chapter 17 quiz questions
cerebrovascular accident
an interruption of blood flow to the brain that results in the loss of brain function; aka a stroke
hemiparesis
weakness on one side of the body
transient ischemic attack (TIA)
when stroke-like symptoms resolves themselves within 24 hours (mini stroke)
B. He is currently not prescribed any medications
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? Select one: A. He has experienced seizures since he was 20 B. He is currently not prescribed any medications C. His wife states that this was his "usual" seizure D. His Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score is 15
D. has bleeding within the brain.
A patient who is possibly experiencing a stroke is NOT eligible for thrombolytic (fibrinolytic) therapy if he or she: Select one: A. has had a prior heart attack. B. is older than 60 years of age. C. has a GCS score that is less than 8. D. has bleeding within the brain.
B. dysarthria.
A patient whose speech is slurred and difficult to understand is experiencing: Select one: A. aphasia. B. dysarthria. C. dysphagia. D. paraplegia.
D. not thinking clearly or is incapable of being aroused.
A patient with an altered mental status is: Select one: A. completely unresponsive to all forms of stimuli. B. typically alert but is confused as to preceding events. C. usually able to be aroused with a painful stimulus. D. not thinking clearly or is incapable of being aroused.
aneurysm
A swelling or enlargement of part of a blood vessel, resulting from weakening of the vessel wall.
D. ensure a patent airway and support ventilation as needed.
During the primary assessment of a semiconscious 70-year-old female, you should: Select one: A. insert a nasopharyngeal airway and assist ventilations. B. immediately determine the patient's blood glucose level. C. ask family members if the patient has a history of stroke. D. ensure a patent airway and support ventilation as needed.
A. increased intracranial pressure
Headache, vomiting, altered mental status, and seizures are all considered early signs of: Select one: A. increased intracranial pressure. B. decreased intracranial pressure. C. increased extracranial pressure. D. decreased extracranial pressure.
D. stroke.
Hypoglycemia can mimic conditions such as: Select one: A. cystic fibrosis. B. myocardial infarction. C. high fever. D. stroke.
C. cerebral vasodilation.
Interruption of cerebral blood flow may result from all of the following, EXCEPT: Select one: A. a thrombus. B. an embolism. C. cerebral vasodilation. D. an acute arterial rupture.
B. headache.
Patients with a subarachnoid hemorrhage typically complain of a sudden severe: Select one: A. bout of dizziness. B. headache. C. altered mental status. D. thirst.
febrile seizures
Seizures that result from sudden high fevers, particularly in children.
aphasia
The inability to understand and/or produce speech.
C. the right side of the body.
The left cerebral hemisphere controls: Select one: A. the right side of the face. B. heart rate and pupil reaction. C. the right side of the body. D. breathing and blood pressure.
B. mental status
The principal difference between a patient who has had a stroke and a patient with hypoglycemia almost always has to do with the: Select one: A. papillary response. B. mental status. C. blood pressure. D. capillary refill time.
D. cerebrum, cerebellum, and brain stem.
The three major parts of the brain are the: Select one: A. cerebellum, medulla, and occiput. B. brain stem, midbrain, and spinal cord. C. midbrain, cerebellum, and spinal cord. D. cerebrum, cerebellum, and brain stem.
C. ask the patient to close his or her eyes during the assessment.
When assessing for arm drift of a patient with a suspected stroke, you should: Select one: A. observe movement of the arms for approximately 2 minutes. B. expect to see one arm slowly drift down to the patient's side. C. ask the patient to close his or her eyes during the assessment. D. ask the patient to hold his or her arms up with the palms down.
C. an ischemic stroke.
When blood flow to a particular part of the brain is cut off by a blockage inside a blood vessel, the result is: Select one: A. a hemorrhagic stroke. B. atherosclerosis. C. an ischemic stroke. D. a cerebral embolism.
A. a seizure.
When caring for a patient with documented hypoglycemia, you should be MOST alert for: Select one: A. a seizure. B. an acute stroke. C. respiratory distress. D. a febrile convulsion.
A. when the patient last appeared normal.
When you are obtaining medical history from the family of a suspected stroke patient, it is MOST important to determine: Select one: A. when the patient last appeared normal. B. if there is a family history of a stroke. C. if the patient has been hospitalized before. D. the patient's overall medication compliance.
A. A seizure that begins in one extremity
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 seizure that is not preceded by an aura D. A generalized seizure without incontinence
C. Confusion and fatigue
Which of the following MOST accurately describes what the patient will experience during the postictal state that follows a seizure? Select one: A. Hyperventilation and hypersalivation B. A rapidly improving level of consciousness C. Confusion and fatigue D. A gradually decreasing level of consciousness
D. Respiratory failure or cardiopulmonary arrest
Which of the following conditions would MOST likely affect the entire brain? Select one: A. Blocked cerebral artery in the frontal lobe B. Reduced blood supply to the left hemisphere C. Ruptured cerebral artery in the occipital lobe D. Respiratory failure or cardiopulmonary arrest
B. Hypovolemia
Which of the following conditions would be the LEAST likely to mimic the signs and symptoms of a stroke? Select one: A. Hypoglycemia B. Hypovolemia C. A postictal state D. Intracranial bleeding
D. The pain is worse when bending over
Which of the following symptoms would lead the EMT to believe that a patient's headache is caused by sinus congestion? Select one: A. The headache began suddenly B. There is associated neck stiffness C. There is numbness in the extremities D. The pain is worse when bending over
B. Left hemisphere
You are called to a home and find a 56-year-old woman supine in her bed. She appears alert, but has slurred speech. Her family tells you she has a history of TIAs and hypertension. You ask the patient, "What day is it today?" Her reply is, "Butterfly." Which area of the brain is likely affected? Select one: A. Occipital lobe B. Left hemisphere C. Cerebellum D. Right hemisphere
A. recovery position and transport
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: Select one: A. recovery position and transport. B. ventilatory assistance and transport. C. high-flow oxygen and transport. D. oral glucose gel and transport.
B. transport the child to the hospital and reassure the mother en route.
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: Select one: A. cover the child with wet towels and give oxygen via nasal cannula. B. transport the child to the hospital and reassure the mother en route. C. advise the mother to take her child to the doctor the following day. D. call medical control and request permission to give the child aspirin.
C. 8
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: Select one: A. 6. B. 7. C. 8. D. 9.
thrombosis
a blood clot, either arterial or vein. when clot occurs in the cerebral artery, it may result in the interruption of cerebral blood flow and subsequent stroke
status epilepticus
a condition in which seizures recur every few minutes or last longer than 30 minutes
atherosclerosis
a disorder in which calcium and cholesterol build up in the bv walls and arteries... potentially leading to a clot
partial seizure
a seizure affecting a limited portion of the body
generalized (tonic-clonic) seizure)
a seizure characterized by severe twitching of all of the bodies muscles that may last up to 5 minutes possibly more AKA Grand Mal seizure
aura
a sensation experience before a seizure; serves as a warning sign for seizures
hemorrhagic stroke
a type of stroke that occurs as a result of bleeding in the brain
ischemic stroke
a type of stroke that occurs when blood flow to a particular part of the brain is cut off by a clot inside a BV
embolus
blood clot in the circulatory system
syncope
fainting
stroke
interruption of blood flow to the brain that results in loss of brain function AKA cerebrovascular accident
ischemia
lack of oxygen that deprives tissue of necessary nutrients, resulting from partial or complete blockage of blood flow
incontinence
loss of bowel or bladder control may be a result of a generalized seizure
dysarthria
slurred speech