Neurological Emergencies

Question 1

A 30-year-old male experienced a generalized (tonic-clonic) seizure, which stopped before you arrived at the scene. The patient is conscious, is answering your questions appropriately, and refuses EMS transport. Which of the following would be the MOST compelling reason to disagree with his refusal of transport?

Answer 1

He is currently not prescribed any medications

Question 2

A patient who is possibly experiencing a stroke is NOT eligible for thrombolytic (fibrinolytic) therapy if he or she:

Answer 2

Has bleeding within the brain

Question 3

A patient whose speech is slurred and difficult to understand is experiencing:

Answer 3

Dysarthria

Question 4

A patient with altered mental status is:

Answer 4

Not thinking clearly or is incapable of being aroused

Question 5

During the primary assessment of a semiconscious 70-year-old female, you should:

Answer 5

Ensure a patent airway and support ventilation as needed

Question 6

Interruption of cerebral blood flow may result from all of the following, EXPECT:

Answer 6

Cerebral vasodilation

Question 7

The left cerebral hemisphere controls:

Answer 7

The right side of the body

Question 8

The MOST significant risk factor for a hemorrhagic stroke is:

Answer 8

Hypertension

Question 9

The three major parts of the brain are the:

Answer 9

Cerebrum, cerebellum, and brain stem

Question 10

When assessing for arm drift of a patient with a suspected stroke, you should:

Answer 10

Ask the patient to close his or her eyes during the assessment

Question 11

When caring for a patient with documented hypoglycemia, you should be MOST alert for:

Answer 11

A seizure

Question 12

When you are obtaining medical history from the family of a suspected stroke patient, it is MOST important to determine:

Answer 12

When the patient last appeared normal

Question 13

Which of the following conditions would be LEAST likely to mimic the signs and symptoms of a stroke?

Answer 13

Hypovolemia

Question 14

Which of the following conditions would MOST likely affect the entire brain?

Answer 14

Respiratory failure or cardiopulmonary arrest

Question 15

Which of the following MOST accurately describes a simple partial seizure?

Answer 15

A seizure that begins in one extremity

Question 16

Which of the following MOST accurately describes what the patient will experience during the postictal state that follows a seizure?

Answer 16

Confusion and fatigue

Question 17

Which of the following symptoms would lead to the EMT to believe that a patient’s headache is caused by sinus congestion?

Answer 17

The pain is worse when bending over

Question 18

You are caring for a 68-year-old man with sudden onset of left-sided paralysis and slurred speech. His airway is patent, his respirations are 14 breaths/min with adequate depth, and his oxygen saturation is 98%. Treatment for this patient should include:

Answer 18

Recovery position and transport

Question 19

You respond to a residence for a child who is having a seizure. Upon arrival at the scene, you enter the residence and find the mother holding her child, a 2-year-old male. The child is conscious and crying. According to the mother, the child had been running a high fever and then experienced a seizure that lasted approximately 3 minutes. You should:

Answer 19

Transport the child to the hospital and reassure the mother en route

Question 20

Your patient opens his eyes, moans, and pulls away from you when you pinch his trapezius muscle. You should assign a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of:

Answer 20

8