Chapter 15 - Neurological Emergencies

Question 1

A patient whose speech is slurred and difficult to understand is experiencing:
Select one:
A. paraplegia.
B. dysphagia.
C. aphasia.
D. dysarthria.

Answer 1

D. dysarthria.

Question 2

A transient ischemic attack (TIA) occurs when:
Select one:
A. medications are given to dissolve a cerebral blood clot.
B. signs and symptoms resolve spontaneously within 48 hours.
C. a small cerebral artery ruptures and causes minimal damage.
D. the normal body processes destroy a clot in a cerebral artery.

Answer 2

D. the normal body processes destroy a clot in a cerebral artery.

Question 3

An area of swelling or enlargement in a weakened arterial wall is called:
Select one:
A. an aneurysm.
B. atherosclerosis.
C. an embolism.
D. a thrombus.

Answer 3

A. an aneurysm.

Question 4

Interruption of cerebral blood flow may result from all of the following, EXCEPT:
Select one:
A. an embolism.
B. an acute arterial rupture.
C. cerebral vasodilation.
D. a thrombus.

Answer 4

C. cerebral vasodilation

Question 5

The most basic functions of the body, such as breathing, blood pressure, and swallowing, are controlled by the:
Select one:
A. cerebellum.
B. cerebrum.
C. cerebral cortex.
D. brain stem.

Answer 5

D. brain stem.

Question 6

What Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score would you assign to a patient who responds to painful stimuli, uses inappropriate words, and maintains his or her arms in a flexed position?
Select one:
A. 8
B. 10
C. 6
D. 9

Answer 6

A. 8

Question 7

Which of the following conditions is NOT a common cause of seizures?
Select one:
A. acute alcohol withdrawal
B. poisoning or overdose
C. acute hypoglycemia
D. severe hypovolemia

Answer 7

D. severe hypovolemia

Question 8

Which of the following medications is NOT used to treat patients with a history of seizures?
Select one:
A. phenobarbital
B. hydromorphone (Dilaudid)
C. carbamazepine (Tegretol)
D. phenytoin (Dilantin)

Answer 8

B. hydromorphone (Dilaudid)

Question 9

Which of the following MOST accurately describes a simple partial seizure?
Select one:
A. a seizure that begins in one extremity
B. a seizure that causes the patient to stare blankly
C. a generalized seizure without incontinence
D. a seizure that is not preceded by an aura

Answer 9

A. a seizure that begins in one extremity

Question 10

You are assessing a 49-year-old man who, according to his wife, experienced a sudden, severe headache and then passed out. He is unresponsive and has slow, irregular breathing. His blood pressure is 190/94 mm Hg and his pulse rate is 50 beats/min. His wife tells you that he has hypertension and diabetes. He has MOST likely experienced:
Select one:
A. a ruptured cerebral artery.
B. acute hypoglycemia. 
C. a complex partial seizure.
D. an occluded cerebral artery.

Answer 10

A. a ruptured cerebral artery.

Question 11

You are caring for a 70-year-old woman with signs and symptoms of an acute stroke. She is conscious, has secretions in her mouth, and is breathing at a normal rate with adequate depth. You should:
Select one:
A. use a bag-mask device to assist her ventilations.
B. insert an oral airway, apply oxygen, and transport.
C. suction her oropharynx and apply 100% oxygen.
D. place her on her side and prepare for rapid transport.

Answer 11

C. suction her oropharynx and apply 100% oxygen.