Ch21 Practice Questions Flashcards
You are notified that a patient is coming to the first-aid room with bruising to the lumbar area of the back. Based on this statement, you would expect to find bruising in which area?
A) The upper back
B) The neck
C) The lower back
D) The buttocks
You are notified that a patient is coming to the first-aid room with bruising to the lumbar area of the back. Based on this statement, you would expect to find bruising in which area? A) The upper back B) The neck C) The lower back D) The buttocks
Ans: C
Complexity: Easy Ahead: Anatomy and Physiology Subject: Chapter 21 Title: Spine, Brain, and Nervous System Injuries Feedback: 511-512 Objective: 21-3
You respond to an accident at which a male patient is complaining of severe back pain. He informs you that his back pain is coming from a recent fracture of his coccyx. Based on this information, what area of the back would the pain be emanating from?
A) The neck
B) The upper back
C) The lowest part of the spine
D) The lower back
You respond to an accident at which a male patient is complaining of severe back pain. He informs you that his back pain is coming from a recent fracture of his coccyx. Based on this information, what area of the back would the pain be emanating from? A) The neck B) The upper back C) The lowest part of the spine D) The lower back
Ans: C
Complexity: Easy Ahead: Anatomy and Physiology Subject: Chapter 21 Title: Spine, Brain, and Nervous System Injuries Feedback: 511-512 Objective: 21-3
Which of the following signs or symptoms might be evident for an injury to the autonomic nervous system?
A) Vomiting
B) Elevated heart rate
C) Inability to move facial muscles
D) Trouble remembering one’s own name
Which of the following signs or symptoms might be evident for an injury to the autonomic nervous system? A) Vomiting B) Elevated heart rate C) Inability to move facial muscles D) Trouble remembering one’s own name
Ans: B
Complexity: Moderate Ahead: Anatomy and Physiology Subject: Chapter 21 Title: Spine, Brain, and Nervous System Injuries Feedback: 512 Objective: 21-3
A patient was killed immediately following a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Which portion of the central nervous system was most likely damaged in order to cause the rapid death of the patient?
A) The cerebrum
B) The brainstem
C) The cerebellum
D) The meninges
A patient was killed immediately following a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Which portion of the central nervous system was most likely damaged in order to cause the rapid death of the patient? A) The cerebrum B) The brainstem C) The cerebellum D) The meninges
Ans: B
Complexity: Moderate Ahead: Anatomy and Physiology Subject: Chapter 21 Title: Spine, Brain, and Nervous System Injuries Feedback: 512 Objective: 21-1
For a person to make a fist, which of the following must occur?
A) The central nervous system must send a message through the spinal cord and then through the peripheral nerves.
B) The central nervous system must send a message through the spinal cord and then through the autonomic nervous system.
C) The peripheral nervous system must send a message to the brain and then back through the peripheral nervous system.
D) The muscles must signal the brain to send a message through the autonomic nervous system.
For a person to make a fist, which of the following must occur?
A) The central nervous system must send a message through the spinal cord and then through the peripheral nerves.
B) The central nervous system must send a message through the spinal cord and then through the autonomic nervous system.
C) The peripheral nervous system must send a message to the brain and then back through the peripheral nervous system.
D) The muscles must signal the brain to send a message through the autonomic nervous system.
Ans: A
Complexity: Moderate Ahead: Anatomy and Physiology Subject: Chapter 21 Title: Spine, Brain, and Nervous System Injuries Feedback: 512-513 Objective: 21-1
A 68-year-old female patient is complaining of a headache and generalized weakness. Her husband informs you that she was with a friend yesterday and struck her face on the dashboard during a motor vehicle collision. Her past medical history includes a stroke that caused right arm weakness and high blood pressure. When assessing this patient, which of the following findings should concern you the most?
A) A contusion to her left cheek
B) Weakness in the grip of the right hand
C) Bruising behind her left ear
D) A complaint of pain when she moves her jaw
A 68-year-old female patient is complaining of a headache and generalized weakness. Her husband informs you that she was with a friend yesterday and struck her face on the dashboard during a motor vehicle collision. Her past medical history includes a stroke that caused right arm weakness and high blood pressure. When assessing this patient, which of the following findings should concern you the most?
A) A contusion to her left cheek
B) Weakness in the grip of the right hand
C) Bruising behind her left ear
D) A complaint of pain when she moves her jaw
Ans: C
Complexity: Moderate Ahead: Head Soft-Tissue Injuries Subject: Chapter 21 Title: Spine, Brain, and Nervous System Injuries Feedback: 514 Objective: 21-5
Which of the following findings is most consistent with a skull fracture?
A) Bruising behind the ear that develops several hours after the injury
B) Bilateral dilated pupils that do not respond to light
C) A hematoma in the occipital area of the head
D) Altered mental status
Which of the following findings is most consistent with a skull fracture?
A) Bruising behind the ear that develops several hours after the injury
B) Bilateral dilated pupils that do not respond to light
C) A hematoma in the occipital area of the head
D) Altered mental status
Ans: A
Complexity: Moderate Ahead: Head Soft-Tissue Injuries Subject: Chapter 21 Title: Spine, Brain, and Nervous System Injuries Feedback: 514 Objective: 21-6
A mechanical injury to the brain that results in a short-term and/or a long-term neurologic deficit is:
A) a repetitive head injury.
B) a subdural hematoma.
C) neural ischemia.
D) a traumatic brain injury.
A mechanical injury to the brain that results in a short-term and/or a long-term neurologic deficit is: A) a repetitive head injury. B) a subdural hematoma. C) neural ischemia. D) a traumatic brain injury.
Ans: D
Complexity: Moderate Ahead: Brain Injuries Subject: Chapter 21 Title: Spine, Brain, and Nervous System Injuries Feedback: 515 Objective: 21-2
A male soccer player was struck in the head with a soccer ball. Players state that he was dazed for several seconds following the impact and then asked the same questions over and over. He is currently conscious and oriented to person but is confused as to place and time. He also has a reddened area on the side of his head and face. As you proceed with your assessment, his memory continues to improve. Based on these findings, you would suspect which of the following injuries?
A) A concussion/TBI
B) An open head injury
C) An epidural hematoma
D) A cerebral contusion
A male soccer player was struck in the head with a soccer ball. Players state that he was dazed for several seconds following the impact and then asked the same questions over and over. He is currently conscious and oriented to person but is confused as to place and time. He also has a reddened area on the side of his head and face. As you proceed with your assessment, his memory continues to improve. Based on these findings, you would suspect which of the following injuries? A) A concussion/TBI B) An open head injury C) An epidural hematoma D) A cerebral contusion
Ans: A
Complexity: Moderate Ahead: Brain Injuries Subject: Chapter 21 Title: Spine, Brain, and Nervous System Injuries Feedback: 515-516 Objective: 21-6
Your patient is a young female who was thrown from her mountain bike and is now confused. Assessment findings include an open airway, adequate breathing, and a strong radial pulse. Which of the following questions would be the most important to ask her friends who were with her?
A) “Has she ever needed to be hospitalized before?”
B) “Are all of her immunizations up to date?”
C) “Is she allergic to anything?”
D) “Did she lose responsiveness?”
Your patient is a young female who was thrown from her mountain bike and is now confused. Assessment findings include an open airway, adequate breathing, and a strong radial pulse. Which of the following questions would be the most important to ask her friends who were with her?
A) “Has she ever needed to be hospitalized before?”
B) “Are all of her immunizations up to date?”
C) “Is she allergic to anything?”
D) “Did she lose responsiveness?”
Ans: D
Complexity: Easy Ahead: Brain Injuries Subject: Chapter 21 Title: Spine, Brain, and Nervous System Injuries Feedback: 516 Objective: 21-6
You are participating in training OEC candidates and are asked about cerebral contusions. You would explain to the class that a cerebral contusion is:
A) an open skull fracture with increased pressure within the skull.
B) the formation of a pocket of blood within the brain tissue.
C) bruising and swelling of the brain tissue.
D) active bleeding between the brain and the skull.
You are participating in training OEC candidates and are asked about cerebral contusions. You would explain to the class that a cerebral contusion is:
A) an open skull fracture with increased pressure within the skull.
B) the formation of a pocket of blood within the brain tissue.
C) bruising and swelling of the brain tissue.
D) active bleeding between the brain and the skull.
Ans: C
Complexity: Easy Ahead: Brain Injuries Subject: Chapter 21 Title: Spine, Brain, and Nervous System Injuries Feedback: 517 Objective: 21-5
A patient involved in a motor-vehicle collision has suffered the separation of a rib from a spinal vertebra. Based on the anatomy of the spine, where has this injury occurred?
A) The lumbar spine
B) The cervical spine
C) The middle spine
D) The thoracic spine
A patient involved in a motor-vehicle collision has suffered the separation of a rib from a spinal vertebra. Based on the anatomy of the spine, where has this injury occurred? A) The lumbar spine B) The cervical spine C) The middle spine D) The thoracic spine
Ans: D
Complexity: Moderate Ahead: Spine Injuries Subject: Chapter 21 Title: Spine, Brain, and Nervous System Injuries Feedback: 518 Objective: 21-3
A young intoxicated male patient cannot move his lower extremities after diving into the shallow end of a pool and hitting the bottom with his head. Which of the following mechanisms is most likely to be responsible for this injury?
A) Compression
B) Rotation
C) Distraction
D) Penetration
A young intoxicated male patient cannot move his lower extremities after diving into the shallow end of a pool and hitting the bottom with his head. Which of the following mechanisms is most likely to be responsible for this injury? A) Compression B) Rotation C) Distraction D) Penetration
Ans: A
Complexity: Easy Ahead: Spine Injuries Subject: Chapter 21 Title: Spine, Brain, and Nervous System Injuries Feedback: 518 Objective: 21-3
While performing a primary assessment on a patient who has an isolated spinal cord injury, you note that he is in severe respiratory distress and struggling to breathe. Where should you suspect that the spinal cord injury has occurred?
A) The diaphragm
B) The cervical spine
C) The thoracic spine
D) The lumbar spine
While performing a primary assessment on a patient who has an isolated spinal cord injury, you note that he is in severe respiratory distress and struggling to breathe. Where should you suspect that the spinal cord injury has occurred? A) The diaphragm B) The cervical spine C) The thoracic spine D) The lumbar spine
Ans: B
Complexity: Moderate Ahead: Spine Injuries Subject: Chapter 21 Title: Spine, Brain, and Nervous System Injuries Feedback: 518 Objective: 21-3
A primary injury to the central nervous system would be caused by:
A) drowning.
B) a hematoma.
C) a brachial plexus injury.
D) a laceration of the spinal cord.
A primary injury to the central nervous system would be caused by: A) drowning. B) a hematoma. C) a brachial plexus injury. D) a laceration of the spinal cord.
Ans: D
Complexity: Moderate Ahead: Spine Injuries Subject: Chapter 21 Title: Spine, Brain, and Nervous System Injuries Feedback: 518 Objective: 21-3
Which of the following signs or symptoms best indicates that a patient has suffered an injury to the thoracic spine?
A) Altered mental status
B) Paralysis of the arms
C) Tingling in the legs
D) Cool and diaphoretic skin
Which of the following signs or symptoms best indicates that a patient has suffered an injury to the thoracic spine? A) Altered mental status B) Paralysis of the arms C) Tingling in the legs D) Cool and diaphoretic skin
Ans: C
Complexity: Easy Ahead: Spine Injuries Subject: Chapter 21 Title: Spine, Brain, and Nervous System Injuries Feedback: 518-519 Objective: 21-6
You are assessing a 30-year-old man who has fallen about 20 feet. He is alert and oriented but states that he cannot move or feel his legs. Additionally, because his blood pressure is 82/48 mmHg, you suspect neurogenic shock. Which of the following additional assessment findings reinforces your suspicion of neurogenic shock?
A) Warm and dry skin
B) Heart rate of 144
C) Shallow rapid respirations
D) Heart rate of 44
You are assessing a 30-year-old man who has fallen about 20 feet. He is alert and oriented but states that he cannot move or feel his legs. Additionally, because his blood pressure is 82/48 mmHg, you suspect neurogenic shock. Which of the following additional assessment findings reinforces your suspicion of neurogenic shock? A) Warm and dry skin B) Heart rate of 144 C) Shallow rapid respirations D) Heart rate of 44
Ans: D
Complexity: Moderate Ahead: Spine Injuries Subject: Chapter 21 Title: Spine, Brain, and Nervous System Injuries Feedback: 519 Objective: 21-6
Which of the following findings indicates that a patient who received a blow to the head is suffering from something other than a concussion/TBI?
A) He cannot remember what happened.
B) He asks the same questions over and over.
C) His heart rate is 92, and his blood pressure is 144/86.
D) His pupils are noticeably unequal.
Which of the following findings indicates that a patient who received a blow to the head is suffering from something other than a concussion/TBI?
A) He cannot remember what happened.
B) He asks the same questions over and over.
C) His heart rate is 92, and his blood pressure is 144/86.
D) His pupils are noticeably unequal.
Ans: D
Complexity: Moderate
Ahead: Patient Assessment for Spine, Brain, and Nervous System Injuries
Subject: Chapter 21
Title: Spine, Brain, and Nervous System Injuries
Feedback: 519-520 [Table 21-3]
Objective: 21-5
You should recognize a possible spinal column injury with no spinal cord involvement when you discover which of the following assessment findings?
A) Tenderness to the thoracic spine with intact motor and sensory function in each extremity
B) Intact motor ability to all four extremities with the loss of sensation to the legs
C) Pain in the cervical spine with the loss of sensation to the right arm and leg
D) Intact sensation to all four extremities with the loss of motor ability in the arms
You should recognize a possible spinal column injury with no spinal cord involvement when you discover which of the following assessment findings?
A) Tenderness to the thoracic spine with intact motor and sensory function in each extremity
B) Intact motor ability to all four extremities with the loss of sensation to the legs
C) Pain in the cervical spine with the loss of sensation to the right arm and leg
D) Intact sensation to all four extremities with the loss of motor ability in the arms
Ans: A
Complexity: Moderate
Ahead: Patient Assessment for Spine, Brain, and Nervous System Injuries
Subject: Chapter 21
Title: Spine, Brain, and Nervous System Injuries
Feedback: 520
Objective: 21-5
A patient involved in a motor vehicle collision has a deformity to the left side of the head. The skin overlying the deformity is still intact. Based on these assessment findings, which of the following conditions would be your greatest concern?
A) A possible brain injury
B) A spinal cord injury
C) The potential for infection of the brain
D) Soft tissue trauma to the scalp
A patient involved in a motor vehicle collision has a deformity to the left side of the head. The skin overlying the deformity is still intact. Based on these assessment findings, which of the following conditions would be your greatest concern?
A) A possible brain injury
B) A spinal cord injury
C) The potential for infection of the brain
D) Soft tissue trauma to the scalp
Ans: A
Complexity: Moderate
Ahead: Patient Assessment for Spine, Brain, and Nervous System Injuries
Subject: Chapter 21
Title: Spine, Brain, and Nervous System Injuries
Feedback: 520
Objective: 21-5
An elderly patient has fallen down a flight of stairs and is complaining of neck and back pain and weakness to both legs. Your primary assessment reveals no life threats to the airway, breathing, or circulation. Manual in-line spinal stabilization is being maintained. Which of the following actions should you take next?
A) Apply high-flow oxygen and move the patient to a
stretcher for transport.
B) Complete a secondary assessment looking for injuries.
C) Place an oral airway and begin assisting ventilation.
D) Place a cervical collar on the patient and immobilize him to a long spine board.
An elderly patient has fallen down a flight of stairs and is complaining of neck and back pain and weakness to both legs. Your primary assessment reveals no life threats to the airway, breathing, or circulation. Manual in-line spinal stabilization is being maintained. Which of the following actions should you take next?
A) Apply high-flow oxygen and move the patient to a stretcher for transport.
B) Complete a secondary assessment looking for injuries.
C) Place an oral airway and begin assisting ventilation.
D) Place a cervical collar on the patient and immobilize him to a long spine board.
Ans: B
Complexity: Moderate
Ahead: Patient Assessment for Spine, Brain, and Nervous System Injuries
Subject: Chapter 21
Title: Spine, Brain, and Nervous System Injuries
Feedback: 520-521
Objective: 21-4
Which of the following statements about the care and treatment of a patient with a spinal injury in a prehospital setting is true?
A) Prehospital care for a patient with a spinal injury involves correcting life-threatening injuries and limiting secondary injury.
B) It is important to identify the site of spinal injury so that proper prehospital care can be rendered.
C) Before transporting a critically injured patient with a spinal injury, OEC technicians must perform a detailed head-to-toe neurological assessment.
D) If a patient with a possible spinal injury is in shock, it is permissible to forego immobilization because doing this uses up time during the golden hour.
Which of the following statements about the care and treatment of a patient with a spinal injury in a prehospital setting is true?
A) Prehospital care for a patient with a spinal injury involves correcting life-threatening injuries and limiting secondary injury.
B) It is important to identify the site of spinal injury so that proper prehospital care can be rendered.
C) Before transporting a critically injured patient with a spinal injury, OEC technicians must perform a detailed head-to-toe neurological assessment.
D) If a patient with a possible spinal injury is in shock, it is permissible to forego immobilization because doing this uses up time during the golden hour.
Ans: A
Complexity: Easy
Ahead: Patient Assessment for Spine, Brain, and Nervous System Injuries
Subject: Chapter 21
Title: Spine, Brain, and Nervous System Injuries
Feedback: 520-522
Objective: 21-4
Which description of a helmet would indicate that it needs to be removed in a prehospital setting?
A) Too large
B) Too small
C) Too far down on the neck
D) Too thin
Which description of a helmet would indicate that it needs to be removed in a prehospital setting? A) Too large B) Too small C) Too far down on the neck D) Too thin
Ans: A
Complexity: Easy
Ahead: Patient Assessment for Spine, Brain, and Nervous System Injuries
Subject: Chapter 21
Title: Spine, Brain, and Nervous System Injuries
Feedback: 520, 534
Objective: 21-14
Which of the following signs is a characteristic sign that may be seen during a secondary assessment of patients with spinal cord injury?
A) Normal skin color and complaint of headache and nausea
B) Flushed skin color below the level of the injury and impairment or absence of sensation and movement
C) Bruising on the back and on the abdomen at the level of the injury, with normal or impaired sensation
D) Flushed skin color at the level of pinpoint back pain
Which of the following signs is a characteristic sign that may be seen during a secondary assessment of patients with spinal cord injury?
A) Normal skin color and complaint of headache and nausea
B) Flushed skin color below the level of the injury and impairment or absence of sensation and movement
C) Bruising on the back and on the abdomen at the level of the injury, with normal or impaired sensation
D) Flushed skin color at the level of pinpoint back pain
Ans: B
Complexity: Moderate
Ahead: Patient Assessment for Spine, Brain, and Nervous System Injuries
Subject: Chapter 21
Title: Spine, Brain, and Nervous System Injuries
Feedback: 521
Objective: 21-4
