callison's fluid | A diluting fluid for counting red blood cells, consisting of 1 ml of Loeffler's alkaline methylene blue, 1 ml of formalin, 10 ml of glycerol, 1 g of neutral ammonium oxalate, and 2.5 g of sodium chloride added to 90 ml of distilled water, mixed well, and permitted to stand until the solids are dissolved and the reagent is clear; the preparation is filtered prior to use. (05 Mar 2000) |
| ventricular fluid | The portion of the cerebrospinal fluid that is contained in the ventricles of the brain. (05 Mar 2000) |