This page lists 29 first aid words that start with the letter A, ranging from “Abrasion” to “Axillary Temperature.” These terms cover injuries, body parts, medical devices, medications, and emergency procedures. Knowing them helps you understand first aid guides, respond faster in emergencies, and communicate clearly with medical professionals.
First aid words are the specific terms used to describe injuries, conditions, equipment, and actions in emergency care. They give bystanders, paramedics, and doctors a shared language to use when every second counts. Many of today’s terms trace back to World War II, when military medics needed a fast, reliable vocabulary to treat wounded soldiers on the battlefield.
Below you’ll find the table with Word, Definition, and Description.
Word: The first aid term itself, listed alphabetically so you can quickly scan and find what you’re looking for.
Definition: A short, plain-language explanation of what each word means, giving you the core idea in one sentence.
Description: A fuller explanation of the term in context — how it applies in real emergencies and what it means for the person providing care.
First aid words
| Word | Definition |
|---|---|
| Abrasion | A wound caused by skin being scraped or rubbed away |
| Adhesive Bandage | A small, self-adhesive wound dressing |
| AED (Automated External Defibrillator) | A portable device that delivers an electric shock to restore normal heart rhythm |
| Airway | The passage through which air travels to and from the lungs |
| Alert | A level of consciousness indicating the patient is fully awake and aware |
| Allergic Reaction | An immune system response to a foreign substance |
| Altered Consciousness | A state in which a person’s level of awareness is changed |
| Ambulance | An emergency medical vehicle staffed and equipped for patient transport |
| Amputation | The complete detachment of a limb or body part |
| Analgesic | A pain-relieving medication |
| Anaphylaxis | A severe, life-threatening allergic reaction |
| Antibacterial | A substance that kills or inhibits the growth of bacteria |
| Antibiotic Ointment | A topical medication that prevents bacterial infection in wounds |
| Antihistamine | A medication that reduces allergic symptoms |
| Antiseptic | A substance used to prevent infection by killing microorganisms |
| Antivenom | A biological product used to neutralize venom from bites or stings |
| Aorta | The largest artery in the body, carrying blood from the heart |
| Arrhythmia | An irregular or abnormal heart rhythm |
| Arterial Bleeding | Bleeding from a damaged artery |
| Artery | A blood vessel that carries oxygenated blood away from the heart |
| Artificial Respiration | Manual assistance of breathing for a non-breathing person |
| Assessment | The systematic evaluation of a patient’s condition |
| Asphyxia | A condition of severely deficient oxygen supply to the body |
| Aspiration | Inhalation of a foreign object or fluid into the airway |
| Aspirin | A common pain reliever and anti-inflammatory medication |
| Asthma | A chronic respiratory condition causing airway narrowing and breathing difficulty |
| AVPU Scale | A tool for rapidly assessing a patient’s level of consciousness |
| Avulsion | A wound where skin or tissue is forcefully torn away |
| Axillary Temperature | Body temperature measured in the armpit |
Descriptions
Abrasion
A surface wound where the top layers of skin are removed by friction, commonly caused by falls on rough surfaces. It usually bleeds minimally but can be painful and prone to infection.
Adhesive Bandage
A pre-cut strip of gauze with adhesive backing used to cover minor cuts and scrapes. It protects the wound from dirt and bacteria while promoting healing.
AED (Automated External Defibrillator)
A life-saving device used during cardiac arrest that analyzes heart rhythm and delivers a shock if needed. AEDs provide voice instructions and are designed for use by bystanders with minimal training.
Airway
In first aid, maintaining an open airway is a primary priority. A blocked airway prevents oxygen from reaching the lungs and can quickly become life-threatening.
Alert
The “A” in the AVPU scale used to assess responsiveness. An alert patient can respond to questions and is aware of their surroundings.
Allergic Reaction
The body’s overreaction to an allergen such as food, insect stings, or medications. Symptoms range from mild hives to severe anaphylaxis requiring immediate intervention.
Altered Consciousness
A condition where a person is not fully alert, which may indicate head injury, poisoning, diabetic emergency, or stroke. First aiders should monitor and seek emergency help.
Ambulance
A vehicle designed to transport patients to medical facilities while providing emergency care en route. Calling for an ambulance is often one of the first steps in a serious emergency.
Amputation
A traumatic amputation occurs when a body part is severed by injury. First aid involves controlling bleeding, preserving the amputated part on ice, and getting emergency help immediately.
Analgesic
Drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or acetaminophen used to reduce pain. In first aid, analgesics may be given for minor injuries, but some should be avoided depending on the situation.
Anaphylaxis
A rapid, whole-body allergic reaction that can cause throat swelling, breathing difficulty, and shock. It requires immediate injection of epinephrine and emergency medical care.
Antibacterial
Antibacterial products such as wipes, ointments, and soaps are used in first aid to clean wounds and prevent infection from developing after an injury.
Antibiotic Ointment
Applied to minor cuts and scrapes after cleaning, antibiotic ointments like bacitracin reduce the risk of infection and support wound healing.
Antihistamine
Used in first aid to treat mild allergic reactions such as hives or itching. Antihistamines block histamine receptors but are not a substitute for epinephrine in anaphylaxis.
Antiseptic
Antiseptics such as hydrogen peroxide, iodine, and alcohol-based solutions are applied to wounds to reduce the risk of bacterial infection before dressing.
Antivenom
Used to treat venomous snakebites, spider bites, or jellyfish stings, antivenom is a hospital-administered treatment. First aid for envenomation focuses on immobilization and rapid transport.
Aorta
Damage to the aorta, such as from trauma, can cause massive internal bleeding. Recognition of aortic injury and rapid emergency transport are critical first aid priorities.
Arrhythmia
A disturbance in the normal electrical activity of the heart. Severe arrhythmias can cause cardiac arrest and may require use of an AED or CPR.
Arterial Bleeding
Characterized by bright red blood that spurts with each heartbeat, arterial bleeding is the most serious type. It requires immediate direct pressure or tourniquet application to control.
Artery
Arteries carry blood under high pressure, making arterial injuries dangerous. Pressure points over major arteries can be used to reduce blood flow to a wound.
Artificial Respiration
Also called rescue breathing, this involves giving breath to a person whose breathing has stopped. It is a key component of CPR and helps supply oxygen to the lungs.
Assessment
In first aid, assessment involves checking for danger, responsiveness, airway, breathing, and circulation (DR ABC). A thorough assessment guides appropriate care decisions.
Asphyxia
Caused by choking, drowning, strangulation, or toxic environments, asphyxia can lead to unconsciousness and death. Restoring the airway and rescue breathing are the immediate first aid responses.
Aspiration
Aspiration of food, vomit, or liquid can block the airway or cause serious lung complications. In first aid, unconscious patients should be placed in the recovery position to reduce aspiration risk.
Aspirin
In first aid, aspirin is recommended for adults suspected of having a heart attack, as it helps prevent clot formation. It should only be given if the person is conscious and not allergic.
Asthma
During an asthma attack, the airways swell and produce excess mucus. First aid involves helping the patient use their prescribed inhaler and seeking medical help if symptoms don’t improve.
AVPU Scale
Stands for Alert, Voice, Pain, Unresponsive. First aiders use this scale to quickly determine how responsive a patient is and how urgently emergency services are needed.
Avulsion
Avulsions range from skin flap injuries to degloving injuries where large sections of skin are removed. First aid involves controlling bleeding, covering the wound, and preserving any detached tissue.
Axillary Temperature
A method of taking temperature that is less accurate than oral or rectal methods but is non-invasive and safe. Normal axillary temperature is approximately 97.6°F (36.4°C).