Ch 22: Diabetic emergencies Flashcards

1
Q

Your patient is waking up from a​ seizure; it was the​ patient’s first seizure ever. When you ask what​ happened, the patient tells you she had the smell of fresh mown grass just before she seized. This sensation is known as​ a(n):

A

aura

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2
Q

Which of the following is the most common cause of seizures in​ adults?

A

Failure to take prescribed medication

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3
Q

You respond to a​ 32-year-old female who is having a seizure. You arrive on the scene to find the patient​ drowsy, confused, and complaining of a headache. This patient is demonstrating​ the:

A

postictal phase

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4
Q

Your patient is a​ 25-year-old female with a history of diabetes. She is​ confused, agitated, and verbally abusive to​ you, and she is very sweaty. Although she refuses to give a history of the present​ illness, which of the following should you suspect as the likely cause of the​ patient’s presentation?

A

Failure to intake sufficient sugar

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5
Q

Question content area top
Part 1
Your patient is a​ 59-year-old female with a sudden onset of slurred speech and weakness on her right side. Which of the following measures is​ appropriate?

A

Immediately transport the patient to a hospital with specialized treatment for stroke patients.

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6
Q

Which of the following is NOT a sign of a hypoglycemic diabetic​ emergency?

A

Slow heart rate

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7
Q

The signs and symptoms of a transient ischemic attack​ (TIA) may last up​ to:

A

24 hours

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8
Q

Treatment of someone with a seizure disorder includes all of the following​:

A

-removing objects that might harm the patient.

-placing the patient on the floor or ground.

-loosening restrictive clothing.

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9
Q

If the blood sugar level is very​ high, which of the following may​ result?

A

Excessive​ urination, excessive​ thirst, and excessive hunger

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10
Q

A hormone called insulin is secreted by​ the:

A

islets of Langerhans in the pancreas.

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11
Q

The death of brain tissue due to deprivation of oxygen because of a blocked or ruptured artery in the brain is known as which of the​ following?

A

Stroke

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12
Q

For the reticular activating system​ (RAS) to work​ correctly, what three substances are​ needed?

A

Oxygen to perfuse brain​ tissue, glucose to nourish brain​ tissue, and water to keep the brain hydrated

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13
Q

Which of the following is a typical cause of seizures in children 6 months to 3 years of​ age?

A

Fever

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14
Q

Which of the following is the MOST critical piece of equipment to have immediately available for the seizure patient who has just stopped​ convulsing?

A

Suction

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15
Q

What is​ epilepsy?

A

A condition in which a person has multiple seizures usually controlled by medication

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16
Q

Your patient is a​ 19-year-old female who is 7 months pregnant. She just experienced a seizure. Although she has no previous history of seizures or any other medical​ condition, she was just diagnosed with​ pregnancy-induced hypertension. Which of the following is the most likely cause of the​ seizure?

A

Eclampsia

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17
Q

Many stroke patients are candidates for thrombolytic drugs. One of the most important things that an EMT can do to optimize the care of a stroke patient who is a candidate for the drugs​ is:

A

determine the exact time of onset of symptoms.

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18
Q

Which of the following is the role of glucose in the​ body?

A

It provides energy for brain cells and other cells in the body.

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19
Q

Which of the following is the cause of most​ strokes?

A

Blockage of an artery supplying part of the brain

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20
Q

Which of the following is one of the most common characteristics of a​ stroke?

A

Weakness on one side of the body

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21
Q

Which of the following is characteristic of a patient with​ hyperglycemia?

A

A​ “fruity” odor of the breath

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22
Q

With advances in​ clot-busting (thrombolytic)​ drugs, the patient has a window of​ ________ hours to receive treatment.

A

​3-4.5

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23
Q

Your patient is a​ 70-year-old man whose wife called EMS because her husband began exhibiting unusual behavior. Upon your arrival you introduce yourself to the​ patient, who​ responds, “Not until nine​ o’clock.” This phenomenon is BEST described​ as:

A

receptive aphasia.

24
Q

Compared to​ hypoglycemia, which of the following is TRUE of​ hyperglycemia?

A

Its onset is more gradual.

25
Q

Which of the following may result in hypoglycemia in the diabetic​ patient?

A

Vomiting after eating a meal

26
Q

Normal consciousness is regulated by a series of neurologic circuits in the brain that compose the reticular activating system​ (RAS). The RAS has simple requirements to function properly. Which of the following items are requirements?

A

water

glucose

oxygen

27
Q

When someone is experiencing​ hypoglycemia, the body attempts to compensate by using the​ fight-or-flight mechanism of the autonomic nervous system. Which of the following is NOT one of the​ fight-or-flight responses?

A

The skin is hot and dry.

28
Q

Which of the following is a standardized test to evaluate a conscious patient for possible​ stroke?

A

Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale

29
Q

The most common medical emergency for the diabetic is​ hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar. Which of the factors below is NOT a cause of​ hypoglycemia?

A

Reduces sugar intake by eating too much

30
Q

Which of the items below is part of the Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke​ Scale?

A

Test the patient for arm droop or lack of movement.

Ask the patient to smile.

Have the patient repeat a simple sentence.

31
Q

The medical term for fainting​ is:

32
Q

During your primary​ assessment, you find your patient has an altered mental status. This could indicate which of the​ following?

A

Failing respiratory system

33
Q

Which of the following blood glucose levels is considered normal for an​ adult?

A

80​ mg/dL

34
Q

Your patient is a​ 44-year-old male with a history of diabetes. He is lying on the living room​ floor, unresponsive to all stimuli. He has a respiratory rate of 12 breaths per minute and heart rate of 112 beats per​ minute, and is pale and sweaty. Which of the following should you do to treat this​ patient?

A

Place the patient in the recovery​ position, administer​ oxygen, and monitor his airway status.

35
Q

There are two types of​ seizures; if your patient is having a seizure that affects only one body part and does not cause her to lose​ consciousness, it is called​ a:

A

partial seizure.

36
Q

Which of the following is the LEAST important question in obtaining the history of a seizure patient in the prehospital​ setting?

A

Does the patient have a family history of​ seizures?

37
Q

Which of the following is an action of​ insulin?

A

It helps the movement of sugar from the bloodstream to the cell.

38
Q

Looking at the following​ list, which of the items does NOT correctly compare the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia and​ hyperglycemia?

A

The hypoglycemic patient usually complains of a​ headache, whereas the hyperglycemic patient does not.

39
Q

When assessing a conscious patient for a possible stroke using the Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke​ Scale, which of the following three functions should be tested by the​ EMT?

A

Control of facial​ muscles, ability to​ speak, and ability to hold both arms in an extended position for 10 seconds

40
Q

Your patient is an unresponsive​ 30-year-old male wearing a​ Medic-Alert bracelet indicating that he is a diabetic. The​ patient’s coworkers came by his house to check on him when he did not show up for work and did not call in sick. Your assessment does not clearly indicate to you whether the patient may be hypoglycemic or hyperglycemic. Which of the following should you do​ next?

A

Apply oxygen and begin transport without taking further action.

41
Q

Most of the diabetic emergencies that you will be called to deal with will be related to hypoglycemia.​ However, occasionally you will experience an instance of hyperglycemia. In the list​ below, which item is NOT likely to be a sign or symptom of​ hyperglycemia?

A

Reduced rate of breathing

42
Q

For the​ EMT, which of the following is the most important question to ask of a diabetic patient or his family​ members?

A

When was the last time you had something to​ eat?

43
Q

A patient who demonstrates any one of the three symptoms from the Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale has​ a(n) ________% chance of having an acute stroke.

44
Q

Which of the following is within the​ EMT’s scope of practice for the treatment of the diabetic​ patient?

A

Administration of oral glucose

45
Q

The condition in which there is an insufficient amount of sugar in the blood is​ called:

A

hypoglycemia.

46
Q

Your patient is a​ 21-year-old female with a history of epilepsy. She is having a convulsion upon your arrival. Which of the following should you​ do?

A

Move furniture and other objects away from the patient to prevent injury.

47
Q

A seizure that occurs spontaneously from an unknown cause is​ called:

A

idiopathic.

48
Q

Which of the following is NOT a sign or symptom of​ stroke?

A

Chest pain

49
Q

Many diabetics today have an insulin pump. Which of the following statements about insulin pumps is NOT​ true?

A

They are usually worn around the ankle.

50
Q

Which of the following refers to difficulty in using words or understanding speech as a result of a​ stroke?

51
Q

Which of the following statements about seizures is NOT​ true?

A

Many seizures are followed by an aura.

52
Q

You have arrived on the scene of a call for a possible stroke. On your​ arrival, the patient denies signs and​ symptoms, is alert and​ oriented, and moves all extremities well. Her husband states that before you arrived the patient could not move her right arm and the left side of her face seemed to be​ “slack.” Which of the following has most likely​ occurred?

A

The patient suffered a transient ischemic attack.

53
Q

Which is NOT one of the steps in managing a patient experiencing dizziness and​ syncope?

A

Apply cold packs to the​ patient’s head.

54
Q

Which of the following is LEAST important for the patient who has stopped seizing before the​ EMT’s arrival at the​ scene?

A

Requesting advanced life support

55
Q

Many factors that cause dizziness and syncope are generally related to​ the:

56
Q

Which of the following conditions may be mimicked by​ hypoglycemia?

A

Intoxication

57
Q

Which of the following BEST describes status​ epilepticus?

A

Two or more seizures with​ tonic-clonic activity without an intervening period of consciousness